Critique My First "Decent" Drum Recording

[mitosis]

I'm using a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer into a Soundblaster Audigy II sound card. I'm using for mics for the drums: two Joe Meek JM27 overheads (panned hard left and hard right), one SM57 for snare (two inches above head angled at center), one KM212 for bass (inside 6 inches inside drum). The drum set is an old Pearl Export set with composite shells (it's not the greatest drum set, the toms sound horrible and the skins are really old).

Here's the file:
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=3989

I think it sounds okay to me but thats probably because I've been listening to crap recordings until I got the overheads and the mixer. Please tell me what I should do to make it better. Don't critique the playing, I'm a guitarist not a drummer.

 

[jonnyc]

Well I'm not really even sure that's a decent drum sound. All the problems you list will prevent you from even knowing if what your'e picking up with your mics is worth a shit. How are your overheads set up, what configuration? Really you need to put new heads on the kit and tune it or find someone that can and then record something. At this point without knowing exactly how you have everything set up there isn't much more I can say.

 

[Bulls Hit]

Through these cheap ass computer speakers it sounds like you have a decent base to work with. A little eq and some judicious compression could make those drums come alive

 

[RezN8]

I agree with Bullshit . You actually have something decent you can work with. I would invest in some decent cymbals rather than new overheads.

 

[mitosis]

Thanks for all the help. What I meant by "decent" is not the crap I was recording before. The drumset is pretty bad and so are the cymbals. My set up goes like this:

-overheads placed similar to diagram on the SAE reference (left mic over highest tom and cymbal and right mic over lower left of floor tom), the are placed about six feet off the ground so about 2 to 3 feet over my head when playing

-snare is two to three inches above skin and angled at center

-kick mic is inside drum centered. I have the bass drum stuffed with blankets and a credit card taped where the beater makes contact.

For EQ, on my mixer I have this:

Bass: +3 High, +0 Mid, +6 Low
Snare: +7 High, +0 Mid, +0 Low (high pass filter turned on)
OHs: +4 High, +0 Mid, +0 Low

 

[jonnyc]

I agree with Bullshit . You actually have something decent you can work with. I would invest in some decent cymbals rather than new overheads.

Who said anything about new overheads, what he has should work very well, it's the fact that his kit isn't up to par that's hurting his recording. Well and he's not a drummer. Also try to get some of your core sounds from your overheads. Turn the bass up a touch on it. Get your kit reheaded and tuned and record this again and I almost guarentee it'll be a world of difference. Unstuff the kick, I have one tiny pillow in mine, too much dampening is a very bad thing. Here's a sample of some drums I recorded a few months back, well it's a whole song but you get the idea.