User Manual

- 10 -

Recording drums

• There are various ways to record drum kits. Single

mics ‘overhead’, multiple mics (X/Y or spaced pair)

or multiple mics close to individual drums and

cymbals (‘close miking’).

• To record a kit using a single microphone we

suggest that you begin by placing the mic above

the direct centre of the kit at the same height as

the kit is wide (see below), with the front of the

microphone (gold dot) facing down.

• To record a kit using two overhead microphones

they should be placed at a similar height to the

single technique and, depending on the kit size,

approximately 1-2m (3-6’) apart. The mics should

generally be equi-distant from the snare drum.

• To record a kit using a matched pair of

microphones in X/Y stereo technique, the

microphones should be placed in the location of

the single mic technique, with the front of each

microphone (gold dot) pointing down and at an

angle of 90 - 110 degrees to each other.

Drum kit width = x

Ideal mic position

Ideal mic height = x