Topic: Recording Drums at Home

[Jz Zosh]

Hey everyone!

I've been drumming pretty much every day for the past 2 1/2 years (self-taught I might add), but recently I've begun to think that I need more advice and feedback from other drummers rather than me just doing my own research.

So, I'm here to ask a question that I could really use some help to answer!

Since over half my ska band graduated from high school in 2011, we have been creating and discussing original song ideas over the internet with one another. Recently, my lead singer/rhythm guitarist recorded a couple of tracks that he wants us to add onto.

However, the rest of my band would like me to add a drum part first so they have something to work off of. I have the drum parts almost completely finished, but I need a way to record them at home when I get them finished. Any advice on how to record my drums in a garage?

Feel free to ask more questions if you need more information. Thanks in advance.

[Chip Donaho]

First of all, I would assume you're using acoustic drums? I've done recording in various types of situations. Since you're in a garage I would first fasten down or remove anything that could rattle. Then hang blankets or soundproof the walls and ceiling. You don't want outside noises on the recording. I personally would use 2 overhead mics, 1 snare mic, a bass drum mic. Run them into a mixer, then run that to the recording devise. This is just a basic setup, but most of your drum controlling will be done at the mixer. I wear headphones and play the music into them. This cuts down on other sound issues bouncing off the walls. This is just a start.... Recording drums has it's own problems. Luckily I have a recording/soundman to get advice from. 

[Jz Zosh]

Yep I'm using acoustic drums. xD Sorry for not specifying that.

Hmm, hanging blankets I can do; no problem! Haha
I have a mixer from my last band, but I only have one mic and, as far as I know, no idea what recording device I could connect to.
I'm pretty sure the only things in my home that can record sound are a video camera and my laptop...><;;;

First problem is the recording device. Any advice?

[Arsalan Zaidi]

this is the same problem i'm having. yes i want to play into my headphones, record my sessions well, but how??
the only difference in my case is that i'm playing in a room.
i dont even have a single mic for the time being, but i want to buy a setup.

[Bart Elliott]

Things you need to record yourself ...

• Microphones - you can get by quite nicely with three: one for the Kick drum and two overheads.
• Mic-Pres - this is what powers the microphones and is vital part in capturing quality sounds.
• Mixer - this takes the sound received from the mic-pre and sends it to your recording device. If you have mixer with quality mic-pres built in, you can get by without purchase separate devices (ie. skip step 2)
• Recording Device - this can be a computer with recording software or a DAW (digital audio workstation) set-up.
• Monitoring - at the minimum, headphones, but it's always best to have monitor speakers so you can better hear the quality of what you are recording.

This is just a quick list of the necessary ingredients. There are a lot of self-contained recording packages available which combine the mixer, mic-pres and recording aspects. The only thing you would need in addition to a workstation like that is microphones and headphones/monitors.

Brands, features, prices, etc., are wide and varied. It all depends on your budget and the level of quality you are looking for. The "best" sounding gear is going to cost more, however, you CAN get some decent gear at reasonable prices.

I don't have time to get into a lot of details now, however, this particular topic has been discussed quite a bit here at the Drummer Cafe. My suggestion is that you spend some time searching the forum and read the lengthy discussions and product suggestions. If you have any follow-up questions I'll be glad to help.

There's also a lot of books and articles that have been written on what you'll need to record yourself. Check into those as well. Some of these books have been reviewed and/or reported by me, here at the Drummer Cafe ... so check out my book/DVD reviews for more info. Lastly, there is a nice series, a Book/DVD package that just won "Best in Show" at the 2012 NAMM Show:

Alfred's Teach Yourself Pro Audio Series Wins "Best In Show" Award at the 2012 Winter NAMM Show

[Jz Zosh]

Okay awesome, I just learned that the mixer I already have has 4 mic slots with mic-pres! I also still have a monitor from my last band along with it.

However, the only recording device I can use is my laptop, but while looking into the manual of my mixer, it doesn't have computer connectivity. That already sounds like another problem! xD

No need to worry about the microphones, I'll push to find some from my bandmates (unless you all suggest for legitimate drum microphones...then that will be more of a challenge).

I'll look into the computer connectivity, but if anyone has a suggestion to solve this problem before I figure something out, feel free to reply!

Most likely I'll just be looking for a converter of some sort...but please warn me if that is a BAD idea!

[Big Yummy]

If all you want is to record ideas, and you're not too worried about quality at this point, you could download some free software called Audacity and just use one or two mic's for now.  The price is right and the software is very easy to learn.

I've been using Audacity to record practice sessions and I prefer it to a more full fleded software because it's so quick and easy.  Just don't pay around with the effects or editing too much or you'll degrade the recording.

Then you could spend some time and money figuring out how to make a recording that's good enough quality for the general public.

[Tim van de Ven]

This mixer: Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0 FX 8-Channel Mixer with FX and 24-bit recording is inexpensive, allows 8 simultaneous inputs (10 if you also use the RCA jacks) and has a FREE legitimate version of Cubase LE bundled with it. If you like LE, then you can upgrade to a newer version for a few more dollars. USB 2.0 turns this board into your computer's soundcard.

As for mics, experiment; I've tried many mic set-ups, mics on everything and two overheads, four overheads, four overheads with bass and snare mics, Snare bass and mono overhead, and recently....one mic. Each set up offers new opportunities, limitations, or challenges and challenges the way that you'll play during tracking.

Oh...and have fun!

[Jz Zosh]

If all you want is to record ideas, and you're not too worried about quality at this point, you could download some free software called Audacity and just use one or two mic's for now.  The price is right and the software is very easy to learn.

I've been using Audacity to record practice sessions and I prefer it to a more full fleded software because it's so quick and easy.  Just don't pay around with the effects or editing too much or you'll degrade the recording.

Then you could spend some time and money figuring out how to make a recording that's good enough quality for the general public.

Most likely I'll start with this. But, would a converter to connect the cable from the mixer to the computer mic slot be okay?

This mixer: Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0 FX 8-Channel Mixer with FX and 24-bit recording is inexpensive, allows 8 simultaneous inputs (10 if you also use the RCA jacks) and has a FREE legitimate version of Cubase LE bundled with it. If you like LE, then you can upgrade to a newer version for a few more dollars. USB 2.0 turns this board into your computer's soundcard.

As for mics, experiment; I've tried many mic set-ups, mics on everything and two overheads, four overheads, four overheads with bass and snare mics, Snare bass and mono overhead, and recently....one mic. Each set up offers new opportunities, limitations, or challenges and challenges the way that you'll play during tracking.

Oh...and have fun!

As for this idea..."This mixer is inexpensive" tells me that mixers are very expensive haha. Still helps though, I'll keep this mixer in mind. Recording at home will become somewhat of a life project for me eventually. For now, I'll take it easy and work my way up.

[Tim van de Ven]

Most likely I'll start with this. But, would a converter to connect the cable from the mixer to the computer mic slot be okay?

As for this idea..."This mixer is inexpensive" tells me that mixers are very expensive haha. Still helps though, I'll keep this mixer in mind. Recording at home will become somewhat of a life project for me eventually. For now, I'll take it easy and work my way up.

For what it's worth, I have a FireWire version of that Alesis mixer.....and it doesn't sound inexpensive, at all.

[Big Yummy]

...would a converter to connect the cable from the mixer to the computer mic slot be okay?

Focusing on "no money" for a moment - You could use one microphone borrowed from a singer.  Buy an adapter to convert the 1/4" or XLR plug into a 1/8" plug.  Put it directly into your computer.  Record in mono with Audacity.  Then use a menu item in Audactiy to duplicate the mono track, so it's now two identical stereo tracks.  Then convert to mp3 and send it to your band mates.

That's plenty good enough for them to have a clear idea of what you're playing, and gives them something to jam with.

But... you certainly wouldn't want the general public hearing recordings made that way. 

At some point, you'll need to spend at least a few hundred bucks to get a half-decent recording.  (Unless you can borrow gear for a weekend sometime.)

I'm usng Audacity with a "Zoom" recorder, but purely for rehearsal purposes.  If we ever get around to recording, we need a better rig or we need someone else to do it.  I've never heard of anyone making a demo with a setup as cheap as what I'm talking about.

Edit:  Or you could feed two mono mic's into a "Y" adapater, then feed that into the 1/8" jack on your sound card.  Just keep in mind that every adapater is going to degrade the signal a bit.  If you're going from XLR to 1/4", then to a Y adapater, then 1/4" to 1/8".... that's a lot of connections that could be crackling away while you're recording. 

It's a good idea to use cable adpaters, too.  If you're going from 1/4" to 1/8", for example, you can buy a little adapter that's a solid unit, but you'll get less noise if you buy a short cable with 1/4" on one end and 1/8" on the other.  There's less stress at the connection points with cables.

And be careful not to get stereo and mono mixed up, or male/female (jack/plug) when you're buying adapters.

[Jz Zosh]

Focusing on "no money" for a moment - You could use one microphone borrowed from a singer.  Buy an adapter to convert the 1/4" or XLR plug into a 1/8" plug.  Put it directly into your computer.  Record in mono with Audacity.  Then use a menu item in Audactiy to duplicate the mono track, so it's now two identical stereo tracks.  Then convert to mp3 and send it to your band mates.

That's plenty good enough for them to have a clear idea of what you're playing, and gives them something to jam with.

But... you certainly wouldn't want the general public hearing recordings made that way. 

At some point, you'll need to spend at least a few hundred bucks to get a half-decent recording.  (Unless you can borrow gear for a weekend sometime.)

I'm usng Audacity with a "Zoom" recorder, but purely for rehearsal purposes.  If we ever get around to recording, we need a better rig or we need someone else to do it.  I've never heard of anyone making a demo with a setup as cheap as what I'm talking about.

Edit:  Or you could feed two mono mic's into a "Y" adapater, then feed that into the 1/8" jack on your sound card.  Just keep in mind that every adapater is going to degrade the signal a bit.  If you're going from XLR to 1/4", then to a Y adapater, then 1/4" to 1/8".... that's a lot of connections that could be crackling away while you're recording. 

It's a good idea to use cable adpaters, too.  If you're going from 1/4" to 1/8", for example, you can buy a little adapter that's a solid unit, but you'll get less noise if you buy a short cable with 1/4" on one end and 1/8" on the other.  There's less stress at the connection points with cables.

And be careful not to get stereo and mono mixed up, or male/female (jack/plug) when you're buying adapters.

Nice! Thanks for focusing on "no money" for a bit! You reassured my thoughts on just borrowing an adapter and a few mics from my bandmates. Of course this is only to allow me to make clear drum tracks for my band to jam to since we're separated until summer break, so it doesn't have to be awesomely recorded. ^^

Usually, when we go to record good recordings, we go to the local recording studio. So no real problem with us there.

[Brian Gryder]

When DIY drum recording it is very very import to save  your ears so you can accurately judge the tone of the initial test recording. (ear plugs/ shooting muffles!)

Scenario that bit me:

I mic-ed my kit and played hard for a minutes. I immediately listened to the track, liked it and recorded 7 songs. The next day (after my ears recovered) I listen to the tracks and the tone was way too treble-y. The minute of hard playing threw off my tone perception and caused me miss the recording's tone issue.

If you can, have a friend leave the room to save his ears and judge the initial recording settings for you.

...Or, wait 24 hours after playing to judge the initial recording settings

....Or, very very careful save your ears!