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