Plan for recording drums

Position 1:

Place one mic in front of the kick drum and place the other mic, a cardioid mic, above the kit 

Position 2:

Space the mics 1 or 2 feet above the cymbals and around 3 to 6 feet apart. Use 2 cardioid mics

Joshua Wheelhouse

The technique known as ‘XY’ or ‘Coincident Pair’ is where both microphones are placed directly above the snare drum, preferably 90a degrees for a much more direct sound. They’re able to collect the soundwaves from each drum and cymbal almost simultaneously. This technique allows you to avoid the risk of comb-filtering.

Technique 2 - AB/Spaced Pair

The second technique is known as ‘AB’ or ‘Spaced Pair’, both microphones are placed at each side of the drumkit. Angling the microphones closer towards the center of the drum kit itself will minimize the room sound. This technique is able to produce a much more wider stereo image due to the microphones being placed close to the cymbals.

 

Position the mic overhead and centered over the bass drum and batter head. This position allows the two microphones to “see” the entire drumset. Looking down on the kit, turn the mics clockwise a bit so that the bass drum and snare are close to the center point between the mics. (In the case of a stereo mic, the snare and kick should line up as close to the center of the mic body as possible). Turning the mics this way places the bass drum and snare in the center of the stereo fields.