How would you set up these mics for drum recording?

[calnix]

Hey, this is my first post here, but I've been frequenting these forums for a while now and just reading around.

I'm going to be venturing into my first attempt to record drums, and am curious as to which mics to use where. I understand that it is all about preference and trial & error, but I'm just curious as to how you all would recommend mic'ing the kit.

The style of music is straight rock with a little bit of prog influence.

Here's the mic's we all have available to use:

Dynamic:

2x Shure SM57
Shure Beta 57A
Shure Beta 58A

Condensers:

Audio Technica AT 4047/SV
Shure KSM27
Shure Beta 87A
Carvin CM87S

Interface: PreSonus FireStudio Project

Like I said, I understand that there is no secret formula to a fool-proof method of mic'ing a drum kit, but I'm just interested in how others would handle this.

Thanks a lot

 

[Seidy]

One of the LDCs on kick (outside the kick). Gotta try out which one gives the best sound (and don't forget to switch pad on and the pop filter).
One condenser for overheads.
Maybe 57 beta on snare and something for bottom mic.
57 on toms.
One of the left over condensers on floor tom.

Note that I don't have experience with any of these condenser mics.
And also take good care to tune drums properly. In my opinion this is much more important than mic choices.

 

[guitaristic]

Dude honestly if this is your first attempt, I'd keep it really simple. A sm57 on the snare, two of the condensers as overheads, and something (lol ) on the kick. Whatever sounds best for the kick...just play around. If you throw in tom-mics and a snare-bottom mic things will just get messy right now.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Dude honestly if this is your first attempt, I'd keep it really simple. A sm57 on the snare, two of the condensers as overheads, and something (lol ) on the kick. Whatever sounds best for the kick...just play around. If you throw in tom-mics and a snare-bottom mic things will just get messy right now.

Agreed. Bottom mics are not something to play with, unless you have.....well a strange desire/misinformation need for bottom mics. Forget them, until you have a actual reason to use one. I have not yet found a practical application for them yet myself....

 

[calnix]

Thanks a lot for the help.

I ended up going with the Beta 58A on the kick, SM57 on the snare, other SM57 in between the two high toms, two LDC's as over heads, and the Beta 57A over the ride.

I got a pretty decent sound, still gonna experiment around though. Thanks again.

 

[JG96]

In the future I would only mic the rack toms if i was also micing the floor tom. I feel like not having all the toms miced would give you a poor tom balance. The Beta 58A is tailored for vocals and rolls off a lot of lows so I could imagine it may not be the best kick mic. You could add a LDC in front of the kick to use for low end and blend the beta to taste for attack.