Wiktor Wise
Recording electric drums with Focusrite is a great way to capture your drumming and share your music with the world. Focusrite audio interfaces are widely used by professionals and enthusiasts alike, and are a powerful tool for recording drums, whether you're tracking a full band or just the drums themselves. With Focusrite, you can easily set up a custom monitor mix for the drummer, and the right interface will ensure you can capture a great-sounding recording. There are a few ways to record your electric drum kit with Focusrite, and this article will guide you through the process and offer some tips and tricks to get the best sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microphone setup | Multi-miking for maximum flexibility, or a simple two- or three-microphone setup |
| Mic positioning | Experiment with moving mics around the kit, as small changes in positioning can have a large impact on the sound |
| Mic type | Some mics have a dull and insensitive response, which is good for loud, bright sounds like a snare drum; others have a better bass response, perfect for capturing the boominess of the kick drum |
| Overhead mics | Help to create a wide stereo image, but shouldn't be placed too close to cymbals to avoid overwhelming the recording |
| Preamp levels | Pay attention to avoid clipping; use Gain Halos on Focusrite Scarlett interfaces to gauge input levels |
| Preamp quality | A preamp with lots of headroom and a fast transient response is needed to capture a clean, punchy, and tight sound |
| ADAT input | Useful for recording drums and other instruments simultaneously, providing up to eight channels (at 48kHz) of expansion via an optical cable |
| Custom monitor mix | Focusrite Control software allows for easy setup of a custom monitor mix for the drummer, which can be routed to headphones |
| Low-latency monitoring | Ensures perfect timing and clarity without distortion |
| Line outputs | If USB is not an option, line outputs can be used, but require an external audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 with at least two inputs |
| USB connections | Common on modern e-drums, but may only be compatible with MIDI signals, not audio; drivers may be needed for the computer to recognize the drum kit |
| Software | Any DAW software can be used, from basic versions to extensive free options like Audacity, GarageBand, Pro Tools First, and Tracktion T7 |
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What You'll Learn
Microphone setup
The microphone setup will depend on the number of microphones you have available and the desired level of flexibility.
Some engineers prefer to use a multi-miking setup, placing a microphone on every drum to allow them to "zoom in" on each element of the drum kit. This method requires a lot of microphones and dedicated preamps to capture everything simultaneously.
If you have fewer microphones available, a simple two- or three-microphone setup can also work well. You can experiment with mic positioning and balance the sound of different drums and cymbals by moving the mics closer to or further from each other. Small changes in positioning can have a large impact on the sound.
When using overhead mics, be careful not to place them too close to a cymbal, as it may overwhelm the recording.
The Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen 18i20 audio interface is a good option for drum recording, as it offers eight studio-quality mic preamps and the ability to expand to up to sixteen inputs. The Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic is a great addition, as it provides analogue compressors that help prevent clipping and offer compression effects.
Additionally, when recording drums, it is important to use a preamp with excellent headroom and a fast transient response to ensure the drums sound punchy and tight.
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Using an audio interface
The Scarlett 3rd Gen 18i20 audio interface is a perfect match for drums, with eight studio-quality mic preamps and the option to expand from eight to sixteen inputs. Expansion is simple: just connect any model from the OctoPre range with a single ADAT cable.
When tracking drums, you need to be able to hear everything in detail. Low-latency monitoring gives perfect timing without missing a beat, and loud headphone amps ensure that you’ll get clarity without distortion. Focusrite Control software allows you to easily set up a custom monitor mix for the drummer, which can be routed to the headphones output.
When choosing an interface, there are three things to consider: the size of the band, what you want to record, and your budget. If you have a studio full of hardware synths and drum machines, your audio interface can be your studio centrepiece and time-saver, increasing the efficiency of your workflow.
If you're looking to record drums and other instruments simultaneously, an interface with an ADAT input is extremely useful. ADAT connectivity provides up to eight channels (at 48kHz) of expansion via an optical cable. Using ADAT, you can increase your input count to capture even the most extensive drum setup, or a generous drum kit setup plus other bandmates.
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Drum recording challenges
Drum recording is one of the most challenging aspects of audio engineering. Recording drums can be an enormous, expensive, and technical headache. A good drum sound can transform a song, bringing dynamic excitement and a heavy groove to a track.
There are several ways to record drums, and there is no right or wrong method. One common approach is multi-miking, where a microphone is placed on each drum for maximum flexibility. This allows you to "zoom in" on each element of the drum kit. However, this technique requires a large number of microphones and dedicated preamps to capture the sound simultaneously. The alternative is a simple two- or three-microphone setup.
Another challenge is achieving a clean sound without distortion or noise. The clarity of the mic preamp is critical to capturing a clean sound. A preamp with ample headroom and a fast transient response ensures the drums sound punchy and tight. Additionally, it is important to avoid clipping when setting preamp levels.
When recording electronic drums, it is essential to check for compatible outputs, such as line out, USB, or MIDI. Connecting directly to a computer via USB is a popular option, but it may require additional software or drivers. Utilizing an external audio interface, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, is another viable method.
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Custom monitor mixes
When recording drums, the drummer will likely want a custom monitor mix, which will be different from the mix supplied to the engineer. Custom monitor mixes can be achieved through in-ear monitors, which are a cost-effective way to control stage volume and hear what you're doing. In-ear monitors can also help protect musicians' hearing.
There are several options for setting up in-ear monitors. You can ask the monitor engineer at the venue for one or two XLR lines from their monitor board, which will provide the monitor mix to your ear. If you don't have enough slack from your small mixing board to your in-ear monitors, you can purchase a headphone extension cable. Alternatively, you can bring your own monitor board and control your mix from your iOS or Android device.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, custom earplugs can be a great investment. Custom earplugs can reduce volume and clean up your mix, and they last for many years if you take care of them.
With Focusrite Control software, you can easily set up a custom monitor mix for the drummer and route it to the headphones output. This makes the Focusrite interface perfect for recording drums.
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Clean input stage
A clean input stage is essential for achieving a high-quality recording of your electric drums. Here are some tips to ensure a clean input stage when using Focusrite:
Firstly, ensure that your Focusrite interface has a clean, uncoloured gain structure. The Focusrite Scarlett interfaces are known for their clean input stage, featuring high-performance analogue-to-digital (A-D) converters, allowing you to capture your unique tone accurately.
Secondly, consider the number of inputs and outputs you require. For recording drums, it is beneficial to have multiple inputs and outputs to capture the various elements of the drum kit. The Scarlett 3rd Gen 18i20 interface, for example, offers eight studio-quality mic preamps and the ability to expand up to sixteen inputs, providing flexibility for more complex drum setups.
Additionally, when connecting your electronic drum kit to the Focusrite interface, utilise the line outputs. Most e-drums have two line outputs—left and right—which can be connected to the interface using TRS jack cables. This will provide a stereo recording of your entire kit. Alternatively, if your drum kit has a USB output, you can connect it directly to your computer or laptop, but you may need to install drivers to ensure your computer recognises the kit.
Furthermore, pay attention to the preamp levels to avoid clipping. Focusrite interfaces often feature Gain Halos that indicate when the input is approaching clipping. It is recommended to dial the preamp down slightly before recording, as drummers often increase their intensity once they get into the groove.
Lastly, consider using an interface with an ADAT input, such as the Scarlett OctoPre or Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic, which can be paired with the Scarlett 18i20 interface. ADAT connectivity allows for up to eight channels of expansion, providing the ability to record multiple instruments simultaneously, which is ideal for capturing drums alongside other band instruments.
By following these tips, you can ensure a clean input stage when recording electric drums with Focusrite, resulting in high-quality recordings that accurately capture the dynamics and excitement of your drum performance.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need an audio interface with at least two inputs, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, and a computer or laptop with a USB port. Your electric drum kit should have multiple outputs like line out, USB, or MIDI.
Connect your audio interface to your computer via USB. You may need to download and install drivers. Then, connect the line outputs of your drum kit to the interface. Make sure the volume doesn't peak into the red.
You can use any DAW software, even a basic version. There is also free software available, such as Audacity or GarageBand.
