Home Recording Tips // 4-mic Drums & Guitars

I'll teach you my unconventional drum recording technique, how to record great guitar tones, and how to produce music with cheap mics and budget gear. I'm using 100% free plugins and no fancy outboard gear. Follow along as I produce songs for two clients.

Stay in Touch:
https://tinyurl.com/ycnnrdsf

Make ANALOg sounds with free plugins:
   • How to produce Analog Sound (in your ...  

Buy the gear I use:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen - https://imp.i114863.net/Gj5av2
Warm Audio tb12 tonebeast preamp - https://imp.i114863.net/ZdD2Zz
MXL 990 Condenser Mic - https://imp.i114863.net/Xxq6V3
MXL v67g Condenser Mic - https://imp.i114863.net/BXQj6J
Audio Technica AT2020 Condenser Mic - https://imp.i114863.net/zakW7G
SM7B Dynamic mic - https://imp.i114863.net/WDLb1e
SM57 Dynamic mic - https://imp.i114863.net/Eajk3D

As requested, I made this 'day in the life' of a music producer!

My 4 mic drum technique involves two large diaphragm condensers pointed downward, and set on an angle which is a criss cross against the snare and the cymbals. By placing the mics this way, you maximize the amount of toms that are recorded, and they have the widest possible stereo spread. You also minimize the amount of crashes landing on one side, and the crashes become a lot smoother and less harsh. I prefer this to the conventional type of overhead mic techniques. This way you can get by with just 4 mics. The kick and snare mics are doing the bulk of the work, but you still get a god stereo spread, you still can clearly hear the toms on fills. You capture natural sounds like the bottom of the snare, and the overall live room feeling of the kit. By reducing the number of microphones, you reduce the chances of phase issues, and it gets you 80% of the way to a full 8 mic drum setup. I like those statistics.

The way I record guitars is very simple. I use a good guitar, at most one or two good pedals, and a good amp, and a 57. It doesn't matter where you point the 57. Why don't I use a pedal board? Why would i want to introduce a million points of failure, an extra source of power and noise from the building, degrade my signal, have something extra to carry and something else to take up the mental space. Running a pedal off a 9v battery sounds better too.

How do you like to mic up your drums? Tell me in the comments!

#homerecording #drums #plugins
Studio Guitarist & Virtual Guitar Teacher
https://www.TravisRaab.com