Micing & Recording a Drum Kit

Occult demonstrates the process of recording samples, mixing and utilising a drum kit with limited resources. Learn drum types, microphone positioning and some tips to improve your process. Occult is joined by Rich Hawking, the drummer from the UK metal band known as Hacktivist.

Occult starts by recording the Hi-Hat using a dynamic microphone, the rhythmic treble element to a modern drum kit. He then demonstrates how to achieve more or less metallic textures and timbres when choosing a microphone position for recording samples. He then records the snare drum using a dynamic microphone, the mid-high frequency drum used in response to the kick drum. Experimenting with microphone position shows how to achieve more snap or more treble in a snare recording.

lastly is the kick drum recorded using a dynamic microphone, the bass element to a drum kit. The kick drum is very loud and thus requires certain microphones capable of capturing such levels. Occult then records the drum kit in full to one stereo audio file, experimenting by using a condenser lapel microphone to record the hi-hat. The audio files are then taken to Occults studio where they are utilised in electronic music production. Occult creates his own playable drum kit from the test recordings and mixes the drum loop to an adequate level.

This course shows that you do not require a professional grade microphone collection or recording equipment to capture your own instrument recordings. Occult concludes by stressing the importance of learning the rules to end up breaking the rules, a vital message in music production.

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