How To Record Drums With One Mic Overhead Technique

How To Record Drums With One Mic Overhead Technique

Place one cardioid condenser microphone as an overhead pointed down at the drums from a distance of about 4ft. Try to place it in the middle of the kit, so you have a balanced sound capture.

When using this technique, go easy on the cymbals. If you go too hard on them, especially the crashes, it will sound out-of-balance.

ONE MICROPHONE OVERHEAD TECHNIQUE GRAPH

Pros to this technique:

  • Once you find the right height for you, set it and forget it. 
  • Great approach to find out how to best set up an overhead mic and work with it to adjust your drumming balance. 

Cons:

  • As a stand-alone technique, this one can be tricky. Given the mic position, lots of cymbals and a good rack tom presence is characteristic of this approach. Use with caution. 
  • Dry, thumpy and lower on the mix bass drum, given its distance to the mic. 
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