Recording Drums

[flano]

This seams to be the hardest thing to do as regards to recording. I have a 8 track with a bounce system but the drums always end up sounding poor. We use two normal mics one around the base 1 around the snare. Does anyone have any pointers about this?

[ronianna]

First I'm writing this reply under my girlfriend's username - so don't think she's a sound tech!

Drums are notoriously difficult to record and make sound good - when was the last time you heard drums on a track sound like they do in real life?!?!

If you can afford to invest in one good mic then definately by an AKG D12 bass drum mic (no doubt the best bass mic EVER). Remove or cut a hole in the front head of the bass drum and lay a pillow in the bottom of the drum.Lay the mic flat on the pillow about 6 inches from the back of the batter head (the one that the pedal beater is striking). This will give you an amazing sound from ANY bass drum. Make sure the pillow also touches the batter head too. Remember a kit set up for studio recording sounds cr4p live, so don't be put off! You need to remove as much of the resonating frequencies as possible. (BTW check Ebay for used mics?). As for the snare, well pretty much as you're doing. Keep the mic close and try to position it close to the air breathe hole on the shell of the drum or pointing towards the bottom head (make sure your snare wires are tight - so that you get a crisp "crack" rather than a fuzzy "buzz"). Again dampen any head ring (best way is with a 1" wide ring cut from an old 14" head just layed flat on the snare batter head - don't stick it down, just let it be (you can buy these but making one's cheaper and EXACTLY the same). You could also use an external top rim mounted damper. This way when you strike the snare head the head reacts freely but is dampened when the head comes back up.

I hope this helps.

(FYI I was a studio equipment technician for many years)