Garage or Living Room For Drums

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Nate74

Nate74

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Thanks to a Christmas present from my wife (a 50' 8x4 snake) I have the ability now to record my band's new demo with some options on how I record the drums. Before this, we had to track drums in the bedroom/studio where my gear is which was horrible cramped, and only yielded marginally usable results.

Now with the 50’ snake, I can set up our drummer just about anywhere in the house, but my question is where to start.

The two options that I’m considering are my living room and my garage. The living room is 12’ x 18’ with an 8’ ceiling, a couch, a leather chair, a couple end tables, a TV and is carpeted. It opens up into my dining room on one side (an 8' x 6' opening) and my entryway on one side (an 8' x 12' opening). My fear with the living room is that because it opens up on two sides there may be some odd reflections and echo effects.

The other option is my two-car garage. Typical garage with crap in the rafters, my wood working tools, a washer and dryer, unfinished walls, etc.

I'll be using an 8 mic setup (Kick, snare, 2 overheads, 3 toms, 1 HiHat).

I know I should try ‘em both out, but I’m wondering if your experiences might point to one having a better chance of producing acceptable results and maybe steer me as to which one to start with.

Or should I try something else? I also have a 12’x10’ bedroom that I could move the mattress in that would also be within reach of the new snake…

Open to any pointers, and open to the possibility that I may just get to move a drum set around my house for a few days :rolleyes:
 
I wouldn't necessarily be dead set on using 8 mics on the kit. When you find the best room to record them in, you might find that 3 or 4 mics will do the trick. In fact, if I were moving the kit from room to room looking for the best sound I could get, I'd probably just set up the overheads/ room mics and record some reference tracks for each room. Then you can go back later and compare.

Even if you find in the end that you want to use more mics, the overheads and/or room mics are going to be the ones most affected by your room choice.

Good luck!!
 
livingroom, 4 mics on the kit and one room mic, experiment a little :cool:
 
Cool input guys. And smart too! Must still be Christmas :)

We'll start off in the Living Room and go with 4 mics.

Thanks!
 
I'd go with the extra bedroom and set the mattress up as a bass-trap. Move whatever you can out and whatever has to stay, put in a corner(s).
 
Sirnothingness said:
I'd go with the extra bedroom and set the mattress up as a bass-trap. Move whatever you can out and whatever has to stay, put in a corner(s).
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Interesting.... I hadn't even considered the bass issues I could be facing.

On that topic: three of the 9 bass traps that are in my mix/studio room are easy to take down and move. Should I move them into the "drum room" for recording as well? 2 are 2'x4'x4" and one is 18"x4'x4", all with 703 wrapped in black canvas.
 
the construction of the walls/ceililng is important...if it's dry wall - it will sound like it. i personally can't stand the wound of it but you know...like you said - try em both out...and yeah why not bring the bass traps out?

right off the bat it sounds like the garage would be more ideal...also in weird spaces...i'd set up more mics than less. relying on overheads or room for the whole osund can be problematic in the long run. set up toms and other close mics just in case. you don't have to use em in the end but it is very nice to have the option if your drum sound is lacking due to the room.

have fun!
 
bigtoe said:
the construction of the walls/ceililng is important...if it's dry wall - it will sound like it. i personally can't stand the wound of it but you know...like you said - try em both out...and yeah why not bring the bass traps out?

right off the bat it sounds like the garage would be more ideal...also in weird spaces...i'd set up more mics than less. relying on overheads or room for the whole osund can be problematic in the long run. set up toms and other close mics just in case. you don't have to use em in the end but it is very nice to have the option if your drum sound is lacking due to the room.

have fun!
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Hmmmm.... sounds like we're gonna have fun experimenting. :)

I sort of had the same thought about close micing toms etc. Nothing says I have to use the tracks at mix down.

I really do appriciate everybody's input and heck yes, I'll jump back on and let you all know how it goes!
 
I record my drums in the spare 11x17x8 room I use moving blankets behind and above and on the sides of the drums. I use 8 mics myself kick,snare,3-toms,2-OH's and one room mic. The room mic is a Shinny-box ribbon with a figure eight pattern. I get great results with this set up. I remember reading in some recording magazine can't remember which one. But the article was about how they mic-ed out Korn's drummer and I was astound on how many mics they used to mic out his kit. Just for one tom they use one on top one on bottom one inside the tom and one at the air hole opening of the tom that's four freaking mics just on one tom and so on and so on. Just remember well tuned drums is part of capturing a good drum sound. Hardest thing for me was my OH placement the best place I found for me was behind me and not in front seem to capture a better balance of the snare,toms, and cymbals When I had them up front always had to much kick bleed because of my heavy foot but that's my setup that works for me. Might not work for you but anyway enjoy and good luck recording.
 
if that garage has cement floor which I'll assume it does to some extent it'll cause it to sound like it's in a garage ( huh go figure ) literally, you could limit that like everyone is saying use less mics and mic close. Personally I've always hated any room with cement floors in it. The only downfall of the living room will be the low ceilings ( which are actually average height ) you'll get lots of slap depending on the dimensions. I use a 16 x20' living room with vaulted ceilings and have little issues other than 2 corners which I avoid like the plague
 
killmachine said:
if that garage has cement floor which I'll assume it does to some extent it'll cause it to sound like it's in a garage ( huh go figure ) literally, you could limit that like everyone is saying use less mics and mic close. Personally I've always hated any room with cement floors in it. The only downfall of the living room will be the low ceilings ( which are actually average height ) you'll get lots of slap depending on the dimensions. I use a 16 x20' living room with vaulted ceilings and have little issues other than 2 corners which I avoid like the plague
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Yup, cement floors in the garage... I think I'm gonna try putting up some blankets AND moving the 3 bass traps from my studio room that are easy to move.

It'll be interesting to see how it all turns out. I'll certainly let everybody know how we end up doing it.

I'm hopeful this new group will endulge me a bit while we mess around with various setups, etc.

I'm guessing moving to get a better drum room would fly with the wife... :rolleyes:
 
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