Recording Drums

[bozmillar]

in the past, I used to record drums with sticks, drumheads and microphones. It worked pretty well for me because the people that lived in the apartment below me were deaf. Now I don't have such luck. I've put mesh drum heads on my drums so that I can practice, but for recording, I just push the buttons on my midi keyboard.

The last songs I ever did with real drums were these ones:

http://www.bozrecords.com/mp3s/song23.mp3
http://www.bozrecords.com/mp3s/song25.mp3

I recorded these so long ago, and heard them so many times, that my ears are numb to the quality. I'd like everyone's opinion on whether or not these drums sound good enough for a "real" song. I really just need some fresh ears to tell me what the issues might be. Please don't hesitate to mention anything bad you notice about them. I would actually like to regraduate to real drums someday, so I figure I should start getting feedback now.

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by bozmillar

I recorded these so long ago, and heard them so many times, that my ears are numb to the quality. I'd like everyone's opinion on whether or not these drums sound good enough for a "real" song. I really just need some fresh ears to tell me what the issues might be. Please don't hesitate to mention anything bad you notice about them. I would actually like to regraduate to real drums someday, so I figure I should start getting feedback now.

Umm, no and yes. I don't mean to be harsh, but I've heard your stuff, and I know your standards are pretty high, so I'm being honest.

I'd say no on the first one, and pretty close to yes on the second one. In the first song, the drums are distant and boxy. Almost cardboard-ish. Not much kick to speak of.

In the second song, they're much more present and distinct--and a better kick sound as well.

I know you said it was a while ago, but if I were you, I'd try to remember what was different about the two sessions and be prepared to keep moving in the direction of the second one.

[true-eurt]

Yah..the first song is distant as Strat said, but I sorta like the boxy sound in this one.

BTW...nice song!!

Second song drums are still in the distance, especially for a hard driving song. I don't like that boxy sound of the snare in this song however. A bit more pop would be to my liking.

More kick and the toms are pretty blah on rolls ....and floor tom? could use a deeper tone.

I'm not a drummer, just how it sounds to my ears.

I like the drive of energy you got going here.

[bozmillar]

Looks like the opinions are pretty consistent so far. Good. Thanks for the comments. I agree with the distant boxy sound. I'm pretty sure that when I recorded these, I thought they were awesome. As time grew, I liked it less and less, but as time grew more, I almost come to expect the drums to sound that way.

I'm pretty sure it was a combination of mic placement, room, and mixing techniques. I think I'm starting to get a grasp on the mixing technique using sampled drums, but it's not helping me learn mic techniques on drums. I've lost all the original tracks, which isn't really a sad thing, but I do wish I could go back and see what I did.

I should give recording real drums a shot to see how far I've come since these songs.

[JordanD]

i like the drum sound on the first song. they are mellow and bring the instruments together, i dont like songs where the drums are all upfront beating away, and your snare sounds good. maybe if the kick sounded more pulsey like a heart in the mix it would be a little better.

[bozmillar]

Originally Posted by JordanD

i like the drum sound on the first song. they are mellow and bring the instruments together, i dont like songs where the drums are all upfront beating away, and your snare sounds good.

On the second song, I do remember slamming it pretty hard through "Vintage Warmer" which caused quite a bit of distortion. It was my first time using it, so I think I got a little carried away.

Originally Posted by JordanD

maybe if the kick sounded more pulsey like a heart in the mix it would be a little better.

???

[PhilGood]

Whatever Jordan says, ...do the opposite.


Trust me.

[Greg_L]

Originally Posted by JordanD

i dont like songs where the drums are all upfront beating away,

You suck....

[Greg_L]

The drums in the second song are much better, but neither have any kick presence at all. The second one would rock with some kick.

[bozmillar]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

The drums in the second song are much better, but neither have any kick presence at all. The second one would rock with some kick.

ok, I'll be sure to never use either of these songs as examples of my recording capabilities. Thanks for the help and fresh ears.

I think I plan on re-recording the second song, or at least use it as a theme to make a song. Knowing myself, this will take months to do though.

[bozmillar]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

Whatever Jordan says, ...do the opposite.


Trust me.

Ha, yeah. I went back to look at some of his stuff. His comments made more sense after I heard his songs. Or at least it made sense to me why it didn't make any sense.