Customer Reviews

The Drum Recording Handbook: Music Pro Guides

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good book if you don't know much about studio work and you want to get a good drum sound.
It is however geared towards only one setup, the way that the author likes to mic drums, mostly for TV theme music or background music (all examples are from music to "family guy" and other TV shows). There is not much explanations on why things are done a certain way, it's mostly: "Do this, and it will sound good". There is very little about different distant mic techniques, such as Decca Tree or other famous classics. There is not much about variations, and how you can experiment to get different drum sounds for different music.
The text is very big and you get the feeling that the whole book is written for a child, not a professional person who wants to know all the ins and outs about a subject.

If you want to know how to get John Bonhams drum sound, or some other characteristic drum sound, then look elsewhere.

If you want a quick reference to how to get a decent drum sound that works in most situations, than this is a pretty good place to start.

Recording drums is often the most challenging aspect of music recording for beginners, and Owsinski's book offers a great overview, including tuning the kit and a number of different mic setups and techniques. I disagree with the other review that says only one method is discussed. For example, the Glyn Johns method (how John Bonham's drums were recorded during Led Zeppelin sessions) is mentioned, though only briefly. That method only requires a few mics, and proper placement is really the key.

Overall, I think the book does a great job of explaining the basics, offering examples from multiple working pros, and also outlining ways people in a project studio can get good drum sounds on a budget (without a dozen expensive mics and pres). I wish a book like this had been available when I was in school learning about audio and recording engineering.

That said, if you only want to buy one book, I recommend The Recording Engineer's Handbook, also by Owsinski. An updated second edition of that book was recently released, and it provides a lot of similar advice on drum recording, though not as much detail as this book does.

It's ok, but it overlaps his "Recording Engineer" book quite closely. I feel that if I would have only bought the main title, I would have been fine.

I started seriously getting into recording music about 3 years ago. Previously I had recorded tons and tons of internet talk radio shows but not too much with recording musical instruments. I dabbled with recording acoustic and electric guitar once or twice but nothing I was too happy with/cared much about/knew what I was doing.

Let me tell you, getting a good drum sound on "tape" is a beast. This book/DVD makes the process much simpler.

They tell you the right mic choices. Notice the plural...the authors don't just recommend one mic they offer several options for different budgets/tonality. Luckily I already own most of the mics they recommended!

This book has the project studio in-mind. Their audience is for people trying to get a good sound in their basement or whatever. There's an entire chapter on getting the room optimized without breaking the bank.

Placement with nice photos of angles and descriptions helped tremendously. The mixing aspect of the book is a little lacking but the DVD covers a bit more.

The most important take away for me (without spoiling the book) is this: If your source sounds bad, no amount of pricey mics or an awesome room will help. Nice sounding drums with fresh heads and that are tuned properly are essential. Without this taken care of the rest of your recording chain will suffer.

The DVD is also great and could have sold by itself without the book. But you get a one-two punch since it's included.

I wasn't too happy with what was included in Bobby's Recording Engineer's handbook as it relates to drums. There just wasn't enough information. This one satisfies that need. That feeling is partially why it took me so long to purchase this book (because I didn't want to put more money in his pockets) but I'm glad I shook the feeling. The other info in that book is great though.

Shell out (pun intended) the bucks for this book because it's worth it! You can thank me later, LOL.

If you play or record drums you need this book. It demystifies many myths associated with tuning and micing a drum set. The DVD is a must see. He does seem to be stuck on Shure mics and I don't agree with his choices many times. Don't get me wrong, I have several shure mics but i see better choices for several micing situations.