Drum Session + Mics question...

[strat+ac30]

I've got a drum session coming up and I've recently acquired a bunch of new mics. The drummer and I are going to take a day to just play with sounds, helping me get familiar with how they each sound. Not the sluttiest mic locker, but should be able to give some fine sounds.

Given this gear list, what would you try & where?

LDCs
Pearlman TM1
Audio Technica AT4033
CAD M179 (x3)
Marshall V67G

SDCs
Marshall MXL603S (x2)
Behringer ECM8000 (x2)

Ribbons
Royer R121
Apex 205 (x2)
Nady RSM-2
Stellar RM3 (Chinese R121 lookalike)

Dynamics
AKG D112
Shure SM7B
Shure SM57
Audix i5
Beyerdynamic M88
Beyerdynamic M201

Preamps (15 total)
2x Seventh Circle Audio N72
1x Seventh Circle Audio A12
8x Mackie Onyx 800R
4x RME Fireface800

My "first try" would probably look something like this:

Kik in - D112
Kik out - R121 or M88
Snare top - M201, i5 or 57 (depends on snare)
Snare bottom - M201, i5, or 57 (depends on snare)
Toms - M179s
Hi-hat & Ride - MXL603S
Overhead - Pearlman TM1 --> SCA A12 (mono) or TM1/AT4033(mismatched stereo)
Room - Apex 205 (stereo), ECM8000 (stereo)

And for the preamps, I'd use the SCA stuff on overheads, then snare top, then kick (if mono overhead). I'd probably put the Snare bottom, hi-hat and ride through the RME preamps as I figure those would be most likely to not make the mix (this dummer uses toms pretty frequently).

[J.D. Short]

Originally Posted by strat+ac30

I've got a drum session coming up and I've recently acquired a bunch of new mics. The drummer and I are going to take a day to just play with sounds, helping me get familiar with how they each sound. Not the sluttiest mic locker, but should be able to give some fine sounds.

Given this gear list, what would you try & where?

LDCs
Pearlman TM1
Audio Technica AT4033
CAD M179 (x3)
Marshall V67G

SDCs
Marshall MXL603S (x2)
Behringer ECM8000 (x2)

Ribbons
Royer R121
Apex 205 (x2)
Nady RSM-2
Stellar RM3 (Chinese R121 lookalike)

Dynamics
AKG D112
Shure SM7B
Shure SM57
Audix i5
Beyerdynamic M88
Beyerdynamic M201

Preamps (15 total)
2x Seventh Circle Audio N72
1x Seventh Circle Audio A12
8x Mackie Onyx 800R
4x RME Fireface800

My "first try" would probably look something like this:

Kik in - D112
Kik out - R121 or M88
Snare top - M201, i5 or 57 (depends on snare)
Snare bottom - M201, i5, or 57 (depends on snare)
Toms - M179s
Hi-hat & Ride - MXL603S
Overhead - Pearlman TM1 --> SCA A12 (mono) or TM1/AT4033(mismatched stereo)
Room - Apex 205 (stereo), ECM8000 (stereo)

And for the preamps, I'd use the SCA stuff on overheads, then snare top, then kick (if mono overhead). I'd probably put the Snare bottom, hi-hat and ride through the RME preamps as I figure those would be most likely to not make the mix (this dummer uses toms pretty frequently).

I'd say this (but it always depends on your drumkit and how the drummer plays):

Kick inside - D112
Kick outside - R121 (mmm, this is a great kick mic IMO)
Snare top - i5
Snare bottom - SM57 (I think the 57's response is perfect for snare-side)
Toms - M179s with pads, if you've got 'em
Hi-hat - SM7b (secret weapon!)
Overhead - MXL603s
Room - Either the AT4033 and/or the Chinese R121 (if you use the knockoff I'd put it behind the drummer for a different effect, just don't forget to flip the phase if needed)

I think you've got the idea, but just remember to switch stuff up if you feel it's not working! Also, use new heads if you can and TUNE YOUR EFFIN DRUMS

EDIT: You've picked the best preamps you have currently for the situation, I'd suggest renting some though. Also, sometimes you won't need a stereo room effect, if you have a good mic picking up the whole room the overheads should do fine for your stereo effect.

[strat+ac30]

Originally Posted by J.D. Short

Hi-hat - SM7b (secret weapon!)

I'll have to give this a try. What about it do you like?

Overhead - MXL603s

Is this because they're one of a few stereo pairs, or because you like the sound you get out of them?

Also, sometimes you won't need a stereo room effect, if you have a good mic picking up the whole room the overheads should do fine for your stereo effect.

Because I don't have many stereo pairs, I'm actually leaning towards a mono overhead with a stereo room sound. Along with panned close-miced toms/hat, I think this will give me all the stereo width I'll need. I'm definitely not a "super-wide drum sound" guy. Used to be, though

[Pearl.masters]

hey, i recorded drums the other day, and we used a m88 close to the beater, sounded FANTASTIC! but we were using a yamaha recording custom which rocked, i agree with the guy about the royer out side the kick fantastic sound, what kit is the drummer using?

Tom