#MixTricks is where the very best mixers, engineers, producers, and musicians let us in on some of the best secrets, tips and tricks they’ve picked up on their way to the top.
In this episode legendary sound engineer and owner of the world-famous Blackbird Studio, John McBride (Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Stevie Nicks) shares how he would mic a drum kit in under fifteen minutes.
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TRANSCRIPT
What’s the best mic to use? What’s the closest mic? Give me that. Hand it to me. I don’t care what it is. We’re gonna make it work.
The more mics you use, in theory, the more control you have over each thing. If I had 10 or 15 minutes to put mics on a drum kit, I would put an RCA 44 on the bass drum. I’d have an SM 57 on the snare. Probably U67’s on the toms. KU-3A’s on the overheads, a couple of room mics. SM 50’s are great for that.
And I’d be very happy if I was in a tracking room here, because I know the room sounds good. It doesn’t create problems for you, and having a great room makes the whole job easier.
You know, really the sound of most instruments. A huge part of that is who is playing at the time, especially if you have Vinny Colaiuta playing drums.
