Interfaces for large-ish drum kit home recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter realmofdarkness
  • Start date Start date
R

realmofdarkness

New member
hey ive never posted here, but i came across the site on a google search, and it seemed like it could be helpful, as im about to get into recording some drum tracks at home. im not sure whether to post this in the newbie section, or here, so i posted it in both. so here i am to ask at least a couple questions, in hopes that one of you fine people can offer me some help, cause ive been playing drums for a while, but when it comes to recording at home (or at all, haha), im brand spankin' new! So basically, im looking for either an interface, or some sort of combination of devices that will allow me to record my drums using 12 mics (8 for the drums, and 4 condensers) onto my computer. I'm honestly completely new to this, and dont wanna go buy a bunch of random shit, on a limb, hoping that it will work itself out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thanks guys!
 
I don't know of any interfaces that have 12 inputs. A lot have 8 and can be expanded with other FireWire devices. So first the interfaces: maudio 2626, focusrite saffire pro 40, motu 896, a number of others I can't think of right off the bat. All pretty equal in my opinion. I use the focusrite and think it's great.

Now to expand you'll need something like a focusrite octapre. That will add 8 more inputs for a total of 16. Or get a 12 channel mixer but I'm not an expert on that so someone else will have to chime in.

But I'd stick to the interface and 8 inputs for now and mic the drums with less mics and learn the basics before getting crazy with a million mics. Others will have lots of better advice too.
 
cheers man! appreciate the advice. the mics are somewhat necessary though (i think...like i said, im new haha) but yeah, the kit i wanna record is 8 pieces with 11 cymbals. i play in a metal band, so pretty much everything is used throughout each track.
 
Tascam US 1800 has 16 inputs. 10 of these have built in preamps. To get to your needed 12 mic inputs you really only need a stereo mixer to allow you to record 12 tracks separately into your computer via USB2.0. The Tascam comes with Cubase LE5 for $300. Perfect for a drummer.
 
so basically, youre saying the tascam US-1800 will do what im looking for? sorry if i sound stupid haha, but when it comes to this, i pretty much am as stupid as they come.
 
Yup. I use it's predecessor everyday, the US1641. Same unit with different power supply and knobs. Samples of music recorded with this on website in my sig below. And it comes with tech support-Me. :D

Jimmy
 
haha thanks a million man. i was actually looking at that unit a couple days ago, and i contacted TASCAM asking if it was possible to hook 2 of those units together, but if one will do the trick, im ordering one tomorrow haha, and if all goes well, first song on the album is dedicated to you
 
LOL! Cool man. You cant link two 1800's together but 14 is plenty for me so far. I usually use 12 tracks for drums and two for scratch tracks. Typically using two cheap ART preamps. TPSII ($125 CL) and Dual MP ($50 CL). An ART DPSII has s/pdif outs that can run inputs 15 and 16.
 
Wow, 8 mics and 4 condensers ? That's gotta be a big freakin drumkit.
 
Just curious man, what do the 8 pieces consist of? You probably only want to use two overheads for the cymbals. You are probably already going to have serious phase issues with two mics on such a large kit. You are going to get bleed from everywhere as well. Since you are doing metal, you are really going to want to get at least Steven Slate Trigger EX drum triggering software ($129+$40 Ilok). The Platinum version is the exact same program with way more/better samples for metal but EX will get you what you need to get started. You can always upgrade.

If you don't have them already, you will need two XLR to 1/4" adapters for channels 9 and 10 for mics there.
 
^ Exactly what I was getting at. Just because you can get 12 mics and 16 inputs, doesn't mean you need it.
 
haha like i said Saads, Im new, but my kit is a mapex M Birch series (2 bass drums, 3 rack toms, 2 floor toms, and snare) and 11 zildjain cymbals (3 crash, 2 sets of hats, 2 china, 4 splash) Im using Cubase 5, and was planning on using online samples via superior drummer for the sound. eventually ill trigger the kit, but one thing at a time haha.
 
oh i know that haha, im jsut really not sure what i need at all :P
 
Greg_L said:
I can't wait to hear this. :laughings:
Click to expand...

Yeah..fucking hilarious. there was a point in life where you didnt know fuck all either, so hoop your fuckin forehead, and stop trying to make yourself feel good online becuase someone on the other side of the planet needs some help. why does every community have to be filled with a bunch of fuckin pricks who think they're better than everyone.
 
Lol. Damn dude, calm down. Why is everyone so sensitive on the internet?
 
Greg_L said:
Lol. Damn dude, calm down. Why is everyone so sensitive on the internet?
Click to expand...

because we come on here for information and helpful tips, and in return, have know-it-alls like you post completely useless crap, and laugh at the fact that we dont know what were doing, unlike the almighty you. if you have no useful input towards a question, dont say anything. youre not making people laugh, youre making enemies, and i personally dont care how funny you think it is. my apologies to the almight you, for now knowing anything about this shit. that being said, you must know quite a bit, so if you actually havce any tips or advice, i would actually really appreciate it. if you have stupid smiles that laugh at me, and sarcastic comments, then like i said before, hoop your forehead. and thanks to everyone else who actually had some usefull information, it is greatly appreciated. TASCAM US1800 ordered haha
 
I'm not a know-it-all. I don't know anything. You got your answer. After that, it's fair game. :)

What does "hoop your forehead" mean anyway?
 
If you read the description it reads: "The sound was captured with three microphones, one for the kick drum and two Milab VM44 behind me capturing the drums in stereo."

No, you don't need 12 mics. And I also can't wait to hear this, because you seem overly ambitious.[/QUOTE]

wow, thanks man! and youre right i am WAAAYYYY too ambitious haha, ive just been waiting a really long time. had my jamspace ripped away from me for 6 months to a year at a time, like 5 times, and my buddy and i have been sitting on this material we're really proud of, we've had written for years but its just a guitar track, so that needs to change. im ready to go man haha. do or die right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top