Drum Mic Setup/System

  • Thread starter Thread starter loslobos9461
  • Start date Start date
L

loslobos9461

New member
Hello All,
I am going to mic my basement drum kit. I want to play and record myself and use my ipod as well. The basement is below grade (cinder block all around). I think I am going to use Sennheiser E604's for the toms (3), SM57 for the snare, E602 for the kick. I was also looking at the Audix dp5's. I was told to use small diaphragm condensers for the overhead and don't know which to buy? 1 or 2? I heard that I would need a small diaphragm type? I am looking into a reasonably priced multi channel mixer w/USB. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has any info on less expensive mic's that sound great, I'd be open to that as well. I don't know much about sound and am willing to learn. I'd like a decent sound through my ears. The mic choices were based on the recommendations of the guys at drummlessons.com

Thanks
 
You are correct in using condenser mics for the overheads. Whether you choose to use large diaphragm or small diaphragm condensers is up to you. You will probably want to use two overhead mics so you can pan the mics away from each other and create a stereo space for the drums. If you can tell us your preference (large or small diaphragm) and budget, we can help suggest some mics for your overheads.
 
Not sure about the diaphragm size. Whichever will save me a few bucks and still sound good will suffice.
 
Thanks. I will definitely look into them. What are your thoughts about the other mic's I am thinking about?
 
Sennheiser E604's for the toms? Nice tom mics.
SM57 for the snare? can't go wrong with this.
Sennheiser E602? another good choice.

have fun and take your time with mic placement.
 
Thanks drumslinger for your opinion. Do I need an additional mic for the HH or could the snare SM57 pick up the HH? If I need an additional mic, could I use another SM57? What do you know about the CAD CM217's? Is it always necessary to have two overhead condensers? For my application (practicing and personal recording), is it always necessary to mic each tom?
Thanks again,
Loslobos
 
Overheads are usually sufficient for HH. I typically mike the hh to balance it tho. Make sure you check out the specs of mixers you are looking at. USB 1 mixers will only send 2 tracks to DAW. USB 2.0 will send more. I would highly recommend Tascam US1800 for drum recording. Most bang for the buck by far. You can record 10 tracks (mics) at once out of the box. 16 with addition of external preamps. You could even just use a mixer to supply signal to a couple of the line in's for 12 mics without shelling out more cash. :D

If you plan on any drum replacement or enhancement, you will definitely need to mic each tom.
 
Btw, most of us take measures to keep the HH out of the snare mic. Typically snares like a bit of eq boost where the hh is harsh sounding. You will get some hh there no matter what you do but less is better.
 
loslobos9461 said:
I was told to use small diaphragm condensers for the overhead and don't know which to buy? 1 or 2? I heard that I would need a small diaphragm type?
Click to expand...

You can use LDCs, but you'll probablly want to use SDCs for overheads. There are a few reasons for that. Generally, the smaller the diaphragm of a mic, the faster it's transient response will be. Simply put, it'll react faster and sound slightly brighter and more accurate than larger diaphragms. A pair of SDCs will probably also be cheaper.
I don't think you should get the DP5. If you're willing to spend around, 600, 700 for drum mics minus the OHs, get the mics you mentioned (which are top of the line) plus a pair of Oktava MK012s. You'll be set for a very long time (if not life) as far as drum mics are concerned.
 
Another vote for not cheaping out on the overhead mics, the overhead mics capture more than your cymbals, it captures the whole kit. Out of any of your drum mics you don't want to cheap out on those.
 
I plan on getting a better set of overheads, but right now I'm using a set of Digital Reference (Audio Technica) mics, which I've been pretty impressed with for a $200 set of mics. The pencils are pretty sensitive, and I can get a pretty decent mix out of them, but you definitely have to play with the placement alot more than a more expensive condenser mic. The dynamic mics are awesome although the Kick Mic lacks some depth, which I plan on getting an AKG D112 or a Audix D6, but the other mics are pretty darn close to SM57 quality, and they're small and out of the way.

Like I say I'm not going to pretend that these are pro level mics or anything, but for 200 bucks I've not found anything that sounds as good as these in this price range.
 
Thanks. The Oktava's are a bit pricey for my budget. Do you have any other suggestions for OH's? I was also looking at a Tascam US1800 interface.
 
loslobos9461 said:
Thanks. The Oktava's are a bit pricey for my budget. Do you have any other suggestions for OH's? I was also looking at a Tascam US1800 interface.
Click to expand...

Check out the CAD E70's. You can get them for about 100 bucks a piece and they sound great for that price.
 
1 vote for the Tascam. Hands down best bang for buck on drums.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top