How do you mic a drum set?

mynameisalfred · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 11:32 PM

I only have one mic, and I want to learn how to mic my drum set. I think the cheapest way for me to mic it is to buy another mic and do overhead mic-ing. Also, when and if I do my drum set, what do I do? As in where do I plug in the mic. Any help would be appreciated.

**Tainojim** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 12:11 PM

http://www.drumsetconnect.com/drum-f...drum-mics.html

mynameisalfred · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tainojim

http://www.drumsetconnect.com/drum-f...drum-mics.html

Oh, thank you!

**skinslapper** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 04:31 AM

Okay , so Jim has pointed you to probably the most full-on way of micing your drums, but for us amateurs there's is whole world of grey out there before you get to this.

If you want a decent sound out of one mic, the cheapest thing you could do is buy a usb Large diaphragm condensor mic. Ldc mics are designed to pick up the sound exactly as you hear it and with the USB connection you can plug it straight into hour pc and record with a free program like audacity.

The next step would be to buy a mixing desk and start your own mic collection. The book home recording for dummies has a great list of cheap and expensive mics for all applications and some know how on what to do with them. From here you can either mix all the elements into the two inputs in your pc, but if you want to record the drums individually, you'll need an audio interface that can use multiple inputs. There are lots of different sorts so look around for what works for you.

Recently I recorded using my old fender sun 12 channel mixer, a selection of mics ranging from $10 junk to sure sm48's, a dsp2000 cport interface with eight inputs, my 2.6g pc and a copy of cubase vst32. It wasn't half bad for price.

One cheat I used was I didn't own a large diaphragm mic for my bass drum so instead I used a trigger and a sample from my roland td6. Good bass sound, little cash.

There's an awful lot involved when recording. Check out homerecordingconnection.com for more articles and advice.

**Tainojim** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Your right slapper.

I remember when I did my first recordings back in in the days right after the wheel was invented or was it the fire.

A pair of dynamic stereo mics I dug up from an old Norelco cassette recorder and plugged them into an Ampeg reel to reel deck 2 channel (stereo).

But in the link above, I also mentioned how to set up three mics. Led Zepplin did lots of their old recordings that way.

3 Mic Setup:
Kick - 1 mic inside or outside
Overhead - Stereo matched pair condenser or Dynamic, any brand

A preamp which is in most mixers today is the next important unit. I was using an old Berringer 6 channel mixer until recently.

And of course an D/A converter to plug into the software.

Sometimes the frugal way is better. I'm using two sure podium mics for overheads.

Whatever works for you. These are only suggestions.
So good luck with this project.

**skinslapper** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 06:14 PM

I have since upgraded my pc slightly and have bought another cport so now I have 16 inputs. I need to get some new software, a ldc and at least a dedicated bass drum mic. There's a set on eBay I think the brand is mkd. Seems to be good bang for the buck although there were some real advantages to using a trigger. No bass drum leaking into other mics.

mynameisalfred · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 10:31 PM

Wow, haha, this all seems so expensive! Added that it's also confusing, but thanks for your guys' help. I'll start reseaching some of the stuff you guys told me a little more.

**skinslapper** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 06:50 AM

There's a whole universe of recording techniques out there. If you're passionate about studio work your best beginning would be to start assisting at a studio. Offer free help in return for learning and studio use. Who you know and all that.