Composition chart

Toms

View all the instruments or look at some of the possible drum setups.

Other percussion instruments: kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat.

The drums are one of the hardest instruments to record. Did you know that there are only two mics used on Ringo's kit for most of the Beatles records- one in front of the bass (kick) drum and one overhead.

  • Record toms in much the same way as the snare.
  • 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 is not essential to mic every tom.
  • 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.

Have a look at some of the possible drum setups.

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Scottish Music Centre is supported by the Scottish Arts Council Scottish Music Centre is supported by the PRS Foundation

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