Recording Drums with 1 Mic in a Small Room

[@pitol678]

I never thought I'd be interested in doing just one mic on drums but yesterday I dug out my Marantz PMD 740 4 track and watched this vid to get some ideas. I used an Apex 205 that Ive replaced the transformer and ribbon on, and got one of the best drum sounds Ive ever captured. Just experimented with placement and balancing kick and snare, cymbals and it sounds big has a lot of depth, much more than I would expect to get on a cassette. Anyway thanks, great video and it helped me out a lot!

[@tomrogerthu]

Really like the sound of "natural" drums recorded with few mics and this was great info how to get it! Thanks!

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice! Thank you. I hope this inspired you!

[@monkeyxx]

Once you added the compressor and EQ it got real "Beatlesy" and I thought that was great!

[@FernandoTabla]

I'll always remember the story I heard 20 years ago in recording engineering school about how John Bonham used to insist on 1 mic above the kit and one mic only, and he would adjust his playing if the kick needed to be louder, etc..

[@davidambrose2838]

My dad told me that too! Led Zeppelin is awesome!

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

I love using that mic position on minimal set-ups!

[@creativesoundlab]

Right on!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great video. I have a small kit in a small studio for the purpose of recording gritty mono drum loops. Was going to experiment with that position Daptone use between the snare and kick and under the hats, but definitely going to try this one now. Amazing what sound you can get with one mic. Guess the mono thing makes it a solid "down the middle" kind of sound.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, it's a great sound. The mono thing can be hard for me, but I think it's more because I'm a drummer. I find that I go for "Pretty" sounding drums a lot more than I should, and some flavor and funky sounds requires a little different perspective.

[@metalizer135]

Great video and inspired by it, I used an SM58 in the same position (only a bit higher) pointed towards the floor and another SM58 in the kick. With some processing it sounded HUGE! Thank you, good sir!

[@mafufu7419]

Most practical video about drum recording I've seen so far. Thanks

[@PaulyStax]

Cool Ryan. nice video. Excellent use of the ribbon. Good job critically listening and placing the mic. You got a great balanced drum sound with one mic. Minds will be blown.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah man. You were with me for this episode. Was going to hold off to try your 44.

[@PaulyStax]

Well, I'll get it up there to you again to check out and mess with. Used the 77dx and varacoustics yesterday for a singer songwriter at my friends home studio. So fun using ribbons, I just gotta say.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

Just what I needed, thank you!

[@joelonsdale]

Sounds great: warm, natural and full.

[@haganjohna]

SO. HELPFUL. Your video helped explain WHY it sounds the way it does and why it is best, and it continues through to the post prod side as well. Thank you.

[@alvagoldbook2]

I was amazed at how balanced everything sounded.

[@andrewbeaton3302]

Big fan of the deep diffuser! Did you build that!?

[@camilomateus]

I'm actually use the same tech, but with a AKG D112, and sounds killer....thanks for your help & tricks!!

[@FeelTheFrostbyte]

I just want to say I love your channel. I haven't even watched the video yet but you seem to make videos that seem to fit my interests perfectly. I have a 4 track and record in a very small bedroom and was looking for a nice mono setup... Lmao just watched. This helped a bunch.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice!

[@nigelharsch]

I love this trick, even just using this as a "glue" mic in a standard set up, it works wonders

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks and yeah I still side this!

[@RobertGrayMusic]

Just what I've been looking for! Thanks for this. Will be using an LDC in a less than acoustically perfect cellar room, so am interested to hear how it compares.

[@JohnColeBurnett]

This demonstration is great!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@ajpdrms5115]

I tried this technique with Royer 121 and have damaged the ribbon. I positioned the ribbon on the same level as snare drum and this was my mistake. I see that you placed mic above the snare drum and this can be very important in work with the ribbons.

[@lucasmartinez524]

Thanks a lot i love all your videos, good techniques, good vibes, keep going !

[@DJRY360]

I have a notebook that I keep sketches and notes on different recording techniques. You will be happy to know that there is a new entry titled "Earnhardt Technique for Drums". Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@juliussolovideo]

I've adopted the wurst mic since I watched the Moses video on SOS. I really dig it!

[@creativesoundlab]

yes, it is so good. I didn't know about him until after I was talking about his techniques! Modern legend.

[@OptomodMix]

nice work...I did prefer the snare sound prior to EQ and compression...just my taste :) happy mixing

[@creativesoundlab]

Even better then. Always best to get sounds with less processing.

[@luqmanr]

@@creativesoundlab i have a feeling that the EQ'd one will fit better on a full mix?

[@flatterswhite]

@@luqmanr Different strokes for different folks, the original mic position would fit right into my black metal mix

[@merenco]

Great technique. Thanks. Don't have a ribbon, but a SM57 and an U87, so I will give it a try with those two. Do you think adding two overheads would improve the stereosound? They could be blended in just a little... Well, I guess, trial and error is the message :-).

[@jchristophersalinas7078]

What you did was pretty much the tchad blake method but you used a ribbon instead of a LDC. But nice job man drums sounds great.

[@nestormurrietachavez8586]

Amigo yo hice esta técnica con un sm58 y un limitador que por default trae mi mixer y sonó muy bien

[@DaPhunk73]

Thanks for another great video! Amazing that you can do a meaningful video about subtle mic position changes, and make sense!

[@Ecmusicproductionschannel]

Great flavor mic, indeed! I recently saw Sylvia Massey's d.ckmic setup, which is similar. Placement en polar pattern are key for this and you nailed it! I was wondering if you ever use PZMs?

[@vb8833]

Sounds amazing !! Hard to have that sound with a sm57

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, those toms are killer. I was amazed myself.

[@SBlaise73]

Great video!! This fits in to the scenario that I'm currently challenged with now.

[@joelwong7170]

this makes me wonder if it could be used on a budget live setup

[@fernandoamarante]

Cool Ryan. nice video. Excellent use of the ribbon. I'm thinking of getting one AEA N22 for being cheaper and also having great sound. Have you tried the AEA N22 with Drums? I know the AEA N8 has more Low end.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nope not yet. I haven't gotten to try it.

[@johnmartin5153]

Did you run compression after the warm EQ ?

[@JUNK_ZONE]

Love the video! Great information and really enjoyed the glass section. Has a nice aesthetic to it.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks! Yeah I developed that idea for a while now, but go it from a TV show and made it a little more rock'n'roll.

[@mclovinmycamaro29]

Can you guys do this without an $1100 mic?

[@creativesoundlab]

yes, in fact Moses uses a sm57. You can also try an Omni LDC if you want.

[@nigelharsch]

I tried this with a ~100 MXL ribbon mic and it worked great, needed some low end shelfing, but that's it

[@gammadrums]

Love the set up, but, how about putting the mic behind you at head level for a natural like ears sound?

[@josephharvey1762]

G Drums you won’t pick up on the kick much at all

[@JakeSusla]

Love the content, your videos always give me so many new things to think about!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Jake I really appreciate that.

[@DannyJamesGuitar]

Love your videos dude! I'm going to be recording drums with one ribbon mic soon, so this video will come in handy!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks man!

[@saintjames7387]

thats a nice sounding snare ya got there..

[@tedgerard333]

I was watching a Slate video how to mix drums. When he soloed the ribbon room mics, I was like there's the sound I'm looking for. Which led me to your channel for more ribbon mic research. Great video, can you reccomend a budget ribbon mic?

[@NedRush]

How are you not hitting the mic when you roll to the floor tom?

[@Dsullivann]

good ol' stick control

[@vincentstransky3458]

Wow this sounds great. This mic is just great.

[@5117sebastian]

is he the drummer of captain beefheart?

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

Love it! Will give this a try asap! I have a cheap ribbon mic but I'll see what it can do

[@creativesoundlab]

Yes, a ribbon is fantastic for this. Def something to try right away with anything really. I think the N8 ribbon is the most natural though from all the ones that I have tried.

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

creativesoundlab cool, thanks. I've been listening to the Dawes album All Your Favorite bands and the drums in it sound very natural and I would bet not much compression. I would love to get that sound.

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

creativesoundlab I hooked up my mxl r40 and got some pretty good results with the one mic test you show here. Man, could have saved myself a ton of money with just one mic! 😂. Needs some adjustments but overall very good. I need less kick and more snare, can shape with EQ but will try to raise the mic up about 6 inches first. Thanks again!

[@TwoWayAnalog]

Excellent video mate, cheers!

[@pclairoot]

You should try that with a mid-side config. It works great should you want stereo

[@creativesoundlab]

Never thought of it, but your right if you can get the mics in there, which it wouldn't be that hard.

[@pclairoot]

it works

[@mattiaslissnergard9227]

So would you say that a ribbon mic is generally more preferable for this kind of drum recording than a large condenser diafraghm mic?

[@lolsensei5302]

Hey man great work so far, that explanation that you do on screen at 04:10 can you make a video how to do that explanation with a new idea.

[@MrJabbawaky]

I have been trying to figure out whether or not I can mic my kit with a single mic! Thank you for this! Any suggestions, however for people with an SM 58 and an SM7B? My resources are limited and I'm trying to do the best with what I have. Thanks! This video is awesome! I'm gonna have to get a ribbon!

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, def try it with the sm7b. A little compression can help too. I know that Moses's Wurst technique is amazing with a sm57.

[@Brannington]

My poor ass is definitely gonna do this when i get a kit

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Nice work! What would you suggest if I'm using a kit with two mounted toms?

[@MrPMOSullivan]

Will this work outside or is wind an issue for the ribbon? Or does that depend on the mic?

[@frankrotthier4392]

I have an N22, R88mkII, R44c and a pair of 4038's (I love ribbons!) but after seeing this video I am really thinking of getting a pair of N8's too. I might have to sell my AEA R44c for it though. Should I get the N8's having those other ribbon's Ryan? great videos BTW!

[@creativesoundlab]

Gosh an AEA R44 would be a dream. This would sound huge using that 44.

[@stonerass1]

you're the man duuuude!!!!!! this inspires me to the bone baby.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice! Now go record something!

[@matturner6890]

"Boost and Cut at 100hz" Wat

[@djmmjd3]

Yes. Pultec style EQs. Look up how they work. You can boost & attenuate the same frequency which creates a unique curve how they cross each other. You can also see it in the video on his Warm audio Pultec clone where it says Boost & cut on the knob.

[@bob4analog]

This is looking more like the 'crotch mic' method, which does work very nice. Great job! Your drums sound very good.

[@johnsjoy7773]

is it possible to record a drum kit in MS config (with Royer R-10 and SM57)? Thanks in advance.

[@underpressureman]

That would be a great smash mic !

[@AdityaPain]

can i use 5 coller microphones for drum recording??

[@carlwinslow5905]

Did you read the Jim the Boss article from Music-Production-guide (.com) also? This is exactly what he explains!

[@robstrange]

Excellent vid!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@bobbymarco274]

But is would not work with full drum set adding the extra Tom

[@JuanMotta]

thanks for shareing the info!!! what do yo think in using a audio technica at 2035 for recording with one mic?

[@creativesoundlab]

It can be difficult to get a balanced sound with a LDC such as that one. They will all have a very different sound. I know that some will try an Omni LDC using this technique.

[@JuanMotta]

thanks for the answer!!! maybe i need another mics for compensation? my question is because i´m plannig to buy and audio card with more channels (i have only one) but i´m in a little budget so i don´t know if i can make a good recording drums with at least 2 o 3 mics? what do you recomend?

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

Juan Motta My band made recordings in our rehearsal room with just one simple mic. I can't even say what brand it was, but the sound was quite ok. It really picked up all of the instruments at once. You can make some decent stereo drum recordings just with two microphones. SM57s (or similar mics) work quite well for this. If you got more mics available you might start with kick and/or snare if you want to have more control over their sound.

[@pedrovenegas-rodriguez8962]

Amazing!!!!! so useful! Thanks man!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Pedro!

[@dstringerj2]

Can I do this with a Rhode mic? lol

[@creativesoundlab]

Yes

[@IsmaelAngelus]

That was really cool! You got my subscribe, bro. \o/

[@patris5367]

I'll put this mic into 2 tracks and put one on high eq And one for low tones

[@michaeloneal10]

The Hi Hat is a bit low in the mix for me.

[@creativesoundlab]

That's the beauty, there is no mix. I know what you mean though. This could actually be good or work out just fine considering it's always loud for a lot of drummers that slam.

[@squeakyproductions]

Fantastic video.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@gospoJov]

love it!!

[@blacksaona]

Awesome

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@AdamRainStopper]

I record punk bands........so this is gonna have to be a cheaper and less fragile mic if I do it all close like that.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, I know that Moses uses a 57 and closer. Sounds much different but still very cool. Check the link in the description for that video. It's really great.

[@AdamRainStopper]

creativesoundlab Yeah, this is great for kid who only have one input to work with, and/or just a 4 track cassette machine like I started out with, and I have actually found that I prefer to use fewer mics. I just don't like the single-mic setups because you always have to choose between decent cymbal sounds and good snare. I generally do a dynamic on the kick, two large-diaphragm condensers overhead. Then I tell drummers "easy on the hat and ride, put weight and follow-through into the kick, *and hit the snare like you're trying to break it.*" With a good drummer who has control over the ratio of ride-hand to snare-hand, I can almost always get a great, full stereo drum mix out of those 3 mics, and it makes it much easier to avoid phase-issues. I will use a snare mic if necessary, usually and old 50's Shure unidirectional 57 lookalike, but that might end up under the snare so I can still get most of my snare sound out of the overheads and just use that for a little extra attack and volume, without getting a bunch of cymbal-wash.

[@Soda_F1]

The drums sound really good for 1 mic but the cymbals are too low... well you can't do everything with one microphone

[@vasilias2230]

That's where you can alter your playing and height of your cymbals

[@louishuddle1]

I tried this with a SE R1 mic and got an amazingly sub low end. Quite a nice technique, thank you. If it interests anyone the recordings can be found here soundcloud.com/louishuddle/recording-drums-with-one-ribbon-micse-r1

[@louishuddle1]

The first part is with the mic resting on the floor tom so sounds a bit odd.

[@louishuddle1]

soundcloud.com/louishuddle/drums-recorded-with-1-se-r1-ribbon

[@Salien1999]

May the comments begin.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ha yes!

[@i.shadrin]

dude stop showing you tongue while playing

[@creativesoundlab]

Ha, I'll try

[@seangriffith1514]

Ilya Shadrin i say more tongue!