Help with recording drums

[stevedrums]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and also to recording and I need some help with recording drums as I am not 100% sure of the equipment I need.

I currently have Pro Tools and an Mbox audio interface. Am I right to say that to record drums I need: a mixer, a drum microphone set and XLR cables? Also what's the difference between a rack mixer and a usb mixer?

Thanks in advace

 

[Steenamaroo]

The majority of consumer mixers do just that; They mix.

This means no matter how many inputs you have, the final output is stereo.

This may be what you want, but if it isn't, you should take a look at more advanced audio interfaces rather than mixers.


Which mbox do you have? If it has extra line inputs you might get away with bolting on a few extra preamps or something.

 

[stevedrums]

Thanks for the reply. The audio interface that I have is called simply Avid Mbox

 

[Steenamaroo]

Also what's the difference between a rack mixer and a usb mixer?

Usually usb mixers send a stereo output to the computer over usb.

Pure analog mixers sum to stereo line outputs, but the usually have many more options, like subgroup outputs, insert points, direct outputs, etc.

Do you want to be able to mix your individual drum tracks in your computer?

 

[stevedrums]

What I would like to do is to record drums on my computer in Pro tools (maybe recording on backing tracks) and also if possible transmit drums through skype

 

[Steenamaroo]

What I would like to do is to record drums on my computer in Pro tools (maybe recording on backing tracks) and also if possible transmit drums through skype

I think you're missing my question.
There are two main ways that hardware offer.

A stereo recording where you can't turn up the snare later, for example.
or individual track recordings, where you have full control of snare, kick etc after recording.

 

[stevedrums]

Sorry I did not understand immediately....what I would like is to have full control over each part of the drums

 

[RAMI]

Sorry I did not understand immediately....what I would like is to have full control over each part of the drums

OK, then what you need is an inter-face with at least 4, and up to 16 inputs. But I don't think you'll really need more than 6.....8 at the most.

Forget about the mixer. Plug your mics into the inter-face, and that goes straight into pro-tools on separate tracks.

 

[Steenamaroo]

No problem.

Ok, it's very easy to buy the wrong thing, but it sounds like the best bet for you is to pick up a new interface.

How many mics do you use?
Something like tascam us800 or presonus firepod would give you 6 or 8 microphone preamps, straight into your computer.

The tracks would all be recorded separately, rather than being mixed down to stereo.

That's the simplest way, and my preferred way, to multitrack record.

EDIT: Who better to be pipped by than RAMI.

 

[RAMI]

No problem.

Ok, it's very easy to buy the wrong thing, but it sounds like the best bet for you is to pick up a new interface.

How many mics do you use?
Something like tascam us800 or presonus firepod would give you 6 or 8 microphone preamps, straight into your computer.

The tracks would all be recorded separately, rather than being mixed down to stereo.

That's the simplest way, and my preferred way, to multitrack record.

EDIT: Who better to be pipped by than RAMI.

Hehe...I was about to tell you how awesome your advice was.

 

[steel-head]

Well my friend you have yourself a fine little interface, but to record drums you are going to need a few more inputs for all those drum mics plus a couple extras if you can afford it incase you felt like trying to record your drums with some guitars for example in the future.

In terms of achieving more inputs luckily you have plenty of options. If your serious about all this recording business and you want you want to work on achieving some really nice results your gona want to invest in a bigger Interface. Im always quick to suggest the 'Presonus firestudio'. I own one, love it and learnt to record drums with it myself. By having more inputs you will have full flexibility when it comes to mix down, you will be able to work on each individual mic track separately allowing to to fine tune your mix giving you nice polished drum tracks.

Another option, possibly cheaper and perhaps less complicated, especially for the computer illiterate. buying a conventional mixer with enough inputs for your drum mics and plugging the stereo outputs of the mixer into the 2 line inputs of your interface. This would defiantly do the trick and can yield some fantastic results. But it will limit your ability to polish your tracks, as the levels and Eqs you dial in on the mixer are final and wont be editable after recording.

besides more inputs, you will need a drum mic set. 'Audix' offer several different packages, great entry level drum mics. Or if you can afford it I would suggest the 'Shure' drum mic package paired with a nice set of condensers for overhear; these mics are industry standard in studios and for live performances around the world, well spent money you will not regret down the line.

you will also of course need all the necessary XLR cables and if opting for the conventional mixer you will also need 2 jack leads for patching the mixer to your interface. plus you will also need a few mic stands. But besides all that your ready to start recording.

Good luck

Trout