How to Record Drums—Techniques for Capturing the Perfect Sound

Are you an avid drum player? Do you want to start recording your sound but have no idea where to begin? A snare drum, kick drum, and bass drum each make a very different sound and need to be recorded just right.

Recording drums may take some getting used to, but with our guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know. From how to set up your space, to choosing the right equipment and software, it's all covered here.

Table of contents

1. Setting up your space
2. Prepare your workstation
3. Drum set up
4. Microphones
5. Recording the bass drum
6. Recording the snare drum
7. Recording hi-hats
8. Recording toms
9. Overhead mics
10. Audio interfaces
11. Using software

Setting up your space

Before recording, you need to find the best recording space for your drum kit. Barring a recording studio, here are some ways to set up a space at home:

Room size and location

A large, empty room is going to have echoes or reverbs. If the room is too small, you'll have the opposite problem. A good, medium-sized room is what you should go for.After figuring out the size you want, you can find the right space. If you can't have a dedicated room, you should choose a nice, quiet, and cozy space. Find the room where the acoustics are just right.

Avoid background noise

Avoid putting them in rooms with other appliances like a washing machine or an ACV unit. Anything that makes a sound can dilute your sound. Having less background noise means less sound bleeding into your mic

Use furniture to absorb sound

Still getting echos? Furniture is great for absorbing sound. Likewise, you can remove furniture to reduce sound absorption.A drum rug is a piece of furniture that keeps your drums steady. Drum rugs are usually around 5 x 6 feet, and can nicely fit your drum kit on top.Thirdly, things like foam acoustic panels can be put on your walls. These panels help to cut back on high frequencies, improving your sound. If you can't afford to buy anything, then sheets can work well too! Diffuser panels could reflect sound if you're needing to add some more life to it too.

Prepare your workstation

Have you got a space set out for your drum kit? Great! But if you want to know how to record drums, then you'll need to have a whole workstation prepared. Here are some things you'll need – Desk – A desk or table to put your computer on, and an audio interface. This'll make recording and editing easier.Power outlet – You'd be surprised how many people forget. Having a power outlet close by is vital for all your equipment that needs to be plugged in.Storage – Having something like a shelf or stool close by can keep all your bits and bobs in one place. Stuff like a drum key, dampening rings, headphones, and other accessories can be kept close by.Computer accessories – A mouse is way better than any trackpad, especially for precise adjustments.Keep it tidy – You're going to have a lot of wires running around, and while it might have a certain charm to it, messy wires lead to trip hazards. You'll feel a lot better with a clean and tidy workstation

Drum set up

You've got the spot, and you know everything you need, it's finally time to set up your drum kit for recording.When it comes to recording drums, you need the right kit for the style you want. Try and get each of your drums to be from the same brand. This'll make your drum sound more uniform. Of course, if you for some reason don't want this, you can mix and match different cymbals and snares.When choosing cymbals and snares, keep in mind:The size – Aim to have a variety of different sizes. Different sizes give different pitches and sounds. Typically a heavy cymbal goes well with a smaller cymbal, to create two distinct sounds that complement each other.Sticks – Damaged sticks with affect your sound, so keep them in good condition.Spacing – Keep your tom drums and cymbals spaced from each other, and at the right angle. The right angle can be whatever suits you best. Also, keep an ear out if they are rattling, any dynamic mic will pick up on that sound.Drumheads – All drums come with a drumhead, the thing that you're hitting. You can use the drumheads the kit came with, or you could get some new ones.Tuning – A tight tuning is better for things like jazz and pop, and a lower tuning is better for rock. If you need to, you can get a tuning device to help you find the right tension.Cleaning – A clean kit is a happy kit. Keep it well-maintained and clean. Now and then screws can come loose or parts can start to break. Keeping a close eye on things can keep your drums sounding the very best.Recording electronic drums is a simpler process. An electronic drum kit can usually be plugged into an audio interface and that can handle the rest. However, if you're recording acoustic drums, then you'll want an extensive mic set up.

Microphones