From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Using the four-mic drum recording technique

Using the four-mic drum recording technique

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Using the four-mic drum recording technique

Like the three mic technique, there are a few different ways that we can set up four mics on a drum kit. Let's take a look. If you're looking to get a jazz or classic type of sound, you may find that you will like this four mic technique a lot. In fact, may even want to experiment using this setup for other styles of music. It will open up the sound of your drum kit and give you a more live feel on your recording. In this setup, you'll place the overheads above the cymbals at the edge of the kit then add a snare mic. (music playing) So that's one way to do it. Here's another way. In this technique the kick and snare mics stay the same, but the overhead mics are placed with 120-degree angle, known as an ORTF configuration as we discussed previously. Place them about 6 feet above the kit directly in the middle. (music playing) To sum things up, a four mic technique on the drums can give a very open and live feel on your recording, with just enough control during mixing, to make it easy…

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