Join us at Studios La Fabrique for a comprehensive tutorial on drum recording techniques! Hosted by the legendary rock engineer Steve Albini, this video series dives into great detail on tracking a drum kit in fully analog fashion with a Neve 88R console and Studer A800 MKIII tape machine. Albini takes you through his microphone preferences and positioning for bass drum, snare, toms, overheads, stereo drum kit, and room ambience. He gives concise reasoning for the types of microphone used and their placement, while suggesting suitable alternatives. Furthermore, he reveals his clever processing techniques to reduce bleed, enhance natural reverb, control dynamics, optimise phase relationships, and more. He demonstrates the use of his techniques by recording a live drummer, and draws diagrams on a white board to clearly impart his extensive knowledge!

At United Recording Studios, Jack Joseph Puig shares his deep knowledge and effective techniques for capturing an impactful drum sound. He first demonstrates the application of certain tools and accessories in preparing a kit, then takes you through his favourite microphones and preamps to use. After discussing details of the acoustic space, drum positioning and microphone placement, Puig enters the control room. Here, he shows a clever way of determining signal polarity, then illustrates his analog treatment of the audio. Joined by legendary drummer Josh Freese, Puig finally auditions every signal and contrasts the raw and processed results for you to hear.