Recording Drums?

[tomyco]

Here's my set up: Pro Tools LE with Digi 002 rack & M-Audio Octane.

I have a total of 12 tracks to work with. I am new to Pro Tools and recording in general. Can someone tell me the best way of recording drums? Do I need a drum mic on every drum? What is recommended? Distance from each drum? Gain? Tips? Tricks?

Easy on the terminology, again I'm new at this!

I will be recording drums for the first time and would appreciate any help. Thanks!

[richiebee]

It would probably help to know what genre you're recording and in what kind of room and how big a kit.

I've heard fantastic quality from a pair of microphones - in fact, I've heard fantastic quality from a single stereo microphone... but it would normally be desirable to use more, sometimes many more. It really depends on the style of what you're recording.

Also, what are you tracking at the same time?

[brandondrury]

Can someone tell me the best way of recording drums?

I'll tell you that if you tell me the best way to live. You are asking an EXTREMELY broad question. There a billion factors.

I can tell you the one way I KNOW will get you crappy drum sounds....expecting their to be a "best way". I just went over the drum recording portion of my upcoming home recording book and it took me all day to get through it (obviously, I was editing stuff, organizing, and doing more than reading. The book isn't THAT big!)

I've heard fantastic quality from a single stereo microphone...

One of the best drum sounds I've ever gotten used my Soundelux U99 and nothing else. Then again, I usually use about 10 mics, give or take.

So what kind of music are we talking about here? Is the room live? If you clap you hands do you hear an echo of some kind?

Do I need a drum mic on every drum?

Sometimes, but the really exciting "vibe" comes from room mics and the mics that are designed to pick up everything (overheads). The close mics are there to compliment the good sounding mics.

I will be recording drums for the first time and would appreciate any help. Thanks!
Alright dude, I'll give you a less general answer. If this is your first time, close mic everything. Put a mic maybe 2" from each drum. Listen to the tracks. They should be dull and boring sounding. "Thuddy" is a word that may describe this sound. Next fire up some overheads. Just guess where to put them. However, I HIGHLY recommend you have the drummer hold a string or cable in the center of the snare so you make sure that each overhead is an equal distance from the snare drum. This is to keep them in phase. You'll get a better idea of what this means down the road. Just do it for now.

For the kick drum, putting the mic closer to the beater gets you more attack. Pulling the mic back to the outside of the drum gets you more "meat" or deep low end balls.

Now, just listen to the overheads. This part should be way more fun to listen to than the close mics. Toss up a room mic. The sound should get even more fun.

If the room doesn't have any ambiance you are going to have a hard time getting great drum sounds.

Brandon

[adorian]

Here are a few articles to steer you in the right direction:

Recording Drums

Q. Can you help me with my drum recording?

Drum Magic!

Studio SOS: Drum Recording