one mic drum test (getting good drum sound on video)

Facebook: http://facebook.com/chriscaulder
Web: http://chriscaulder.net
YouTube: http://youtube.com/chriscauldermusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chriscaulder
Tumblr: http://chriscaulder.tumblr.com

One mic, pretty damn good sound. Here's how I did it:

I played my trusty Tama Starclassic Performer (birch shells). Mapex M Series birch snare with stock head.

For cymbals....
Zildjian 14" New beat HH
Zildjian 70s sizzle ride with rivets
Zildjian A Custom 16" Fast Crash (near HH)
Sabian AAX 16" Dark Crash

I used an AKG C2000B large-diaphragm condenser microphone on a straight stand (chest-height) about a foot in front of the kit, on the left side of my kick -- since I'm lefty, that means somewhat near the ride).

I plugged the mic into a cheap mixing board (Behringer... yes, I know) and ran direct into my sequencer, which is Cockos' Reaper. I set the levels not too loud, because clipping when you're recording acoustic drums is NEVER a good thing.... I had about 5db of headroom overall. I started recording in the sequencer and then hit record on my Sony TRV38 camcorder (with fisheye lens attachment).

Very few effects have been added -- just some minor EQ (barely bumping up the mids and highs), some reverb, and a tiny bit of compression.

I'm pretty pleased with the results. I've heard horrible drum audio with drum videos, and the easiest way to get the best possible sound is record yourself like this... When you're happy with the audio from the sequencer, just bounce it down and import it into your video editing software as an audio track. When you are editing the video, just sync the condenser-mic-recorded audio to the video, and MUTE the camcorder's audio track. Easiest way to line it up is to zoom in and line up the waveforms. Voila! Clear, listenable drum video. :)

Any further questions, contact me, and I'll be happy to help. chrisATthemixtapeDOTnet.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• drums
• mic
• good
• sound
• getting
• drumset
• video
• camcorder
• audio
• miking
• technique

[90zosoman09]

I have another question I use an almost purley analog recording system, and PA system. I use two speakers, a monitor.(Both almost antique age I find the sound qualities much better then any of the new speakers and monitors you get nowadays.) an equalizer that shows all levels of any instrument or sound coming through my PA, a Radioshack 4-Channel mixing board, a Tascam MF-P01, also a Tascam Porta One studio. I'm wondering if the sound would be the same if I just miced the same way you did?

[chriscauldermusic]

@90zosoman09 The sound would be the same because you don't need the PA to mic the kit, at all. Is the MF-P01 a recorder? Is the Porta One a tape-based multitrack? It's been so long since I used any tape-based stuff. Just watch your levels when the mic goes into your recorder (you will need a phantom power source such as a mixer or something similar to power the condenser mic), but the results should be nearly the same. Mic into recording device... WATCH LEVELS. Done. Good luck!

[TheTwicey]

So what do I need in a couple words to record my drumcovers? Mics, camera, wires, sequencer, pc, what left??? Please help me.

[chriscauldermusic]

@TheTwicey Start with tweakheadz (Google it). It's fantastic for info. In the case of this video... I used a Sony TRV38 camcorder, an AKG C2000B condenser mic (equivalent to any of the cheaper MXL mics)... sequencer is the free Reaper (Google it). M-Audio Delta 44 audio interface.... and a small mixer with phantom power. It all adds up, but a very basic setup without computer will probably run you about $500. Good luck!

[chriscauldermusic]

@TheKiki1292 Douche? There are people who don't respond at all, or simply reply with a fuck you. You asked for a response, and I gave you two, even though the answer was right IN the video and has been in the video description since day one. Keep in mind, over the internet, you can't "hear" the way someone talks. I didn't think "douche" in these replies. I simply wrote what I was thinking... "I don't know, just seemed like the right thing to do." It was a test, that's all it was. Thanks.

[Bobotightypants]

i think left handed drummers are cool for some reason haha.

good sound with one mic!

[MPdrummer01]

would using two of these mics improve the sound ?

[SenthysizzerYeah]

Where did you put the microphone?

[SenthysizzerYeah]

Where did you put the microphone?

[maybinator]

@chriscauldermusic that sure shut him up

[vinny69v]

cool man ur great



[taids]

sounds pretty great. great beats too :-)

[jorisca5]

Hi, would it be alright if the mic gets plugged straight into a laptop instead of a mixer? Sorry I have no knowledge of mics haha, just thinking of getting one :)

[13motored13]

wow its the first time i see a lefty play like you :o your the man, keep rocking :D