Drummers

Maccy said:
@Scuzi it depends how much you want to spend. You could try a small portable recorder with a twin XY integrated mic, I think there’s a good one made by Zoom, or you could get a full mic setup and spend hundreds!
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I don’t mind paying for a half decent setup if it turns out to be a long term thing, which I think it will be, but I’m apprehensive before having a trial run. I’ll see if I can get a hold of a recorder as you suggest to see how it will come together for editing and publication.
 
You can do a lot with a couple of overheads and a usb interface - but I wouldn’t necessarily go out and buy a 2 input interface if you guys decide you want to mic up more of the kit in future.

You’d need to factor in buying mics, cables, interface, software and then any room treatment if need be.
 
@Scuzi
As you probably know I've played with 100s of drummers over the last 53 years and your lad is easily better than some of them in this short time, quite impressed.

Mic'ing drums are a nightmare and my current drummer sounds OK when I just put a bass, snare and overhead on him, if anybody makes remarks in the future who I respect then I'll adjust that setup.

There are very cheap multi drum mics you can buy eg https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-an...yr7xiaSPN-J6FI-mt6IGS5Iq-OLtK16hoComcQAvD_BwE

and then you could buy a small USB mixer eg https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-an...yr7xiaSPN-J6FI-mt6IGS5Iq-OLtK16hoComcQAvD_BwE

The problem with the mixer is that it only has two XLR inputs and ideally you'd want 5 with those mics above however you can use normal jack leads in.
Use channels 1 and 2 for bass drum & snare, use channel 3 for one of the toms with a normal jack lead and then use the overheads in channel 5/6 in stereo.

You may think 'bugger that I might as well go for something better now with proper inputs for all mics'
- https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-an...yr7xiaSPN-J6FI-mt6IGS5Iq-OLtK16hoComcQAvD_BwE

Never heard of this make but would also do - https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-an...yr7xiaSPN-J6FI-mt6IGS5Iq-OLtK16hoComcQAvD_BwE

You need USB so you could plug it into a PC/Laptop and record onto something like Audacity for free.
 
Very helpful, thank you!

One day I’d like to put the drums in a dedicated room and make him a really nice setup, but space and funds don’t allow. If he’s a good as I hope then maybe he can start to bring in a few quid to help out :D

@SexyGreyFox thank you for the compliment. I passed it on to him and he is chuffed!
 
Maccy said:
If it's just for recording, I wouldn't bother with a mixer and instead would get an interface with multiple inputs like this - https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-U-Phoria-UMC1820-USB-MIDI-Interface/XP6

Then do all of the mixing via the software - Audacity is a good start but if serious then look into something like Cubase/Logic.
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I was thinking about the future and to be honest the mixer is cheaper and can also be kept away from a PC to record if required.
I've had 3 drummers in recent years who have used their own mixers because they know how they want the drums setup and they give me a stereo out.
 
SexyGreyFox said:
I was thinking about the future and to be honest the mixer is cheaper and can also be kept away from a PC to record if required.
I've had 3 drummers in recent years who have used their own mixers because they know how they want the drums setup and they give me a stereo out.
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Yeh I see your point, but I feel that’s tailored more towards live playing, whereas Scuzi’s lad is just recording so I reckon an 8 track interface is a better bet.
 
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I picked this up for £30 from a mate of a mate. He said it should be working okay although one of the XLR channels can be a bit dodgy. At least there should be 5 good ones left. Should be fine to test the concept! Can mics be plugged into the channels with the 1/4” jacks (7-14)?

All I need now is a set of mics, stands and cables. Then the learning curve begins!
 
Maccy said:
Yeh I see your point, but I feel that’s tailored more towards live playing, whereas Scuzi’s lad is just recording so I reckon an 8 track interface is a better bet.
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I’ve been looking into this and think it might be the next step if this all works out. The idea of software doing most of the tweaking to get a good sound is quite attractive, whereas if I don‘t have this mixer setup properly I’ll be working with a crap product to begin with.
 
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Scuzi said:
LNZ5EEA.jpg


I picked this up for £30 from a mate of a mate. He said it should be working okay although one of the XLR channels can be a bit dodgy. At least there should be 5 good ones left. Should be fine to test the concept! Can mics be plugged into the channels with the 1/4” jacks (7-14)?

All I need now is a set of mics, stands and cables. Then the learning curve begins!
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Just get all XLR to XLR cables and put them in the first 6 channels except the dodgy one. Nobody puts mics into a 1/4 jack unless you have to.
You've got a bargain , I've got the 4224FX (!) but without USB.
 
You only really need 4 channels if you are going for the classic approach to micing up a drum kit of kick, snare and two overheads. Kick and snare down the middle, overheads panned hard left and right. I haven't looked to see what bargain kit is currently out there, but I have normally used an AKG D112 on the kick, SM57 on the snare and a couple of active condenser mics for the overheads. If you already have the mixer then give it a go with whatever mics you can lay your hands on before spending more money.
 
I booked him a 3hr session at the local recording studio. The main aim was to give him something fun to do and build his confidence , but also for both of us to get an idea of what is involved. He absolutely loved it. The producer was pretty blown away by his skill which also gave him a much needed confidence boost! Some of the kids in his school have been saying he is crap at drums and it was getting to him, so this really helped. The producer spent a lot of time showing him how to set up the mics and some of the main features in Logic. Rather than throw money at a home recording setup I think I’ll just buy him some studio time from now on.

Here’s a video I put together of a couple of the songs he did to drumless tracks, using my 1990s era video editing skills…


If you think it’s good, please leave a comment, it’ll help keep him going!
 
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Scuzi said:
If you think it’s good, please leave a comment, it’ll help keep him going!
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My drummer used to play with Acid Brass (https://faireyband.com/home-acid-brass/) and appeared at Madison Square Gardens & Carnegie Hall, I sent him a link and he said "What a cracking young drummer and he can only get better".

My own personal thoughts, yes I could easily play with him behind me.
 
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SexyGreyFox said:
My drummer used to play with Acid Brass (https://faireyband.com/home-acid-brass/) and appeared at Madison Square Gardens & Carnegie Hall, I sent him a link and he said "What a cracking young drummer and he can only get better".

My own personal thoughts, yes I could easily play with him behind me.
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Quality, thank you. I’ll tell him in the morning. He will be beaming!
 
Excellent work lad, double kick at a young age will get him some beafy calves!

My only suggestion would be to look at aiming to hit the snare in the centre as you'll get a richer sound with less "ring".
 
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