Recording Drums

Numerous books have been published to help engineers with the complicated and often frustrating task of recording drums.  Forums have endless threads about dealing with issues such as overtones and muddy kick drum sounds. The very nature of the drumkit with its endless configurations introduces a lot of complexity to the recording process.

This list of websites and articles will give you a good introduction to drum recording. Whether you want to record yourself in your home studio or you want to be prepared for the process you’ll encounter working with an engineer in a professional studio, these resources are a great place to start.

A Primer on Recording Drums at Home – This article by Andy Hong discusses room acoustics, drum kit positioning, floor surfaces, and mics.

Recording Drums Workshop – This article describes a structured approach to recording acoustic drums.  It covers tuning, techniques for miking each drum and cymbal, and the mixing process.

Capturing the Kit – This detailed write-up provides practical advice for recording drums. It breaks the process down into four parts: the drummer, the drums, the recording space, and the recording gear, showing you how to maximize each of then to improve your recording results.

Gearslutz.com – This is the mother of all forums for recording.  Its greatness lies in the willingness of its members to roll up their sleeves and help you get the sound you want.  Members are encouraged to post sound clips and let the community troubleshoot.

Recording Drums – Tips From Four Top Pros – Learn from recording experts. Enough said.

Recording Drums on a Budget - Great setup information for home recording.