Why can't I get a good drum sound?

[theonlyone]

Ok everyone I've been trying to record drums at my house for a while now and nothing seems right?

I am recording a Yamaha Beech Custom with two rack toms and two floor toms. The Cymbals are all Zildjian A's and A customs, except my 1976 Pasite 602 ride. I have a full set of four drum mics (don't know the brand or make) and three SM58's to use. I am also recording it on to a Tascam digital 8 track, but have two beringer mixers available to use as well. Since I am recording it in my basement, I have basically unlimited time because it is all my equipment too.

The problem is that when I place the mics right near the drums I get a hollow sound that is lacking in force and body, but when using room micing the sound is cluttered by the noise bouncing of the walls, because it is a small room.

Any suggestions, please give. Especially on how to give the drums the fuller sound that I hear on more professional recordings. Thanks.

 

[Shailat]

Hmmmmm......

There is so much work you have to put in to get a good drum sound. Drums are the hardest instrument to record.

If your room sucks then no matter what you do you'll have a problem.

A good drum sound starts from:
* A good kit
* Well tuned kit
* Well treated kit - damping tecniques, good heads etc....
* A good room
* A good drummer
* Good mics with good placement
* Good blend - of lows mids and highs, warm tone, reverb, etc..

As you see....a lot of "Goods"

If you go into details and discribe what you have done untill now
(seperating each part of the kit) it can be more helpfull.

Dont look for the sound you hear on CD's (unless you have $$$$) but rather try to to improve your sound step by step.

 

[mikeh]

I agree completely with Shailat - there are many variables. Assuming you have already taken care of the tuning/performance issues, that the heads are relatively new and given that the Beech Customs are very good sounding drums and that SM58's are good mics (lets also assume the other mics are about as good as the 58's) - then you need to work on room treatment.

Since the room you have is what it is, the best you can do is hang blankets to eliminate sound reflections and try to mix in some room ambiance with the close mics. With 7 mics I would try (not knowing what mics you have - other then the 58s)

Kick
Snare
Rack toms (1 mic between them)
Floor toms (1 mic between them)
Overheads (2 mics from just behind you, pointed toward the "tops of the rack toms")
Room mic (about 6 feet in front of the drums - if you have the room)

Just one of many options!