Suppose you're limited to 3 mics for the kit; which positions do you choose?

[SweetDan]

If you wanted to record a drum kit and had only 3 mics and/or inputs, how would you position the mics? (Bonus question: Why those positions?)


2 overhead + bass drum

2 overhead + snare drum

1 overhead + snare drum + bass drum

1 "room" mic + 1 overhead + either snare or bass drum

1 room mic + 2 overheads

Something completely "unique" and different from any of the above


Consider "overhead" mics anything from x/y pair to spaced OH's to Glyn Johns'/recorderman/other-name-dropped technique..anything where there's several feet of distance between any single drum/cymbal and that mic.

---

Or maybe a better question would be: which of the above positioning options would you rule out from the start?

[Bill L]

As always, it depends.
For the music I record I'd use a kick, snare and overhead. But you have to consider what type of mics you have. And the room you're in. And the style of drummer (or even drums for that matter). And what sound you're trying to achieve. You could great sound with as few as one mic.

For the record, I've done it many times with excellent results at live gigs (using a Beta 52 on the kick, 57 on the snare and a small diaphragm condenser).

[Greg_L]

Overhead
Kick
Snare

[rayc]

Room
Kick
Next room

[vomitHatSteve]

Cowbell (first remove cowbell from kit)
Kick
Cowbell (overdub)