Akai MPC Discussion Forums <./index.php> * HOME <./index.php> * MPC RESOURCES * MPC TUTORIALS * MPC SAMPLES * CONTACT * ADVERTISE * PM <./ucp.php?i=pm&folder=inbox> * Search <./search.php> * CTRL PANEL <./ucp.php> * Logout [ thx ] <./ucp.php?mode=logout&sid=9b6e8193ac651ebdc044ebfa0dafd108> * NEW POSTS <./search.php?search_id=newposts> Home <./index.php> » Production Skills <./viewforum.php?f=32> » MPC Studio Environments <./viewforum.php?f=11> » school me on drum micing <./viewtopic.php?f=11&t=131043&start=0> Post new topic <./posting.php?mode=post&f=11> Reply to topic <./posting.php?mode=reply&f=11&t=131043> Page *1* of *1* Subscribe topic <./viewtopic.php?uid=48679&f=11&t=131043&watch=topic&start=0&hash=ebda49ad> | Bookmark topic <./viewtopic.php?f=11&t=131043&start=0&bookmark=1&hash=ebda49ad> | Print view <./viewtopic.php?f=11&t=131043&start=0&view=print> Author Message *boxcutter butta* Expert Member school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:25 am *Posts:* 645 *Location:* riverside, CA I've recently come upon a drum set anybody in the forums mics drums and how you go about doing it all i plan on recording is kick snare hi hat and crash can somebody give me some tips on micing these for the best pick up? and which kinds of mics i should be getting? _________________ The Grublet wrote: thats how I roll... post first, search later. On My Quest For Yet Another SP12 Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211348> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211348#p1211348>Sun May 30, 2010 6:52 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39303> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211348> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211348> *taste_testa* New Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Sun May 16, 2010 12:11 pm *Posts:* 4 Depends what sound your going for but you can usually get a pretty decent sound from just an overhead condenser mic and maybe a close mic at the base drum. Try and get the best condenser mic you can afford though cause i've used some pretty **** ones, Rode mics are usually good. Apart from that the tuning of the drum is very important if you want to close mic. Shure sm57s are the way to go for that as far as mics go but you'll have to spend a lot of time tuning each drum correctly so it sounds good right at the batter or response head depending on where you mic. This might sound bad to listen to in a room but your tuning for the mics not the room in this case. Drum kits sound way different from room to room so make sure you retune for any different micing situation if you want the best results. good luck heres a pretty good link on the intricacies of how to tune drums http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/index.html _________________ http://www.myspace.com/yesidolike Image Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211645> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211645#p1211645>Mon May 31, 2010 7:19 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=50872> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211645> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211645> *Marek2kxl* Senior Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:03 am *Posts:* 207 *Location:* Amsterdam, the Netherlands I agree to the above ^ ..make sure the kit is in tune and that every drum / cymbal sounds good on it's own and together with the rest of the kit.... In what kind of room are you recording ?, if it's a big room and you don't want a very "open" sound, you might want to hang up some padded curtains and / or make some absorption panels to put around the kit to prevent alot of the reflections from spilling into your close mics.... then again an "open" sound might be what you're looking for.... It's difficult to say where you "should" place your mics and what mics you should use through a forum post... But I would start positioning just 1 mic on the whole kit either over the kit as an overhead or in front of the kit on "chest" height and try and find the best possible sound that captures the whole kit by moving that mic around a bit..... Instead of putting up 8 mics or so without any recording experiece, this can lead to nasty things like phase issues if you don't know what to listen for, just start with 1.... \ If you're satisfied with the 1 position but you miss some body or rattle on the snare, you can always stick a mic on the snare skin or underneath.... but then make sure it is in "in phase" with the already placed mic... if you have a phase reverse on your preamp, just turn it on and off while listening to the two signals, and choose the best sounding setting..on or off... Do this for every mic you add to the equation..... Just spend some time tuning the kit and making sure it sounds nice in the room that it's in, just by being in the room and listening... this is just as important, if not more important than mic choice and positioning..... If you want to invest in some mics I would at least get a couple of SM57's, maybe a D112, and a pair of SM81's But anything goes if you use your ears...you can get very good results with cheapish mics if positioned correctly... Also important : Have fun, and use your ears ! Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211656> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211656#p1211656>Mon May 31, 2010 8:39 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=36455> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211656> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211656> *Know1* Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Mon May 24, 2010 7:33 pm *Posts:* 19 I'm new to this forum but the other people gave good advice. Tuning is important. As far as micing goes, it really depends what you have access to. HH and Overheads (cymbals) are really going to be the hardest to give answer for. I'll try to see if I can find a good description and post it later. It has a lot to do with placement. For overheads (cymbals): I personally like 3 to 1 and the Neumann KM184's. If your on a budget you can do it with the Shure SM 57's. Snare: SM 57. You probably want to mic the top and bottom. You will probably need to flip the phase on the bottom mic. If you don't have the ability to do that then you may only want to mic the top. Where you place that mic will make a huge difference. Moving the mic just 1 inch can dramatically affect the sound. It should be around 1 inch above the snare. Where you point it depends on what type of sound you are going for. If you want it to ring point it closer to the rim. If you want it to snap point it closer to the center. Keep in mind the drummer will make a huge difference. If you hit it hard it will make a different sound than if you hit it soft. Kick: Shure B52 or Audix D6. Place the mic about half way in the hole and try to point it towards the beater. That being said there are many things you can do to mic a kick drum. From combination micing to using a speaker to get the low end. High hat: KM 184. I'll try to find some pictures. Everything I said is an opinion. Everyone has one. If there is a rule to follow it is this, if it sounds good it is good. There is no amount of explaining that will make up for experience. I'd encourage you to get a SM 57 ($80- $120) and experiment with mic placement. _________________ Knowledge is Power Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211662> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211662#p1211662>Mon May 31, 2010 9:17 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=50960> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211662> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211662> *The Dude* Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:08 am *Posts:* 45 AKG d112 for kick, Sm57 for snare, and maybe some behringer c2's for over head. This is all relatively cheap and i have used these and they work alright., without going overboard. Possibly a sm58 between toms to just grab all the sounds. Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211675> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211675#p1211675>Mon May 31, 2010 11:32 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=48016> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211675> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211675> *boxcutter butta* Expert Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:25 am *Posts:* 645 *Location:* riverside, CA i don't plan on using toms so no need to mic there and i want to build a little room inside of the room to strictly do drums and vocals and maybe record guitar out of a guitar amplifier but yeah basically I'm just trying to record kick snare hat crash (maybe ride?) ill look into the mics recommended see if i can pick some up i don't want sound of the room i just want drums clear and accented nicely so hopefully the padded curtain or absorption pads will handle with that Thanks everyone for their responses _________________ The Grublet wrote: thats how I roll... post first, search later. On My Quest For Yet Another SP12 Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211677> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211677#p1211677>Mon May 31, 2010 11:41 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39303> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211677> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211677> *padlock* Expert Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:57 pm *Posts:* 655 *Location:* Perth, AU what kit did you get btw? 5 peice, 4 peice? brand? what cymbals? or is it all a cheapie kit? i used to have a cheap kit like 10 years ago and had it sounding amazing.. kick drum filled with dirty bed sheets n pillows, all toms tuned real low, all new remo heads w/cheapish paiste cymbals... etc.. and i have heard really good results from just one of those zoom recorders, recording a whole band just set up in a room, so yeh just start with one mic as ^said. _________________ Jfalconcrest wrote: This is not to sell albums, Hell, to someone truly driven, it's barely even a choice. Lampdog wrote: padlock for president! http://www.myspace.com/padlockproductionz Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211678> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211678#p1211678>Mon May 31, 2010 11:42 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39966> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211678> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211678> *boxcutter butta* Expert Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:25 am *Posts:* 645 *Location:* riverside, CA its a pearl 5 piece i don't know what kind to be specific( I've never been into toms so i'm just planning on setting up the snare and kick and like to think i'm saving space) maybe ill add the floor tom.. cymbals i got zildjian again don't have a clue what kind hat ride crash and splash can i ask a question why fill it with blankets and all?? sorry i have no idea about drums because ive never had a pair just used friends sets _________________ The Grublet wrote: thats how I roll... post first, search later. On My Quest For Yet Another SP12 Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211682> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211682#p1211682>Mon May 31, 2010 11:56 am Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39303> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211682> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211682> *padlock* Expert Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline User avatar *Joined:* Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:57 pm *Posts:* 655 *Location:* Perth, AU filling the kick with pillows and such will dampen the sound if its too much of a boomy/hollow sound. if it is a really long decay boom on the kick, i would highly suggest taking the outside(not the beater side) skin off and experiment with pillows/foam/old clothes etc, until you are getting a nice short thud, but still keeping that boom. it's all user preference so just experiment until you get the sound you're after. those pearl export kits are decent sounding, and with zildjians cymbals, you're off to a good start. kick/snare/floor tom, is also a very simple but very effective/creative combo to play with. i'm a little jealous just thinking about it, i bought a roland td-9 mesh kit just recently, but really wish i got a second hand acoustic kit instead... oh well, one day.. good luck! _________________ Jfalconcrest wrote: This is not to sell albums, Hell, to someone truly driven, it's barely even a choice. Lampdog wrote: padlock for president! http://www.myspace.com/padlockproductionz Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211687> Post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211687#p1211687>Mon May 31, 2010 12:12 pm Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39966> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211687> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211687> *Ill-Green* Expert Member Re: school me on drum micing Offline *Joined:* Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:38 pm *Posts:* 1638 *Location:* Port Rocks Yeah Know1 got it. At the end of the day, micing drums is all about how you hook up and place your kit. You don't want cymbals leaking into the bass-drum mic. From the old school of thought, the less mics the better. Stick with uni-directional dynamic mics so that the mic picks up the sound from the source intended, because those type of mics will help record whats its pointing to and not whats behind like bi-directional or omni-directional. Though there are tricks to use those types of mics in drums, like with a bi-directional you can record the snare on your right and the cymcals on your left in one take when you place the mic between those pieces. Every track should be dedicated to a mic, like track 1:Kick, track 2:Snare, track 3:Hi-Hat left, track 4:Hi-Hat right, track 5:cymbals etc. Its a creative process to learn but try to work with 4 mics to record drums. _________________ After inhaling the H-Bomb, the prehistoric monster from the Boom Bap era has risen to burn, crush and destroy http://www.myspace.com/illgreenmusick SWAMP WATER PLAGUE EP COMING SOON!!! Report this post <./report.php?f=11&p=1211716> New post <./viewtopic.php?p=1211716#p1211716>Mon May 31, 2010 2:05 pm Profile <./memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39602> Send private message <./ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=1211716> Reply with quote <./posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=1211716> *Display posts from previous:* *Sort by* Post new topic <./posting.php?mode=post&f=11> Reply to topic <./posting.php?mode=reply&f=11&t=131043> Page *1* of *1* You *can* post new topics in this forum You *can* reply to topics in this forum You *can* edit your posts in this forum You *can* delete your posts in this forum Search for: Jump to: MPC1000 Tutorials More Info About Beat Making on the MPC1000 Get Tutorials For Your MPC1000 More... MPC2500 Tutorials More Info About Beat Making on the MPC2500 The MPC2500 BIBLE... More... MPC500 Tutorials More Info About Beat Making on the MPC500 Quickly Master Your MPC500 More... 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