Drum Microphone Technique by: elton charles
Microphone Types
Dynamic used close to drums can handle high spl (sound pressure level) rugged
Condenser are normally room or overhead mics but not unusual as close mics delicate to an extent require phantom power more detailed signal
Ribbon overhead or room mics very delicate warm lush sound best reproduction of instrument sounds
Microphone Positions
Batter-top head of drum Resonant- bottom head of drum close mic overheads room mic
Usual mic choice for drums
dynamic on toms (MD421) dynamic on batter and resonant snare (i5,SM57) dynamic on kick (D6, Beta 52, D112) condenser for overheads usually large diaphragm (AT4050) ribbon mic also for overheads usually stereo (AEA R88) condenser or ribbon for room mics (earthworks TC25)
Microphone P lacement
Toms
1-4 inches from batter head angled away from other drums/cymbals out of way of sticks
Kick
with hole place inside the middle of the drum pointed at beater without hole place off center of resonant 4-6 inches away
Snare
2-4 inches from batter head aim at center 2-4 inches from resonant head aim at snares
Overheads and Room mics
Overheads spaced evenly over drumset one over left shoulder looking at snare and hi-hat/crash one over right shoulder looking at ride/crash and floor toms within 2-6 feet from top of cymbals
Room vertical to the floor placed 3to however far you dare away from drums usually about 2-3 feet off ground or 6-12 feet in front of drums