Drum recording -- working w/ what I've got

[Picker]

Ok... At the moment, I have no more funds to spend on mics, so I need to work with what I've got (still paying off the drumset)

Here's what I have to work with....

AKG 414 BULS.
SM 57
SM 58
Sennheiser e855 (dynamic)
Sure PG 56? (two of these were included w/ the drumset I bought)

Sooooo.... I was trying to figure out the best way to get a decent recorded drum sound.

.... oh... I'm useing a PC w/ Cakewalk Sonar Pro and an M-Audio Delta 66 Omni studio --- I also have an old 16 ch A&H mixer I can use if needed.

Any suggestions?

I was thinking this.

414 on a stand (high) out in front of the Set angled down towards the kick
SM 57 on the snare (angled to pick up some HH)

I might leave it at that or try to use the PGs and the SM58 and Senn on the toms. (it's a 6 piece kit --- 4 toms, kick and snare. one Ride and one Crash plus the hats).

What say you?

 

[sile2001]

Ok....if that's what you've got to work with, here's what I would recommend

Set the AKG mic just over the drummer's shoulder (right shoulder if right-handed, left if left) for use as an overhead of sorts.

SM57 on snare.

Remove the ball windscreen from the SM58 (making it another SM57) and use that on the kick drum.

Set one of the PG 56's between toms 1 & 2 and the other one between toms 3 & 4. They should be able to pick up two toms each, as well as some of the cymbal sounds.

Hope this helps you out, and good luck!

 

[Picker]

Thanks Sile.... good suggestion. I'll give that a try.

Any suggestion on the best way to set up the mono overhead?

Should I just set it to an omni pattern and put it a foot or so over the drummers head/right shoulder?

 

[HangDawg]

Thanks Sile.... good suggestion. I'll give that a try.

Any suggestion on the best way to set up the mono overhead?

Should I just set it to an omni pattern and put it a foot or so over the drummers head/right shoulder?

I wouldn't use it in omni unless you have a nice sounding room

 

[sile2001]

I wouldn't use it in omni unless you have a nice sounding room

Agreed. You'll most likely want to keep it in regular cardiod mode. What's the room like?