Drumset micing with one (1) microphone!

[SeaTea]

Ladies and gentlemen,

My first post here! What a wealth of information! I will surely visit here regularly as I progress through life and music! I haven't got time to search, so I thought I'd post here to get some quick feedback. I need to mic a 4 piece drum set with one mic (Rode NT3). Could someone please shed some light on the best way to do this! I've done it many times before, but I want to hear your more experienced opinions and knowledge.

Thank you in advance,


SeaTea

 

[Guitarmaster]

1 depends on the room. Im 17 so im sure there perople with better knowledge. But Rode NT3 I think is a Hypercardioid pick up pattern. http://www.walkaboutclearwater.org/sound101/super.gif. But luckly as it is a condenser. You should be able to pickup alll the clarity you need. You dont want it to near the bass drum or to near the toms as it will probably then become very bassy.(Proximty effect - Increase in bass when the source is to close) I recommend that you place about in the middle 40 - 60cm away from the highest cymbal. If you mic from underneath you might get gusts of air from the cymbals moving come thru on the recording. Hope this helps. Henry

 

[SeaTea]

Thank-you very much! I'm 17 as well. I appreciate your reply!

 

[grn]

I can see doing three things with it... if you have a good sound drum kit in a good sounding room, you could maybe place the microphone in front of the kit a couple feet back. Another option (if you have a lot of ceiling) would be to put it way above the drummer right above the middle of the drum kit. Personally I might try putting it about two drum stick lengths right above the center of the snare drum... you'll have to EQ it a bit, but that might get some good results.

 

[djhead]

Yesterday, i had our guitar player sit about 3 feet away from the kit and hold our Oktava MK319, and while not spectacular, it was clear enough for a garage demo. Dont know if it helps, but thats my 2 licolns

 

[james123]

This isnt a direct answer to your question but this guide helped me alot with micing a kit with minial amount of mics.It also has samples to to show you what it sounds like and you can choose wich one you like best.
http://artistpro.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=108&meid=

 

[Farview]

I end up putting the mic about snare height about a foot in front of the kick, just off to the snare siide of the kick. Imagine a double bass kit, the mic would be directly between the kicks at snare height.

 

[Minion]

What is Probably best is to Get someone to walk arround the Room while the drums are being Played and listening for that "Sweet Spot" were they can hear everything evenly without any one Drum overpowering the others and use that spot for placeing the Mic....

Every room has a sweet spot were things sound the best, It can sometimes be close to the Kit and sometimes Farther away from the Kit either way once you Find it You will know for next time were to place it for the best sound....

Cheers

 

[cappucci11]

most of the drums on the album "the soft bulletin" by the flaming lips were recorded with one microphone.

 

[grn]

and we all know what happened to the flaming lips

 

[blazingstrings]

and we all know what happened to the flaming lips

And what is that?


Lenny Kravits use to do alot of drums with just one mic, I believe on his earlier stuff.

I have done some with it and like the rawness of it.
I have done it buy putting it behind the drummer right above his head and pointing down tward the kick.
Side micing can be cool to if done right.

-Blaze

 

[SeaTea]

Thank-you all so much for all your help! I am going to try a few of these when I do some trial recording later this afternoon. Once again, thank-you, I really appreciate it!