Miking Gear?

[JonPlaysFusion]

Hey guys, looking to set my kit up with a mic system, so I can get the best out of my drumset, I plan on hooking it all up to two big speakers.. What gear and accessories do I need to start? I have 7 shells and 6 cymbals, so what would be best? If you could give brand names.. Types of mics.. Cords.. or the "Brain".. I would greatly appreciate it, thanks


Recording Drums

[pastor_bob]

Jon, you might give us a sense of your budget, otherwise you'll get suggestions that might not fit your circumstances.

[JonPlaysFusion]

No more than $1500

[pastor_bob]

Jon, you'll need a mixer with enough inputs to accommodate the number of mics you want to use, a power amp to drive your speakers (or the mixer will have to be powered), you'll want speakers that can handle the low end frequencies, or you might want to add a sub (if this is for live performances) For mics, you'll at least want overhead condenser mics to pick up the cymbals and kit, and a bass drum mic. You could get a set of drum mics that will cover the whole kit (toms, snare, overheads, and bass).

Now, a couple more question: 1) Is this for live performances, and if so, why are you not going through the band's PA system? 2) Is this for hearing your drums better during rehearsal, or for recording them? If that's the case, then recommendations would be different.

[JonPlaysFusion]

Live performances, and recording, I just want my set to sound really good haha

[pastor_bob]

Well, there are several good bass drum mics - Shure Beta 52A, Audix D6, and AKG D112 are generally the most popular choices. As to mic'ing the kit, you could get Shure 57 mics to mic the drums, and a couple of good overhead mics. I recently bought Audix F15's as overheads, and I have been very impressed. The other way to go is to choose one of the manufacturer's packages (Shure, Audix, and AKG are all good), and then purchase additional mics because they usually cover a 5 piece kit. These kits will come with overheads.

I'll let others that are more knowledgeable on interfaces and specific mixers weigh in on those.

[Sticks4drums]

Don't forget Sennheiser Bob! I have their 900 series kit with two overheads, bass, 4 toms and they sound great! The 600 series is more affordable. Still great sounding. I love the plastic clips they use as to not scratch the hoops.

[itchie]

Just buy a powerd mixer and a mic set , you don't need to go over board with quality and you definatly don't need to mic the toms if you are planning to use over heads

[Northern Redneck]

live: Beta 98 and one good overhead.
home recording: add another overhead.

I can get a great drum sound using four non matching "vocal" mics a four channel berhinger board, rca-1/8 cable and audacity.

[JonPlaysFusion]

Just buy a powerd mixer and a mic set , you don't need to go over board with quality and you definatly don't need to mic the toms if you are planning to use over heads

What kind of speakers would I need? I am completely new to this stuff...

[itchie]

Sorry I thought you had speakers already , you might find te budget will be suited better to powerd speakers and a passive mixing desk

[groovearteest]

Sorry I thought you had speakers already , you might find te budget will be suited better to powerd speakers and a passive mixing desk

May i ask why? wouldn't going powered mixer/passive speakers be the cheaper route. Especailly since hes just starting out, he doesn't need anything to overboard. For example, a simple behringer mixer like a pmp4000 should do. plus it has phantom power for condensers. of course thats just one example of an active mixer.

[itchie]

You will find two powers speakers is the same price as a powerd amp

[groovearteest]

You will find two powers speakers is the same price as a powerd amp

but what would you need the power amp for if you get a powered mixer?

[itchie]

I would go powerd speakers and a passive mixing desk but hey iv only been in the game for 22years what would I know ...

[groovearteest]

I would go powerd speakers and a passive mixing desk but hey iv only been in the game for 22years what would I know ...

Wow really? Why are you being that way about it. I'm just asking and having a simple discussion. No need to get mad about it. I may not be an expert, but this is something I have a fair amount of knowledge about, and I just wanted to know why you suggested your way. I'm not challenging you but if discussing something on a discussion board annoys you that much then never mind.

[Russ]

Powered is pretty convenient I must say. I have a few krk rokit-5's I use for monitoring, love em. One thing I should point out is powered is generally heavier, so be prepared to lift! It helps to have a cart of some kind if you have to transport them for any reason. I generally don't move them often, but when I do I like having less to move, even if it's a little more heavy. Just a thought.

[groovearteest]

Powered is pretty convenient I must say. I have a few krk rokit-5's I use for monitoring, love em. One thing I should point out is powered is generally heavier, so be prepared to lift! It helps to have a cart of some kind if you have to transport them for any reason. I generally don't move them often, but when I do I like having less to move, even if it's a little more heavy. Just a thought.

I prefer powered speakers myself. I was just pointing out that itchie said powered speakers and passive mixer would be cheaper. From what I know this tends to be the opposite, at least here in the US. And that passive speakers and powered mixer are cheapest. I mainly say so because I'm looking into passive mixer/powered speakers right now and am finding them to be a little more pricey, this plus I dealt with one for a while at my church.

[itchie]

get the starter PA if you must

for me it's way easier with the active setup to just loop signals around to extra foldback speakers and FOH and when adding a sub its just takes the hard out of it,

powered speakers are just more reliable. hey have built in limit and gain structure/eq , they are just louder than a 300-500watt passive system and i think they are worth price on comparison to the old passive way..

[itchie]

I went to the effort of making a shopping list for you

Behringer EUROLIVE B212D x2 $551.98

Mackie 1202-VLZ3 Compact Mixer - 120V $269.99

Musician's Gear Lo-Z Microphone Cable 20 FT 10-Pack $39.99

Shure DMK57-52 Drum Mic Kit $399.99

Behringer C-2 Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Pair $59.99

total $1321.94 + shipping tax etc

[SkybabyG]

BIGGEST THING= Make sure your kit sounds good without mics first! (ei: new heads, tuned well, muffled correctly, ect.). Then when you're buying your mics definitely go with something like an audix mic set going into a mixer with at least basic eq on it into your speakers. Sorry I dont know that much about amplification and live sound but I'd definitely go with audix for mics(lots of their mics have pre-eq in them, which makes mixing that much easier) then if you could find a mixer with more than single band eq for each mic, you're set man!!!

[markthechuck]

I've just brought a sm57 for my snare, bass mic and 2 AKG c1000's overheads and a behringer 1204fx, plenty enough for me gigging and recording with a really decent sound.

[Russ]

BIGGEST THING= Make sure your kit sounds good without mics first! (ei: new heads, tuned well, muffled correctly, ect.).

Was waiting for this to be mentioned, it's above all the most important thing. A good mic won't do much for a bad kit except point out it's flaws with full clarity. So please, spend some cash fixing up your kit before you record the thing. You get out what goes in.

[Tim H.]

Guys,
I need advice on miking my drums or not for an outside gig.
It is in a backyard of a home that faces the woods. Is it a must?
I have never played outside so I am concerned about what to do.
Will be playing classic rock with a lead guitar, rythym & bass.

Thanks

[itchie]

it is in a backyard of a home that faces the woods. Is it a must?
I have never played outside so I am concerned about what to do.

start your own thread if you want

unless your expecting 75-150 people dont mic up the kit , you wont get much volume unless you have a large PA


all ways borrow or hire mics if you dont expect to be using them in the very near future