The drum kit can be one of the most time-consuming and frustrating of instruments to record, so it's worth taking a structured approach.
The phenomenal advances in integrated drum machines and sample-based drum sources controlled by sequencers mean that few of us bother recording real drum kits any more. However, there are still a large number of drummers out there (they haven't all been caught yet!) and some people still like the sound of real drums. So this article has been written to try to provide some useful pointers and guidance on how to record drums effectively with the resources available.
Setting Up The Drums
The typical drum kit consists of a kick drum, snare, a couple of tom-toms mounted on stalks from the kick drum, a floor tom, a hi-hat, and a couple of cymbals -- maybe a crash and a ride. Obviously, many drummers have a lot more to hit than this simple list, while some make do with less. The overriding element, though, is that it is all percussion. It sounds obvious, doesn't it -- so why say it? Well, the thing about percussion is that it is very transient-rich and it's usually damn loud! Naturally, that affects the kinds of microphones we choose and use, the kind of processing that we apply, and the problems we can expect to encounter along the way.
Enter The Microphones
Probably the most purist approach is required in acoustic jazz, so let's start with this situation. Much like orchestral percussion, the most natural sound can be obtained with a high-quality condenser mic positioned overhead and either in front of or behind the kit. Most engineers prefer large-diaphragm condensers in this role, although small- diaphragm mics can be just as effective in most applications. You will see almost everything used in this role, including the Neumann U87, TLM170, TLM103, KM84 and KM184; the AKG C414B, C3000B, C4000B, C1000S and C451; the Sennheiser E664; and the Audio Technica AT4033 and AT4040. Pretty much any cardioid condenser will do. On pure jazz recordings, Coles 4033 ribbon mics also work very well indeed.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
