Help with recording a kit

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gristlejaw

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i need to record a punk band live using an multi-track (8-track). I am just recording raw tracks and will compress/eq/mix back in a studio.

i have 4 tracks left after vox, gtr, bass, and 1 audience mic. and i will be micing (sp?) the following on the kit: 2 overheads, 2 rack toms, 1 floor tom, snare and kick.

i have a small portable 6-channel mixer that i can mix a few of the drums together in order to fit evertything on the 8-track. my questions are:

would it be best to run the overheads separately and the mix the toms snare and kick to a stereo mix from the mixer? or is there a better combination?

Also would you pan the toms to all one side right and the snare/kick to the left so its possible to add any desired fx in the studio or try to mix/stereo image on the fly with toms Lt-Cen-Rt and the kick & snare panned to the opposite sides?

any insight would be welcomed. thanks!
-jc
 
if you only have 4 tracks just do the overheads in 2 and the rest of the kid mixed as best as you can in the other 2
 
If I had 4 channels, I would likely do 2 overheads, snare & kick). The overheads are then the primary recorded source, but you can then dial in a little more snare & kick as needed!
 
mikeh said:
If I had 4 channels, I would likely do 2 overheads, snare & kick). The overheads are then the primary recorded source, but you can then dial in a little more snare & kick as needed!
Click to expand...
That's what I've always done, and it's how we live mic our kit every Sunday. It's worked reasonably well so far. My only complaint about it is that you get more attack from the toms and not as much of the resonance, but really, (depending on style) toms can comprise so little of the sound that it's the best place to trade off. Generally, the main parts to pick up are the kick, snare and cymbals (hi-hat will come across very well), and this setup gets that.
 
I agree with the above. Whatever you do, don't mix the snare, kick, and toms together.
 
are you saying to not mic the toms at all?? the over head will pick them up ok?
 
gristlejaw said:
are you saying to not mic the toms at all?? the over head will pick them up ok?
Click to expand...

Exactly. That is a perfectly acceptable way to mic a kit (and very easy). Try it out and see if it works for you.
 
All about the placement

Here's a 4 channel option that works very well:

1. bass drum mic in the sound hole

2. snare dynamic mic close up -- facing away from the hi-hats.

3. SDC overhead. I usually put this above the drummer's right shoulder, about 6 or 7 ft from the floor, favoring the snare side - Experimenting is key! Try to find a sweet spot that doesn't give you too much stick response.

4. One LDC in front of the kit, diagonally from the SDC, about 2 or 3 ft back, 4-5 ft off the floor.

Placement is key- it's all about experimenting, but this basic set-up will get you in the ball park of a full-sounding kit with a stereo spread.

This of course will also greatly depend on the kit, the room, and the drummer's ability to adjust his dynamics.

Good luck, Rez
 
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