THE BLOG

Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Recording Drums: From 1 Mic to 14

Here’s the last video in my ‘mini’ course: Recording drums from 1 mic to 14, with A/B comparisons.

Check it out! 🎧 Headphones recommended!

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Mic Placement Techniques

You've got the right mics—now here's how to position them for maximum impact. In this hands-on video, we reveal the exact mic placement techniques that separate amateur recordings from professional ones.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Microphone Types & Basics

In this essential video, we break down the three main microphone types every drummer should know: dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Your Drum Kit as a Source

How to prepare your drums BEFORE even considering recording. Get it right at the source first. Gear recommendation list included.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Mixing Drums: Less Is More

Your ears are your best tool, and sometimes the best mix move is no move at all. Trust what sounds good, and don't let the technology get in the way of the music.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Think Like an Engineer

The magic happens when you start thinking like both a musician and an engineer. Your future mixing engineer (even if that's you) will thank you for it.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Mic Placement: Use Your Ears

Here's the reality check: great drum recordings don't happen by accident. Those amazing sounds you hear on your favorite albums? They started with someone taking the time to get the fundamentals right.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Finding Your Kit's Sweet Spot

Different room sizes, ceiling heights, wall materials, and furniture all dramatically influence how your drums sound. A tom that resonates beautifully in your practice space might sound dead in a carpeted bedroom, or ring excessively in a bare studio.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Cymbals: Your Kit's Color Palette

When we talk about great drum sounds, we spend a lot of time on tuning, dampening, and technique. But there's one component that often gets overlooked, even though it might be the most important: your cymbals.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Kick Drum Muffling & Fine-Tuning

You've tuned your kick to the lowest possible pitch – that's your foundation. Now comes the fun part: shaping that sound to fit exactly what your music needs. This is where you can take a good kick sound and make it great.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Snare Fine-Tuning

Those metal wires across the bottom? They're what transforms your drum from a tom into a snare. A well-set-up snare will inspire better playing and make everything sound more professional.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Master Drum Tuning in Minutes

Drum tuning doesn't have to be this mysterious, time-consuming nightmare. I learned this the hard way, and more importantly, I learned the right way from someone who really knew what they were doing.

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Travis Whitmore Travis Whitmore

Why Your Drums Sound Dead

Meet the resonant head—that bottom head you never see but hear every single time you play. While you're focused on the top, this unsung hero is doing the heavy lifting for your drum's tone, sustain, and overall character.

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