Just another Drums Recording question (using my mics) :-)

[andre77]

Hello all...

My mic setup consists on:

- AKG C1000
- Studio Projets C1
- 2 SM57
- Sennheiser MD 441

I want to record my band and we've decided to record direct the guitar, bass and vocals (which will of course require one mic also). These will be connected to a PA system and I'll use the inserts of the mixer to get each of the tracks to delta 1010 LT soundcard.

Now my problem is the drums (as usually lolol). This will be a direct recording and not only recording drums solo so I have also to deal with leakage.

what do you guys and gals suggest ? I'm not sure if I should use the C1 or leave it out due to high SPL of the drum and that mic is quite sensitive and really captures a lot.

Does it make any sense to use:

the 2 sm57 for vocals and kick
and the C1000 and MD441 as overheads ?

what other solutions do I have ?


Thanks in advance for any help given

Andre

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Seriously... I'd only use one mic for an overhead. Using two different mics for overheads will not sound right.

I'd put the 441 on kick, SM57 on snare, center the C1 over the kit as an overhead and put the C1000 on the high hat.

You'd be in a lot stronger position if you added 2 more SM57's and either another C1 or a pair of AKG C2000's.

To me it seems you are a few mics short of a full kit. Joke.

 

[andre77]

I know I'm kind of short with mics but it's the only ones I have now and I have to work with what I have, that's why I was asking for people's opinions.

I know using 2 different mics for overheads would be a bit uncommon.. does anyone does it at all ?

any other opinions ?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I'll use two different mics for overheads--a stereo matched pair and an additional overhead set to center about 7-9' above the snare.

Having two different overheads set in stereo... well... it could sound cool, but more than likely it will sound wrong.

 

[tmix]

I'll tell you, my personal opinion in this situation would be to put the 441 on kick, the 57s on the toms (which will also capture cymbals) and the C1000 on snare (which will pick up PLENTY of hat).
I have done it quite often as a group recording. It works fine because all the other open mics in the room serve as ambient or overheads. You'll have a lot less problem with phase issues as well.

Typically the problem most people have in group type recordings is getting the basic parts of the kit to sound beefy enough, and this micing technique will help. Believe me , you'll have plenty of cymbals happening.

Tom

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

But you get most of your tone from the overheads... it's not just a "cymbal" you are trying to capture with those.

 

[4-Man Takedown]

What type of music are you recording?

 

[tmix]

But you get most of your tone from the overheads... it's not just a "cymbal" you are trying to capture with those.

With all due respect.

I have been a recording drummer for over 15 years, and I do this all the time.
It is true that overheads can be the best source of capturing a natural balanced picture of the kit when tracking alone, but using overheads while tracking a full band will often be disasterous.
I promise you that if you try it, you can get a very good sound that often will work better than overheads.
I would make sure I wasn't too close with my mics.
Of course a lot depends on the drummer and the type of music being played.

If you go here (hear): http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1955&alid=-1
and listen to "Rainy Day" it will give an Idea of using that technique.

tom

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I'd still put up overheads... if I had to record that way. But luckily I don't have to record that way. God, why would anyone want to?

 

[kylen]

I'd still put up overheads... if I had to record that way. But luckily I don't have to record that way. God, why would anyone want to?

For the live vibe ?

 

[tmix]

I was merely trying to help the man out. He asked a specific question in regard to his limited mic selection.

I realize his situation is not perfect. He has not even mentioned how big or good his recording room is.
Taking into consideration he is probably in a smallish room and the man only has :
- AKG C1000
- Studio Projets C1
- 2 SM57
- Sennheiser MD 441

I figure he'd want the C1 for his voice which only leaves the senn, 2 sm57s and a C1000.
The best use of the senn would be the kick, the best use of the 57s (in my opinion) is the toms and the C1000 makes a pretty good snare mic. He obviously can put the C1000 directly above his snare and use it to pick up the cymbals as well. So much depends on how the drummer plays. If he plays in a well balanced fashion, heck 2 mics will do, if he barely taps his drums but rides like a maniac on his cymbals, you might consider close micing his toms.

You could actually switch the different mics around for different flavor... I have no idea what type of music or playing ability we are talking about. Just making some general suggestions.

 

[andre77]

Thank you all for the replies I've gotten so far !

I'm serious about getting the best sound I can, and I know my mic collection is far from ideal and that is why I was asking for advise regarding mic placement and ways of reducing leakage

I'm running the guitar thru a Triaxis mic pre and the bass thru a Grace design mic pre that has a DI. I have recorded my bass thru it and get very good results.

Everything will go into a Delta 1010 LT thru separate channels so I've decided to run bass and guitar direct.

I'm not sure if I should use the C1 on vocals since this mic picks almost anything.

About the room it's a long attic, it has a low RT time but we are playing quite close to each other. Since this is a direct take I might just connect guitar, bass and vocals into the PA system for playback (do not have an headphone split signal system) or indeed use the guitar and bass amps as well for playback and only the PA system for vocal playback

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

For the live vibe ?

If it were really a live show, probably not... because feedback annoys me. If it were faux live, then yeah I'd do it. If it really sucked I can always throw it out and try to cobble something from the toms/snare.

 

[kylen]

If it were really a live show, probably not... because feedback annoys me. If it were faux live, then yeah I'd do it. If it really sucked I can always throw it out and try to cobble something from the toms/snare.

Yeah - I hate feed back too...

Cloneboy - why don't you have the article(s) you shared the other day in your tagline so more people can see them - I thought the one on mixing and the stereo field was interesting and had some good stuff in it. Any more ?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Yeah - I hate feed back too...

Cloneboy - why don't you have the article(s) you shared the other day in your tagline so more people can see them - I thought the one on mixing and the stereo field was interesting and had some good stuff in it. Any more ?

Yeah but most of them are aimed at assisting someone to achie a mid-industrial sound like Front 242's Geography or Skinny Puppy. Mainly a lot of articles about vintage and antique analog keyboards.