Ideal Live Drum Mic Placement and Usage of Purchased Mics

> > > Ideal Live Drum Mic Placement and Usage of Purchased Mics

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If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member Since: Nov 08, 2004

Hi HRC,

How would I best apply the mics listed below to recording drums in a live practice setting. We're a three piece instrumental rock group (2 guitars, drums, no bass) that plays very loud in a basement. The drummer has a 5 peice Pearl set with high hat, ride, two crashes, splash, and 2 bongos. The splash and bongos are above the snare. The acoustics aren't the best although the room is fairly large.


Microphones:

MXL: V67G
MXL: V88 (2 of them)
Oktavia: Mk319
Shure: PG 48

Also I've been using SM58 and an old Akg300(not sure on the exact model) dynamic mic with the pop filter caps off for each guitar.

Currently I've been using the pair of v88s as stereo overheads and the PG48 for the kick drum. I've really been meaning to add the v67 and mk319 into the mix to bring out the toms/snare as they are better sounding and more expensive but am afraid of damaging them and or dealing with phase issues.

This is all going into a UB2442FXPRO for phantom power into an m-audio1814 into Sonar8PE.

Currently the drums sound acceptable for a live setting but the cymbals can be harsh at times and the detail isn't really there in the snare/toms.

Any input is appreciated,
-Reuben

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Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Dec 05, 2009 07:24 pm

Ya know, with that mic selection the only thing I would do is add one of those condensors as a room mic. I'm not sure what size it is but I would start pretty far back and move it around to see what sounds best.

I think adding more LDC mics to that setup would just create chaos, I could be wrong but I think you need a couple dynamic mics (sm57) for the snare and toms. My overheads pick up the splash and all cymbals quite well so I would assume the bongos would sound fine as well. Another suggestion would be a high hat mic but that is a luxury not necessity imo.

I think the reason your cymbals sound harsh is because they are providing your snare and tom tones and are probably just too high (I am very guilty of too load cymbal syndrome). If you had some close mics you can tame the cymbals much easier and let them provide air instead of the meat.

If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2004

Dec 06, 2009 08:07 pm

"I think the reason your cymbals sound harsh is because they are providing your snare and tom tones and are probably just too high (I am very guilty of too load cymbal syndrome). If you had some close mics you can tame the cymbals much easier and let them provide air instead of the meat."


So would u recommend me raising the overheads or lowering the cymbals? I dont have any more dynamics so thats out of the question. You think i could try a large diaphragm for the snare/high hat area?

Also, how would i go about adding a room mic. how should i choose the spot and how will i be able to tell what sounds good? i have headphones but when we're all playing i cant hear a darn thing in them.

The guitar amps face each other somewhat in a triangle shape facing the drums in the corner of the room so a room mic would probably be a lot of reflections. Any thought on amp placement and such?

thanks,
theskrub

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Dec 07, 2009 02:51 am

Hehe, i meant too high volumewise. OH's are just closer to the cymbals so you gonna get alot of em (depending on placement). Usually turning them up loud enough to get the snare and toms to come through results in the "volume" on the cymbals being to high.

On room mics, I wouldn't use one unless just tracking drums seperately. You may get lucky and hit that magical spot where everything is balanced, who knows. When I listen for room mic placement I use my headphones and about 3 extensions for em. Turn headphones pretty loud, move mic and listen.

Without some good studio phones that block outside noise it would be pointless though. I used to use some in ear phones and wear hunting muffs over em (20$ at walmart) to block outside noise. That worked better than not hearing my mics at all.

Anyways enough BS, I think a good solution with your mics available would be the "recorderman" technique. It's all about having the mics the same distance (reduce phasing) and in a sweet spot that captures more of your drum tone along with cymbals.

Watch this, very good walkthrough (step by step) and they get a great tone even without a kick mic. By adding a kick mic you would have that little bit of extra control.




If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2004

Dec 07, 2009 04:53 am

does this method work equally well with large diaphragm mics, as all of mine are? i normally keep my overheads as far away from the cymbals as possible (basically at the ceiling) and point them straight down and pan 60/60. i have hd280pros and i doubt i could fit anything over the top of them (they're friggin huge). anyway the video looks interesting i have heard of this technique but never saw it done.

thanks,
theskrub

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Dec 07, 2009 01:28 pm

LDC or SDC, both will work.

I use HD280 as well, if you crank em and walk around with a room mic while the drummer plays you should be able to hear it.

The gain on my overheads are set about 1oclock and my kick about 3 oclock. I then crank the headphone volume to about 3 oclock as well. There will of course be sound bleeding into the phones but things should be audible enough to find a sweet spot. And actually, walk around the room first with no phones and just listen to where they sound best to get your general starting point.

Without high ceilings I try to refrain from putting my OH's too high. On my 8 mic drum setup my OH's are only about 12-18" from the cymbals.

If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2004

Dec 09, 2009 12:51 am

Thanks a lot CptTripps for all the great insight. I'm going try it this weekend and see how it goes. now i just gotta find some string...






If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2004

Dec 09, 2009 12:51 am

Deleted By Bleak

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Dec 29, 2009 01:00 pm

Soooo... how did it work out for you? Have been curious to see what you thought of the recorderman.

If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2004

Jan 01, 2010 05:26 pm

been busy couldn't end up jamming should be in the next few days tho for sure. i wouldn't forget u Captain Tripps

> > > Ideal Live Drum Mic Placement and Usage of Purchased Mics

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