Drum Mic Placement

Here is a description and diagram of how to setup the microphones for a drum kit.

1 & 2. There should be two condenser microphones just above the edges of the drum kit by about a metre or so. They should be pointing down towards the kit but not facing it directly.

3. This is a condenser mic. The snare drum mic should be placed pointing just inside the edge of the drum. This is so the drummer does not hit the mic but the mic will still pick up the main sound of the drum. Another mic can be placed in the same position but facing the underside of the drum.

4. To get the full sound of the hit hat the best place to position the microphone is facing the very edge of the hi hat and quite close to the edge.

5.The mic for the kick drum should be a dynamic mic. It should be placed with almost no gap between it and the drum. It should be positioned around the centre of the drum facing it.