Composition chart
Percussion
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General tips
- 1. Try using one mic for the kick drum (bass) and one overhead. Overheads should be about standing eye-level and out of the drummers way.
- 2. Use one mic for the kick drum (bass), one for the snare and one as an overhead.
- 3. Have one mic record the kick drum, one record snare, one for the hi-hat and two overhead mics.
- Have one mic for each drum- one for kick, snare, hi-hat, each tom you use and two overheads. In addition, you could use two room mics.
- If you're using several mics, be careful that the recording does not sound like a collection of separate drums. It should sound like one instrument.
- It's generally best practice to have mic inside the kick drum (placed through the hole)
- Consider placing a blanket or pillow inside the drum to dampen the sound.
- If the drums sound poor in the room then they'll not sound any better on a tape, no matter have expensive the mics are.
- Generally the best position is with the mic just over half way inside, pointing to the side of the beater
- Moving the mic away from the beater creates a more mellow sound.
- Point mic at beater for rock style compositions, point away for jazz and blues pieces (ie. towards the rim).
- Unlike some instruments, it is acceptable to place the mic very close to the sound source to achieve high quality results.
- Mic placement is usually best around 3-4 inches from the edge of the drum.
- Remember to keep the mic out of the drummers way.
- Get the drums sounding as you want before you record.
- It is generally best practice to angle the mic toward the top head (surface) of the drum.
- Try to prevent the mic picking up excess sound from other drums (for example, the hat).
- Record toms in much the same way as the snare.
- If you put overhead mics higher up above the drum kits then try to keep them the same distance away from the snare to keep the balance correct.
- Use the same make and model of mic when possible.
- Keep the other drums out of the hi-hat mic whenever possible.
- Don't locate the mic too near the hats because they give out a small puff of air when closing.
- Best thing to do is experiment with the mic is different positions but mic placement critically depends on the sound you want to create.
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