Drum Recording & Miking Techniques - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro

[@stickster]

"I don't care, because I'm not collecting. I'm using it every day." ❤️ this attitude, Warren! Keep up the amazing work on these videos.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Paul Frields haha! Yes agreed!! Thanks for the great comment! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Friends, have you ever wondered how you can achieve big drums sounds in your home studio? That's what today's video is all about! I've been recording drums in major L.A. studios, such as Sunset Sound, United and NRG for many years. However, often budget or time may not permit to go track in these amazing live rooms. And to be honest: You don't have to! It's absolutely possible to get great drum recordings in an home studio environment. Please check out this video we made with Recording Radio Film Connection​ student Alex. Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@amphiennui]

Warren, you never cease to amaze me, you are a great teacher and very much appreciated!

[@jeffmacNS]

Gotta love that SpeedKing Squeak! There is something special about that in a drum track! Another great video Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Jeff! I agree! Amazing! I love that pedal! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@DragonCrestPC]

I have no idea how you do so many high quality videos so fast but they're amazing, Warren keep up the awesome work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks ever so much DragonCrestPC, Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@DailyDrumLesson]

Great video, as always. Big shoutout to Alex. Getting behind the drum set on a channel where you normally see guys like Kenny Aronoff and Matt Starr play, takes balls of steel and you did a great job!

[@Producelikeapro]

I agree 100% Daily Drum Lesson!! Alex is our apprentice and it was wonderful of him to throw caution to the wind and get behind the kit for the illustration!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@donvix]

This video is a "must have" for all guys who run a home studio!! ;) Thanks again Warren!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks thanks ever so much Victor!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@raycueli702]

It's funny you know, when I was 19 (51 now and not in the music business) I really wanted to make a career out of writing and producing, this video would have kept me going because I am learning so much from your videos and courses Warren. Thank you for these gems

[@fredvahldiek738]

On the few times I mic a hat, I use a Beyer m260. Built in hi-pass at 80. Very accurate and natural sounding.

[@amichaelcollinsdrums]

I love that you are acknowledging the fact it’s the archer, not the arrow-you really don’t need super-expensive gear to get great sounds. Great sounds start with the kit, the tuning, and the player. Moreover, it’s the DOING that builds your skills! Waiting around to afford killer mics instead of just diving in and working on the challenges of recording drums won’t teach you anything. Like you alluded to in the video-I have probably $1000 total wrapped up in my mics/interface/DAW, no one has been unhappy with the tracks I have supplied! But best of all, I am doing, learning, and creating, and getting better with every session…not sitting back and expecting great gear to fill in for experience. Cheers!

[@mattolver1645]

Would LOVE to see more chilled out videos like this, where you just do different mic set ups or show cheap vs expensive mics in your room, or like trying to mic up the kit with 4 or 5 mics vs 16, whatever, just loved the vibe of this video and what it proved, that knowing what you want and what you can do in your space, is better than going to a crazy expensive studio and guessing. Cheers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Matt! More to come! Thanks very much for watching! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@AdamSupremeWisdom]

Anyone ever use an XLR "Y" cable to allow 2 mics to record on one channel? -Adam Wisdom

[@Kineticartist]

Man what i wouldnt give to have you sitting at my desk and learn youtube is the next best thing brilliant video Warren thank you

[@stupendousmusic4190]

The AKG C12A is my favorite vocal mic. They are a yet to be discovered treasure. they were often used at Olympic Studios in the '60s.

[@TheYeqy]

6:18 the Van Halen story... some of the most important lessons can be learned just in from that sentence :) Awesome video!

[@Producelikeapro]

Exactly Milan!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@dressedtosmellgood]

It's a great story but it's not true. Warren has the track sheet on his FB page. You can see that they used 414s, U87s, 421s on the kit. They only used 546s on the snare and kick. I don't know why he says otherwise in the video, cause he certainly knows better

[@adamcallan3588]

That stereo Image is lovely in the overheads. Funky spaced pair setup! I have recently fell in love with ORTF overheads in my very dead, very tight converted garage after using the most vanilla XY setup for a while. I also found putting the ORTF's out of phase helps the snare sit in the mix better yet the mix is still very mono compatible. You read so much online about what you CAN'T DO, but i am starting to find my own way of recording and mixing and some things would be laughed at on sites like 'GearSlutz' haha. I searched "Hi Hat Mic Positioning" in the forum and the responses from a thread were just "You don't need a hi hat mic" "You have all the Hi Hat you need in your overheads" which is such a narrow minded approach to teaching/sharing knowledge. However when I messed around with the hat mic positing myself, the drums sound much more 3D, the stereo image is amazing, especially when miking the bell of the ride too, another thing I found was being shunned in the community haha. Maybe my opinions on these mics will change when I come to mix and I either end up with TOO MUCH hi hat or TOO LITTLE cymbal/snare ambience, but I love experimenting and it's great to see you doing your own thing too with samples and whatnot. We all have to record and mix within our means and if it sounds good, who cares how you get there. As always, I appreciate your upload, cheers Warren

[@samuelellringmann3424]

Totally agree, the top end on these overheads sounds gorgeous! Is that the Glyn Johns technique by the way?

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much Adam! I agree, it's a very small room, but it sounds fantastic!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much Sam!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@johnnyt5514]

If you like ORTF you should definitely check out EBS: www.sengpielaudio.com/EBS-Stereosystem.htm His(RIP) site is in german, but the pictures are helpful anyway. These techniques (including ORTF) are made for greater distance. So you get the complete kit, not only the cymbals. But it sounds very natural and realistic.

[@pompeysie]

Basic question but I see the two OH mics are routed to one stereo mix channel. How do you do that? Are they panned left and right?

[@terorikkonen5061]

Greetings from Finland, the home of Genelec and Amphion! Thank you Warren for your videos, they're really great and educational. I could listen to you forever. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Cheers, Tero.

[@duuchimee]

I don't get tired of saying thank you to Warren and all the team for such awesome and useful videos

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much

[@studiolivkba]

Love studios like this, that shelf remind me of my old rooms through the years. You can tell it´s a working room, not something fancy not being used!

[@TM42]

I just got a feeling of what it's like to be in a session with you, love it!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much Trent! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@uk7769]

Wow, wow WOW! Very helpful ideas. I"m not a pro, I record at home in my vaulted ceiling living room, and don't have a large budget. I'm getting results that I really love using your techniques, with cheap mics. AKG P170's and SM57 's. Incredible. Thanks a million!!!!!!

[@markloving11]

Liked after just 10 seconds, it's both drums and microphones in the same video!! Nothing can beat it!! Except the drummer! 😋

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Mark Loving thanks ever so much!! You Rock! Have a marvellous tine recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@BadChizzle]

I’m not a Drummer, nor an engineer... yet I get really excited about the thought of miking Drums. What the Hell is my deal?! For some reason, I enjoy thinking about mic placement, rooms, mic choices and all the other things involved. Yet... I have no drum kit. Ha ha ha! I guess a had better say thank you, for this video, guys! ! !

[@SamThredder]

you are an engineer, you just haven't tried yet

[@Monsieur_PropreBXL]

Thanks for this fantastic video, you make such valuable and thorough content, it's a joy to watch, and a blessing for me, being a self-taught engineer. Please keep'em coming !

[@noisesoundtonevibe]

Oh wow. It sounds so deep and wide, and tall... Too cool! Thanks Warren and Alex!

[@bob4analog]

Really impressed with the kick! I've not heard too many kicks that sounded this tight mic'd on the front head. This one sounds excellent! Also liked the low mid attenuation (350 hz) to avoid the nasty "box" build up. The overall mix is really impressive and could be easily dropped into a music mix with no problem. Great vid!

[@johnshotwell3803]

Great video. I really like the concept of the equilateral triangle three mic approach. It reminded me of a situation I was in years ago in a night club, with a hippy-jam-jazz band, lots of players including two drummers, both with large kits. nowhere near enough mics or channels to close mic the two drummers. . . put up 7 mics, Kick and snare on each kit, three over heads, panned left right and center, captured the drummers perfectly.. On a different note, I was surprised and thrilled to see a Mark Freeland painting in your studio!!

[@jeffwhuffman]

Love the Ludwig Vistalites in the background

[@nothingnothings2264]

goddamn, I love this channel.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much Nothings nothings!! You Rock!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Dettol68]

Warren, this video is fantastic, please, please more videos just like this one....I have watched this three times so far

[@musicsound2683]

17:53 - Q: "How do you know a drummers knocking"? - A: the knocking gets faster....Q:"How do you know a bass player's with him"? - A: bass player is telling him he's getting faster...

[@khronscave]

3:35 Uuu, got some vintage Bonzo pedal squeek there, too... Can't get that in any sample packs :D

[@Coylee91]

KhronX Also to be found on the Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon and Dog Of Two Head albums by Status Quo

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha no you can't KhronX!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic Daniel!! Thanks for sharing that! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@byronwade1204]

I'm about too record some pedal squeak now ! Never say never. Great idea, thanks !

[@Pickles-s5k]

I’m starting to learn that it’s not all about having the best mics as much as it is about using your ears to eq unwanted frequencies and eq-ing in wanted frequencies and making sure the mix is done right. That video you made from “How to Save a Life” was great. Learning lots about mic placement importance. Your room mic’s sounded great on that Frey song. We’ll the drums as a whole sound great.

[@Dooryarders-po5ok]

Excellent. Good grief, I learn a lot from you! Thanks for this. -Bill

[@jorells]

This is really helpful and entertaining. What a beautiful organic drum sound!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much jorells! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@ericfloyd9917]

Wow! I am recording drums this week in a small room like this. Just got the best insight ever! Cheers from canada!

[@derrickbaranowsky5715]

Anyone who wants to get really drunk, take a drink every time the kid says "Yea". Jokes aside, thanks for your great videos Warren!

[@MarkBayfieldvillageidiot]

Great video. that bass drum sound is classic, looking forward to the Sunset studio video.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Mark Bayfield thanks very much! Filming today! Going to be amazing!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@boldbearStudios]

Thanks a lot for sharing that precious information. I really love the groove Alex played, can't stop my head from nodding :-)

[@rudolfbaethge282]

Oh Dear, it is almost impossible to watch all of Warren videos …. This jewel is 6 years old and still relevant🎉.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@highpeakrecordings]

Really top video. Definitely demystifying it and when you bring the fake room reverb in not many would guess this wasn't recorded in a big room. Thank you!

[@williemammoth11]

This is phenomenal (and I'm not even done yet) thank you!

[@tonydantonio7930]

That sounded great Warren! Thanks for your insight into achieving a really cool drum sound in a smaller room. I'm currently insulating and soundproofing my 26L x 13W x 8H feet shed as a space to record in. Hopefully I'll be able to achieve some decent drum sounds. There's certainly a lot of great tips in your PLAP videos. In the past I've used a Beyer M88 or a Sennheiser MD421 as well as a Heil PR40 inside the Kik. Interestingly, I've used a Studio Projects B1 as an outside Kik mic. 🙂

[@waskerbasket9601]

This was very helpful.

[@barbeverte5632]

You're completely right! Use your ears and make it sound good that's all!

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely! Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@mattheweernisse1963]

I grew up on a Ludwig Speed King. On a 70s Slingerland Avante kit where they'd moved one of the toms to its own stand. Nothing like that three-ply sound.

[@Jeffleezy]

Incredible video with a wealth of knowledge, thank you ever so much Warren!!

[@WhaleBluePRS]

Rode M5 Overheads (about 57" from snare), SM57 top snare, AKG P220 Front kick (no hole/Evans EQ kick pad), AKG P170 aimed at batter head kick UNDER snare side (nice blend of both to use judiciously), Ludwig drums, Remo heads, Zildjian/Wuhan cymbals. No mics on cymbals or toms and it's working really well for me. Getting nice comments on drum sound where I teach.

[@ThatBlondeDrummer]

I'm very new to recording drums myself. Currently trying to record from the corner of my basement hahaha! This has been incredibly helpful thank you, great video!

[@groovedodger]

that three overhead method seems a good idea thanks.

[@kommunismusarbeiterjonny]

Sm7b on snare is great too... Really phat

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Is an SM7 really the best choice for Hi-Hat..?🤔 5:33 - Ribbon for ‘Hat?!🤯👍

[@Producelikeapro]

I often use a 57 for Higareda and love it!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@Producelikeapro cool!! (BTW you allowed to mention the rock band that you said was too soon to mention who you were working with in this video yet?)

[@natekeezer]

You're awesome Warren. Thanks!

[@incomeinnovations247]

your snare sounds awesome

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi income innovations online thanks very much! Yes that's an insanely good snare! Any Ludwig Supraphonic will do an amazing job!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@davidjonathan3854]

absolutely love it, Warren! Thx!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much David! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@jameskirkbydrums]

i know im late to the party, but i jsut noticed an incorrect part of the vid, at 4:00 you said you can use the dynamic and condensor mic with the lewitt, this is partly wrong. the DTP 340 rex, your mic, is single dynamic mic only. the bigger brother of your mic, the DTP 640 rex, has the dual element dynamic/condensor combo. :)

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

Ludwig sound is unmatched 👍🥁

[@markloving11]

Have you ever heard of the underhead technique? That is what I personally like to use and then use a pair or ribbons on room with a mono parrot mic to achieve the stereo and depth of field effect.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Mark, I've never personally tried that approach. I'm sure it would work fine as long as the mics polarity is flipped to correspond any close micing of the drums. Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@henrytuton9403]

Really informative. Thank you for the insight.

[@flix9124]

Wow...this is really in depth

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Wow those drums sound amazing!

[@Hadrorex]

Outstanding Educational Series! Thanks a million!! Have you ever miked the drums from only the bottom? I miked each drum from the bottom, kick from the front. I got a killer sound in my large living room. What's your take? I like to experiment.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Hadrorex, great comment! I would imagine if you had a pair of in phase overheads and then used bottom mics (with the polarity flipped) and blended them in you would get a great sound! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@matthewstauffer7052]

I agree you do what it takes to make the best recording and mix you can thire are so many tools to use i say use them!!!

[@sourcefor]

oh and have a marvelous time recording!!!

[@Algabatz]

Thanks for another excellent video. I have a question. I think I'm getting good sounds out of my drum kit, but ... could you perhaps post some isolated tracks of a snare, kick, tom etc, totally un-EQ'ed or compressed, just as an example of how a really good recording could sound, before adding or retracting anything? Cheers, Tony from Sweden

[@fuxleo]

great vid!!!i always learn many things, warren!thx again 😉

[@royglennie]

Warren! At 14:28 are you talking about 'Fire and Water'?

[@sourcefor]

bet you do some GREAT vintage sounding recordings there Nice sound!!!!

[@Zazquatch1]

You should do a video about how they miced the drums while Metallica recorded Master of Puppets. And right after that, you just mentioned them and the room they were recordings in. I remember reading that they used a crazy ammount of Mics on the kit then.

[@ChristianIce]

"A lot of people will tell me not to use samples" Nah, Glenn only :)

[@crimsun7186]

Glenn would have you over filter and control bleed to a point that your drum recordings are indistinguishable from samples. But he tells it's night and day difference. Of course, that difference only exists in his head.

[@ChristianIce]

+CrimSun To each his own, I don't mind he having his ideas, I just giggle everytime he pushes it as a "rule" :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha ChristianIce! Yes indeed! Glenn is not a fan of samples! On this I didn't use them, however depending on the density of the mix I choose sometimes to use them! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha it's ok, Glenn is one of the sweetest guys I know in real life and is always trying to encourage the best music he can! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@CarcPazu]

Glenn's opinion about samples is very noble and romantic but very outdated. He's starting to sound like an old grandpa that thinks that women belong in the kitchen.

[@networkunplugged]

This sounds good. I like your way of thinking on drums.It is still a mystery for me.. :-). my lesson was "using things over having them"

[@GuitarFuel]

Love this !

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@GuitarFuel]

@@Producelikeapro thank you Warren!

[@bradanderson1442]

Love your vids so much..

[@edwardlee6516]

great video thank you warren

[@lamekcivonamjelus]

Love my Ludwigs, but Camco pedal rules and you can find it cheap. I'd love to try Jojo Mayer's Perfect Balance, but it's a bit pricey.

[@davidallenhammond2777]

Those drums sound great right off the bat. Were we hearing the SSL buss compression at that point? I can't remember getting that fine of a sound so fast just through the channels of the AMEK Thanks for another fine video. Warren. And thanks Alex for the great playing.

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Warren, great stuff !!! You made mention of the Van Halen track sheet, do you recall what the overheads were?

[@Producelikeapro]

Hu Klauth, the overheads were AKG414, 3 of them! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@brandonnovak7291]

That was great! Do you gate the toms on a bus, throw on some reverb and pan hard left and/or right? Nice tip.

[@Producelikeapro]

HI Brandon, great question! No, I don't gate them, I will volume ride them or gain between the hits! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@khronscave]

19:46 That solo'd kick somehow reminds me of the intro of Rage Against The Machine's "Take The Power Back"...

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! That's quite an amazing comparison!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@MarkyKobane666]

I have the same sub kick mic and love it! Never seen anyone else with it!

[@capturelightmedia]

Nice video, Warren. As usual. I have noticed that you tend to record with pretty high levels on the meters, and even clip quite a few plugins. It's common to read and watch guys on the interwebs talking about how important it is to record low, say like -18 dBfs on average. What are your thoughts on this? Maybe it could be a future video.

[@keithdunham5547]

I tend to do the same keeping everything in around -12 to -10

[@stevenordiano5358]

Jared Chord I've heard Warren just say he is used to the analog days recording HOT but he never clips. It doesn't affect his multitracks he provides for PLAP members.

[@krisjeneson5017]

Hi warren great vid - can you share your approach with the lewit 340s in terms of position, pad, capsule and hpf settings?

[@Producelikeapro]

HI Kris, great question! Both mics are 46 inches from the snare, no pad, unless the drummer plays REALLY hard, haha and no High Pass going in. Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@angeloboltinimusic]

That snare sounds amazing! Supraphonic? Also, you could always add a beater side mic to the kick for more attack. Generally sounds better than inside the kick imo.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Angelo, yes, a Supraphonic! That's a great tip on the kick! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@TazzSmk]

I have good results removing the kick reso head and leaving the kick mic just on the edge as if there was a reso head, plus combine with subkick :)

[@christophernixonart]

Nice to see that Ludwig Acrolite snare in the background. Do you use it much for recording drums?

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Christopher! Yes, I love that Snare! It sounds AMAZING!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@miguelsoares3311]

Warren. Tank you! What else can I say ?! Question. When a tour to the 5150 studio 👀?

[@neocollective5959]

Don't forget to oil moving parts like the kick pedal if it squeaks as this one ! :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha yes indeed!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@andrewarbogast1]

I’m curious to know when/why you decide to mic the top and bottom head of toms. Is it really necessary?

[@blatantenigma3374]

Looks like so much fun! One question I have as a newnie is how do you record so many tracks similateously when most interface have two or at the most three or four in-ports? Via a mixer somehow? I am really considering the UA Volt 276 as a first step towards a tiny home studio. Also, thanks for a lot of tips regarding low frequency mics, as I am a self-taught bass player wanting to get into the world of recording at last ..

[@jeffwhuffman]

I would love to here those vistalites some time.

[@woodyreece5588]

thanks for the great vedeo warren ........just a quick question ...what is the best way to correct off phase snare drums (top n bottom snare drum ) that are already recorded ???? ... thank-you..

[@USername-sz3vh]

Hello Wareen, I am curious how do you talk to the drummer in the room? Do you have some condenser mic next to you, so the drummer hears you in headphones? Thanks for response

[@videoriatto2011]

Great video. I wish we could receive some of your expertise on « recording drums with 4 mics only » !! Cheers !

[@68Snaps]

I'm sure you know the trick, but just in case... The room mic facing the drum kit, just turn it around and make it face the back wall. It'll pick up the reflection off the wall and make the room sound way larger.

[@mattiemclean9882]

Nice Ludwig Crystalite kit lurking in the background! and is that an Acralite snare behind the kit?

[@MrObelisk2290]

Gotta have more cowbell baby!!!!!!!!

[@VERBEATIM]

How do you connect all of those mics to your computer and record as individually adjustable tracks?

[@freddocaneband]

Great video! I thank you so much! recording drums... what do you think about mid-side technique? do you have some recommendations? Distance beetwen drum and mic? High of mics position? please, meke a video about it ;)

[@AdamFaulkner375]

Great video Warren. Where are you getting those lewitt overheads cheap? I can't find them for under $500 per unit.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Adam, great question! I'm also using the LCT140, which are considerably cheaper. Inside of the Produce Like A Pro Academy we have a big discount! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@lionroots11]

Great video! Question, you didnt show faders levels? Do you leave your faders in unity gain when recording live drums? Or you push them up

[@edgailmoss4056]

Thanks so much..awesome..👍

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much my friend!!

[@axemanfishing2703]

Warren, with your skill, I think you could mic a fart and make it sound like John Bonhams kick drum. Great video, and great timing since I am setting up a studio and will be using a simple micing technique in a small room.