Quick Mic Selection Question

[BrentDomann]

Don't change any of the variables. If you were going to mic a drum kit of standard size and configuration with a two-mic Recorderman setup, and you had to choose, which pair would you go with:

2 MXL 990
2 SM 57

This in some sense is a cheap condenser vs. well-used dynamic discussion, but it is a question for which I may need a relatively immediate answer.

Cheers!

 

[moresound]

Recorderman with just two microphones?

Well I would go with the 990s and don't roll off the low end at all! Might even want to add some low end but that will all be dependent of the room that your recording in.

You might want to do multiple takes and add them all together compressing one very hard, then another with heavy verb, then one just natural. But with this watch your low end build up ... ie. don't want to add low end with this situation.

Watch your panning and experiment with it.
Just make sure that microphone A is the same distance to the snare as microphone B. ---- Three drums sticks away from the snare for each is a good starting point and get only closer than that if needed.

 

[homestudioguy]

Take one SM57 and place under the snare, hi-hat area and adjust the position so it picks up the kick.
Put the other SM57 between (2) toms.
EQ and Balance to taste.