how many channels - -gah

[fetus]

ok - I'm setting up my daw soon, and I need to know how many channels I should get - I am either going with the aardvark 2496(4 channels) or the aardvark Q10 (8) I ask because previously there wasnt a drummer in the equation but now I have a drummer - he has a 6 piece pearl set and 6 cymbols - do i just mic the kick mic the snare/hi-hat and then do two overheads? (i.e. using four channels) or would that kill the sound of the toms - i also read to instead of doing overheads, mic the toms - the middle of the first two and then the middle of the second two - or should I honestly get the 8 channels - enabling to mic all drums and have overheads

also, what mics do you all suggest for recording drums

Ben

[wogg]

Go for more channels! You won't regret the versitility.

As for a 4 mic setup, that'll do if you've got a good sounding room, but I would add a 5th for a bottom snare mic to adjust the snapiness. I havn't messed with close micing toms yet as I have been pleased with the roomy tom sounds I get in my cutting room. I'm far from an expert in the micing area so hopefully some more experienced individuals pipe up.

Here's some examples of a 4 mic drum recording: www.mp3.com/Brain_Monkey (http://www.mp3.com/Brain_Monkey)
Those are recorded using a pair of Rode NT5's as overheads, a Sure SM57 on the top of the snare, and an AKG D112 on the kick. I've since added a cheapo Nady mic on the bottom of the snare (I need another clip for my other 57) and have improved the snap on my recordings a bit.

oh yeah - the kit is a Mapex Mars Pro using 5 of the 6 pieces with 4 cymbols. One 10" rack tom, and a 12" and 16" on the double floor stand.

[This message has been edited by wogg (edited 07-18-2003).]

[knowdoubt]

Mic the whole kit individually + overheads. Get as many channels as you can afford. Get more than 8 if you can afford it http://www.audioforums.com/forums/biggrin.gif . The 4 mic technique for drums (2 OH, snare, kick) can actually work very well for certain things once you get it all figured out & your mic placement just right, but it is very limited in what you can do afterwards to edit & tweak imperfect playing dynamics of individual drums & individual EQ &/or compression tweaks. I place a mic about an inch or 2 above the rim of each tom, pointed about half way to the middle. I mic the hihat but don't always need to use the track as the overheads often do it justice. I consider my snare/OH's/kick as the root of the drum tracks & start adjusting their mix 1st (with tom & hi hat track muted, then I start mixing in the toms & possibly hihat as desired. There is a lot more to it than just that (like gating or downward expansion of kick/snare/tom tracks & EQ) you get the jest. Mic it all & sort it out later is my motto http://www.audioforums.com/forums/biggrin.gif .