please, don't kill me for this question

  • Thread starter Thread starter bobsmithdc
  • Start date Start date
B

bobsmithdc

New member
i'm sure random newbies drop in and ask this all the time, but i have looked throughout the forum and can't find the answer, so please don't hate me for asking again... :)

okay, here's the deal:

i want to record my drum tracks at home. i've recorded a couple of albums in studios and i have got mic's, mic positioning, room accoustics, and all that covered. however, i have no clue what to do from there.

i understand that i need to pre-amp the mic's, compress the mic's, and run into a mixer, then ultimately onto whatever i will record on (tape, hard drive, cd...) but i have no clue as to

1) what i need to buy (compressors? i don't even know where to begin!)
2) the sequence in which to set this equipment up
3) how to get it all onto one place (my lap top).

when i search the internet for home drum-recording it seems like all that comes up is a bunch of stuff on mic placement. i've got that covered, but i have no clue from there.

please help. can someone provide me a drum recording for dummies?... after the kit/mic's are set up?

thank you so so so so so so much.
 
bobsmithdc said:
1) what i need to buy (compressors? i don't even know where to begin!)
2) the sequence in which to set this equipment up
3) how to get it all onto one place (my lap top).
Click to expand...

First, you'll need a sound card that will allow you multiple inputs (so each microphone can be tracked separately with the recording software). OR you can try to mix it and run the mixed results into the soundcard (left/right analog input). I use a mixer, but then again I'm not mic'ing a full kit. ;)

I personally like getting the rawest sound possible. Just setup the mics, check levels, and hit record. Once you have the wav files on the PC you can do whatever you want to shape the sound with complete control. If you do any effecting before hand you can't take it back, and if it doesn't come out right or fit in the mix properly later on you have to retrack. :(

Problem with the multi-input sound cards is price. Cheapest I've seen was around $200 used (M-Audio makes some good solutions), but that's PCI for a desktop machine. This is versus say a Audigy 2 PCMCIA card for under $100, designed for laptop use. I'm sure there are USB 2.0/firewire solutions out there, but I haven't used a laptop as a primary PC for a while now so I forget.
 
thanks for the response

i have a tascam 424, a BR-1180 hard drive multitrack, AND a computer; so in order to keep all of my options open as far as the actual "device" i'd like to avoid reliance on software/sound cards and focus on the "drums into the EQ/COMP/MIXER" aspect rather than the "hit record" phase.
 
okay, i have done more research but am getting mixed results. perhaps someone wouldn't mind just clearing up the "sequencing" of equipment for me???

i think it goes:

drums -> mics -> preamps (to boost the sound) -> compressors (to even out levels) -> mixing board -> output to recording device.

yes?

but i've seen instances w/ compressors AFTER the mixer. ?????

thanks again in advance.
 
Your signal path is good.

Yeah, putting the compressors after the mixer is possible, though I'd never do it that way.

You didn't mention if you already have a mixer.

The main problem I see is that the BR-1180 only has two inputs and can only record two tracks at a time. This limits your options as far as how many simultaneous tracks you can record. Even with a mixer, you're going to have to submix the drums before recording. So maybe the basic drum mic set-up - 2 overheads and a kick mic - is all you'll need.

Are you in D.C.? Welcome to HR, homie!
 
most of the external sound cards in my budget only have two inputs to begin with so i guess i'd have to get everything exactly right coming out of the mixer and then run left and right chanels into the laptop, yes?

if i buy protools or n-track or something i plan on skipping the br-1180 altogether.

no, i don't have a mixer or anything yet. but i am ready to start shopping around now.

yeah, i'm in dc. thanks for the advice and thanks for the welcome to HR!
 
If you have a mixer, put the compressor(s) through the channel inserts. I generally only compress the kick and the snare, but I have enough options that I could compress each channel. You could alternatively put the compressor on the subs, if they have inserts. Or you could compress the overheads. The kick drum wouldn't be covered and that's the most important thing to compress IMO. Especially if your bass drum technique doesn't always produce even levels. The kick usually get lost in the mix the most out of any drum and compression helps.
 
thanks phil good. your post has me thinking. i generally play beats relying heavily on kick and snare work and not so much on toms. i could get away with compressing just the kick and snare. thanks!

"put the compressor(s) through the channel inserts."

not to be a total pain in the ass, but can you clarify? do you mean like patching it and looping it back? or in-line before going to that channel / or after that channel?
 
aside:

i'm in studio all weekend and am gonna be really involved w/ the engineer. maybe i'll type up a quick thread with answers to my own questions to help other "recording/engineering newbies."
 
mad audio -

i just sent you an email. lemme know if you get it.
 
bobsmithdc said:
"put the compressor(s) through the channel inserts."

not to be a total pain in the ass, but can you clarify? do you mean like patching it and looping it back? or in-line before going to that channel / or after that channel?
Click to expand...

The insert channels use a cable that is a tip-ring-sleeve connector at one end, and then has 2 tip-sleeves at the other end. One is the send and the other is recieve. Since they share a common ground, 'tip' (on the TRS) goes to one and 'sleeve' goes to the other. The TRS connector plugs into the channel insert and then one TS connector goes to the input of the compressor and the other goes in the output.

Unless the mixer doesn't have inserts. Then you may have to go mic/preamp/compressor/mixer, or mic/mixer/direct out/recorder if you don't have a separate preamp for each mic.
 
Last edited:
bobsmithdc said:
okay, i have done more research but am getting mixed results. perhaps someone wouldn't mind just clearing up the "sequencing" of equipment for me???

i think it goes:

drums -> mics -> preamps (to boost the sound) -> compressors (to even out levels) -> mixing board -> output to recording device.

yes?

but i've seen instances w/ compressors AFTER the mixer. ?????

thanks again in advance.
Click to expand...

I run straight to the mixer.My pre's are OK.The compression is added after mix so it's not over compressed.I have seen alot of compression on the bass and these home made speaker mics to pump up the bass also.
I prefer to get the rawest recording possible. I'm no pro or even close but I do have a good Drum sound. :)
 
i guess then my answer is:

i will definately need: mics, preamps, compressor

i will not definately need but should get: mixer

configuration: experiment and see what works best for me

source: can be my br-1180, laptop, or tascam 424, depending on what i want to accomplish in the end.

it doesn't seem so hard and scary after all. thanks everyone who helped out posting!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top