need advice to record percussion/drums!!

[Kiwi]

If you can't make an album with just 57s then you can't make an album. They will do. If you have spare cash look at a specific kick mic - tastes vary but an Audix D6 pleases many people.

Depending on your playing style, you might consider doing your drums as overdubs. This makes it a lot easier to process and edit tracks with 100% isolation. Also, with your 6 input profire you could track with multiple mics ... use them all, try different positions in the room, and then after tracking it's a lot easier to identify which mics sounded best, and/or mix and match. Maybe use a different mic to drive a delay or reverb ... lots of options if you choose to work this way.

yeah ive used 57s for guitar, bass cabs, snares, shakers beatboxing even vocals. they can take abuse.

you see on the profire the 2 xlr lines in the front are being processed through the onboard preamp. thats where i was going to put the two sm57's.

the 2 line level inputs in the back rely on a source that has its own output. since the presonus eureka has one i connect one there which leaves me with one more. but if i use any dynamic/ condensor mic i need to have something that is going to amplify it.

same goes with the spdif.

so basically im stuck with only 3 mics to use for a situation that i would need 5.
one for each conga/ bongo (4 dynamic mics)
1 condenser for ambiance.

OR

i can buy another condenser mic and dedicate one for the bongos another for congas.

i just want to be able to record everything together to get one good take.. these guys are beasts.

but in order to record everything, i think im just going to have to record everything separately.

i should of got the 2626 ugh

i will look into that mic for the kick though.. thanks

[excitableboy]

ditto on the Audix D6, it's basically pre-EQd to be punchy and thick, assuming your placement and tuning are in order.

[Djembe]

One mic is enough for bongos.

[John N]

I would agree for Bongos 1 mic is more than adequate. If your conga player is only playing 2 congas, you might want to think of just one mic on them as well.
Then you can pan the bongos a little to one side and the congas to the other.
If you go that route get a 57 or 58 right between the 2 drums and adjust till you get a good balance.

You should also be able to get a nice drums sound with 3 mics if that's all you have. Use the Bluebird as a mono overhead - just make sure you have a heavy duty stand and boom so its out of harm's way. Then spot the kick and snare with your 57s and 58s - or try that Sennheiser.
get a nice solid drum sound up the middel and your congas and bongos giving you a nice stereo image.

my .02

jn

cool thanks for the advice guys.

the conga player sits down ala poncho sanchez style so he would need two mics

a friend of mine is going to lend me a preamp so i can use the sm58 on the bongos

so i would have one mic on each conga, one for the bongos and the bluebird for the room

now brings me to my other question...

i have carpet in my room. the room is very neutral. not live but not dull

im thinking of putting wood under the congas, but is there anything i should be looking for in particular? and where would i go about getting it? i have a buttload of plywood at home but i want to be ready the day of and not have to run around

thanks again