Recording Drums ? How to Record Drums

In this article, we will guide you on how to record drums. Recording drums can be one of the most challenging aspects when recording a band. Many people are unsure where to start or what to do. While factors such as drum selection and microphone placement are important, the biggest challenge lies in the drummer’s performance. Recording a drummer who plays out of sync can be more difficult compared to a solid drummer.

Miking the Kick Drum

Kick drums, also known as bass drums, produce low-end frequencies and establish the beat of the track. They are a prominent focal point in the drum kit. Kick drum mics are typically large and designed to capture the low-frequency range. For placement, the kick drum mic should be positioned inside the kick drum.

If your drum kit has a front skin, it should be removed. Place the kick drum mic about a foot away from the beater, pointing directly at it and slightly off-center. Placing the mic straight in front of the beater can subject it to excessive pressure. This mic placement provides a punchy and precise sound. If you desire a more open sound, move the kick drum mic further away from the beater. Good options for kick drum mics include the Sennheiser 421 and the AKG 421. Shure kick drum mics also work exceptionally well. These are general guidelines, and it is recommended to experiment with mic placement. The sound will also depend on the drummer playing the drums Warm-up Moves Ahead Of Playing The Drums - If you aspire to be a drummer, it's essential to consider that before you start playing, you must first engage in warm-up exercises. Typically, warm-up activities for drumming involve practicing drum rudiments or rolls. That said, if you want your body to be prepared when playing the drums, it's crucial to warm up physically. It's… .

Miking the Snare Drum

Placing a mic in the optimal position for a snare drum can be challenging due to limited space. Try positioning the mic about one inch inside the rim, two to three inches above it, and facing it slightly away from the hi-hat. Facing the mic away from the hi-hat helps reduce bleed from the hi-hat into the snare mic. If there is still a significant amount of hi-hat bleed, you can place a piece of foam around the mic. If you feel that the snare sound is still not cutting through, mic the bottom of the snare drum. The Shure SM57 is a popular choice for miking the snare and is favored by many engineers. While there are more expensive options available, the Shure SM57 performs just as well, if not better. Of course, there are other excellent snare mics that you should explore to find the one that best suits your drum recording needs.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME