Mic setup for drum kit with 5 cymbals ?

[Alchemist3k]

Hi folks, it's been a while, but I must seek your excellent advices once again. Until now I've been recording as a solo artist, however, I agreed to help a local band make some demos of some of their new tracks. This shouldn't be a problem apart from the drums.

The drummer has agreed to use an electric kit in the main for all sounds bar the cymabls. I thought things would be straight-forward until he mentioned that he uses 5 cymbals and wishes them all to feature in the songs. I had previously thought it would be a matter of stereo overheads and one on the high-hat but now I'm not sure how many mikes I should use and in what configuration.

I'll post a picture of it here shortly.

 

[Track Rat]

I'd use an X-Y overhead setup. that should be fine. At the most I may put spot mics on the ride and hat just in case but I'd bet stereo overheads would be plenty.

 

[Alchemist3k]

Well, that sounds sensible. Last time the band made demos of some tracks at a local university with a full ProControl 24 setup. The initial mix was very poor because it was done in a hurry. My setup is nowhere near as expensive so I hope I can do their music justice.

Anyhow, the drummer complained last time that a stereo overhead setup was used and he couldn't hear some cymbals as a result in the mix. Also, he wasn't happy that the ride got panned all the way left as a result. Maybe spot mics might be needed then. How should they be positioned?

You can hear the band here:
www.mangara.co.uk

 

[Alchemist3k]

Here's the pic:

 

[TexRoadkill]

Unless they are doing tribal medicine music where there are special cymbals for each incantation I would tell the drummer to get over himself. It's just some fucking cymbals.

You can always compress the overheads to balance everything out.

 

[Alchemist3k]

Unless they are doing tribal medicine music where there are special cymbals for each incantation I would tell the drummer to get over himself. It's just some fucking cymbals.

ROFL

 

[pratt]

Well, that sounds sensible. Last time the band made demos of some tracks at a local university with a full ProControl 24 setup. The initial mix was very poor because it was done in a hurry. My setup is nowhere near as expensive so I hope I can do their music justice.

Anyhow, the drummer complained last time that a stereo overhead setup was used and he couldn't hear some cymbals as a result in the mix. Also, he wasn't happy that the ride got panned all the way left as a result. Maybe spot mics might be needed then. How should they be positioned?

You can hear the band here:
www.mangara.co.uk

I track with a stereo pair of Rode NT3s either in X/Y config. or as a spaced pair...this setup is more than adequate in my book for picking up the cymbals (even hi-hat) - and I'm a drummer!

If he doesn't like the panning of the ride....just don't pan hard L/R!! does he understand that a stereo drum recording represents a stereo image of the drums?? maybe he should move his ride to the center of his kit????