Drum Setup and Mic'ing in the Studio

Course details

In this course, filmed on location in one of the best drum-recording rooms in Los Angeles, EastWest Studios, GRAMMY-winning recording engineer Ryan Hewitt explains his techniques for capturing drum sounds. Ryan brings in the "Drum Doctor," Ross Garfield, Los Angeles's premier drum technician, and a handpicked kit from Ross's stash of 400 drum sets. Ryan and Ross work together to set up and mic up the drum kit, getting it ready for A-list drummer Josh Freese (of Devo and A Perfect Circle) to come in the next day to record. Like a virtual studio internship, this course offers the opportunity to watch the pros at work in a real drum-recording session in a top LA studio.

Learning objectives
Working with a drum technician
Choosing drums, cymbals, and heads
Tuning drums
Mic'ing the kick, snare, toms, and cymbals
Placing room mics
Creating a special sound with stunt mics

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome

1. Setting Up the Drums

02 - Working with a drum technician
03 - Choosing drums and cymbals within the context of the song
04 - Choosing drum heads
05 - Changing a drum head
06 - The proper tuning of the kick and snare
07 - The proper tuning of the toms
08 - Additional tricks for getting interesting drum sounds

2. Mic'ing the Drum Kit in a Recording Studio

09 - Mic'ing philosophy
10 - Mic'ing the kick drum inside and out
11 - Mic'ing the snare from the top and bottom
12 - Mic'ing the toms
13 - Placing overhead mics
14 - Mic'ing the hi-hat and ride cymbals
15 - Placing a variety of room mics
16 - Creating special sound with stunt mics

Conclusion

17 - Inspiration and next steps

Drum Setup and Mic'ing in the Studio

Authors

Ryan Hewitt

Course details

Skills covered

Concepts

0. Introduction

1. Setting Up the Drums

2. Mic'ing the Drum Kit in a Recording Studio

Conclusion

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