bad drum record quality

[Urza9814]

Aight, I'll admit, our drum mics aren't the greatest thing ever, but the quality we get when we record for the drums is HORRID! I believe there are some samples on our site, at www.liquidcandybar.tk ...I was just appointed offical band tech, which I was before, but now I don't play guitar (I've been taking lessons for, like, 6 years, but never practice, therefore I suck ...main reason I'm in the band is they couldn't find anyone else, and it's my brother and his friends...)...and anyways, I decided I'd try to figure out how to fix this. Anything other than the drum mics, or any cheaper mics we could use? What ones we use is listed in the equipment section of our site...I'm too lazy to go check...but yea, could it be anything other than the drum mics themselves? We don't have a huge budget (they're 17, I'm 13...so...), so we can't exactly go get top quality mics.

Also have the same kinda problem with the acousitc guitar...Could it be something other than the pick up?

*PLEASE SAY IT'S NOT THE MICS!!!*

 

[Phyl]

The drums aren't as bad as you make them seem. Try posting one of your clips in our MP3 Mixing Clinic to get some advice on how to make them better. I think you'll be surpised how much difference simply changing mic pacement will make.

As far as the acoustic guitar's pickup, don't use it if at all possible. The typical piezo pickup in an acoustic guitar delivers a honky, thin, annoying sound (my opinion). Use a condenser microphone if possible. You'll get more opinions on this in the clinic.

 

[Ed Dixon]

What recorder did you use? How many mics for drums, and where were they placed?

Drums sound distant to me. Bass drum is clear, but rest sound somewhat far away.

Ed

 

[Urza9814]

Ok, we are recording on my comp, not sure about the soundcard at this moment, and I'm on a different comp. We're using the line-in, recording on to Acid Pro or Sound Forge...The soundcard isn't great...got it a year ago, but never expected to be recording with it...but still, the other stuff turns out good.
The drum mic placement is as follows: cymbal mic between the 2 cymbals and hi-hat, using a mic -> 1/4 in. plug. We have one mic on the snare drum, one between the toms, and one on the bass drum, all using standard mic cables. If these seem not possible with a standard drum set, or too far away (like the cymbals) that's because my brother never took lessons, and so the drum set is set up how it's easiest for him. Also, note we don't have a mic on the floor tom, because it is rarely used. I can only think of one time that we do actually...