whats the best way to mic drums with few mics for a live setting?

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Mikey Spencer
Member Since: Apr 26, 2007

its for a live recording and i'll probably only be able to use 3 mics, one being the bass drums and idk what to do for the other two? where wud be the best places to put them? the mics i have to choose from are SM57's, SM58's, and one condnser mic

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 17, 2007 10:06 pm

That is a bit tuff with that selection but it can be done for sure.

My suggestion is a 57 on the snare, probably a 57 on the kick but go ahead and try a 58 just to see which you like best. Then if the condenser is an LDC then set that thing up about3 to 5 feet out from the kit straight out from the kick drum. And then set it about 1 foot above the top of the kick drum. You may want to vary the height and distance away until it sounds good. But this will do in a pinch.

I have used single mic set ups more then once and gotten great results that way. It is just a matter of getting the drums in a proper space in the room and getting the mic set up at that sweet spot.

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Oct 17, 2007 10:33 pm

ugh thats tough... I'd just use the 57 and 58 on kick and snare ...which ever works best on what - though I'd presonally put the 58 on kick... because I know exactly how terrible a 57 can sound on mine... :)

...and I'd leave the condenser out of it. Unless it's a 500+ turnout then I'd use it as an overhead...probably right above my head...

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 18, 2007 09:11 am

yep....three mics limit means kick, snare, and overhead (overall)....by default.

use the dynamics on individual drums, and the condenser for the whole kit.

gettin' the tom's is gonna be the hardest one to work out.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Oct 18, 2007 09:16 am

Not sure if the recorderman technique would work for a live setting but here is the video anyways.




Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Oct 18, 2007 03:04 pm

With three mics, I'd do kick, and two overheads. The over heads will pick up enough snare. At least from my personal experience it has worked great. That's a cool video though as posted above. and it's all about that Trident they're using. I love mine.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 18, 2007 03:41 pm

The problem being is the 58's or 57's will suck as overheads. They are fine for a close mic, but absolutely rot as a distant mic. Too much other noise introduced into the overall picture when then gain is turned up enough to pick up the drums from a distance.

I blew it myself not realizing this was for a live situation. IF that is the case then stick with the above mentioned and put the single condenser over head centered or move it around a bit to pick up what will be missed. It should catch a bit of the toms from above the kit. I would try to find a sweet spot to aim it for best capture of the toms though.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 18, 2007 03:45 pm

I'm with AKoppenhefferto a point.

The kick should surely have one mic, the other two shouldn't be "overheads" perse' but stuffed on either side of the kit between the drums and cymbals. The classic "triangle mic" pattern. The snare is a sharp sound, it'll get picked up by both mics...in a pinch you don't need one right smack on it. I've used the triangle technique successfully many times.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 18, 2007 11:35 pm

great point AK...yeah, snare comes through well in the OH's...

and dB! you're dead on, i get used to calling (whole kit mics) overheads....and yeah throwing them above the drummer might not be the best way....

i'd try a sample of all the suggestions, and let your ears tell ya what's workin' what's not.

Mikey Spencer
Member
Since: Apr 26, 2007


Oct 24, 2007 02:35 pm

i tried a SM57 on the kick, a SM58 on the snare, and the condenser as an overhead at about where my head is. It turned our pretty good, although the toms were a tad to quiet. I was only using one rack tom and a floor tom so i set the snare mic up so it would catch a fair amount of the rack tom which it did, and the condenser picked up a good amount of the floor tom. i was suprised with the results. thanks for the help

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