How can I make my drums sound better when recording?
10 ways to make better drum recordings
- Skins, sticks and beaters. It’s much easier to get volume, clarity and brightness from a new set of drumheads.
- Tune up.
- Bottom heads on toms.
- Front head on the kick or not?
- Tighten the kick drum.
- Playing to a click.
- Prepare the click for gaps.
- Get a crappy mic.
What type of microphone is best for recording a full drum set?
Overhead/Room Mics The two mics you undoubtedly use are a pair of overhead/room mics… Since their purpose is to provide a balanced stereo image of the drum kit as-a-whole. The standard choice for room mics is a matched pair of condenser mics (either large or small).
Can you use condenser mic for drums?
Choose the right mic: condenser Condenser mics also tend to be more sensitive than dynamic mics because of the low mass of their moving parts but usually have built-in pad switches (10 and 20 decibel increments) to enable them to handle the levels us drummers are capable of delivering.
Why are dynamic mics good for drums?
Dynamic mics such as the SM57 or Beta56 will give you great weight but modest detail. Secondly, their less sensitive response means they pick up relatively low amounts of spill, helping you to isolate the drum more easily.
Is a condenser mic better for vocals?
Condenser microphones are best used to capture vocals and high frequencies. They are also the preferred type of microphone for most studio applications. Because of the thin diaphragm and increased sensitivity, condenser mics are often used to pick up delicate sounds. They also need a power source.
How Many Mics do you need for drums?
Microphone setups for recording drums
| N | Stereo Mics | Spot / Close Mics |
|---|---|---|
| 6-12 | Stereo overhead microphones | One or more microphones for each of the drums in the kit |
| 8-20 | Stereo overhead microphones | One or more microphones on each of the drums in the kit Microphones positioned close to each group of cymbals |
How do you mic a kick drum without holes?
You can do basically two things: 1: take front off (as suggested) and put the microphone in front of it. 2: place the microphone in the middle of the front skin about 1 to 3 inches away (make sure the mic is not touched when the drummer hits the kick drum) and then move it around until you get the sound you want.
What mic does toms use?
The standard microphone used on toms is the Sennheiser MD421, but you are not limited to using only this mic. Some points to consider: By using a condenser mic, you will receive more attack and less thumping than you would with a dynamic.
What mics did Glyn Johns use?
This drum kit was tracked in the foyer of a house using the traditional Glyn Johns method. Mics used were Kel HM-1s for overheads, a Kel HM-2d outside the kick, and a Shure SM-57 over the snare.