<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by phillybean:
My digital 8-track is coming next week and I was wondering what would be the best way to utilize 2 mics for recording a drum kit.
They aren't drum mics, they're Shure SM58's. Can anybody tell me the best placement?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
First, Make sure that the Drumkit's tuned well!
I'm a drummer, and I can tell you right from the start that most drummers have no idea how to tune their kits. They usually tune the kit too low. The drumkit should sort of "sing". think about tuning your Bass or guitar so that the strings are completely loose and flopping! Does it ound good? I don't think so!
Have the Drummer play on the kit.
Put on a pair of headphones, and take an SM-58 in hand (Plugged into your recorder...)
walk around with the mic, until you find the place that gives you a good balance of the kit through the headphones-or where it sounds the best.
Remember-this is BEFORE you ever touch any E.Q. or effects.
If it's a Single kick drum-you're in Business!
Same basic situation-but instead of trying to find the swwetspot in the room-you're looking for the sweetspot in the kick drum!
For more slap-aim it at the mallet's striking point, for more "Boom" move it more towards the "Resonant head" side of the drum.
Record a few samples, and see what ya get, then play with the E.Q.
When recording Drums, I tend to Cut instead of Boost in regards to E.Q.
Tim