recording drums, question...

[gilson]

hello..next monday we are going to record drums for the first time in the studio.

i know that the drummer has a closed kick-drum , i have no experience with this, so what is the best way and with what mic to record it

(...and if you have any other sugestions for the whole recording, please tell me...toms, snare , overheads etc...)

thanks

gilson

[da burf]

maybe place a mic near the beater (on the 'hit' side of the drum)
and an outside kick mic in front of it.

[entropy]

but if you use the above method, you'll need to flip the phase of one of those mics on playback (or to tape but IMO, playback's the better option). Try doing it while listening to the whole kit to see which sounds better in context. My money would be on the front mic however ...... it's your call!

[da burf]

Originally posted by entropy
but if you use the above method, you'll need to flip the phase of one of those mics on playback (or to tape but IMO, playback's the better option). Try doing it while listening to the whole kit to see which sounds better in context. My money would be on the front mic however ...... it's your call!

Ofcourse, I forgot to add that.
Depending on the style/desired sound you won't need the beatermic.
Try it first with just front of kick.

[Jules]

Dont forget to move the mic around, try different mic(s) before eq-ing....

You can always build a blanket tunnel from the drum if the spill from the room gets on your nerves..

[dim light]

I have had luck with an AKG D112 on the batter skin and a Rode NTK about one meter from the front skin. I also made a cage (tunnel) for the kick to minimize cymbal bleed.

[nukmusic]

Hey check out mix magazine's website. They have a video on recording drums.something new they are starting.

[juniorhifikit]

For softer/jazz music it's cool. I just finished mixing a rock record with the beater side mic'd, and there was more under-snare than kick drum. Oy!

[Groove Dog]

before all of the great ideas above, make sure he tunes the drum well.

it's so much more crucial than mic choice and placement, and we always slack off in this department.

[manning1]

my favorite drum method is two crown pzm' mics xy overhead.
and snare and kik triggered by samples from a sampler.
ive found this is more controlled. maybe a beyer on snare.

[da burf]

For overheads I recently fell in love with the Recorderman method, fits my schoeps SD's as a glove

[Brandino221]

To get more "attack" tape a quater or buy those metal beater pads on the kick where the beaters hit. A 57 with another "kick drum mic" works great. Get that "click" sound from the 57 and get the body from the other mic. Try the 57 with or without the quater/or metal pad and the other way around. But if you do use the 57 make sure you use another mic with it. It may or may not work for the song. Another thing is make sure you get new heads and let them streach for 2 or 3 days before you record. A great kick drum head is the Evans. I can't remember what model but make sure you get the one that has 2x dampering pads. They freaking rock. I think it's the EQ series. There are a few different EQ models though. Just ask the drum saels guy and Check them out! The other option if you can't get the Evans kick head is Aquarian super kick. I think the 2 ply one. That is great as well. But those are the 2 great kick heads for rock. As far as toms and snare Evans are great too. ST dry is nice for snare. But you also have to know if you want bright or warm sounding drum heads. Anyways, I hope that helps. If you have any ?s feel free. Peace

[gilson]

thanks everyone, the drummer is an jazzdrummer , verry,verry good...i'll see what we will do , thanks for the reply's

[mwagener]

Try using a Countryman Lavalier mic (Omni) and thread it through the airhole on top of the kick, it should fit. I used to tape a pencil to the cable just above the mic to keep it straight and give it some weight. It will need a little EQ around 60Hz (+3 to 4dB depending on the drum). Has the advantage of keeping out the leakage. The drum itself might have to be deadened a little bit (small pillow or a small piece of auralex on the bottom, weigh it down with a rock or something)

Let us know how it goes.

[LittleDogAudio]

I think the biggest problem is going to be bleed from the snare and some hellish phase issues.

Try placing a foam/felt hood over the top of the kick mic. You will have to adjust it slightly because it will certainly change the characteristics of the mic.

Chris

[warhead]

Originally posted by manning1
my favorite drum method is two crown pzm' mics xy overhead.
and snare and kik triggered by samples from a sampler.
ive found this is more controlled. maybe a beyer on snare.

I gotta ask...does the Beyer trigger your snare samples better?

Sorry...couldn't resist.....!

War