How to mic drums with my mics?

[gbondo9]

Ok, so I want to record drums for a song, and Ive got limited equip.
Im just looking for suggestions. Heres what Ive got to work with. (and thanks in advance for your input)

Mics:
3 SM 58's
1 SM 57
1 ECM8000
1 MXL 1000

Mixer:
Behringer Eurorack (6 track: 2 mono, 2 stereo)

Pre:
1 Audio Buddy (dual channel)
2 Behringer mixer pre's (see above)

Im going into an old Gina Echo card with only 2 inputs.

So Im limited to 2 tracks into Sonar, but I can use all 6 mics through the mixer (assuming I get a good mix). The drum kits a 5 piece with one crash, ride and hihat.

hmmmm.....

Thanks,
Todd

[RideTheCrash]

I just want to put in a question here. I have a Behringer 8 track, only 3 mics currently but you said you could use all 6 mics on yours. My mixer (the 802) has only 4 mic inputs... suggestions for putting more than 4 in it or what?

[gbondo9]

Mabey I should have mentioned this, but I have impedence transformers (XLR->1/4 inch) that I can use for the 4 stereo inputs.

Todd

[RideTheCrash]

Oh, I have a couple XLR to 1/4"s I think. So in my 802 where I have the 2 channels of stereo tracks (4 inputs) I can put a mic in each of those and it'd work alright? Come to think of it, I guess so, thanks.

[coplinger]

If you have the cash, buy another ecm8000. Use the pair as overheads through the audiobuddy & into the 2 line inputs on the eurorack. Put a 57 on the snare, a 58 on the kick and the mxl out in front of the kit.

[gbondo9]

So being that a 58/57 is not exactly engineered for bass drum micing, what are some recommended placements to yeild the best results?

has anyone else miced a bassdrum with a 57/58 with good results?

Thanks,
Todd

[coplinger]

I would use the 57/58 inside the kick to get the beater sound & the mxl out in front of the kick to get the low end. I was not happy with the results I got the time I miced a kick with just a 57. We had to use a lot of eq & the end result didn't sound very good. The combo of the 57 & the mxl1000 should work better, though. I haven't ever tried it, but a common technique is to make a tunnel in front of the kick with blankets or something & put a ld condensor in the tunnel. You could try miking the whole kit from out in front and then try the tunnel method & see which sounds best.

[coplinger]

Another word of advice-since you are mixing this down to 2 tracks, it may be a good idea to make the kick & snare a bit louder in the mix than you might think. We recorded drums to 2 tracks with a similar setup to what you have about a year ago. Drums sounded good on their own, but in the final mix, the kick & snare were weak compared to the cymbals. You might want to track drums for one song & then add some bass & guitar (or whatever you plan to add) & see how the drums sound in the mix before you do all your drum tracks.