Recording Drums w/ 2 inputs

[stratsg2207]

hey i'm lookin for the best way to record drums with an EMU 0404 USB audio interface...any suggestions would we great!!

[Greg_L]

Get a multi-channel mixer, plug the drum mics into it, and run the 2 outs from the mixer into the interface to record the drums. It's not the best way, but with a lot of trial and error, you can get a usable drum recording.

[drossfile]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

Get a multi-channel mixer, plug the drum mics into it, and run the 2 outs from the mixer into the interface to record the drums. It's not the best way, but with a lot of trial and error, you can get a usable drum recording.

+1

it's the only way, really. unless you want to rely on your overheads for your entire drum sound, which isn't unheard of, but certainly not optimum imo.

[tojo]

you could sell your emu and get a 8 channel firewire interface to simutaneously record to different tracks. That'll cost a bit,

i'm in the same boat as you. I managed to pick up a 12 channel mixer (although its really just 4 mic inputs and 4 stereo tracks) so i think i'm just going to go from my mixer to a stupid fasttrack usb... i just can't edit the tracks after the recording

[leddy]

It's a personal choice, and one based on what kind of sound you are looking for, not to mention the types of mics you have and the space you have to record in. All those things will affect the outcome of whatever method you use.

Having said that, there is no reason you can't get a great drum sound with two channels.

Close mic'ing sources does not lead to a natural sound. You will have to EQ the crap out of things, and that alone makes it harder than placing one or two good mics. Add to that phase problems, and possibly messing around with gates and you often make the job harder with multiple mics, and often not as good (unless you know what you are doing or the sound you want simply requires close mic'ing).

Omni mics can be used to get a stereo image of the kit - and omnis often have enough low end to get to get the bass drum without a separate mic. Also, one omni mic placed in the middle of the kit a few inches above the bass drum, near the drummer's right knee, kind of between the snare and the rack toms (low enough so it does not get whacked) can sometimes make the whole kit sound close-mic'd (though that would be in mono).

If it were me, I'd mess around with a stereo pair before messing with trying to mix everything live to two-track. At the very least, maybe get the stereo pair as close as possible and then just mix in a little snare and a little bass drum.

Trying to mix anything more than that without being able to go back and adjust anything is asking for trouble, IMO.

[toobalicious]

yeah. the easiest way is a stereo pair. search here or google "recorderman" for an example. no, it isnt ideal. however, it is easier to get a good balance than trying to record a stereo mix of a bunch of mics, even if the sounds are less than stellar. a lively kick drum helps--- a dead one kind of falls apart when captured this way, IME. additionally (and especially if you use single-ply heads) you might find your results improved by damping the highest overtones of the snare and toms with a little tissue or a moon gel or something. really ringy toms and snare seem to be exacerbated when micing this way, again, IME.
truly, i rarely use more than 4 mics on a kit in my space--- generally a loose variation of "recorderman" with the snare and kick close miced, and maybe a room mic. it wont work for metal, but it suits my needs just fine. it also helps a lot if your room sounds good and isnt too reflective.

the track below (which i have posted here before, so sorry for that) had its drum track captured by a stereo pair, though in this case the mics were LDC's and out in front of the kit a few feet, with a fair amount of fast attack/medium ratio compression. punchy and warm if a little lo-fi. there is no autotune in use, so yer cats may get a little frisky..... youve been warned.

woman2woman - .mp3 - 8.68MB

[stratsg2207]

yeah...i've been wanting to get a digital mixer to pair up with my DAW software or just another interface w/ more channels but i'm only16 and money is kind of an issue as u can imagine

any suggestions on an upgrade??

[mikeyhasnobones]

my band just recorded and i have the same issue (2 inputs) and we had real good results with using a mixer and having 1 overhead and 1 on the snare on one of the tracks and the kick drum on the other track. it's in mono, but i was pleasantly surprised.

[stratsg2207]

yeah right now i'm micing the kick drum and the snare and then i go in after and mic the toms and cymbals if i need to and for the hi-hat i just use the spill from the snare mic

[Mike Cleary]

get a firepod
;D