What are the minimum dimensions you would need to record a full drum set?

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Music Afficionado
Member Since: Aug 12, 2008

Say - kick, snare, 3 toms, 2 high hats and a crash. Enough room to set up and play comfortably and to mic properly.



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Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Jul 06, 2011 03:29 am

Well, obviously, you would need a mic for each; preferably a Karma K-micro set, but if we're talking room schematics?

It all depends. If you're building a room to fit, that would depend on the kit, the type of music, and the player. Most important, the kit and type of music though.

You'd have to decide a lot of different things ahead of time when building a dedicated room.

For general purpose? That depends on what you have to work with in terms of room size, material, budget, etc.

Either way, a little more specificity would help greatly.

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Jul 06, 2011 10:26 am

Sorry - so I have a 15x17 control room now and a seperate 8.5x6 mic room which is just fine for vocals and one off instruments. However, I have another room in my basement that would allow me to have a larger mic room (approx 7.5x13.5) which I would consider breaking into 2 rooms with the hope that I could record drums and at least 2 other artists simultaneously. Now, when I record bands, I clear out one of the couches in my control room and record them in there. We mic an amp in the mic room and guitarist plans in the control room. Both the drummer and guitarist play with headphones. Then we go back and layer the other instruments one or 2 at a time after the drums and bass foundation is laid. All in all, it sounds pretty good at the end of the day, but I would like to not only get more efficient, but also not have to disrupt my control room each time a band wants to record.

Let me know if you need more details. I'm looking for a generic set up that would work fine for bands of all genres. Thanks.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jul 06, 2011 01:28 pm

As big as possible.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jul 07, 2011 03:17 am

i hate to over-simplify....but theoretically you could do it with one....with a good mic, in a good room, with a good kit properly tuned...one mic can capture everything....

sorry, i know it's not much help...but just to open yer mind a bit

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Jul 07, 2011 11:16 am

Quote:
As big as possible.


That's the easy answer. Small spaces suck. Even most "vocal booths" are completely anti-vocal (although many of them would be good for recording lower-energy sources like piccolo or ukulele).

The amount of broadband trapping necessary to get a decent drum sound in a small space would take up most of the space.

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Jul 07, 2011 05:02 pm

So......10'x7' is probably too small?

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Jul 07, 2011 05:03 pm

So......10'x7' is probably too small?

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jul 07, 2011 05:37 pm

If you can't find a big room...use the biggest room of all...mother nature. It obviously worked for these guys:




http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jul 07, 2011 05:39 pm

On a more practical note, I'd suspect that room will lead to phasing issues and lots of muddiness. I'd record the drums in your control room. Might be a PITA...but way less of a pita than making that 10x7 room work.

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Jul 07, 2011 09:17 pm

Sunofa! Oh well, my wife (and my wallet) will be pleased...

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Jul 08, 2011 01:11 am

10x7 is barely enough to record an acoustic guitar (again, with the right amount of broadband trapping, it probably wouldn't really be too bad for guitar & vocals and what not).

I mean, you could probably *fit* a kit in a room that size, you might be able to play it, don't know if you'd be able to mic it, but I can't imagine it sounding anything reasonable...

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Jul 08, 2011 09:34 am

Gotcha - it was worth a shot. For sh*ts and giggles though - would 9.5'x13.5' be doable?

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Jul 08, 2011 10:41 am

I'd say it's still not ideal, but that's nearly twice the volume (1026cf vs. only 560cf). You're still going to need a small boatload of broadband trapping -- Actually the same amount you'd need for a smaller room - or a bigger room for that matter, as the amount is generally based on the amount of energy needed to be absorbed as opposed to the volume of the space. But that's for another thread...

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