Using microphones with drums?

[JLNorthGA]

We have a number of concerts scheduled this year in our small auditorium. Most of the acts are "acoustic", so that means getting a number of Shure SM57 microphones or equivalent for the guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc.

What about drums? Do I need microphones for the drums? The house (and stage) are small. Stage is 30' W x 23' D in back of the proscenium (which is 16' H x 30' W). The house is maybe 40-45' at the front and widens as it goes back to maybe 60' or so. The house is maybe 75' from the proscenium to the back. Should we consider microphones for the acts which have drums? If so, which types and how many?

[gcpsoundlight]

It really depends on the acoustics.

If you did, I would reccomend a simple setup, probably a Shure PG or SM series 52 on kick, a SM57 on snare and a nice Condensor overhead (sm91 I think- someone able to confirm). This should provide plently of level. If you wanted you could baffle the kit, or use a perspecs screen to reduce stage volume, and then mic the kit more, but I imagine this would be over kill for most situations.

[bishopthomas]

A kick and an overhead will probably work just fine unless it's rock and roll. As far as mic selection, basically you get what you pay for. Right this second I'm doing soul/jazz with a Sennheiser 901 on the kick (beta 52 is my second choice) and a Neumann km184 for overhead. If 57's are what you have use them. Try to get your overhead fairly tall so that you're not getting too much cymbal.

[Footer]

Kick, snare, and overhead is pretty much the jazz standard as others have said. Toms rarely need to be put in the mix for jazz. What it all really boils down to is stage volume though. Also, if you don't have decent subs, forget about the kick.

[tk2k]

Kick, snare, and overhead is pretty much the jazz standard as others have said. Toms rarely need to be put in the mix for jazz. What it all really boils down to is stage volume though. Also, if you don't have decent subs, forget about the kick.

Depends, the actual harmonics of the kick are ~100-200, and the attack sound is more like 2.5k so you can still get a result without subs. obviously not the
boomy kick sound, but that's fairly unnatural anyway.

The 57's wont work too well for cymbal mics, but will work well on a snare or tom.

[2mojo2]

In a house that size, I would not mic a standard drum kit. If the acoustics of the house are any good, you will be fighting to keep the other instruments clearly heard over the drums while avoiding an excessive overall sound level.