Priority of Drum Miking

[djmmjd]

Hey guys, just curious on your opinion on this.

I'm using a Digi 002 and a Digimax for the 8 other pres. I usually send most of the drum mics through the Digimax and I only have 1 good preamp at the moment (Grace Model 101). I'm looking into to getting another good one or stereo preamp. But my question is, with what I already have, what would you consider the most important parts of the drum kit to hit with your most quality preamps/compressors? Would you say that it would be better to use it on the snare or kick? Or do you think that overheads are most important?

Obviously, its all important, but until I can one day afford 8-10 great pres I can only use them on whats most important.

[Audioholic]

I think right now, more importantly, do you have enough quality mics to use on your kit?

IF so, then I am not really sure what I would say would take priority. I like using a quality stereo pre for the overheads, but snare is pretty important as well. its difficult to say just how much of an improvement you will hear with just a pre change, so I guess you have to decide what you want to go for, and maybe its adding a nice compressor, better mics, or what not...

if there is something you are NOT liking with the digimax, then you can try subsitituting if you invest in some more pre's.. Your investment may be better made in adding quality components to your kit as well, new snare, quality cymbals, etc etc.

[Tarktones]

There are 4 essentials to a kit (IMO); Kick, Snare and OH's. The rest is all gravy. In a case where you've only got 3 "nice" preamps, OH's on the stereo preamp for sure. Kick or Snare on the other depends on the style of music.

[Cowbell Bill]

Hey Folks,
New here and just happen to be starting to mike my kit. sick of machines. I'm using 2 sure 81's, 1 57, 1 beta 52, 3 sennheiser md 421's on toms and 1 octaver for high hat which is loud as hell. Into allen and heath 16.2 mixer send and return thru presonus acp88 to motu 8 channel inter face to logic pro 7, 8 tracks. My two questions are + 4 db or - 10 db on th interface input. and do I really need a preamp
Thanks in advance

[Dave Burris]

+4

No, you do not need a preamp, unless you want to use a better one on some of the inputs. THe board already has mic pre-s on every channel.

[Cowbell Bill]

Thanks Dave,
One more thing. Where should my line levels on the motu be set since I'm now using the mixer

[Dave Burris]

Thanks Dave,
One more thing. Where should my line levels on the motu be set since I'm now using the mixer

I think you missed to +4 in the previous post. Use +4. The AUX outputs are capable of well over -10 levels and you should maintain your gain stages to keep down noise. Make sure you aren't clipping the MOTU channels!

[Cowbell Bill]

Hey Dave,
Sorry, Maybe I used the wrong term. I got the +4 switch set on the back of the motu for all 8 channels. I ment the trims on the front. should they all be at 3/4 (old school) for example and then control clipping at the motu via the mixer.
before I got the mixer and presouns I would go direct in to the motu and that little hot mike on the high hat would clip with the trim all the way down. I would have to flip the switch on the back of the motu for that channel to -10 db I would lose some of the crispness. I would rather stay at +4 for all. am I making any sence.
Thanks Bill
P.S Comming from the 8 direct outs of the Allen and Heath