Schlagzeug mit einem 3-Mikrofon-Setup aufnehmen

Lesson Overview

Welcome back to the next part of this course! Today, we'll be discussing how to record a drum kit using three microphones:

• One microphone for the kick drum
• One microphone for the snare drum
• One overhead microphone

This setup will help us achieve a punchier and more defined sound due to close miking.

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Microphone Selection

Kick Drum Mic

We'll start with the kick drum. The microphone I use is the AKG D112:

• Why the D112?
  • Great for high sound pressure.
  • Can cope with the air moving inside the kick drum.
  • Handles the pressure from the beater hitting the drum head.

Snare Drum Mic

For the snare, I use the classic SHURE SM57:

• Why the SM57?
  • It just works well on the snare.
  • Highly durable; won't break regardless of how hard you hit it.

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Mic Setup and Positioning

Kick Mic Setup

1. Stand Positioning: Use a small stand for the kick mic.

2. Mic Placement:

   • You can mic from the outside for front skin sound, but for a tight sound, we'll place it inside the kick drum.
   • Position the mic so it's pointing slightly between the beater and the edge of the drum head.
   • Avoid pointing it directly at the beater to reduce clicky sounds, unless that's desired for a specific music style.

3. Tying Down Cables: Make sure the lead doesn't touch any parts of the drum kit to avoid unwanted noise. Use a cable tie to secure it.

4. Plugging In: Connect the mic to the API preamps, which I've labeled accordingly.

Snare Mic Setup

1. Positioning: The snare mic needs to be tucked in between the hi-hat and the tom.

2. Mic Angle:

   • Diaphragm at the edge of the snare drum.
   • Angle the mic for optimal sound capture:
     • Point down for a stick sound from the head.
     • For a general setup, maintain a standard angle to capture a bit of the ring.

3. Plugging In: Connect this mic to API inputs 1 and 2.

Overhead Mic Setup

1. Selecting the Mic: We will be using the 87 for the overhead.
2. Positioning: Place the mic in the center, pointing down to capture both cymbals and drums.
3. Tightening: Ensure all screws are tight to avoid movement.

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Final Steps

1. Adjust Gain: Adjust the gain settings on the kick and snare mics.
2. Recording: Let's do another take and see how this setup sounds compared to the previous mono mic recording.
3. Expected Outcome: This should provide a more authentic and punchy drum sound.

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Let's give it a go and see how it sounds!