Drum recording techniques/sound Criticism requested

[ajcarson1]

Hello All!

Just got some new microphones in, and have been experimenting with drum recording. I know literally nothing about drum recording, except a vague idea of where to place the microphones.

I've provided a sample of the best mix drum mix I could come up with. I'm recording in a carpeted room, with many obstacles, and almost no sound treatment -- and until I get out of college, there is little I can do about that.

What can anyone recommend be done to the drum sound/microphone placement/levels/room, if anything?

I know many of you have many years of experience, and I'll take all the pointers and guidance that I can get.

Thanks !

[Audio~Geek]

Sounds pretty natural to me. Does it sound like your kit?

I personally like a ton more low thump on the kick, with a click.

Give us some details and pics

[ajcarson1]

Is there someway to EQ in some thump? or should I play my bass drum mic differently? I know realistically, it should go inside the drum, but my drummer is reluctant to take off the front bass drum head.

It sounds like my kit, but the sound feels "dry" or "not dynamic" to me for some reason. It could be the room, or any other combination of factors. I'm clueless really :-)

Pictures include the kit, and a few mic placements. I don't have a great camera, but it gives you an idea.



This is the kit, only using one overhead microphone on the hi-hat.
(why did I buy the gold cables? )



This is the little recording area next to the drumset, with new monitors to come soon.



If you look closely you can see where I placed the "room" microphone -- right in front of the speaker cabinet.



Snare, Tom mic placement.



Hi Hat Small Diaphram Condenser..

As you can see, the room is quite large by most standards. But there are many objects that probably change sound qualities.


I'm not sure if I should use another condenser on the opposite side of the kit (above ride cymbal) or if I should move the room mic around somewhere else.

[Audio~Geek]

Thanks for sharing
You will get a fairly dry sound with mics close to the drums. Moving them back gives you a more natural sound, but less control because of the bleed between sources.
Have a look at this video for a great 2 mic overhead setup that captures the natural sound of the kit quite well. Add a kick mic if needed.

Usually with the snare you want the mic sitting just above the edge, pointing at the center of the drum. 15* angle or something.

The only picture I can find thats close on my computer is attached. That's a sm57 and a pencil condenser (Neumann or AKG?) taped together.

That will be an even dryer sound than you've got. Good for rock.

With the kick you can try moving the mic further back, away from the middle, drummer's side of the drum for different sounds. If you can put on headphones and get the drummer to just hit the kick while you adjust the mic it will help you a lot.


Try to keep your cables organized.
Coil the extra length on the side with the mic. Put a rug over the cables wherever someone would be walking.

Thump on the kick? Boost 200hz? while cutting 300hz possibly. Another boost at 6khz.
Try to get the sound at the drum.
You're going into a mixer so you won't have as much control over EQ.

[ajcarson1]

Hello All, I'm back

I've tweaked the drum sound a little. What all do you think?

At 1:15 in the recording I move the snare mic down towards the bottom of the snare.

Any thoughts?

[brandondrury]

I'm recording in a carpeted room

I knew that right away. While the tone isn't bad, it's always going to sound like a carpeted room. That's kinda like wearing 2 condoms....give or take for my tastes. I'm not big on dry drums, but I certainly own records that utilize them.

I liked the first drum sound better than the second. It sounds natural and not-boxy so you are in as good of shape as you are going to get out of that room. The engineering is solid. Move on. Make some music!

Brandon

[ajcarson1]

Thanks brandon,

I didn't figure I could do too much with carpet.

The first recording uses an MXL LDC as a room mic, while the second does not, and instead uses a second overhead microphone to give the kit a stereo feel.

Any tips on where to best place that MXL? I know very little about room mics.

Also, since the drums do seem a bit "dry"... is there anything I can do with EQ/Effects to brighten things up a bit?

Thanks for your help

[brandondrury]

I didn't figure I could do too much with carpet.

You could just cut it out and set it on fire!

Any tips on where to best place that MXL? I know very little about room mics.

In your case, it doesn't sound like the room is doing much. There are two schools of thought in these cases.

1) Getting a mic out in front of the kit can be used as an "enhancer" to what's already there and liven up the sound a bit simply because it's not 2" off a drum head.

2) The room mic isn't doing much because the room is so dead.

In the case of #1, I'd say you want to place the mic in a position that when you pull up the mic in the mix you go "Yeah!!!". If you can't find a place like that, don't bother.

In the case of #2, I'm starting this thread. Drum Recording - Room Mics