drum micing with what I got? or another purchase

[tromostheory]

Ok this is what I got...A pair of octava MK012's, an SM57, an AT4050, and a Cheap LDC. The pres I have are a DMP3, a DIGI 001 and a xenyx behringer mixer which I only use for monitoring. These all have 2 pres for a total of 6. I also have an RNC which cannot to my knowlege be used with the DIGI001 pres because there are no inserts. I'm assuming that I'll use the MK012's as overheads, 57 for snare, but I'm wondering if I can get away with the cheap LDC for a kick mic or should I:

Buy a Soundlux FK2 and save up
Buy a ATM25 and save up
Save up for an RE20

Also, should I use the 4050 as a room mic? What pres for what mic? Multiple bass drum mics maybe? A lot of stuff here I know but any help would be greatly appreciated. The style is hard to describe, but I definately would lean towards a more realistic sounding kick sound.

 

[scrubs]

Unfortunately, you're probably going to have to experiment to find what works best.

At first look, I'd suggest the Oktavas through the DMP3 for overheads. 57 on snare. 4050 or your other LDC on kick (if you can build a kick tunnel and put it a few feet back, that would be best). The remaining LDC as a room mic. Whether you use the Digi or Xenyx pres is up to you. I have no experience with either, but they are probably similar in quality. I wouldn't use the RNC during tracking, except possibly on the room mic.

Defintely save up for a good kick mic, but that shouldn't stop you from recording now. I like the RE20 and would say it has the most "natural" sound of the kick mics I'm familiar with.

 

[scorpio01169]

if you are on a budget these http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/7DrumMicKit/ will do the job just fine i have them and i have a shure drum mic kit and you almost cant tell the difference.

 

[earldrum]

Using what you have

Here's what I would try based on what you have.

Use SM57 on the Kick - use second best micpre for this one
Use the Oktava's MK012 on the toms (I assume 1/2 rack and a FL TOM) - these sound great on Toms I have used it many times and you will be amazed.
Use a mono OH AT4050 - Placed center of kit more over the snare - give it a listen for placement. Use the best mic pre for this mic.
Use the other LDC on the snare or room. - This may or may not work on snare, might be better as a room mic.

Depending on the room you may find this works fine for the sound you are looking for without purchasing any mics. If I had to purchase "drum mic" - don't buy the Samsons - I have them and they are not that great. Try the AT Kit Mics instead. I got them for a better price than sweetwater was selling those samson mics.

 

[brodgind]

I would try a couple of things. First try the mk's in x/y with the 57 on kick and the 4050 for room. Another possibilty is the 4050 and a mk in m/s with the 57 on kick. Perhaps the mk's in that 2stick method described here (https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=39030) with the 57 on kick.

 

[tromostheory]

I don't have any interest in buying a drum package of any kind. I like the idea of the at4050 as an overhead since this is my best mic. Will my 57 really work as a kick mic? I'd be into building a kick tunnel also, but can you get a good kick drum sound with only one mic (LDC) at the end of the tunnel?

 

[kid klash]

Unfortunately, you're probably going to have to experiment to find what works best.

At first look, I'd suggest the Oktavas through the DMP3 for overheads. 57 on snare. 4050 or your other LDC on kick (if you can build a kick tunnel and put it a few feet back, that would be best). The remaining LDC as a room mic. Whether you use the Digi or Xenyx pres is up to you. I have no experience with either, but they are probably similar in quality. I wouldn't use the RNC during tracking, except possibly on the room mic.

Defintely save up for a good kick mic, but that shouldn't stop you from recording now. I like the RE20 and would say it has the most "natural" sound of the kick mics I'm familiar with.

I'd second scrubs suggestion.

Or, you could pick up an AKG D-112 or Audix D-6 for around $200 new; either should give you good results on your kick (if you don't want to wait to save for an RE-20).

 

[scrubs]

I'd be into building a kick tunnel also, but can you get a good kick drum sound with only one mic (LDC) at the end of the tunnel?

Yes.

.

 

[Erockrazor]

I would say keep trying with what you have right now. Oktava's as overheads , 57 on snare, and AT 4050 on your kick. Correct me if I'm wrong but keep the 4050 towards the end of the tunnel and you should get a pretty good kick sound. The large diaphragm will get the bass well and be pretty crisp for the beater(if you want that).

Keep trying with what you have, I think its definitely reasonable to get a nice drum sound out of those mic's and pre's.It's sure worth a try. But if you cant get a good sound of those and go ahead and spend more bucks! haha good luck my man.

 

[earldrum]

LDC on the Kick drum

My experience is that the LDC like the AT 4050 will give you more of the fattness of the kick when place in a tunnel or outside the drum head by a few feet, but not the head attack or punch. That is why they are used with a mic inside the kick drum usually.

I still believe that if you want the head attack on the kick (i.e., modern kick sound) from the mics you have, then the SM 57 is the way to go. The SM57 will give you punch without much problem and IMHO it is the best of your choices for the application I described.

You might consider borrrowing an SM 58 which has little more proximity effect which would give you attack and fattness. Most singers live vocalists have an SM 58 laying around. Of course there are much choices for a KICK drum mic like a D112E, MD421, RE20, Beta 52, ATM25, Pro25, etc.

Also, you don't need a snare mic if you properly placed overhead. The OH will give you plenty of snare if the drummer knows how to play "to the microphones" and they can balance there sound (I.e., like the old days of two mics on a drum kit). Another option is to try the Oktava MK012 on the snare? It works very well there. Then use the other MK012 on the high tom(s) and the other LDC on the floor tom.

One thing for sure is you have enough mics there to get a decent drum sound without buying a drum mic package. If you buy anything get a good kick mic, get a D112E or Beta 52 these mics will give you a really nice kick drum sound.

Lastly, remember there are no rules here except getting the best sound possible, so experiment. I hope this helps.

 

[scrubs]

My experience is that the LDC like the AT 4050 will give you more of the fattness of the kick when place in a tunnel or outside the drum head by a few feet, but not the head attack or punch. That is why they are used with a mic inside the kick drum usually.

While I agree with you, the original poster specifically stated that he was looking for a "realistic sound" on his kick. No one listening to a drum kit listens with their head 6in from the bass drum beater. They listen out in the room. Definitely mic the inside of the drum or even the beater side if you want more attack, but I would not call that sound "realistic."

 

[earldrum]

While I agree with you, the original poster specifically stated that he was looking for a "realistic sound" on his kick. No one listening to a drum kit listens with their head 6in from the bass drum beater. They listen out in the room. Definitely mic the inside of the drum or even the beater side if you want more attack, but I would not call that sound "realistic."

I understand your point and agree that a fatter kick could be considered more "realistic," but I also know that a more punchy sound could be a "realistic" expectation of a kick drum sound as well.

The point I was trying to make is that a dynamic mic like the SM 57 can be placed in more parts of the kick drum because it can handle higher SPLs. This means it can get many different sounds based on varied placement.

While I would not put an AT 4050 mic any closer than 6" - 12" away from the front of the kick drum because of the SPLs of the normal kick drum. This make the LDC AT4050 more of a one trick pony in my opinion. But like I said before, there are no rules to how you mic a drum kit.