NEED HELP WITH MIC CHOICE FOR DRUMS

[xTomx]

I'm gonna be recording a drummer for a hardcore band next week and I'll be borrowing most of the mics from my uni.

My audio interface only has 8 inputs so I've gotta choose carefully and some advice would really help me out!

The setup I was planning on is:
1 x mic on the kick
2 x mics on the snare (one above, one underneath)
2 x mics for toms (drummer only has 2 tom drums, so one on each)
2 x spaced overhead mics
1 x room mic

The mics I've got available:

Condenser
Neumann U87
Neumann TLM 103
Rode K2
Rode NTK
Rode NT5 + NT45 omni directional capules
Rode NT4
Rode NT2
AKG C414b (matched pair)
AKG C414b (pair)
AKG D112
AKG C1000
AKG C3000b
AKG C747
Audio Technica AT2035
Beyerdynamic MCE82
Beyerdynamic Opus 51
Shure PG81



Dynamic
Shure Beta 57A
Shure Beta 58A
Shure 588SD
Shure 57

plus I have a Red5 RVK7 drum mic kit which is allrightish
I've spent hours looking them all up but i'm just going in circles so if anybody has experience with these mics on drums, it'd be awesome if you could give me some direction!

 

[BLUElightCory]

I've used most of these mics; here's what I'd do.

Kick - AKG D112 (this is a dynamic BTW)
Top/Bottom Snare - Shure SM57 or Beta 57 (SM57 is thicker, Beta 57 is cleaner)
Toms - AKG C414 (non matched pair, cardioid w/ pad)
Overheads - AKG C414 (matched pair, cardioid w/pad)
Room - Neumann U87 or TLM103

Also, you might consider trying a spaced stereo pair of room mics and a mono overhead mic - you can get a wider sound with more depth this way (at the expense of some of the cymbal detail). Just use the U87 or TLM103 over the drummer's head and a spaced pair of 414s in the room. I'd suggest trying both setups and going with whichever is closer to how you'd like the drums to sound.

 

[Tommy Gun]

I've used most of these mics; here's what I'd do.

Kick - AKG D112 (this is a dynamic BTW)
Top/Bottom Snare - Shure SM57 or Beta 57 (SM57 is thicker, Beta 57 is cleaner)
Toms - AKG C414 (non matched pair, cardioid w/ pad)
Overheads - AKG C414 (matched pair, cardioid w/pad)
Room - Neumann U87 or TLM103

+1, though I wouldn't personally be tracking metal with this mic list.

 

[xTomx]

I've used most of these mics; here's what I'd do.

Kick - AKG D112 (this is a dynamic BTW)
Top/Bottom Snare - Shure SM57 or Beta 57 (SM57 is thicker, Beta 57 is cleaner)
Toms - AKG C414 (non matched pair, cardioid w/ pad)
Overheads - AKG C414 (matched pair, cardioid w/pad)
Room - Neumann U87 or TLM103

Also, you might consider trying a spaced stereo pair of room mics and a mono overhead mic - you can get a wider sound with more depth this way (at the expense of some of the cymbal detail). Just use the U87 or TLM103 over the drummer's head and a spaced pair of 414s in the room. I'd suggest trying both setups and going with whichever is closer to how you'd like the drums to sound.

Thanks alot man, I'll give that overhead setup a try!

 

[xTomx]

Also Corey, I just noticed your past clients, did you do Illuminate by Lydia? That album is one of my favourite productions ever!

 

[Trevoire520]

57's on your snare and toms, 414's for overheads and D112 in the kick should do you. Best to sample replace the kick though as the 112 sucks for metal without MAJOR eq'ing.
Just about anything will work for a room mic.
Or you could ditch the room mic and use one of the condensers as a spot mic for a ride/china. See what's coming through quietest in the overheads and stick a mic on that.