The Study    Church Jobs    Newsletter    Worship Articles    Forums           

EXW >  Sound Advice
Search:


 
 Related Links

Microphones in Worship

Sound Advice
by Leon Sievers
Sound Professional
October 31, 2011



Part Two - Drums


Proper mic selection and position is the basis for building a solid mix around your drummer. If you start with these basics, you will have a foundation upon which you can begin to layer the rest of the band.

Microphone selection

This is a very subjective area, and every engineer (and drummer) has his or her preferences. Here is a list of commonly used mics and their applications, not in any particular order.

Kick Drum: AKG D-112E, or the earlier D-12E. Electrovoice RE-20, Beyer M-88, Sennheiser MD-421U, Shure Beta-52, Shure SM-91(regular or beta versions), Audio Technica AT-4060.
Snare Drum: Shure SM-57, or SM-56 (same as 57 but has tilt mount), Audio Technica AT-4053, Audix D-3, AKG D-1000E.
Toms: Sennheiser MD-421U, Sennheiser E-604, Shure SM 98 (or 98-A), AKG 408, Ramsa S-5, Audio Technica AT-4053
Overheads-Hi Hat Shure SM-81, AKG 451, or 460, Audio Technica AT-4051.

Placement

Now let's talk placement. These would be starting places but actual placement would depend on how it SOUNDS, not how it looks. And you also have to take into account the comfort for the drummer (as big mics can be intimidating to relaxed playing), and what kind of kit is set up, what kind of stands you are using, etc.

Kick

If there is a hole cut into the front bass drum head, then the mic is inserted about 2" inside the hole and aimed just off center to the beater. If there is no front head, then place the mic inside the drum about 1 foot in front of the strike head again aimed just off center. Personally, I have had good luck with an AKG D-112E, or EV RE-20 at the hole and a Shure SM-57 placed inside mixing the two mics together.

Snare

For live sound, I generally don't mic the bottom of the snare so let's talk about top snare placement. With a Shure SM-57, I place it over the snare, next to the mounted tom, almost flat across the drum head, angled down slightly, with the capsule about 1 inch over the head. Any more, and it will get damaged by a stick hit.

If you find it necessary to use a bottom snare drum mic, feel free to. Some guys like it to get extra buzz from the snare strainer, or even a different midrange tone. I suggest that you place it under the snare drum, aimed up at the drum at an angle, about 6 inches away from the drum. Keep in mind that this is just a starting place, and you will have to experiment. Make sure you put this mic out of phase if you are using it in addition to a top snare mic.

Continue >>>


Page  1  |  2  |  Next







blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Church Jobs
Director of Young Adults
Location: CA
Presbyterian - PCUSA

Charismatic Worship Leader
Location: FL
United Methodist

Gold Star Listing Children's Ministry Director
Location: OH
Presbyterian - Other

Congregational Development Leader
Location: NJ
Presbyterian - PCUSA

Gold Star Listing Associate Pastor of Student Ministries
Location: MN
Evangelical Free

Principal Singer/Alto and Tenor
Location: TX
United Methodist

Director of Children's Ministry
Location: NC
United Methodist

Curriculum Development Consultant
Location: TN
Other

Worship and Arts Pastor
Location: SC
Baptist - SBC

Senior Pastor
Location: AL
Other


 



More From ExperiencingWorship.com:

Worship Articles
  • The Offering of Worship
  • Valentine's Day
  • Who Do We Worship - P3
  • The Stones Cry Out
  • The Rest of God
  • Contract It Out
  • A Response to Blended
  • Sound & Video
  • Why Multimedia in Worship?
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Can You Hear It?
  • Back Projection
  • Digital Consoles: The Perfect Volunteer
  • The Fourth Element
  • Just What Do We Do, Anyway!?!
  • Women in Worship
  • Change the Focus
  • The Artist Heart
  • You Are Loved
  • My Eyes Look to the Hills
  • It's About That Time!
  • A Servant's Call to Worship
  • A Strange Fire
  • Book Reviews
  • Radical
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Simple Church
  • The Kiss of Heaven
  • The Dynamics of Corporate Worship
  • The Ragamuffin Gospel
  • Mastering Worship
  • Music Reviews
  • Where I Find You
  • Homemade Worship By Handmade People
  • Awakening
  • The Loft Sessions
  • Hymns & Sacred Songs
  • Where I Find You
  • Come Away
  • Devotionals
  • Inspiration
  • More Than a Heart Attitude
  • Worship: Not Where, But How
  • An Instrument of Praise
  • What's Hindering You?
  • The Master Cleaner
  • More Than Singing
  •        



    Experiencing Worship, The Study
    Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too. Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship. One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."

    Order the study today!