My Simple Recording Setup 🎛 & How I Get My Drum Sound 🔥

An updated walkthrough of my recording gear as well as a short look at how I get my drum sound. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL for more great free drum lessons, tips, advice and cool product reviews!
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[@scottshields3054]

Dude you got the most important thing right in this video that people miss. Get something to sound good in the room, then throw a mic in front of it. So many people get that wrong. Excellent advice.

[@Drumming-Life]

"Maximum thumpification" is the phrase of the day! LOL! Love it. I need that for my two little 20" kicks. Great vid bro.

[@trollakhinmemeborn3278]

I'm still a beginner of 4 years and got my kit set up under my bed. I'm not kidding it's a bunk bed and I just got all the drums under there, got some rode m5s hanging off their cables as overheads, a kick mic and a snare mic pointed at the underside of the snare, all plugged to a zoom h6 and I do think I'm getting some decent sound out of it all, spent a long time tuning everything getting all the distances right! all on budget

[@faperito2389]

Good job dude, that's the way. Just keep at it and never stop learning

[@HamptonGuitars]

I have found that kick, snare/hh, and stereo overheads work better for me than individually miking each tom.

[@KazKasozi]

I follow the same philosophy; make stuff sound the best they can then put a mic infront of in a position that best picks it as is then balance in the mix with as little EQ as possible. Works for me.

[@MusicandTractors]

My favorite part “then, go buy all my stuff!” 😉 AKA help support me making these videos! Love it!

[@LoweCommotionStudio]

Nice, I have the L-20. Except I have up to 12 mics I can use, mainly due to learning and self-torture purposes. Love your videos. I picked drums up 2 years ago afte 34 years away. I played as a kid until 19 when I switched to bass. It's been fun and your videos have been a big help! You have a great approach without being condescending or snobby, as some folks do. Thank you!

[@Drumn4Him1]

I just about fell out of my chair with your comment…”if your bass drum looks like a load of laundry”!! PRICELESS AND HILARIOUS!!!

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Doesn’t take much if things sound good. I knew you’d mention the thump. Right on rob.

[@jcbatts7964]

Yeah Man, thanks for that explicit video of the material and how you use it. Thank you for these good tips 😉

[@Frankiexc]

I finally have my snare drum properly tuned. Thanks Rob ✌️❤️

[@HuckFinn212]

If my kit sounds like my kit - it`s mixed! Couldn`t be more true!!! Your sound is always great!..btw.. I got those Lewitts ,too, they`re the best bang for the buck and the soundmen love `em!

[@Mooredrumming4Jesus]

I really enjoy your videos, you keep it very simple and laid-back, very educational and easy to understand, great job!

[@jph6161]

So simple . U taught me a lot ! Sounds awesome too ..great vid

[@jeremyschneider9531]

Good stuff, thanks Rob. Your published sound is definitely more organic than some, so your "minimal effects" approach makes sense. You try to make sure your drums sound like, well, your drums, imagine that! I like this because that's similar to the sound I hear when I play my own, and also in live gigs since we play small places and I'm unmiked. Keeps it real. Don't get me wrong, some of the highly processed stuff sounds wicked cool too, but that's not what I'm gonna get from my drums. AND it all points back to, decent drums with good heads and tuned carefully will sound good...will sound like DRUMS!

[@FifthCornerRecords]

Thanks for the info man, I just got an 8 channel interface last week and just getting started recording drums, excited to get goin on recordings

[@firdeye2681]

I really like your content. I usually play guitar but in the process of building a kit. Your tutorials and tips have been insanely helpful. There's stuff on this channel i can't find on any other channel

[@thebodybeatdownDiTi]

Thanks for the info. I see most videos only touch on these subjects. Can you explain what/how/where you're sound is made? where its coming from? speakers? how are we hearing everything? That is where im confused. AND would there be something more simple? More beginner friendly? I only play in my home office i dont really need tons of equipment or lots of crazy amps or power..Thanks for any assistance.

[@Drumming-Life]

Thanks for sharing this brother. Am in need of this info and definitely getting your gear (mics and cymbals). God bless.

[@GISRockstar]

Nice walkthrough, bro. 🤜🤛

[@axemanfishing2703]

Very cool video. Love the simple approach, use your ears and get the drums sounding good. Subbed your channel. Cheers

[@TheGuitologist]

Always dig me some Beatdown content.

[@LedWolf7]

I got the Zoom L-12, Highly Recommended! 👍

[@progression_decibel]

Excellent video man, will have to check out that Zoom interface since I'll be planning out my new basement studio space for the drums. I share similar philosophy of keeping it simple, trust your ears, and having the source (aka the drums) sound great from the get-go as the optimal way to getting a great recorded sound. When folks start mucking with too much EQ, plug-ins, compression, etc. in the recording process you start distancing yourself from an organic sound that is meant to be captured. Cheers brother!

[@LeFloidfan4ever]

We need a drumkit+cymbal tour next!

[@angelorasmijn7306]

As a sound-engineer who also drums and has access to all the exotic stuff, I always wondered how you get your great drumsound! Good to see and to hear that at first it does comes down to good, well tuned instruments, good playing and not due to the expense big brand names! 😃 And I really need to check out these Beyerdynamic mics! Keep up the good work! 💪🏼

[@alexander_martinez6084]

Maybe you can help me? If you don’t mind. I tune my drums properly I have decent sound treatment in my band room. Digital reference mics for toms and kick and overheads.A shure sm57 on my snare. Drums sound good when playing. But when I record they sound so muffled and weird. I’ve tried tuning, the eq, different heads, different mic placements but they still sound so muffled and dead. I’ve seen people with cheaper set ups than mine that sound 10x better. Any idea why it could be so muffled?

[@angelorasmijn7306]

@@alexander_martinez6084 what kind of materials did you use and how much did you use to treat your room? My first guess is that you use too much absorption materials. 😉

[@angelorasmijn7306]

@@alexander_martinez6084 and what are the measurements of the room?

[@alexander_martinez6084]

@@angelorasmijn7306 just a few foam pads around the room. its a 12x14 room

[@darkknightenberg]

​@@angelorasmijn7306yo u gon respond to him.. its been 9 months..

[@tech4976]

“And then you can go buy all my stuff” Immediately hit the like button 😂

[@drewfasa]

What DAW are you using please Rob? Also, what camera set-up? Thx!

[@frankiewood]

Awesome video!

[@doublemarvellous5525]

Great vid!!

[@alexmanojmathews]

Prof Brown could u tell us about how u've sound proofed the studio. Thats quite important. Thanks... hope to hear from u soon😊

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Those panels aren’t for soundproofing. They’re just acoustic foam panels to help soak up a lot of the natural reverb in the room. Helps to get a cleaner sound on the mics

[@joecounihan8016]

Love the video looking into the gear probably an old 20 cuz I have too many drums I missed the details on the software that you're using to work everything out can you fill me in on that software that you have on the monitor behind your kit

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’ve made a few significant upgrades since this video. Check out my most recent studio gear walkthrough on the channel 🤘🏽

[@jantorsteinklaussen6158]

Thanx Rob for the video. I have the same mixer and I've seen, some time ago, you had your kit set up with 4 toms and hi hat mic in addition to the rest of the mics. doing that you won't have enough xlr's on the mixer. How did/do you solve that ? As always, great video Rob. Love it.

[@jackbritton5082]

Hey Rob what over head mic stands are you using?

[@brushman20]

Question. How big is the room you are in? It doesn’t look very big. I’ve heard to not record drums in a small room, but I have to move mine into a 12 x 11 room. Hopefully I can still get a decent sound! Nice video, really like your approach!

[@hankslapper]

Awesome ...I love the term "thumpificatio"

[@nanceeleana]

I was curious what LED lights you have behind you?

[@1111Paiste]

Great video! Can you do a video about how you sound-proofed and sound treated you drum studio?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

It’s actually not “treated” at all, man. Just a carpet on the floor and some relatively cheap acoustic panels on the walls to help soak up some of the natural reverb that was bouncing around the room. Just helped me get a cleaner sound on the mics

[@1111Paiste]

@@RobBeatdownBrown OH wow! So it's an untreated basement room? So the neighbors don't complain?

[@philmullins886]

I went to Home Depot, got Rockwool comfort board 80 and some spray glue, covered board panels with fabric, hung them on the wall - great treatment! Not sound proof, but treating (remove echos etc). Inexpensive and is basically what pros use.

[@JamieDrumz]

Super helpful video, thank you!

[@Gretsch0997]

I’m surprised to see that you do any processing at all? The kit usually sounds pretty natural. I guess that’s the point , right?

[@philiamerisian]

Hi what is the name of the software that you installed for sound system controls ?

[@mfelge8631]

what are the wires that go into the mic\line on the audio interface?

[@bricekey1310]

Great info. Thank you!!! What program are you using on your computer?? Thanks

[@chirrupsving1317]

Seems to be Ableton live right?

[@bradbianco9842]

Love the commonsense approach and the drumhead halo behind you! One question, what software are you using to capture your sound (if I missed it, please forgive me)?

[@moondrums]

I have always noticed the L 12 in your videos. I use one as well but record to SD card instead. Nice set up.

[@Tochudin]

L12 happy owner here as well. I also use it as a standalone recorder since I don't have a computer on my rehearsal space, and it really helped me concentrate on having a good performance on the whole take, instead of punching in and trying to make things perfect, as I do when I'm recording guitars or bass (I'm not a great guitarist or bassist either).

[@rooroo140]

You didn’t mention what software you are running on the M1 Mac Mini that we see behind you on the monitor every week; is it Waves LV-1?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Logic Pro X

[@rooroo140]

Thanks!

[@Avaloctus]

Hi, may I ask what studio monitor cabinets you use ?

[@Frankietomatoes6189]

Hey Rob, I'm confused. Aren't you based out of Ontario Canada? T.O? If you are, why do you plug and American company like Sweetwater? Don't get me wrong awesome company I'm just surprised no affiliation with a Canadian like, L&MQ, Just Drums, Cosmo to name a few. Keep up the great work. You have one of the best channels. Cheers

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Valid question. Although I’m Canadian, the majority of my audience is in the U.S., so when they offered the partnership it made sense to accept. Also, there aren’t any Canadian music outlets up here with an affiliate marketing structure in place like Sweetwater. I’m also affiliated with Thomann in Europe.

[@Frankietomatoes6189]

@Rob Brown wow!!! logistically, most are American. Musically a greater audience with only a handful of Canadian bands. Very interesting. As good as Sweetwater is I would almost certainly buy local but I get it. Your target audience is U.S. Congrats on reaching all over the glove. Keep it up.

[@marcwoods49]

Another great video Rob. Was wondering what speakers you have behind you? I'm looking for something to play music through while I play along that has good sound quality for when I'm not wanting to wear my in ears. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[@zachskatesstreet]

what about the the mic oh placement in conjunction to the snare drum. arent the mics meant to be equal distance to the snare?

[@teeoh9192]

He basically just aims it at the contact point. He also said, you could move it around to see what YOUR ears prefer.

[@darrellalexander3060]

What amp are you using for your bass drum?

[@vhmendonca]

Great video, thank you so much!

[@JakerstaG]

Rob man how are you getting sweat water stuff in Ontario? I guess the deliver to you for a decent price but how would

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’m not, actually. I’m just an affiliate because the majority of my North American audience is in the US. Up here I get everything I need at Long & McQuade or occasionally Cosmo Music.

[@apdito]

Hey Rob what are you using for your drum interface. Is it pro tools or something else, great video. Thanks

[@Robby83-i8m]

Hi Rob, first of all, congratulations for your lessons!! I have a curiosity; is there much sound difference between your Yamaha and a Stage Custom!? A few years ago you had one! Greetings from Italy Milano

[@drumfun1210]

Curious what software you are using? Love your videos and teaching style.

[@DavidLeeKing]

Looks like he's using Apple's Logic Pro.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Me : 😢 when will rob upload again ? Rob : Sup

[@jaynfree671]

Does anyone know what DAW Rob is using?

[@rickyrealistgoestowashingt6965]

hey Hi do you have a video similar version but for a live bar gig .. less mic's the better :)

[@photographerjonathan]

how do you connect the computer to the mixer ?

[@connordenis]

Awesome video! What stand is that that you use for the kick mic? Looks cool!

[@johnthibodeaux5189]

What about the beyerdynamic M88 for kick

[@FelipeLeiter]

where is the sm57 :( ?

[@Stixpercussion]

I'm a total beginner with this stuff. However my main PA system is a 1978 Peavy XR 1200 with 3 Peavy SP3 speakers. I also just got a Tascam 8 channel mixer with a built-in digital audio interface. I currently run that to my main mixer for live situations. I have cheap digital reference mics on my toms, kick, and overheads and an SM 57 on my snare. I'm curious... What do you use on the front of your kick? I noticed it looks thick around the mic port.

[@daveterra4778]

Yeah man kool gear

[@lorke9855]

Don't you use mic on snare botton? You sound very well anyway. Thanks from Madrid.

[@teeoh9192]

He said he usually does, but he loves the way this particular snare sounds the way it is.

[@drumsrlife71418]

Awesome Rob thanks for providing the links for the equipment. I have a recording/reinforcement mixer i bought cheap, its a Tapco 6200A. I was wondering if you have any knowledge of this type? Thanks

[@RocknJazzer]

I had one, old late 70s early 80s basic sound of that ear, a bit noisy, but will get job done. They were known for all the control knobs getting very hard to turn from the pots lube grease drying up over time, so you may need to spray all the pots to make them turn easier, but sometimes that doesnt even help. Anything is fine to start tho

[@drumsrlife71418]

@@RocknJazzer ok great thank u for the information

[@drumming4p]

Insightful stuff 😎

[@donnacompton4894]

Rob!! I can’t find SoundCue ( on iPhone ) Do you have an alternative for backing tracks? ( sorry it’s off topic)

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Yea, unfortunately it’s no longer in the App Store. So I can never get rid of mine now. The available ones in there now are either not as good, or good but stupid expensive

[@mikezisk5009]

Rob y Evans over Ambassadors?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Just personal preference. I’ve been an Evans guy for years. Love everything they do at D’Addario

[@richwilson5969]

Hi rob. I didn’t know how to get a hold of you. This has nothing to do w recording. I’m 55. Played all my life. Worship and church. Without spending a ton of timing searching which I already have. Can you pls direct me to either yours or anyone else’s simple weather it’s beginner or whatever everyday exercises, nothing too complicated I have adhd It’s prevented me to get any further in drums. I took private lessons at 11 yrs old for a few years. But only could get w that to a point. Simple note reading. I even picked up the famous blue and white book syncopation, I got to like maybe to the dotted eighth note and some rudiments that I still haven’t got too far. Obv I play by ear at this point I’m actually a pretty good drummer I just want to be able to get up in the morning have a coffee get the sticks and pad out and consistently do snare and pad , exercises that are simple and a little challenging so I dont bored. A focused set of everyday stuff to do. Not drum rythem or new rock beats. Theresa million videos for that. I did wstch your video on independence exercises where you dropped the wood block. Yea that was pretty funny. Long message asking just a question, thx so much for all your hard work in putting so many things out here to learn. Thx again bro

[@bcas400g1]

Hey, Great video. Question. How much ram is your Mac mini running?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’ve got 16GB in this one

[@mschmuck2]

Appreciate it Mr. Brown.. Chunk on… 😂

[@teeoh9192]

In simple "Beatdown Brown" lingo, what exactly is the function of a "bus"?

[@boomshop]

A bus is a way to have sub-mixes within your project. Generally all audio channels are routed to the master - which also is just a bus. A bus can have one or more inputs, then routes the signal through its plug-in section, then through a fader (yes, pre/post, but keep it simple), then through a panorama/balance and then has an output which can be routed somewhere else, e.g. to the master. Use case examples: * Imagine having four toms. Now you want to make all of them louder. Instead of adjusting four levels route them to a bus instead of the master, then send the bus to the master and voila - a singe fader for all toms. * Imaging you want to adjust the frequency response of all four toms equally - do the same routing and add an EQ to the bus - voila - a single EQ processing all toms.

[@tinkuroy5412]

Sir which yahama model drum u r play...?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

That’s a PHX series in the videos

[@joshuajuaire8757]

How come you don’t have a mic for your high hat

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Don’t need one. The overheads pick em up just fine 👌🏽

[@RMHendrickson]

⁠​⁠@@RobBeatdownBrown Exactly. Miking the hi-hat and ride is something that is typically done as a backup in case the overheads aren't providing enough detail.

[@lamontpeoples]

Ron, what are you using to sync audio from with ur videos?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I edit my videos in Final Cut Pro. Makes it a breeze

[@opiedrums]

So where did you find or hear these mics from?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’ve been using Beyerdynamic mics since I started my channel. Couple years ago the company reached out and asked if I wanted to check out and review their newest models and that’s how I found out about these ones.

[@opticalinch]

Are you using pro tools or logic? Sorry didn’t catch what DAW you are using.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’m a Logic guy. Been using it a long time

[@jimkoblick1776]

cool

[@EarlTheFool]

Does anyone know what software he’s using?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Logic Pro X

[@EarlTheFool]

@@RobBeatdownBrown appreciate it👍🏻

[@rafaelallenblock]

OT but you look like you've lost some weight, you look great! Thanks for the channel.

[@Mrjazzzery]

Wut about 1 mic set up

[@cskeise]

💙👊😎

[@74cannelle]

Keep It Stupid Simple !

[@brucegill4218]

Rob surprised you don't use wireless

[@MattWeedon]

This is so way over my head.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Trust me. I’ve been there ✋🏾😑

[@teeoh9192]

Same here. I think I just get intimidated. Working on getting over that.

[@ilebur]

Would you say it's more than 3 feet from your highest cymbal?

[@mikezisk5009]

I’m good till the Paiste cymbals, Zildjians for me!

[@edjones2199]

How much ram have you gotten your computer for shit sakes it’s important you should say that

[@alexdrums08]

how do u connect the mixer to your computer ?