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How to Record Drums on Audacity

Whether you want to record your drum playing to just be able to listen to what you have played, want to make a CD to present for an audition, or wish to add a drum track to a song you have recorded, you'll find that with the right equipment, it really is not too difficult. One of the hardest things to do when recording drums is to get the sound levels right without blowing out your speakers. Recording using your computer and a free program is an easy way to get a professional sounding recording.

Things You'll Need

  • Drum set
  • Two or three microphones
  • Microphone stands
  • Microphone mixer
  • Audacity software.
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Instructions

  1. How to Record Drums on Audacity

    • 1

      Arrange your microphones so they will pick up the drums' sounds. If you are using two microphones, place your microphone stands in front but on the sides of the drums. The microphones should be at the top height of the stand facing down toward the drum set. If you are using three microphones, place the third microphone in front of the bass drum opposite the drummer.

    • 2

      Run a cord from the output connections of your mixer to the line-in port on your computer. Most connections will require a cord that has a mini stereo phone plug to attach to the computer and two RCA plugs to go into the left and right outputs on your mixer. If the RCA phone plugs are color coded, the red will go into the right output.

    • 3

      Plug the microphones into the mixer. Then set the knobs and sliders on the mixer. You probably will want to adjust the two high mikes with less bass and more treble, and add more bass to the bass drum microphone. Set the Pan to the left for the left microphone and to the right for the right microphone.

    • 4

      Turn the power to the mixer on, and if the microphones are powered, turn them on.

    • 5

      Open the Audacity program on your computer. Under "Audacity" in your menu bar, click on "Preferences." Under the "recording" section on the top right of the Audacity Preferences window, click "Built-in input." Click stereo in the "Channels" option. Click on "OK" in the Preferences window to close.

    • 6

      Click on the round, red, record button on the top left of the Audacity window. Play some sounds on your drum set, and check the levels. Press the square yellow button to stop recording. Pressing the green arrow button will play back what you have done. If the peaks are too loud they will go to the top of the track window. If the levels are too soft, the peaks will not show large enough. Adjust the levels by using the slider just to the right of the microphone icon. Move the slider to the right to get louder and left to get softer

    • 7

      Under edit in the menu bar, choose Select All and delete your sound check. Redo your sound check until you are pleased with the playback.

    • 8

      Repeat step 7 to clear your window and you are ready to record. Press the record button and play your piece.

    • 9

      Save your music by clicking "Save As" under File in your menu bar.

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Recording Music

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