Recording drums with 1 microphone - The SM57!

In this episode I take the SM57 off the shelf and see if I can capture a drum sound with this workhorse microphone. Believe me, there is a LOT you can do with a single mic. Let's get to work!
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[@brandonquod4910]

For comparison: 5:11 - pointed at drums 8:03 - pointed up 10:11 - pointed up against ceiling 13:35 - pointed at wall 15:43 - overhead

[@andya777]

Brandon Quod Ji jrkkkkkn

[@Chiro_ASMR]

Real mvp

[@atishep]

Damn. All this made me wanna join a band again with a rehearsal room, so I can record the walls with a 57.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Hey Ati! That's way too much trouble just to try out a 57! :) Unless of course you want to get in a band again. Then it's not!

[@RocknRollkat]

When I started recording in 1961 (not a typo) we all recorded with 1 mic. into a mono tape machine. Many hit records were recorded this way, no overdubs, etc. I'm amazed at how this seems like wizardry to the younger generations. Bill P.

[@brazilianmegaman258]

You work with what you have. If we had the tools we have now back then then I know I'd would've been using em!

[@norcicoso]

Great video, cool tips, i like the way you explain and show things, well done !!

[@stanleyalexander1432]

Just getting into home recording and this info was amazing and so helpful. Thank you.

[@Sean-uo5ef]

Just came across this video - really good stuff - thank you for sharing.

[@andthensome512]

Wow. The first set up pointed at the kit sounded great! Can't believe how much low end it got on the kick. Pointed at the wall had the coolest kick sound.

[@gordontubbs]

Great video. Single mic as room or mono overhead definitely adds a lot of energy to the mix! The wall mic technique was unreal.

[@peterkleiner9114]

I have one SM57, one SM58 and two Sennheiser e835s. Thank you for this video, it's given me some new ideas on getting a better sound out of my kit for my amateur recordings.

[@bandninkasimusic6484]

Really insightful video. I'd like to record my band's rehearsal and never thought a single SM57 could do the job. I'll use this technique at the next rehearsal, hopefully pair it with a condenser too. You just got a new subscriber.

[@blakewhittington4336]

Just started a recording room and I really like the results from the 57 for drums . It's a tiny room so the 57 seems to work better than the condenser mic I have

[@charlieclown9913]

Shocking!! Great ideas. Thanks.

[@DreBDrums]

REALLY helpful video. Thanks for this.

[@grzesiek41st]

Thanks Man. I have just bought SM57 and thanks to You I have great advices now how to record my drums. I have only 2 inputs. I love your job and videos. Thanks once again.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Have some fun with that 57! There is a lot you can do with only 2 inputs. Thanks for watching and happy recording!

[@KINNZ94]

Man.. your videos are so helpful. Thanks dozens. :)

[@MrLaurah12]

love your videos man thanks so much for posting!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffpollitt138]

great video, great content and so informative.

[@yettielusive3370]

This is great! The 57 pointed straight up at the ceiling, really nice full type of zeppelin sound. Thanks Brothas!!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thanks Yetti! It's kind of fun seeing what you can capture with a 57.

[@louiscarrillo5873]

awesome work!

[@GuitarManLobo]

Great video. Thanks!

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

I love this on the wall. Sounds so big. Might try this technique on future projects in conjunction with close mics for a big room sound. Every room is different, so I may try other things and see if I can get something cooler. Like I have a small basement corner that doesn't sound bad, but I might try putting a 57 right up to the ceiling a credit card width away.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Agreed that every room is different. However I've had some sort of success with a mic on a wall in almost every room I've recorded in. Even a hotel room once! Give it a shot and let me know how it works.

[@powerbellrider]

best one mic drum recording demo!! respect lml

[@cydrums3411]

Thanks, this is an awesome video!

[@benroe]

always learn something with every video you do. definitely owe you a beverage (or two).

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thanks Ben! I appreciate it. Happy I can help!

[@Otavio987]

awesome video, tk you so much!

[@Mario_DiSanto]

You are an inspiration

[@iRideuWatch]

Bass drum sounds so full off the wall. WOW!

[@richardvancleaf469]

Pointed up. Is so beefy. Great sounding kit.

[@mattcordier562]

Great video, guys! I learned a ton and am excited to experiment with a single mic in my space. Cheers!

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Hey Matt! Thanks for watching and happy recording!

[@WesleyGrant]

Wow, awesome video, again! Love it.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

You're welcome Wes! Thanks for watching!

[@tonyarky7868]

Thank you very much sir. I like the behind the back position. Im gonna try it with my cheap condenser mic. But Im so surprise when you position the mic against the wall,wowww its not bad honetly

[@jakeklossing4352]

Really digging the way these are sounding! I'm going to experiment with using both the wall and ceiling techniques as well as having a 57 on my snare and 52 on my bass for that bit of clarity. Using these mic placements while playing faster grooves or crazy fast fills, I'd expect it to sound a bit unclear or muddy, but just a bit. I'd keep that in mind if you're a metal drummer looking for a budget way to get a great drum sound. Clear tom tone is key when going down the kit, as well as triggery bass drum sounds so that's just one thing to consider.

[@NathanNocturnal]

After watching this video, I thought, what the heck, I'll experiment. So I tried moving my 57 mic onto my roof and got the craziest results. I got drums sounds like never before. They sounded like honking car horns, barking dogs, and even an airplane at one point! Next, I'm gonna try moving the mic into my neighbors kitchen. I can't wait to hear what my drums are gonna sound like!

[@roflcopterrr]

Excellent advice at the intro.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Thanks Mel!

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

last one is perfect: you have bass-fullness, dynamics (you clearly hear the difference between the toms), tightness, not too much reverberation.

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I love the sound at around 8:04... (mic 5 feet from drums/55 inches up/pointed to ceiling. ) .... My reason is, I have been looking for a way to soften the shrill attack and middy overtones of my A-Customs in my sessions. Your trick has completely solved the problem. Now I can use my acoustic cymbals, but with superior drummer 3 and mesh heads. It should also minimize the stick noise. Perfect solution for my tiny 16x24 studio with 7' ceilings.

[@claragary]

Great! Thanks!

[@BadChizzle]

Fun stuff guys.

[@joepulvirenti5728]

The SM57 definitely is a fantastic mike for overheads in going to use mine behind it actually makes the drums open up.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Great use for a 57! It is surprising how good, and versatile, that mic is. Thanks for watching!

[@micahmuth4256]

I did the 57 against the wall live at church behind the drums hahahaha it made the cymbals sizzle. 😂. Thanks

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

You're welcome! That made my day when I saw this. Happy recording!

[@adamlatour8837]

Used only 1 mic for years with my tascam mf-p01 tape 4 track

[@maxorbit357]

Thank you for measuring the distance from the front mic to the bassdrum. Seriously, I don't know if it's the video or me, but it looks much more like 10 feet from here. ;)

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

The video can be deceptive sometimes!

[@lucyfuir6386]

I have a 2 Mike clip for the top of the stand I used to AKG $30 mikes. I would walk around the room during practice till I found the best sound then I would place the microphones exactly where my ears were and record. Worked every time

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

That is a great way to do it!

[@nersonangelo]

Only one thing I don't like about this amazing video is the cup of water/liquid near electronics.. ;D

[@faperito2389]

Made me anxious af lmao

[@skeletonshorror5184]

Thank you - I’m doing this with a $60 drum kit, GarageBand and a SM57 and it sounds great. 💀🔥

[@jjstudiosjj2408]

Shure SM 57. Most versatile mic ever made. I use them everything. Blending with LDC mics in the studio. Use them as overheads live

[@JaredSchumaier]

You use a pair of 57’s live or mono?

[@jjstudiosjj2408]

@@JaredSchumaier I have in the past used pair live and they work just fine.. just have to run them a bit hotter.. now just using small condensers

[@xrayspect]

thank you

[@terryhoffman8049]

Thanks for the ideas and advice. I'm running a mic on the kick and that sounds great but, when I walk out for a soundcheck everything else could use a little help. I have one input left on my mixer and, I'm going to try a 57 as an overhead, may just be the answer.

[@JaredSchumaier]

How’d the 57 overhead work?

[@stuckondrumsssss1968]

The wall microphone trick blew me away! Very nice 👍 I do have a question. Staying with the one mic budget mindset, what is the most economic way to go from the end of the mic chord to whatever is capturing your recording?

[@andx4024]

very interesting

[@nersonangelo]

Hi really great video thnx much, may we know what is the material of your ceiling? thnx again

[@jeremystig98]

Pointed at the well really brings out the kick, which i was missing in all the other setups. Have you ever tried pointing at the ground infront of the kick, for micing the kick?

[@rockboy360]

Has a nice kinda lofi sound.

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

11:42 Charlie disparaging everyone recording in their gazebos lol.

[@MeTuLHeD]

Hmmm. I wonder if you could do that 'mic facing the wall trick' @ 12:20 with two mics...stereo....without running into MASSIVE phasing issues. I'll bet that would sound huge!

[@SheaRecordmetal]

I want to hit like but you have 666 like's at the moment I thought that was cool! I'm am gonna start recording some drums for the first time. Love your channel and how easily and to the point you are. Some teachers(youtube Channel) guys go into too much detail about things and make it more complicated than it has to be.

[@Dsullivann]

Whats your thoughts on putting the mic closer to the kit? Like over the bass drum kind of under the cymbals.. I see a lot of other videos suggesting this but you like keeping the mic further from the kit. Love to hear your thoughts!

[@chrisbardolph]

Just tested a few of these out. Mic pointed at the wall yielded lousy tom sounds for me. All overtones. Mic pointed at the ceiling so the reflected angle points right at the drums - very nice. And the cymbals didn't overpower.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Techniques like the wall mic, floor mic, etc... are situational accent mics for me. Sometimes that is the exact texture I need to convey a sound or emotion. When they work they work well, when they don't......they definitely don't! We used to record all of our rehearsals with a single SM57 pointed at the ceiling. It captured the drums exactly how you mentioned and they didn't drown out the guitars or bass.

[@chrisbardolph]

Air is a natural compressor. I've always liked roomy sounding recordings.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Me too. And not only drums. Something cool about guitars recorded live in a room. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisbardolph]

@@Ultimatestudiosinc When you think of it, it's the way we use our ears anyway. We listen with some space between.

[@collect_the_dead1934]

Could we hear how this sounds in a mix?

[@OCNorton]

I am using Logic Pro and trying todo this. Any recommendations on how to mix it in the EQ to get the best sound?

[@RockOfGreece]

pointed at the wall BLEW MYA FUCKING MIND

[@lilystrong9870]

Any advice for 1 overhead to focus the cymbals? I'm trying to minimalize all the drums, then EQ them out.

[@PhatLvis]

57 at the ceiling sounds great. That mic, with a kick mic and a snare mic would be nice.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

Yep! Have you tried it??

[@PhatLvis]

@@Ultimatestudiosinc Definitely will if I get a chance. Thanks for showing that a 57 (which is what all us poor dudes have) can be used to get a decent whole-kit sound - esp. thru a good compressor.

[@dennisdubin2126]

Sorry I'm "only" 4 years late on this comment, but what about placing the SM-57 under the ride cymbal (and over the kick drum), pointed at the snare? I've used this set-up before, and it picks up the entire kit brilliantly. Great for tight spaces.

[@rlin2648]

Could you mic a drummer like this for live performance?

[@diregremo]

You've probably covered this, but what kind of monitors are those? Thanks.

[@blacklist45av3]

hi, what's the brand of the mic stands are you using? I like that extensions..

[@Thecleetus]

Im trying to see what is a good mic to record everything from drums, vocals electric guitar and bass

[@noslomoTV]

EJT006Cleetus the 57 .

[@jakestewartmusic]

Love this! Any major improvement with an SM7B instead?

[@bobbywhitewolf]

I did a video (using the only mics I had) jamming with a band in a garage. I used sm7b's overhead through a cloud lifter and one sm7b on the kick drum. It sounded alright.

[@ANDYWOUNDSABRXS]

I wanted to get some mid level drum mics, the sm57 4 pack for bout 700-800 AUS dollars any good?

[@number1Don]

Can this be done in a live situation for smaller venues (playing rock)? Or would you not need to mic the drumkit at all if a small venue?

[@wade123davis]

Small venues I only mic up the Kick drum. Snare, Tom, cymbals are loud enough

[@liveraddieradder]

How would it sound pointed at the floor? I’m going to try it out for myself, just curious if you’ve already tried it out.

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

It works really well actually. Check out this video using the floor (different mic though): kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZimn5-Ip7R4gNU And this video with the 57 on the wall: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaexhaOPbsmBl80

[@DrunkDuckXD]

I think pointed at the drums sounded the best.

[@quorthonsinferno5119]

This only applies if the drummer hits clearly and consistently keep that in mind

[@galleryofrogues]

I’ve done this. Compress the shit out of it and it gets a cool lo-fi affected sound.

[@lameiguana4291]

Hey just a question but if you had it so that a mixers output------->guitar pedal---------->computers input, would I break anything?

[@grzesiek41st]

How do you want to connect pedal with computer? Mic input? Interface?

[@lameiguana4291]

+Grzesiek 41st I have a analog mixer and I am using the RCA plug 'tape out' as the output which than goes straight to the computers input however I am hoping to be able to have the tape out running into the pedal and the pedals output straight into my computer

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

You could do it that way but I would go microphone--->line transformer--->guitar pedal--->mic pre. Line transformers are cheap, only $10-15. We used a guitar pedal in one of our other videos. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSnYoyda9WpsJIm41s

[@SubCultureMEDIAHilbert]

Record dry, then send the signal back out of the computer DAW Interface -> into a reamp box -> then to what ever pedals you want to use for effects, -> then to a DI box like a 'countryman' then into your DAW interface -> computer

[@andx4024]

i thing sm57 is not good like 1 mic rec. i could use a condenser mic with flat freq, 57 is ok for the snare

[@imothy]

I know this might seem blasphemous but you can get SM57 clones that are 1/6th the price now. I've converted my entire arsenal to these mics from amazon. Look up PDMIC78 on amazon. Sorry Shure, but not sorry, not getting ripped off over mic's anymore thanks to patents running out!

[@chadthanthirige]

Can I use SM 57 for hihats?

[@jacobsmith1877]

Yes for sure. It is not going to have all of the detail a small diaphragm condenser would, but it works for rock and gives you a great aggressive hat sound

[@Dsullivann]

sm57 works for all drums

[@paulfenton7787]

What about a 58?

[@MitchellRoad]

I believe the 58 is identical to the 57, just comes with a pop filter on the head.

[@Damnagora]

I have sm57's.... what if I double overheaded them lol mwahaha

[@Ultimatestudiosinc]

We actually did an episode of FullOnDrums where we used ALL Sm57s. Kick, snare, toms, overheads, hats, rooms, etc... It was actually pretty cool.