Mic'ed kit for practice?

I have a few mics and a mixer laying around that I use for various projects that come up from time to time. I was thinking that I could mic my kit with 2 overhead mics and 2 dynamic mics that I already own. I could then run my laptop audio into the mixer and use some isolation headphones. I know this isn't enough for a full kit, but it should work for now and I can expand it later. Has anyone tried this? Any concerns, issues, tips, etc?

I have always found that being able to clearly hear the kit as I practice or play along to music has been a huge help. For a while at the church where I play, I used two dynamic mics overhead to get drum sounds into my mix, and it was acceptable. The more mics, the better, and things really improved once I got my bass drum and snare drum in the mix. I would put your dynamic mics on those two drums and let the overheads blend everything else in.

Since you're using isolation headphones, resist the urge to crank the volume. Start really low, to where the sound in your headset is just loud enough to hear over the little bit of drums that is still leaking in, then adjust to comfort. Work on finding a good balance where you're able to play along without having to beat the snot out of the instrument to hear it over the music.

Great tips, thanks. I would love to pick up a really nice bass drum mic, but I think that will have to wait a while. I can make do with snare, standard mic on the bass drum and 2 overheads.
When you played at church, did you use MultiTracks for learning songs? That's what I'm using and I can isolate the drum track and also play along with a drum-less track. Having everything routed to the same place seems like it will make everything easier.

nickybass said:

Great tips, thanks. I would love to pick up a really nice bass drum mic, but I think that will have to wait a while. I can make do with snare, standard mic on the bass drum and 2 overheads.
When you played at church, did you use MultiTracks for learning songs? That's what I'm using and I can isolate the drum track and also play along with a drum-less track. Having everything routed to the same place seems like it will make everything easier.

Click to expand...

I have used drumless tracks but primarily I like to drum along to full tracks. Really it's down to how you feel you get the most out of your practice or playing sessions.

I have a Behringer XR 18 that has 16 mic inputs. I have 6 mics and use 2 channels for the phone and play along. I also have a fairly old laptop that has Reaper and it can record all the tracks seperately. I use a solid state portable drive. Most importantly I use GK ultraphones which really protects your hearing. It's a lot of fun.
Here's a vid of my space and set up and then me freestyling a bit.

Thanks for sharing. The place looks great and you're getting great sounds out of it! I really makes me want to move forward with doing this. I'll check out the Shure 52.

This is basically what I do. A pair of overheads, snare mic, and bass drum mic. Sort of a modified Glen Johns set up.

I route it all through my interface along with whatever track I’m playing to then out to isolation headphones.

Works just fine.

I am wrestling with the idea of buying tom mics soon. Truth is it will be different, not necessarily better.

Carter Mac did a very interesting trial of different mics recording
his whole kit with a single mic.
All a question of position!
Can't remember if it was youtube or instagram.

I set up the mixer and overheads last night. It sounds amazing. The mic I'm using on the bass drum is a bit lacking, so I'm trying to be creative with EQ. I looked on Reverb and I can pick up a used Shure Beta 52 for a good price. I'm considering it. I also went through my 'mic locker' (which is what I call an old Amazon shipping box from the 90's). I have 2 SM58's that I can use as well. I would just need to get some clips for the shells if I decide to go in that direction.