Drum mics

[arCHI]

I am just going to hi-jack this thread for my probably very stupid question...

when recording drums is it necessary to send the mics through a preamp? I see lots of info on where to put the mics, what type of mics to use, etc. but can't seem to figure this out.

/n00bishness.

 

[Chili]

I am just going to hi-jack this thread for my probably very stupid question...

No, not okay to hijack another thread, just start your own. I moved this to its own thread in the drum forum.

when recording drums is it necessary to send the mics through a preamp? I see lots of info on where to put the mics, what type of mics to use, etc. but can't seem to figure this out.

Yes, all mics need pre-amps. Some pre-amps are built into the mic, some are built into a mixer or interface and then you have standalone pre-amps.

 

[arCHI]

No, not okay to hijack another thread, just start your own. I moved this to its own thread in the drum forum.



Yes, all mics need pre-amps. Some pre-amps are built into the mic, some are built into a mixer or interface and then you have standalone pre-amps.

duly noted.

thanks for the info. as you can tell, i havent actually started recording yet, but am curious about starting and trying to take an inventory of what i will need.

 

[Greg_L]

duly noted.

thanks for the info. as you can tell, i havent actually started recording yet, but am curious about starting and trying to take an inventory of what i will need.

First thing you need is drums. Second, the ability to play them or find someone that can. Third, a decent room to record them in. Fourth, mics. Fifth, pre-amps.

 

[arCHI]

^ Yes, I realize I am getting way ahead of myself, but I am trying to answer some nagging questions before I begin.

So, I just discovered I can only run 2 tracks into my recording device (Lambda Lexicon, in this thread). What approach would you recommend for recording the drums?

1) Single room mic
2) 2 overhead mics in stereo
3) 2 overheads, 1 kick, 1 snare mixed on a console and recorded in stereo

 

[Chili]

What approach would you recommend for recording the drums?

1) Single room mic
2) 2 overhead mics in stereo
3) 2 overheads, 1 kick, 1 snare mixed on a console and recorded in stereo
4) EZDrummer

I'd pick 4.

Seriously, considering that you want to use a 2 channel interface, you should consider a VSTi instead.

 

[BentRabbit]

Depending on the music, and the mics you decide on (as well as all of the other variables Greg mentioned above) you could feasibly get a workable drum track out of any of those available options...

Two quality LDC overheads could produce a surprisingly good stereo mix for you.

Four mics (Recorderman or Glyn Johns) into a mixer may give you more control.

Just don't skimp... You're not going to get the sound you want into your computer if it's not being made in in the room.

 

[BentRabbit]

Of course, another option would be to add a 4 or 8 channel interface into your budget...

 

[arCHI]

yes, that may very well be what i end up doing. just trying to see how much use i can squeeze out of what i have before i commit to something more.

thank you all very much for the advice!

 

[Greg_L]

You're not gonna be happy with 2 mics on the drums if you're playing anything more rocking than indie-ish singer/songwriter crap or folk music. You can get nice drum recordings from 2 mics, but it won't hold up in a rock mix.

 

[justadrummer]

i kinda liked the four mics mixed on a board and set to the interface as a
stereo mix.. on a budget, that could get a good mix. spend the money on
some good overheads, once the drum tracks are down, i rarely record more
than two tracks at a time