I want to record my drum-kit as I play along with tracks I've recorded onto
my PC (in Sonar).

So far I've done it with a cheap passive mic by experimenting with a mic
location that gives a balance between the bass drum, snare, toms, hi-hat &
cymbals etc... but it's not great.

I've only got a single stereo input into my sound card - so without an
external mixer (I don't have one) I'm limited to two mics.
I've got the one passive mic and a nice Rode NT1 condenser mic (I use this
for vocals usually)

So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!

Thanks for any suggestions.....

--
Sorby

Sorby
So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!


A pair of small diaphragm condensers can do acoustic instruments justice, how
is the room you recording in? That's where you should start.

Raymond wrote:
Sorby
So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!


A pair of small diaphragm condensers can do acoustic instruments justice, how
is the room you recording in? That's where you should start.

True. Also do a google search on "3 mic drum techniques".
See www.mercenary.com/3micdrumstuf.html

Benj
--
Due to SPAM innundation above address is turned off!

"Raymond" wrote in message
...
Sorby
So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!


A pair of small diaphragm condensers can do acoustic instruments justice,
how
is the room you recording in? That's where you should start.

Would you consider my Rode NT1 a 'small' diaphragm condenser?
I'll have to see if I can pick up another on eBay.

My room is about 15' x 9' and perhaps 8' high - so not huge. Brick walls
all round with a large window covering 50% of the end wall.
Concrete floor.

Cheers

--
Sorby

wrote in message ...
Raymond wrote:
Sorby
So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to
record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!


A pair of small diaphragm condensers can do acoustic instruments
justice, how
is the room you recording in? That's where you should start.

True. Also do a google search on "3 mic drum techniques".
See www.mercenary.com/3micdrumstuf.html

Thanks Benj!

--
Sorby

Sorby wrote
Would you consider my Rode NT1 a 'small' diaphragm condenser?
I'll have to see if I can pick up another on eBay.

No, the NT1 is large diaphragm condenser.

My room is about 15' x 9' and perhaps 8' high - so not huge. Brick walls
all round with a large window covering 50% of the end wall.
Concrete floor.

All that brick and glass will give you quite a lot of reflection, I'm not sure
at what frequency but you can try a bit of that cellular foam rubber type
insulation. I wouldn't cover the walls completely with it, just hang some in
spots (maybe 3' sections) and see if you get any taming of the higher
frequency's. That's sort of a small room for something like a full drumkit but
a good bass trap or two can help improve that department.

Here's some AT mics I've use in unprepared rooms with fair to good results, two
of the omni's as overheads can work, try your Rode just above the rim of and
out in front of the kick drum (on the snare side). Being that its a cardioid
it'll have a tight pattern (wont pick up to much from the sides) so your
results may vary so do some experimenting with placement.

http://www.pro-music-news.com/html/10/e10911au.htm

Sorby wrote
Would you consider my Rode NT1 a 'small' diaphragm condenser?
I'll have to see if I can pick up another on eBay.

No, the NT1 is large diaphragm condenser.

My room is about 15' x 9' and perhaps 8' high - so not huge. Brick walls
all round with a large window covering 50% of the end wall.
Concrete floor.

All that brick and glass will give you quite a lot of reflection, I'm not sure
at what frequency but you can try a bit of that cellular foam rubber type
insulation. I wouldn't cover the walls completely with it, just hang some in
spots (maybe 3' sections) and see if you get any taming of the higher
frequency's. That's sort of a small room for something like a full drumkit but
a good bass trap or two can help improve that department.

Here's some AT mics I've use in unprepared rooms with fair to good results, two
of the omni's as overheads can work, try your Rode just above the rim of and
out in front of the kick drum (on the snare side). Being that its a cardioid
it'll have a tight pattern (wont pick up to much from the sides) so your
results may vary so do some experimenting with placement.

http://www.pro-music-news.com/html/10/e10911au.htm

Sony's ECM-MS907 works well for recording drums (and pretty much anything
else). It will plug right in to your soundcard. It costs about US$100 and
I doubt that you'll find a better stereo condenser at this price. Now I
sound like a salesman. Cheez.

I've done quite a bit of experimenting with this microphone. My favorite
mic position for the five-piece set I use is to aim the mic between the kick
drum and snare, about four feet from both the floor and the kit, not
directly in front of the kit but slightly toward the high hat. It gives a
nice wide stage - the individual pieces of the kit have their own presence
that gives the listener the impression of sitting right in front of the kit.
If you're looking for a tighter drum stage, move the mic away from the kit.

Hope this helps...

J. Myers
Daydream Electric
http://daydreamelectric.home.comcast.net/

"Sorby" wrote in message
...
I want to record my drum-kit as I play along with tracks I've recorded
onto
my PC (in Sonar).

So far I've done it with a cheap passive mic by experimenting with a mic
location that gives a balance between the bass drum, snare, toms, hi-hat &
cymbals etc... but it's not great.

I've only got a single stereo input into my sound card - so without an
external mixer (I don't have one) I'm limited to two mics.
I've got the one passive mic and a nice Rode NT1 condenser mic (I use this
for vocals usually)

So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!

Thanks for any suggestions.....

--
Sorby

beg, borrow, but don't steal. I'm sure there are musicians willing to help
others out. ask around and see if someone will let you use a mixer and a
couple mics for a few days. until you can afford your own. Just a
thought,...azi
"Sorby" wrote in message
...
I want to record my drum-kit as I play along with tracks I've recorded onto
my PC (in Sonar).

So far I've done it with a cheap passive mic by experimenting with a mic
location that gives a balance between the bass drum, snare, toms, hi-hat &
cymbals etc... but it's not great.

I've only got a single stereo input into my sound card - so without an
external mixer (I don't have one) I'm limited to two mics.
I've got the one passive mic and a nice Rode NT1 condenser mic (I use this
for vocals usually)

So to my question .... what's the best way to use what I've got to record
better drum tracks ... and what else do I need in order to record even
better - but without breaking the bank!

Thanks for any suggestions.....

--
Sorby