Miking techniques for great drum tracks / ORTF

Overhead miking technique

Overhead miking technique

Miking Technique

There are many ways to place microphones for recording the overheads on a drum kit. ORTF mic placement mimics the position of the human ear. I have used this miking technique many times and it’s ability to capture the overall stereo image is exceptional. I always use a matched pair of cardioid pattern microphones, placed about 6 ft above the center of the kit angeled at 110 degrees side to side of the kit. this placement works well because the cardioid pattern of the microphones capture sound in the front of the mic and reject the sounds at the sides and rear. So make sure you have the microphones placed correctly with the fronts pointing in opposite directions is very important. In testing you may need to adjust the position slightly and the angle to capture the optimum stereo image. There are mic stand attachments you can buy that will help you get the right placement.