Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Recorderman drum recording technique is demonstrated by top recording engineer Russell Cottier using a pair or Coles ribbon microphones with an optionally added RE 20 kick drum mic - the various versions are at the end of the video so you can compare. Check out the@RussCottier channel.
This method is based on having two Cardioid microphones, in this case we have used some nice Coles mics that we found in the studio and feel that they are a great option if you can get hold of some but as this technique is being demonstrated as a way to record drums with minimal microphones, say in a rehearsal room, the technique can use any decent cardioid mic pair, even Shure SM57’s would work. In this case we were at Catalyst Studios in St Helens using their lovely new SSL Origin mixing desk and using the desks mic pre's.
One mic is placed roughly 32 inches above the centre of the snare drum, pointing directly down at the centre of the snare. The other mic is placed near the drummer's right shoulder or ear. Russ demonstrates his method to ensure that this microphone is equidistant from the centre of the snare and kick using a mic cable but you can substitute string or anything similar.
The effect can be heard in the audio samples at the end of the video and we hope that Russ’ explanation shows how easy this is to try and how effective that it can be. This track used was one of several that we tried, many worked too so we plan to put some of those up in a longer video in the near future.
Special thanks to Ady Hall of Sugarhouse Productions for being our drummer, Andy Bowes for engineering, Lee McCarthy for being mic mover and Russ for showing us the Recorderman technique. A big thanks to Catalyst Studios for giving us the time to experiment!
Check out Russ Cottier’s YouTube Channel - youtube.com/user/RussCottier
Also visit Catalyst Studios website to arrange a visit - catalyst-studios.co.uk/home.html
Please Subscribe and click the notification bell so that you are given notice of new videos from us and please visit our website: RecordProduction.com
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=recordproductioncom
Website: RecordProduction.com
The Recorderman drum recording technique is demonstrated by top recording engineer Russell Cottier using a pair or Coles ribbon microphones with an optionally added RE 20 kick drum mic - the various versions are at the end of the video so you can compare. Check out the@RussCottier channel.
This method is based on having two Cardioid microphones, in this case we have used some nice Coles mics that we found in the studio and feel that they are a great option if you can get hold of some but as this technique is being demonstrated as a way to record drums with minimal microphones, say in a rehearsal room, the technique can use any decent cardioid mic pair, even Shure SM57’s would work. In this case we were at Catalyst Studios in St Helens using their lovely new SSL Origin mixing desk and using the desks mic pre's.
One mic is placed roughly 32 inches above the centre of the snare drum, pointing directly down at the centre of the snare. The other mic is placed near the drummer's right shoulder or ear. Russ demonstrates his method to ensure that this microphone is equidistant from the centre of the snare and kick using a mic cable but you can substitute string or anything similar.
The effect can be heard in the audio samples at the end of the video and we hope that Russ’ explanation shows how easy this is to try and how effective that it can be. This track used was one of several that we tried, many worked too so we plan to put some of those up in a longer video in the near future.
Special thanks to Ady Hall of Sugarhouse Productions for being our drummer, Andy Bowes for engineering, Lee McCarthy for being mic mover and Russ for showing us the Recorderman technique. A big thanks to Catalyst Studios for giving us the time to experiment!
Check out Russ Cottier’s YouTube Channel - youtube.com/user/RussCottier
Also visit Catalyst Studios website to arrange a visit - catalyst-studios.co.uk/home.html
Please Subscribe and click the notification bell so that you are given notice of new videos from us and please visit our website: RecordProduction.com
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=recordproductioncom
Website: RecordProduction.com
