I Need Help Recording Drums

[bassgtrst]

Hello fellas, just found this board and it looks like a great place to find some help with recording drums. You guys look like you know what you are talking about.

I have a band. For a while it was just me and our guitar/vocals guy. Recently we got a drummer and we are looking to record him in the fall. On past recordings we used the drum machine built into our Zoom MRS802 8 track unit.

Now we want to record our drummer on his set. Our unit has 2 XLR inputs on the back. Is it possible to get a good drum track with just 2 mics? Our mics are a Samson condenser mic an this cheap $30 radioshack mic. We do not want to upgrade our recording unit, we just want a good drum track.

Could any of you guys show me some decent cheap mics for drums? Or perhaps a good setup to get a good track with 2 mics?

I was thinking with only 2 inputs that we would probably need to buy a mixing board, but I figured I should ask around before going to that.

-Alec

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by bassgtrst

We do not want to upgrade our recording unit, we just want a good drum track.

I guess it depends on what your definition of "good" drum rack is. But if you're not willing to up-grade, don't expect what most people would call a "good" drum track.

But to answer one of your questions; Yes, you can get a good drum track with just 2 mics.

[mitosis]

Use the condenser as an OH either in front of the drumset or over the drummers head, and use the cheap radio shack mic for kick. Get another condenser like the one that you have and then if you have money another dynamic. GLS makes an immitation sm57 that is supposed to sound like the real thing. If you have to use just two tracks, use the two overheads or an overhead and a kick. It's definitely ideal and probably won't sound good but the set up works with your specifications.

[dwdrums801]

Rent a board for a day or two.

I have a very stupid friend who recorded just the snare and kick. Then recoreded the cymbals. Then put 2 mics on 3 toms and recored just the fills. In the end it wasent that bad and there was no bleed between mics cause he treated each drum/cymbal seperate. Does this make sence to any one or should I rephrase it?

[slidey]

Originally Posted by dwdrums801

Rent a board for a day or two.

I have a very stupid friend who recorded just the snare and kick. Then recoreded the cymbals. Then put 2 mics on 3 toms and recored just the fills. In the end it wasent that bad and there was no bleed between mics cause he treated each drum/cymbal seperate. Does this make sence to any one or should I rephrase it?

perfect sense

apparently Tina Turners take of What's Love Got To Do With It had a tracked up drum part

I've never done it as it would bend my head to much plus I can't help but feel the immediacy of a live take just wouldn't be there

[ermghoti]

Originally Posted by bassgtrst

Our unit has 2 XLR inputs on the back. Is it possible to get a good drum track with just 2 mics? Our mics are a Samson condenser mic an this cheap $30 radioshack mic.

Does your "unit" (giggle) have phantom power? If not, the Samson is a paperweight, although some may argue that would be just as well...

Place the Samson over the drummer's head, move it an point it in every conceivable direction. Take note of how each movement affects the sound, until you start to be able to troubleshoot intelligently, instead of randomly. Eventually, you should have a reasonable fascimile of the kit's sound, albeit on the "roomy" side.

Put the dynamic in front of the the front bass drum head, or inside it, if you have a hole. Again, move the bugger around, until it sounds as good as it's going to. Blend the two tracks, eq to taste, maybe compress 'em a bit.

$200 could buy you a couple decent condensors, that you could record practically anything with, in a pinch. SP B1's, Kel HM-1's, an Mxl LDC of some sort, something used from AT or AKG or Oktava, not that I'm trying to break your budget or anything. Look up "recorderman drums" in the search feature: it works, two mics.

I have had some really bad experiences with submixing multiple mics on to one or two tracks, if you decide later you don't like how they blend, well, tough. I'd rather just deal directly with my track shortage.

Of course, that's also why I coughed up the cash this year to get 16 inputs at once...