Micing Drums?

[Deliverance666]

I've got one microphone and I need some help on recording my drums. Whenever I try to just record, it sounds kinda crappy. I've just got a regular set and an SM58... any help would be appreciated.

 

[sumairetsu]

SM58 is no good for drum recording. Maybe you can use it for the bass drum. So the 58 there, a 57 on the snare and one 57 above the toms, and then an X/Y'd stereo pair of condenser mics as overhead mics should probably get you started.

Lose the SM58 for the drums. The SM58 is designed for vocals and primarily only for live applications. DO NOT use it in the kick drum. It can't handle the sound pressure levels inside and if it doesn't destroy the mic element, it will sound like complete crap.

Shure's SM57 is preferred for snare drums as it can handle the high volume levels, though you'll lose a little top end on the toms. Condensor microphones will handle toms better. Just make sure that you have condensor mics that can handle sound levels upwards of 110 dB (decibels).

Something that I've found that works for recording drums on a budget has been to place a microphone in the kick drum and use a pair of pressure zone microphones (see the italicized text below) above the drummer or behind and above the drummer (keep them out of the way of the drummers' sticks and you should be okay). If you can afford them, you can also use a pair of high quality condensors above the drummer to record with. This technique has been used for years to high effect on albums by artists including, and not limited to, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen.

There are a number of ways that can be used to mic drums that can be found in home recording books that you can find in your local book retailer's music section.

Good luck.

Pressure zone microphones are a type of condensor microphone that use a small space between a plate mounted to the the microphone and the microphone itself. It registers the change in air pressure (rather than the soundwaves) as an electric signal which it sends to your console/inputs. These microphones basically act like the human ear so you don't get a lot of the reverb that you hear with cheaper omnidirectional micrphones which pick up soundwaves from all directions.

 

[Melodeath]

If you only have one mic, the best way to record drums is to place the mic a few feet right behind where you sit when your drumming.

SM58 can take high volume levels but not high pressure levels?

 

[Kenneth R.]

well you could potentially bust it if you put it inside a kick drum.

i'd recommend placing the mic above and/or behind the drumset if you've only got one mic, otherwise place the 58 above and away (sort of an ambient pick-up) and use the other mics on the drum sections, but setting it up right requires a lot of tweaking and sound-checking, and positioning is key to getting a good sound. i'm inexperienced in setting this stuff up, but that's as much as i gather from what i've done and seen.

 

[Deliverance666]

I'm not sticking it directly in the kick drum. Actually, I'm putting the mic as far away from the set as it can go (I think I've got a 20' cable), but it is still too loud. Right now the mic is in front of the set. If I put it behind the set, it'll be quieter when recorded?

 

[Melodeath]

do you not have a way of changing the input level?

 

[Kenneth R.]

recording of any kind should begin with a sound-level check to make sure you have the volume and tone you want...

 

[sumairetsu]

I'm not sticking it directly in the kick drum. Actually, I'm putting the mic as far away from the set as it can go (I think I've got a 20' cable), but it is still too loud. Right now the mic is in front of the set. If I put it behind the set, it'll be quieter when recorded?

Sounds like you have too much gain running on the microphone. If you can back off the input levels, the distortion should go down somewhat. BUT, the SM58 is not designed for the frequency spectrum that is produced by acoustic drums. SM58 are tailored for vocal use and won't do well with low frequencies which will cause even more distortion.

 

[Kenneth R.]

yeah, the 58 is a vocal mic and the 57 is made for instruments. of course, there are better models too but they cost more.

 

[sumairetsu]

You get what you pay for.

 

[AmirH]

sm57 and 58 are the same mic with different grills. It does make a difference though.

The absolute best advice I can offer is to invest in some drum mics. I bought a set for 200 dollars last year and they work GREAT. I think it was the audix fusion 4 pack- came with a bass mic, and three multipurpose mics that sound better(imo) then an sm57 for cymbals, snare, and toms. I usually don't even bother micing the snare unless I'm gonna have each drum recorded into a seperate channel(cuts through louder then the rest as it is). I give two, sometimes three overheads and the bass mic and it works great. I've also had great success using somewhat crappy condensor mics on dual kicks for a huge kick sound then using the other mics to get individual pieces. I have trouble getting perfect sounding tracks from Mike's kit without individual channel's but just the cheap drum mics have put us leaps and bounds ahead of trying to use a couple sm57's as overheads. Hope that helps.

 

[Kenneth R.]

You get what you pay for.

absolutely true. (ripoffs aside)

 

[Deliverance666]

My uncle gave me a new mic yesterday and I think it might be a bit better. It looks like a cheap knock-off of an SM57, but hey, it might work. It's called a Cobalt CO7... I think. I'll post a pic if I can find my camera.