Drum recording help needed :)

Zoofie

Senior Member
Hey guys
Looking to start doing some home studio/fun recordings of my drums and guitar (not at the same time :p).
Just wondering what kind of stuff i would need as in mixer , audio interface and mics :).
My budget is quite small , as im only 16 and not looking to record like a pro at this stage :p.
I would want to record straight to a laptop via usb if possible.
As for micing , i was thinking of 2 overheads and 1 kick mic to start with.
What sort of stuff should i look for in a mixer for drums? I was checking out this one maybe :
http://www.dv247.com/invt/30918?gclid=CJvrkfW-1ZcCFcsa3godrFOJCQ

If it doesnt seem a good one please suggest another , but that kind of price it great!
If i was going to use that record , what else would i need to record to pc?

Kewl , thanks alot , sorry its very scrambled :p.


P.S , what do people use this sort of thing for http://www.gear4music.com/inventory...8490&gad=COO_5foBEgjUTSM1_6-iXBi0mZL_AyDfv5AR.

Thanks again and merry christmas and a happy new year!
 
Try a small M-Audio USB mixer. They have both 2 and 4 mic models. I have a 2 mic model but due to my own stupidity blew one channel of it. I'm not sure if the one from Behringer has a connection from the mixer to a computer. Keep searching.
 
Sorry for the lack of info.
I wasn't going to mic each drum separatly. I was going to use 2 overheads to pick up cymbals , toms , 1 mic for snare and 1 for bass.
I have NO recording gear yet.
My budget is quite low , i would say around £250-£300.
All i really need is a mixer with at least 4 xlr , but just incase i want to add some mics in the future i wouldn't mind getting a mixer with more xlr inputs.

1) Could anyone please reccomend me a mixer? :)
2) If my mixer doesn't already have a usb output , what should i do to get the signal to the pc?

Thanks alot , have a very merry christmas and happy new year!
 
Hello. I am in exactly the same situation and after lots of looking around I think this is the best deal you can get for that sort of money

http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00071930.html
That mixer has 4 xlr inputs and you can connect it via usb

On the microphone front I have gone for a couple of these large diaphragm condensers
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00070577.html

For overheads I have gone for this matched pair
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00052590.html

The total price for all that plus a load of 20 foot xlr leads was only £253.39

If you have no recording gear at all you might want to invest in a few boom stands aswell which will add about another £50-100 depending on where you buy them from etc

Hope this helps
 
Try a small M-Audio USB mixer. They have both 2 and 4 mic models. I have a 2 mic model but due to my own stupidity blew one channel of it. I'm not sure if the one from Behringer has a connection from the mixer to a computer. Keep searching.

this answer is perfect. Any small mixer with a USB to computer interface is a perfect choice for someone trying to record their own stuff. In fact, i think these small mixing desks are simply awesome. What is the point in having a home studio if all you want to record is drums? All you need is a 4 channel mixer with one of these USB connectors.

As for mic's, i cant offer much help. I'm only a drummer :p But if your just looking for cheap gear, I'm guessing that you should shop around. Hopefully someone ells has more information in that department.

Also you will need a recording program such as Cubase. All i have ever used is Cubase, Ive tried Protools, but that is a complete mind#@@#. Cubase is a very easy program to learn. I don't know what cheap alternatives there are for that type of thing though.
 
That Behringer mixer will work, I use one similar to it , and the way I connect it to the computer is with those audio cable that have a red a white plug on one side and a the small head jack on the other.
You plug in the red and white plug into the outputs of the mixer and plug in the head jack straight into the microphone input on the computer.
Then I used garageband for recording.( I do not know what computer and program you have)
If you can get 3 mics it would be better , because the bass drum needs one by itself I think.
 
That will work, maybe try to get a used one , then you can save even more money.
 
Hello. I am in exactly the same situation and after lots of looking around I think this is the best deal you can get for that sort of money

http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00071930.html
That mixer has 4 xlr inputs and you can connect it via usb

On the microphone front I have gone for a couple of these large diaphragm condensers
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00070577.html

For overheads I have gone for this matched pair
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/info_00052590.html

The total price for all that plus a load of 20 foot xlr leads was only £253.39

If you have no recording gear at all you might want to invest in a few boom stands aswell which will add about another £50-100 depending on where you buy them from etc

Hope this helps

I just bought the Behringer 1204 but am sending it back. It comes with a converter for the red and white leads to a USB plug but I can only get faint sound from it to the computer. I will continue my search. If anyone can help I havent mailed it yet.
 
hey,

im suprised at the low price of some of this stuff.

does anyone have experience with the usb enabled ones? im wondering if it records in a way that each input records on a different track on the software, allow the recording to be mixed after recording. i hope that makes sense!

i find recording something and then finding out the levels are wrong is the most annoying part of recording, ever.

cheers
 
If you are using a PC this is a critical resource

http://www.robertmdrums.com/misc_pics/W2k_XP_Optimize.pdf

The problem with this is that it's too old. I mean from the first bit about windows xp, getting home edition is a very bad idea since it doesn't support more than one processor like practically every new pc on the market has nowdays. Clearly this was written when xp was new and the arguments about xp vs vista were going on about 2000 vs xp.
 
Thanks so much guys! That has worked out cheaper than i though!
I have cubase on my laptop already which is cool :).
Just wondering your opinions on this mixer : http://www.proav.co.uk/Audio/up18236image1.aspx&x=y

?

Just to make you aware, the soundcraft E8 does not have a USB output. It would be fine to sort levels prior to inputing to an audio interface.an audio interface would be required though.

I would avoide using large diaphram condensor mics for close micing,perfect for overheads, use cheaper dynamic mics for close micing snares and toms,try and get a specific kick drum mic

try these guys,based in Glasgow and their mics get good right ups.good prices too.
http://www.red5audio.com/

I currently use a Edirol FA101, 10 in/out with two mic preamps. nice and versatile.

hope this helps, drop me aline if you need anymore help
 
This is what I used and its great and simple with 2 mics and Garage band, However it all goes to one track when recorded. I want to step up to 4 mics, so I am looking at their Ultra model which will do 4 mics. I unfortunately ruined my 2 mic model by trying to put three mics on it using a XLR splitter. I guess this is a recording/mic no-no. Oh well, live and learn.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...lePre-USB-Portable-Audio-Interface?sku=701368
 
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Nice guys thanks alot. Another few questions :

1) Would i be alright without a snare mic for the time being? Just a kick mic and 2 overheads?
2) How does an audio interface work if the mixer doesn't have a usb output already? Please explain thanks :)
3) Are soundcraft mixers any good?

Thanks alot!
 
A kick and a couple of overhead will work fine. My kids were just set up like this today and it sounds decent with a Beta 52 on the kick and a couple of cheap Apex pencil condensers.

Without USB and depending on your mixer you will have to use a direct out in addition to an audio capture card like the M-audio. Direct out is a physical port on some models and others you half way insert on a port. Before buying a mixer download the manual and red it to ensure it will do what you want.
Just remember with USB you’re limited to 2 channels (left and right) and as a result you can’t mix and control the individual tracks on the computer. With a direct out and a capture line for every channel you then have control to do as you like with each track giving you maximum flexibility.
If you want to do this for real Fire wire is the way to go. There is much reduced latency (latency will drive you up the wall in months to come) and a line for every track.

You can’t go wrong with Allen and Heath, Sound Craft, Yamaha, Mackie or even Peavey. I’d leave the bottom barrel Behringer, Alesis, Phonic and a multitude of others for someone else… unless downtime is irrelevant to you. My equipment must work when I need it to or the band does not play and we have a bar full of PO’ed drunks!
 
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