In general, they will be used to close-mic the snare drum, toms and bass drum. This means that any mics that you are placing very close to a part of the drum kit should be dynamic.

These mics are usually pretty robust and can be placed very close to loud instruments to provide a tightly focused sound (ideal for drums!). Read More > How Do You Read Drumming Sheet Music? What Are The Different Microphones Used To Record Drums?ĭepending on what you’re looking to record there are different types of mics that are better suited for certain jobs.įor the purpose of this guide, we’re going to focus on the two main types of microphones most commonly used for recording a drum kit (as well as other things!).ĭynamic mics are predominantly used for capturing loud, strong sounds. You’ll be needing one of these! Preferably one that isn’t hungover… Each microphone should come with its own clip attachment that allows you to attach it to a stand. Microphones need stands to hold them in the right position to record each part of the drum kit. XLR (External Line Return) is the standard connection type for almost all microphones. (More info on the types of mics needed in the next section) XLR microphone cablesĮach microphone will need a cable to attach to the audio interface. For recording drums in detail, you’ll probably want at least 8 microphones. Microphones pick up the sounds at the source and transmit them to the audio interface. It acts as a soundcard so your DAW can recognise the audio from your microphones.įor drums you probably want at least an 8 channel interface such as the Focusrite Clarett 8 Pre.but you can record with fewer channels if necessary (more on that later). An audio interfaceĪn audio interface is a piece of hardware that connects your microphones to your computer via USB. Good examples are Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and there are also some free options such as Garageband and Cakewalk. Short for Digital Audio Workstation, a DAW is software that allows you to record, edit and mix the audio coming from your microphones. Lower end PC’s and Laptops often don’t have the power to process audio. Ideally, you’ll want a computer that has at least 4GB of RAM and a decent processor. Here is a list of the things that you will need to record a drum kit: A computerĪ computer is essential for recording drums.

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