RECORDING AND MIXING MONO DRUMS Mega Tutorial | 424recording.com

HOME RECORDING GEAR LIST: 424recording.com/home-recordi...
This tutorial is about recording and mixing mono drums. It covers recording mono drums with 1 mic, 2 mics, 3 mics, and 4 mics, and shows you how to get started with EQ and Compression when mixing your mono drum recordings. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Special thanks to all of patrons for their generous support. If you want to support more tutorials like this one, check out my Patreon at / 424recording
The following links are affiliate links which help out the channel at no cost to you. If you decide to make a purchase through them, thanks for your support!
DistroKid (7% off your first year):
distrokid.com/vip/424
SUBSCRIBE (for more vids): / 424recording
PATREON (help me do all the things): / 424recording
BANDCAMP (music and tapes): becoolcowboy.bandcamp.com
SPOTIFY (stream the songs): open.spotify.com/artist/4xoej...
BANDCAMP (channel songs and samples): 424recording.bandcamp.com
DISCORD (hang with the Tascfam): / discord
WEBSITE (ebook and other items): 424recording.com
INSTAGRAM (pics and things): / 424recording
PAYPAL (coffee fund): www.paypal.me/424recording
ADDRESS (send me stuff): Mike @ 424 PO Box 151 New Paltz NY 12561
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:55 Module #1: Ready, Set
00:02:46 What if recording drums was easy?
00:03:16 What makes recording drums “hard”?
00:04:00 The Trick to Thinking About Drums
00:05:19 The 2 Things You Need for a Great Drum Sound
00:08:40 One Last Thing to Remember
00:09:36 Room Sound
00:10:31 Module #2: Record
00:11:17 Mics and Techniques
00:13:21 One Mic Over the Shoulder
00:14:46 One Mic Overhead
00:17:56 One Mic Out Front (Room)
00:20:24 Two Mics
00:21:52 Two Mics Solo and Together
00:22:56 Three Mics
00:24:33 Notes on Phase
00:25:13 Three Mics with Phase Cancellation
00:25:40 Phase Cancellation 3:1 Rule
00:26:43 Combat Phase Cancellation: Gain Plugin
00:27:24 Combat Phase Cancellation: ART Tube MP
00:28:29 Combat Phase Cancellation: In the DAW
00:30:09 Four Mics
00:34:03 Module #3: Mixing
00:34:37 Setting the Levels
00:37:33 EQ and Compression
00:38:12 Shelf EQ
00:51:19 Snare Compression (and Compression Primer)
01:01:58 Kick Compression
01:07:02 Parallel Compression
01:12:10 Overhead Compression
01:17:07 Final Thoughts
01:21:54 How to support my work

[@424Recording]

🎛😎🎛Timestamps and gear links in the description! Check out patreon.com/424recording if you want to support more tutorials like this one 🎛😎🎛

[@IsmaelMulti]

Bro, this is pure gold!

[@andrewmazzolin4471]

THE BEST DRUM COURSE ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB. HANDS DOWN. IF YOU DON'T KNOW... NOW YOU KNOW.

[@424Recording]

THANKS, ANDREW!!

[@IsmaelAngelus]

This just became one of my favorite videos on KZbin. GREAT JOB! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@davidreidy5750]

Try the one mic "wurst" method with a condenser mic there IS a sweet spot and won't pick up too much hi freq on the cymbals (closed hihat,one ride/crash)

[@alanduncan1980]

Cool, man! I'm in the middle of tracking drums on my 414. I use two mics, one in the kick, one at the dick. Ha ha. Works for me!

[@424Recording]

That works, alan! Dick mic ftw

[@burnradio9681]

Over the shoulder: 58 - 13:41 414 - 14:04 CR14 - 14:26 Overhead: 58 - 16:51 414 - 17:13 CR14 - 17:35 Out front: 58 - 19:20 414 - 19:41 CR14 - 20:04

[@424Recording]

Thanks for the time stamps, Burn!

[@burnradio9681]

That low end on the kick, with the over-the-shoulder 414!!! Must have struck a sweet spot on the bass wave, huh? Thanks a buuunch for making and posting this video. Awesome stuff! Really useful, since it's about situations that are really common for us deadly people, in contrast to all those videos with "U47 this and Distressor that". (Btw, I'm a drummer and this was very valuable. Don't worry about your playing, which you mentioned. This is a tutorial video, and an awesome one at that, and you're obviously a MASTER at making those. Thanks a lot man!)

[@424Recording]

My pleasure! Thanks for this feedback. I'm glad the video is useful and I hope it inspires some ideas for your next recording session. Happy recording and thanks again! P. S. I love that 414 on the drums! Learned about that one thru the Flaming Lips!

[@lucaszoik]

MAN, What a course !!! I watched the whole video and I can finally say that It unlocked a real solid mindset for me... MONO DRUMS FTW!! I don't have words to describe how grateful I am for you leaving this available for everyone, Mike. You are like a hero for me. Ever since I first found your channel, every piece of knowledge was like a revelation to my path. Thank you so much, again, and Godspeed my friend

[@424Recording]

That's awesome, Lucas. That's exactly why I made it available. It seemed silly to have all of this information hidden away, no being of use to someone. I'm glad to hear this is helping you on your journey. That means a lot to me, man. That's exactly why I started the channel. My pleasure, thanks for watching as always, and godspeed, my friend!

[@mdrumt]

Surprised how rad the SM58 sounded in all applications!

[@424Recording]

Yeah, right?! I love that mic. It's great out front in the room for picking up the low end and can easily be subbed out for a kick drum mic. I've always liked how that mic sounded everywhere but a few people used to give me shit about it when they'd see pictures of how I was using it. I think the sounds speak for themselves. If it sounds good, it is good 😎

[@davidreidy5750]

@@424Recording oh that's good to know I forgot I have one I'll try that tomorrow!!

[@andmoreagain]

I think treating the usually less than ideal room you do have at least a bit is more important than you make it seem personally. the room you're recording in appears to have high ceilings and non parallel walls. it would really not sound the same at all in a totally square room.

[@harryklippton]

I absolutely love the sound of the cr-14, especially the over the shoulder

[@424Recording]

Me, too! Ribbons are cool. I feel like they always sound like what something sounds like if that makes sense

[@Mark761966]

The bass waves are also travelling in a forward rather than an upward direction. So an out front mic will naturally pick up more bass than an overhead.

[@rubberneck2855]

In a recording I like guitars hard panned but moving towards a mono drum sound

[@424Recording]

Same here!

[@guillaumealtamira7115]

wow, so much cool things in this megatuto, thaaanks mike!

[@424Recording]

Awesome, thanks, guil! I'm glad you're enjoying it 🙌

[@SteveCournane]

Thanks so much for putting this up. So much good info in here

[@lycanthrr2077]

Cool! The info on the ribbon mic and compression tips were very useful. There was a time where I would spend hours EQing, pretty much learning on my own how to make the drums sound by ear.

[@424Recording]

I'm glad it was useful! Same here. I think chasing those drum sounds you hear is a great way to go about it. Thanks for watching!

[@BugzKiller]

Here are two flavors of this mic - SM58 and SM57. the 58 is meant of your mouth and live performance, the 57 is for mic'ed instruments in the studio. (due to shielding and whatnot). However, you could use either for both functions. it's one of the better bargains out there. for under a hundred bucks, you get a very solid mic. The value is exceptional.....Nice video and instructions Mike! Thanks for this.

[@424Recording]

Thanks for the 57/58 rundown, JPC! It's definitely a classic and built like a tank. I think everyone has probably tried one out at some point and if not, they should get on it. Thanks for watching!

[@Psztyk236]

This is huge! Gonna try all of those tips next week, thanks!

[@424Recording]

Have fun, wiencheck! Let me know how it turns out!

[@nowavecharles]

Great tutorial Mike. The part about the bass and kick really helped. Good to know a ballpark frequency for both. I always have trouble with the low end in my tracks, so this was a good watch.

[@424Recording]

Rock on! I'm glad it helped. Yeah, you gotta decide which of the two is going to be the king down there. I'm hoping to do a vid like this on bass someday... stay tuned!

[@yourunmarathons]

Mike you are the man. For real, thanks for continuing to put out awesome content 🙏👏👍

[@424Recording]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching all these years!

[@godofspacetime333]

I’m about 16 minutes into this video and I’m already noticing a similar ethos to the Steve Albini school of recording drums (the sound everyone wants on their record). Mainly, the drumset is one instrument and the recording should capture the sound of that one instrument as it’s played, and also that you should just listen to your mics and find the best sound that way. All solid advice that almost no one ever seems to follow. Awesome lesson man, makes me want to get recording! 31:40 [bass waves]

[@424Recording]

Heck, yeah, Albini all the way. It's funny how little people listen to what the mics sound like. I've met a lot of people over the years that just want a schematic of how to set everything up from a scientific perspective. But recording is about creativity and the fun of it. The history of recording is littered with examples of using equipment that was meant for one purpose in another novel way, and creating a new sound or technique as a result. And drums also comes down to the source of the sound (the drummer, the kit), which a lot of people overlook as well. Idk. This is what works for me. I also saw a video with Glyn Johns who pioneered the Glyn Johns method and that was a major influence on me: everyone always tries to measure the mics today, but he made it a point to say that he never measured anything, he just put the mics up where he thought they sounded good. That was eyeopening to me. Here's the guy that created the method telling you to have fun and put them where they sound good to you! Anyway, thanks for watching, as always! Bass waves ftw

[@jasonelambeth]

Dang. This is so rad. Gonna go and record some drums with just the SM58 because that one seems to be sounding so great to me in these takes.

[@424Recording]

Do it up, man. This guy used to make fun of me for using an SM58 as an overhead. I always thought it sounded rad 😜

[@jasonelambeth]

424 Recording send him this video and tell him to get to work.

[@424Recording]

I don't think he plays/records anymore 😂

[@jasonelambeth]

@@424Recording poor, pour soul.

[@pseudosun]

Right up my alley, simplicity. Great info. I like the good ole sm58. It may because i'm accustomed to that sound, and/or it really is that practical. Even though i'm using samples these days and giving up on drums, i enjoyed this video. You explained the compressor perfectly.

[@424Recording]

Thanks, pseudo! I'm glad you're enjoying the vid. That's exactly what I was going for: simple, straightforward, some examples of different ways to go. Yeah, I love that SM58 on the drums. And it's a mic that most people have laying around! I use a lot of samples today as well, mostly because I have no where to play or practice. Honestly, the samples have made me better at recording drums; they give you a good baseline of what you like to hear and want to hear from your drums. They sort of "tune" your ears. Maybe circle back around at some point, and see what happens. Thanks! Yeah, the compressor always confused me: I'm glad to hear it's making sense now!

[@helluvakhai]

feels like a pleasant re-run to me!

[@424Recording]

Thanks, Khai 😎👍

[@YellowJelloMusic]

Currently watching this, finished the one mic part, great stuff so far, Mike. Personally, I got great results with some shitty dynamic vocal mic that lost its grill placed in the wurst position. Recorded the whole EP like that. I was surprised by how good it can sound but I guess the 414 helped as well.

[@424Recording]

The wurst position is killer. I left that one out of this tutorial because Jay and I did a couple videos on it near the beginning days of the channel and I was super impressed with that position as well. It captures a good picture of the drums. I'm sure the 414 helped, too! I'll keep this in mind when I listen. I'm glad you're digging the vid, Yellow. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Mark761966]

That's a nice looking drum room.

[@Mark761966]

Where did you find cardboard brown paint?

[@424Recording]

This is Hatbro's basement recording studio. The walls are some kind of deadening material like sound insulation or something although I do like the idea of playing in a big cardboard box, Mark!

[@SilentTravelers]

Great recording drums course!

[@424Recording]

Thanks a lot, Brian!!

[@jamesdoctor8079]

Awesome video Mike we love it

[@424Recording]

Thanks, james! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@FucklesTheEnchilada]

I APPRECIATE YOU THANK YOU!

[@FucklesTheEnchilada]

actually though, this is really helpful and I'm really thankful you've made it free.

[@424Recording]

My pleasure. I hope you enjoy it!

[@Shrimpy08]

Really cool

[@424Recording]

Thanks, Shrimpy! I hope it's helpful!

[@blakewhittington4336]

When I started using the 1940s D4TZ dynamic mic for the kick it changed everything for my sound. I like placing my overhead facing over the snare from behind the floor tom facing between the highhat and the drummer himself I put a wallet on the snare have you ever done anything like that? I also couldn't agree more about the cymbals that was a big learning experience. Gotta have the goods.

[@424Recording]

Very cool, Blake. Sounds like a modified Glyn Johns! Yeah, I dig the wallet trick. I started doing that once I heard Sea Change, by Beck. Great snare sounds on that album. Yes! Same here. You need to get cymbals you like that sound good 🙌

[@jamessmiles6803]

Really good video. Got a lot of good technics from it. My friend uses ribbon mic’s. He’s said they were used in studios in New York on a lot of soul recordings. He also likes the Coll’s mics for over heads. I got a set of clip on mics and a 57 and the same bass drum mic. I hope to set up a drum room and buy a beautiful drum kit. In the future. So this was a grate video for information on this future project. Thanks Mike for the video.

[@424Recording]

Awesome!! I'm glad this was good timing for you. I feel like a lot of what you said is thing I spent a lot of time over the years figuring out, so that's great that this will save you some time and is distilled into this one video. I've heard good things about those Coles (?) ribbon mics. The big thing for me was the price though! I'm excited for you, James. Happy recording!

[@jamessmiles6803]

The coles are not for me to pricey. But they sound Amazing. I think I will try use my condenser as an over head. I really like ribbon mics.

[@jamessmiles6803]

Happy recording 2 Mike.

[@424Recording]

The Ribbon I used in the video wasn't too bad price-wise: it's in the $200 range. There's also one from Golden Age that I've used which sounds great, too. I would love to try those Coles but yeah, tough to justify the price!

[@jamessmiles6803]

I hope one day to come across a ribbon mic. They sound really good. I think there a good thing to have in a set of mic’s.

[@dtonesmith766]

Great stuff bro. Free drum course? You are very kind!! Learning more from you every video. Thanks 424! Phase note. Most all mixers have a phase inversion naturally on the aux out (for fx). Ive start running my snare mic on channel 4 out the aux out, back to channel 3 input. 1 bass drum 2 room / overhead 3 Snare (return from aux out) 4 Snare ( aux out send) ^^^^ This might to work on all 4 tracks. But should work on a portastudio. I may be wrong, but try it let me know if I am! Seriously, thanks again for the course!

[@424Recording]

My pleasure. I'm glad it is useful to you. I wasn't aware of the phase inversion... I'll look into this. I've been wanting to make some more 4-track drum videos but don't have access to a space at this time. When I do, I'll check it out! Thanks for watching and thanks for the info!

[@MichaelSmith-gd1ig]

Thanks mike 🤘

[@424Recording]

My pleasure, Michael. Enjoy!

[@BeheadedBandit]

Thank you very much for your insightful and thorough videos! Quick question you may have been asked before: MKII or MKIII - is it worth the extra money for a MKIII? I've never used a tape recorder before.

[@424Recording]

I'd get whichever one you can. The MKIII has more mixer inputs. That's really the main difference. Thanks for watching!

[@sinenkaari5477]

Mono drums are the best

[@424Recording]

💯

[@jesusgavemeaids]

Wow... Been watching this channel to learn my 424 mkiii better .... Didn't realize you did videos that have nothing to do with that

[@Mark761966]

Christ, that's a lot of ads for the MIDI pack.

[@424Recording]

I'll look into this. I've been hearing that the ads are getting out of control on YT right now. I think because of the video length they load it up. I also think more companies are now fleeing FB and running ads on YT

[@bobbydtv1]

great video but god almighty they kill it with the filthy commercials

[@424Recording]

Thanks, Bob. I'll see if I can remove some of them. YT has gone crazy with the ads lately...

[@bobbydtv1]

@@424Recording no prob .I have a lotta luck with 2 overhead mics and 1 on kick then pan left and right for recording my videos and live performances. ALSO Glynn Johns st up.is effective .Your right though just pop a mic up do a little tweeking even add some effects its a personal thing .Best way to get knowledge. There is to much anal information out there from folks who actually get snobby about how to record drums .