Simple Mic Setups for Recording Drums | AKG C314 & D112

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Many thanks to AKG for helping making this video possible!

[@BadChizzle]

Yeah! Tell them they should consider helping me too. Ha ha! They make great mics... and have done so for a very long time! So many models that are just overall classics in the industry!!!

[@benjaminpeternorris]

Great video, and great mics. I use AKG C214s as my drum overheads, as they are such great sounding and articulate mics that work so well for this application. They are even more budget friendly than the C314s, as they are fixed at 'cardiod', rather than having switchable polar patterns like the C314s and C414s. I really like the Glyn Johns arrangement so much, that I haven't even tried setting up a spaced stereo pair!

[@Adiaf8oros]

This channel is a hidden gem for drummers... I just cannot grasp how you guys don't get much more attention. Much love from Greece guys, cheers

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks so much! We’re quite happy to be of service. The attention really doesn’t matter as long as people are getting some value out of our efforts.

[@the_wet_snare_ofcl1378]

I actually spend a couple hours each day just watching these videos. They’re that good!!!!

[@Dekutard]

newer drummer getting into recording. i needed this. thanks so much guys.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Cheers!

[@jonashellborg8320]

I’ve recently started recording myself using 2-4 microphones, instead of just with a phone. This is just for practise, and to really hear what I’m doing, or not doing. I do agree that a higher quality condenser microphone can reveal things, about the room for sure, but also in your playing. It’s so far been great, and the feedback loop for practise is so much better for it.

[@jordankozelka9000]

I'm very excited for this topic!

[@ramencurry6672]

High quality microphones. Perfect for any studio

[@studakins]

I would LOVE to see a video utilizing all this same equipment and placements, but with the addition of a wurst mic! Love the Glynn Johns!!!

[@Dooryarders-po5ok]

Useful and cool! Thanks.

[@betojoel8250]

Watching this before recording a bunch of tracks at home today and omg i needed this many thanks, my dudes

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Happy recording!

[@kevinturvey8213]

super important advice about recording yourself practising - highlights so many things that need to be worked on that you just don't pick up while you're actually playing

[@noostrings]

Been playing professionally for 25 years. I have toured the world and have been blessed to have been recorded by some big name engineers. I wished I paid more attention. Now with so many of the big studios closing I just want to learn some basics. This video is so well thought out, and the way you explain things is perfect. I am so impressed. Subscribed.

[@BadChizzle]

Compression is a great topic for another video. Of course these subjects are not new to KZbin, but make for compelling and fun experimentation. I have taken an unusable recording with one overhead and a kick mic... and made it work pretty great with a compressor on the overhead alone. Thanks for the work you put in, guys. I enjoy your videos, even when I already have fairly expansive knowledge in the area covered. Keep up the good work.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

For sure! We'd love to examine the effects of various forms of compression with what we've showcased for tuning and recording. We aim to provide a different approach to topics that may be familiar to some but within our format. Glad you're enjoying the series! -Ben

[@marceugeni]

Thats why this channel is the best drum related Channel in the f universe. So many thanks guys

[@DwayneCaudill]

Thank you for your meaningful content. It is very much appreciated. I am currently finalizing the sound treatments on my humble home studio, and these simple drum mic setups will give me options to pursue as I begin recording drums.

[@danebono7667]

Another great video! Loved hearing your perspective on these methods. I'm generally a minimalist when it comes to recording my drums (small kit, jazz influenced), and use the three mic method often. To me, it treats the drums more as one cohesive instrument, instead of the sum of its parts, if that makes any sense. I also keep my drums fairly wide open so they can project in a live setting, as I play a lot of small rooms where there may be minimal mics- or none at all. I'm sure most studio engineers would have fits close mic'ing my toms, as currently set up and tuned.

[@drummerjoey003]

Great topic, very helpful as I want to go into recording drum tracks soon.

[@martinkent_]

I needed this. You guys are truly the best!

[@ISsantos0]

OHHH GOD! MICSSSS!!!!! Love the episode! Tks a lot man!

[@anth0ny_drums]

👏🏽 @soundslikeadrum ♥️ from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@elijahfaith7480]

very nice tutorial! thanks alot for this Sounds like a Drum!😁👍🇨🇱☺🥁

[@paulbrown410]

Are you guys reading my mind?! Totally just started recording myself with a cheap Rode mic in mono with a D112 on the kick and got an OK sound. Just upgraded my interface to a Clarett 8 pre and am on the hunt for overheads to do some Glyn Jones stuff. Great episode and as always, great sound and advise!

[@MrMateogaguilar]

I think i talk for many of us here when I say... FUCK YEAH! I needed you guys to get on this topics, and of course you did. Plus, I just bought a AKG D112 MK2, and seeing you guys endorse it makes me love it a little bit more. Keep up the good work, you're killing it!

[@marclabelle8964]

I really appreciate your videos. Thanks! One thing I notice is that, mics and placement are one thing but man does the room in which you're recording have a major influence!!!... I have a studio at home but I feel it's too small. Whenever I take the kit to a bigger room, it all sounds very different, the drums AND the recording...

[@ronmyers2317]

Well you may have made things easier for me when I come to the point of recording. I never thought you could get away with just 2 condenser mics and a kick mic. I always thought the best way was miking everything. This would really simplify things. You would just have to experiment with the different setups and see which one you like best

[@JulianFernandez]

AKG make great mics!

[@rondeangelis7384]

Awesome cody. This will be an excellent series. I’m also good with glynn johns setup but also never thoughtbabout the 3rd sertup. Cant wait to see more what you come up with for recording drums. Also if you can recommend other mics that dont break the bank let us know . I would love to spend $1500 for a pai of mics but still outside my budget. Currentl i use a large condensor overhead and a ribbon over the floor to and the shure beta for the kick, and focusrite 18i20 audio interface... more of a friendlier budget. 👌👍🙏

[@lorislaruedrummer6739]

Pretty interessting the 6ft away vs over the shoulder

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Right? Nice comparison to make when reviewing practice sessions.

[@simonbarth3181]

I think the akd d112 is a fntastic mic. It strikes a cool balance between a classic smiley-eq bassdrum sound and a neutral representation👊

[@benjifigueroa9737]

Also, the room has a big impact on the kinds of recording techniques as on the overall sound, as I've found. But it's true you can record huge sounding drums on a small room with some tricks. I've done it with dead heads and I'm about to put it to the test on a refurbished birch kit.

[@Tyl-Fiedler]

Great !

[@bigdaddyjoblivion]

Out of curiosity, why do you have the mics on an angle for spaced pair? Also, if you have pencil condensers instead, what would be the difference?

[@SpiralstaticXX]

Any experience with Vanguard Audio? I picked up 2 of their V13 large diaphragm tube condensers and they’re honestly incredible. I was floored.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Nope, haven’t tried their mics before. But glad to hear that you’re enjoying what you’ve got!

[@halfwayj2766]

On your setup for the Glyn Johns method, are you changing phase in one of the mics?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Not here, no. They were in phase, which is one of the things that makes this simple setup a great way to go. Difficult to screw it up.

[@ronaldcarmona698]

Question: I am going to buy a Tascam Model 12 mixer and would like to know if the microphones you are using would work good with it. If not what would you suggest? Money is no object and thank you for your advice.

[@ozitheking3316]

Oh heck yeah

[@alexr.8397]

I finally got my at2035 in so I can start to record some tracks but trying to get a good sound has been very difficult because I realized that my room just sounds like crap.

[@ognjenristic8482]

Is the snare pearl masters custom?

[@waynebaker2452]

If you doing combo’s of two mic’s why didn’t you play the front and over the shoulder together?

[@doomsdaydad2488]

Thanks for the information on microphones but I'm wondering about all the stuff and equipment the mice are plugged into. I'll ad, I'm a novice drummer and looking for the best option for recording to aid me in practice and helping me become a better drummer any help much appreciated

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We've got that detailed in the description of the vid!

[@paulvash]

That snare ring from 6ft out would drive me crazy when going into a mix.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

But you might not know it was coming through like that if you didn't have the mic there. We don't have a fully treated studio so we wouldn't really use this as a typical room mic but rather another perspective to understand how certain sounds are translating/projecting.

[@timlovegrove1097]

3:30 - I disagree with the statement about the spaced pair being cymbals heavy. Firstly, Cody is a very well balanced and consistent player, making all the drums nicely balanced with just overheads, and secondly those drums (particularly the toms) are nicely tuned and positioned to really project into the mics. Toms and to a lesser extend snare are so easy to lose in overheads if the player is just wailing on the cymbals but they're really nice and present here. For me the only issue with these sounds is the "ooom" of the kick, which would be easily dampened out.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Aw thanks Tim, kind words :) Yes I’ve spent a lot of time learning to self-mix for the sake of minimal micing and it does make a huge difference. You’re right as rain that it’s about balance and not playing in a way where you’ll end up overwhelming them. -Cody

[@weschilton]

I bought my D112 in 1988 and still have it... you're right about it being indestructible. I have a mess of 57s from the late 70s to around 1993... also indestructible. I also have a matched pair of 414s from about 1980 that were given to me as "payment" for a session I did. Back then I really could have used the cash, and tried to sell them but no takers. Now I'm glad I still have them. Good times.

[@thedutchdjentleman]

In terms of your mixing and eq’ing, do you add any high end? Because it doesn’t actually sound like raw tracks.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

There's no EQ or compression here. The acoustic treatment of the space and careful tuning has made all the difference in what a quality set of microphones pick up as well.

[@ajpeal9861]

Can I do the Glynn Johns with two SM57's?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You could certainly place them in the configuration but dynamic microphones will perform quite differently compared to large diaphragm condensers.

[@handidrummed]

Back in my day, all we had was Modern Drummer to learn this stuff.. And not the digital format neither! We had to walk to the music store, up hill, both ways, during a snow storm, and the magazine cost $5! I could fill my gas tank for $5! McDonald's value meals were cheaper then too and you could still get the super size and hi-c orange drink! Where was I? Oh yeah, in my day we didn't have drum dial or tune bot and if we wanted to record, we had to do it on tape! In those days if you had a cassette tape you needed a pen in case the tape got eaten...

[@Pinkybum]

What's Within Matters?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Indeed!

[@tranquility_base_relax]

For the Glyn Johns method - I've seen it demonstrated - taking into account phase issues - for the kick and snare... spacing the mics the same distance from a midpoint between the snare and kick head - any thots on that?

[@Gaizure]

$1500 yikes, guess I’m sticking with a pair of Rodes 😅

[@willsanford2378]

roswell k47s! half the price and absolutely killer mics

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Didn’t say this was for cheap recordings. These mics pack a professional punch. Still, principals demonstrated here are applicable outside of just C314’s.

[@SteveParadis]

Try techzone cheap $199

[@Hawiianlion67]

Do it black metal style, and just get a potato in the corner of the room.

[@Evidenceandcompassion]

After months of enjoying this show I have observed only one non-optimum pattern, "Drum audio not loud enough and/or vocal too hot." I crank up the volume during percussive moments only then to be deafened by "drum guy" as he resumes commentary. It then becomes a race to save hearing and speakers before permanent damage is incurred and frivolous lawsuit commences.

[@CD-gk9ix]

Record drums like the Black Album. Analog. Or nothing.