Amazing Drums with only 2 mics!

In this video, you'll learn how to record drums with only 2 mics! We will go through mic techniques as well as processing examples
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00:00 Intro
01:33 Drums Overhead + Kick mic
02:28 The Glyn Johns drum mic setup
03:42 Over the Shoulder positioning + Front Mic
06:00 XY Recording
06:30 Wide A/B Rooms Setup
#distrokid #whitenoisestudio #drumrecording
Recording drums with only two mics, is that even possible.
The answer is ''yes'' and in this video I’ll show you a few setups which will work great with just two microphones.
Why would you record drums with 2 mics?
Well, nowadays there are a lot of interfaces with only two inputs. Even the inputs on laptops and phone are stereo in, so they are 2 channel interfaces as well. And recording with 2 mics has been done already for a long time, for instance on the early rolling stones and beatles albums
And most importantly, using 2 mics on drums absolutely has a sound to it which you might crave.

[@EdThorne]

Great video, love the drumming!

[@whitenoisestudio]

Thanks man! Maybe you could learn a thing or two of my drumming ;-)

[@von_freiesleben64]

your content is pure gold man, thank u

[@whitenoisestudio]

Many thanks!! And thank YOU for watching :-)

[@Czyszy]

amazing work

[@whitenoisestudio]

Thanks man!!!!

[@mogollonsalcedo]

Great video, thanks a lot!

[@whitenoisestudio]

You’re welcome!

[@tshrdrums]

A fun combo is ribbon (i use royer r10 or a GAP R1) in front of the kick, a foot or two away, and a 7B as an overhead. Somewhere between the Eric Valentine placement and behind the shoulder… takes some fiddling but the result can be great!

[@whitenoisestudio]

A SM7B as overhead, interesting! Never tried that, I did use Sennheiser MD21's as overheads which actually worked great as well.

[@AturaxAudio]

Nice man - a fellow drummer! Liked the fills around 6:46 (reminds me of QOTSA)

[@whitenoisestudio]

Yooo!!! Thanks!! I probably am a bit more Faith No More influenced ;-) Mike Bordin ftw!

[@wolfstalesm.chapman1640]

i like this Video...and The wide AB...helps me on my Decision of getting..Drums..for my Songs or Not ,THx

[@whitenoisestudio]

Thanks! Hope it works out.

[@bhaibhai-qp6fh]

Would have loved if you have explained the processing on the channels

[@GabrielXDrums]

This is great, gonna try it with my Beta52 on the kick and my AKG414 on top. Otherwise I use my Sm81s but those are too thin, mostly cymbals. My Presonus fire studio won’t sync anymore to my 2014 MacBook Pro so I think the fuse is blown or it’s done for good, I replaced the cable even, it’s discontinued so now I gotta probably upgrade 😩

[@whitenoisestudio]

Let us know how it went!

[@RockstarMusicSchoolOfficial]

Thank you! I recorded my first drum track with your technique. I use FL Studio 11 Any advice on plugins to process my drums there? I'm a bit at a loss

[@whitenoisestudio]

Which technique did you use?

[@RockstarMusicSchoolOfficial]

@@whitenoisestudio thank you for responding. I used recorderman similar to Eric Valentine. Unfortunately I only have 2 dynamic vocal microphones. Perhaps I should stick with programming digital drums?

[@andthoseotherguys]

We're you using kick and overhead mics for every set up? I'm currently only able to use two mics (Tascam) untill I can afford an 8 channel interface (for computer). I have a 7pc set (plus a second snare mic for my second snare). So maybe I'll experiment. I'm not digging how my overhead/kick is coming out. Of course, I am in a large garage also.

[@whitenoisestudio]

I used the exact setup I showed in the video. 2 mics, nothing more.

[@andthoseotherguys]

@@whitenoisestudio ok thank you.

[@diegomayfield4751]

I think the 1 overhead and kick sounded best .

[@deamhub]

HE DRUMS!!! very well

[@whitenoisestudio]

ow no he didn’t! ;-) Thanks!

[@evenbass]

What? Does the mic inputs on new laptops and smart phones have two channels? 🤯

[@whitenoisestudio]

If they are stereo its two inputs. In one connector ;-)

[@philipbaum5929]

I really love the stereo image of Glyn Johns technique, especially with the mic more behind the floor tom (it sounds more balanced with the mic there). But what is really annoying with Glyn Johns is that you get a strange wobbling/ phasing caused by the ride cymbal, especially when played harder/ crashed, when the ride moves up and down. Over shoulder sounds very natural imho, but it's very uncommon for the drummer and gives a strange feeling. And it isn't fail safe, stick contact with the mic possible 😬 .

[@whitenoisestudio]

Yeah with any of these setups having a drummer who plays really well balanced is a must. That cymbal wobble is absolutely tricky. Ofcourse the Glyn Johns technique was developed in an age where drummers weren’t playing as loud as these days.

[@philipbaum5929]

@@whitenoisestudio, not sure about heavy hitters. Think of Ian Paice, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Bill Ward, even Buddy Rich didn't treat his kit like a pet 😸 .

[@whitenoisestudio]

@philipbaum5929 Glyn Johns discovered the technique on the early stones records, it’s described in great detail in his bio. Also the kits, cymbals and skins of that early age had a lower volume than these days. Don’t think Keith moon used Glyn Johns, kit is too big for that.

[@philipbaum5929]

@@whitenoisestudio, drums and cymbals where often big back in the days. There were already a lot of drummers that hit hard. Afaik Bonham had his drums recorded with a technique similar GJ. Could work better maybe because his set had 2 ft, so the distance from ft2 to his ride was bigger?

[@thomasvasilarakos1450]

Will definitely use some of these techniques! I am experimenting with two Dynamic Omnis..one between the snare and hat, the other between the rack tom and floor tom, all very close. Any body mess with that setup before?

[@whitenoisestudio]

Never tried that, how is the kick balance with a setup like that? Usually recording thekick from the front goves a nicer sound..

[@thomasvasilarakos1450]

You are correct! The dynamic omnis are EV 635a's which have a frequency response of 80hz-13000hz. The lack of high frequency brilliance sort of mimics the ribbon mics and their close positioning, basically 'within' the drum set, keeps the punch while still keeping them slightly to the rear of sound stage because of the rolling off of the highs. Looking to emulate the retro jazz vibe. But for sure needs the addition of a kick mic to add some modern bite!!​@@whitenoisestudio

[@whitenoisestudio]

yeah not even modern bite, but just to have it somewhat more audible ;-) i just did a free jazz / improv recording where I recorded the drummer with 3 overheads and an extra mic for the kick, about 30 cm in front of the resonant head. Also added an extra mic under the floor tom for some extra low end. Everything was nicely balanced out like that.

[@thomasvasilarakos1450]

Love the idea of using a mic under the floor Tom! I'll need to use that soon! I'll let you know of some other cool stuff when I run in to them!

[@mattg082]

Nice video…I only have 2 money pres and API/Great River with an Apogee Rosetta 200. I have considered using a cheap interface to Spdif in and get more channels…but from hearing this and researching for what I need. Mostly doing Indie rock…it seems using this method and focusing on good mics is a better pay off. I have a 57 and a SM7B. But a good condenser OH may be well more worth it, and the 57 or SM7B for the snare high hat area. Be that or buy more mics, a cheap 4 channel interface with Spdif to get my good conversion and pres going…that all adds up to a LOT of money using less than stellar gear but with 2 great studio quality channels. To me it makes more sense to experiment with the 2 mic technique, and upgrade a mic for now. Sounds like I would keep quality, over quantity plus loads more money by the end vs close micing everything. I’ve been had great results as crazy as this sound. Recording on an iPhone in stereo, then converting it to midi in Abelton. That way I can sample replace, and keep the room sound. Thinking of doing this same two mic, but with the API pres/Rosetta 2 mic and then midi conversion to fill in say a close kick or whatever else. Software has come very far, and to me the overheads and capturing the whole kit is great way to go if mixing with samples as well. Other would be get a cheap Yamaha or whatever mixer, and run it stereo with a mic kit. But you get one chance and have to mix it in the moment. I’ve racked my brain to get my current two channel studio setup to work with drums, but learned its best to try what you have first and then make small decisions and changes as you go. I’m going to save this video and try it tomorrow! If it doesn’t go well, guess buy a Rosetta 800, sell my 200 and get a decent mixer with good pres to pipe in and build from there. I just never needed more than 2 good channels, until I started back drum recently.

[@whitenoisestudio]

If you have the chance - I would try recording with ribbon mics as a comparison. They have a very pleasant smoothing sound to them.

[@mattg082]

@@whitenoisestudio I actually have been looking at a Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon mic. And doing the Eric Valentine thing maybe. For his home stuff he has that one mic in front the kit. And then a second mic for the low end. That’s it and he gets a great sound. I don’t have any experience with that mic, but Sweetwater has a good return policy. Also the Cascade or now Pinnacle Fatheads pair for $650ish look interesting. From videos I’ve seen of those pair on overheads no close mics, it captures the full kit pretty well. Thoughts on that mic, and the fatheads?

[@whitenoisestudio]

Fatheads only for gain, and a ribbon will absolutely work great for sure.

[@whitenoisestudio]

💜 6 Best Mics For Kickdrum Comparison - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJfWpZJojMmGfs0 Do you have any other 2 mic drumrecording techniques? Let me know!

[@Gjulch]

Hi, nice video, are those mics on XY method tbone sc140?

[@whitenoisestudio]

@@Gjulch rode nt5

[@tatobridges]

And for live performance?

[@whitenoisestudio]

Whole different beast which needs to consider different factors like for instance the direct sound coming from the instruments to the audience.

[@lausymaus9856]

am i crazy or is your sm7B fried?

[@whitenoisestudio]

You're crazy ^^

[@lausymaus9856]

@@whitenoisestudio accepted :P