If you want to record drums with 4 microphones, then this is the best drum recording interface for you. The Presonus Studio 1824C USB Audio Interface is a full-featured studio quality audio interface that is ideal for producers and drummers looking at recording a full drum set. Most orders are eligible for free shipping. I’ve compared build quality, features, performance and cost Can you play to drum-less tracks with the 18i20 while listening through headphones? The 18i20 uses Focusrite Control (software that comes with) that you’ll adjust levels with. Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 8 In / 6 Out FireWire Audio Interface. To the right of the knobs is a nice display, giving you a clear sight of all your microphone inputs. Focusrite is a trade mark or registered trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited in England, USA and/or other countries. Thanks for the article brother. There is no difference in audio quality between the differing software. You can even monitor native plug-ins in real time. You will have control over each of the eight channels. To clarify, if a purchase a USB interface (like one of the above you’ve mentioned) I can get 8 inputs that will remain as 8 tracks once they hit my PC? You’re not going to want colorful preamps for your general recording interface. The Presonus Studio 1824C takes advantage of professional grade XMAX mic preamps that deliver high headroom, deep lows, smooth highs and a rich overall sound. Should I use the amp settings to make it sound good or should I just set them all flat or something? The USB connectivity allows for seamless integration to any computer, and Focusrite uses streamlined software for connectivity called Focusrite Control. This drum interface has been designed to offer a portable and high definition recording solution to aspiring producers at an affordable price. Glad Sweetwater was of aid to helping you pick! 2005 MultiMix Firewire - the world's first mixers with FireWire audio interface 2006 electronic drum line launches with ControlPad and DM5 Kit 2007 iMultiMix - the world's first mixers with Universal Dock for iPod 2007 MultiMix USB 2.0 - the world's first mixers with multi-channel USB audio interface Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | … Many mixers double as interfaces… It’s probably the best bet for both value and versatility. Next steps. Once you have a space to record and your drums are nice and in tune, you will need to set up your microphones and connect them to your new drum recording interface via XLR cables. Otherwise you will also need an audio interface with MIDI in, or a MIDI to USB device; Regardless of the connections on your drum module, we recommend that you get a dedicated audio interface … nick@drummingreview.com. I have to point out that this is my favorite although I am … They often feature MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) connections and act as the hub for a MIDI studio, so you can control and record MIDI sound modules via your DAW. I have the TD15. There are very few computers that have a MIDI interface built-in, so the typical options are to use an audio interface with MIDI … You could use a mixer if you’re just looking to hear your miked drums with in-ear monitors or headphones. I should also mention, I’m mainly talking home recording for drummers who want to record themselves. … I’d like the ability to record to six or 8 different tracks so I can edit each drum mic separately. Hi! Regarding the varying recording software, The 18i20 comes bundled with Pro Tools | First and Ableton Live Lite. You can buy another eight-channel preamp, like a second 18i20, connect 1 optical ADAT cable, and get a total of 16 separate microphone inputs. Fresh heads, a decent room, and some good mics will get you 95% of the way to a good drum recording. If you’re brand new to recording drums, I suggest starting small, with an affordable drum recording interface. Thanks to the genius mind of Rupert Neve, they have been on the cutting edge of recording hardware since 1985. These plug-ins sound amazing and they add immense depth, colour and character to your recordings. Your electronic drums should have an XLR or ¼” output. Try recording through the amplifier head to see what kind of results you get! Nick. I currently have StudioOne (I read Presonus isn’t your favorite). Great for a first audio interface because of the amazing form factor, high-quality preamps and versatility for a bedroom producer. I suppose it somewhat depends on what you’d like to do. Next to the line outs, we have your monitor outputs. Many of us would love the luxury to equip our kit with a range of eclectic percussion options, but since having access to everything in a tight space is at the forefront of a drummer's considerations, an electronic drum … A good starting point is kick, snare, and overheads. Thank you for addressing this. The question I have is the Scarlett 18i20 come with Protools First but it says you can only record 4 tracks simultaneously There may be affiliate links on this website, which means I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. You will need to use a computer that will connect to your new drum recording interface via USB or thunderbolt connectivity. Hi Nick, In my experience, I’ve always liked using standard audio interfaces more — especially the Focusrite 18i20. On the front of the drum recording interface, there are two microphone inputs. If you plan on using this in a touring situation, you could always use these for your backing tracks. Then run the mics in to an amplifier head, then run the amp output in to a 2 channel audio interface, and then in to my PC (software)… If you’re recording drums, it’s best to start out small. The USB connectivity is blazingly fast and the interface works seamlessly with any preferred DAW, such as Logic, Pro Tools or Cubase. Trying to run into a USB audio interface from solely the right channel generates a heavily clipped and distorted sound. I have been looking for a question/answer like this for weeks but never receive a clear answer. Last but not least, the Scarlett 18i20 includes a copy of Pro-Tools, meaning you can get started with drum recordings right away and you don’t need to spend extra on a DAW! I just had negative experience years back. When recording in a home studio, it’s common to use what is known as an audio interface to convert audio from a microphone into digital data that you can manipulate inside a computer. Your computer will need to have a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) loaded onto it, which will essentially function as a digital recording studio. Many drum recording interfaces suffer from what is known as latency or lag. This is an incredible value piece of equipment that features 8 state-of-the-art MIDAS designed mic preamps that offer pristine sound quality. First, you’ll need a DAW and an audio interface. The elite Unison preamps included offer a huge dynamic range and natural, crisp voicing that delivers unparalleled sound quality. If you’re connecting the drum module via MIDI cable, make sure that you … The Behringer UMC1820 offers exceptional value for money and it features preamps that give some more expensive competitors a run for their money. It comes in at such an affordable price and it’s so easy to use. From here you can fine-tune to get the lugs to an identical pitch. There definitely is a learning curve, so be aware (you’ll be on YouTube for a while learning, I’m afraid). Sometimes it can be difficult to setup a monitor mix that is loud enough if you’re just monitoring on the way in. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Gen) USB Drum Recording Interface. With a simple optical cable, upgrading your interface is made easy with the Scarlett 18i20. Many audio interfaces do other jobs. Compared to everything else on the market, this drum recording interface sounds amazing and will do wonders for you if you take things slow and apply the right skills to your drum recordings. PreSonusStudio 192. Conclusion — Best Drum Recording Interface, GetGood Drums: A Complete Overview of the 3 Drum Libraries, 6 Of The Best Overhead Mics That Will Bring Your Drum Kit to Life, The 8 Best Drum Machines of 2021 Reviewed. For the recording session its best practice to buy brand new drumheads because they will simply sound better than worn in drumheads. My best bud who I grew up with sings with the AWB and thinks the project s I’m recording sound awesome. I’m Gideon - thanks for checking out Drum Helper. Colored preamps, like the Neve 1073, are expensive, require maintenance, and are generally suited for professional audio engineers working in world-class recording studios. I also own UAD and MOTU stuff (too expensive). Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Gen) USB Drum Recording Interface, Universal Audio Apollo Thunderbolt Drum Recording Interface, Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 18x20 Drum Recording Interface, Presonus Studio 1824C USB Drum Recording Interface, Behringer UMC404HD Drum Recording Interface, Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820 Audio Interface, Presonus Studio 1824C USB Audio Interface, 18 inputs and 20 outputs of pro sound quality. It is connected to your PC via USB cable. This is a very impressive piece of hardware that boasts an array of pro-level features and at a very affordable price. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is packed with pro-level features and 8 excellent quality mic preamps that offer incredible clarity. The interface utilizes high-performance converters that enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/ 192kHz. If you’re in the market for a drum recording interface, look no further than the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. Outerwave Media, LLC / 3215 Golf Road #141, Delafield, WI 53018, United States Just got off the phone with a Sweetwater consultant inquiring about the 18i20. An audio interface is pretty much an essential piece of kit for your studio setup if you spend any time at all making music on a PC or Mac. Most modern recording interfaces use USB because it’s quick and nearly all computers utilize USB. There’s really two ways you can connect your DTX to Pro Tools: via MIDI USB or recording the LR output of the DTX with a DI box. If you're only using one microphone then any audio interface will do the job. Best Audio Interface for Recording Drums at Home The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is by far the best and most affordable audio interface for drummers looking to record themselves at home. … Alesis DM6 Review: A Pro Drummer’s Secret Weapon? So you want to record drums at home. Will this Frankenstein setup actually record decent tracks? Many modern records are made this way in home studios and basements all over the world. To fully grasp the concept of recording drums, it’s important to begin small, maybe a four-piece kit, and really get the techniques correct. I got a ton of great info from this… Launch price: £88/$120 | Inputs: … It’s just a matter of weighing up which is the right way of recording for you. The Scarlett 18i20 interface features ultra-low latency that means your drum recordings won’t suffer any lag or delay. Audio interfaces that range between $300 and $1,000 tend to be pretty similar sounding as far as preamps go. Certain audio interfaces can also be daisy-chained together to expand the number of microphones you can record at once. It’s the best value for the money when it comes to recording drums. I forgot to ask one more question. I’m interested to know about the work around regarding recording and mixing electronic drum pads individually when you usual only have a stereo out from the brain. A close runner up for the best audio interface for drums is the incredible Universal Audio Apollo, which is a world class audio interface that is packed with the very best sound quality features, processors and preamps. The UMC404HD works seamlessly with any DAW and the USB connectivity makes it a breeze to work with. Let me know if you have any other questions! Yes. It’s a great interface to start with, but it only has two inputs. In fact, most audio engineers consider tracking and engineering drums to be the most difficult part of making a record. How many inputs do I need on my Interface? Rich Latimer – Drummer. Hello Nick, Connect the drum module to your computer either with a USB cable or an audio or MIDI interface via MIDI cable. Most electronic music producers who may occasionally want … Much like its bigger brother – the UMC 1820, the UMC404HD also has zero-latency direct monitoring and the same on-board features to help your drums sound amazing. Drumming has always been my passion, and I have been playing the drums for over 15 years. On your audio interface search for the volume or the … With high quality mic preamps, easy-to-use on-board monitor mixing and quality converters, the Presonus Studio 1824C USB audio interface is one of the best audio interfaces for recording drums on the market. You could try some pre-processing inside your DAW and monitoring from there. As you move up the price ladder, you’ll find that even spending upwards of $1,000 won’t change the quality of your home studio drum recordings. With all of the microphones set up, plugged in and the channels loaded into your recording software, run a test take and listen carefully for any rattles, buzzes or other source of unwanted noise. You’ll have to pre-mix the pads, as there’s no way to change levels once the audio passes through the stereo out. Each knob corresponds to a different microphone channel input. Behringer X AIR XR12 12-Input Digital Mixer. You absolutely can multitrack with the 18i20. Next to the monitor outputs we have what is known as ADAT in and out. Despite its affordable price tag, this is powerful and highly versatile audio interface that is perfect for recording drums. Steinberg UR12. Connect them using the appropriate audio cables. Connection to your PC or Mac is made via USB 3.0. I’ve had this problem in the past before, as well. Hi there,I’m looking for a good interface Scarlett 18i20 and Tascam 16×08 to record my drum kit Yes! Compare Prices: Sweetwater | Amazon. I’ve done LOTS of searching online in the last 48 hours and this may be one of the most productive articles yet. Check out the following video which will help offer some guidance on how to set up microphones onto the drum set. At this point, once everything is set up to how you like, it is very important to not move anything! The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is by far the best and most affordable audio interface for drummers looking to record themselves at home. A lot of mixers also have a built-in audio interface (soundcard as you refer to it). If you’re unsure about microphones, be sure to open the following link up in another tab, as we’ve outlined the best starter drum microphone kits available. If you’re brand new to recording, this audio interface will be the perfect one to learn and grow on. Next up are the monitor and headphone control pots. 3) Record MIDI into your DAW and use a drum sampler like Battery (using a USB cable). Connect the audio outputs on your drums to the inputs in your audio interface. This is a top of the range audio interface that boasts pristine AD/DA converters and UAD’s proprietary HEXA core processing for flawless plug-in integration. What Is The Best Interface For Recording Drums? You don’t need to spend extra money on a digital audio workstation. In order to make the Apollo Twin work with a set of drums, you’d need to buy an additional preamp box, like the MOTU 8pre. This means the drum is now evenly tuned. 6 Best Home Recording Studio Packages (Mar 2021), 5 Best Vocal Mics For Drummers (Mar 2021), 5 Best U87 Clones That Are Affordable (Mar 2021). The most popular DAWs are Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase and Ableton Live. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (Sweetwater) is an affordable eight-channel audio interface that will be perfect for anyone looking to start recording drums. to give you my top recommendations. This will give you the least amount of phase issues and will get you a great sound when just starting out. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I missed your intent. This is the best drum recording interface for any drummer looking to get started with recording drums. Hello! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy The other six are located on the reverse side of the unit. The drum brain has TRS connections for both the left and right channels. Hi Nick, It is perfect for small home studio setups and will help you capture quality drum sounds. Audio interfaces come in a variety of sizes and prices and generally range from one microphone input to eight. This drum interface is the perfect tool for turning any space into a fully-fledged recording studio. Each knob corresponds to a different microphone channel input and there is an intuitive display. That said, there are some factors to consider before buying a drum recording interface. I would most likely run the kick and overhead microphones directly into the audio interface and then, from there, manipulate the sound within the computer. This means that with just a USB cable you can connect your … Recording is simple with this audio interface as it comes packed with a version of Pro Tools and Ableton Live. Lots of recording studios still use Pro Tools, so I don’t think this would be a bad place to start. You can plug a set of studio monitors in, as well as two separate headphones to this unit. Another benefit to the 18i20 is the ADAT input/output on the back of the unit. It reaffirmed my purchase of the Scarlett and the Octo-Pre. New drumheads will noticeably enhance the sound of the drums for the recording. My question Nick is, I’m trying to lay down separate tracks with a Yamaha DTx12 in Protools as percussion tracks i.e. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Electronic Drum MIDI Controllers at Guitar Center. I’m recording projects with this equipment that have gotten amazing results. Home I am wondering what your thoughts are on this idea… That being said, give it a shot! When using two mics the only thing you have to ensure is that you have an interface with two mic inputs. This interface offers the best specs in the industry. To succeed with consistent results you must not tamper with any microphone positions during the recording session. Keep reading to see which one stands out for both value and sound. This is where you will connect your studio monitors. Wow can’t believe I found this! I’ve been playing for twenty-plus years. The drum brain has a USB midi out, however Audacity isn't going to be your solution for MIDI data. 2. I like Cubase, myself, but all digital audio workstations get the job done and it’s subjective. Technology has come a long way and recording yourself has become very affordable. About You can adjust your microphone gain here before it hits your computer. This drum recording interface boasts fantastic, clean sounds and it’s the best audio interface for those looking to record drums from home. Focusrite is an audio company that really needs no introduction. I am new to this, and I am confused of what to use in drumming. I am thinking of using overhead and kick mics to record. I’m curious to what you mean… “hear them as separate tracks.” Are you trying to separate each of the pads and then mix them independently later on? You may even want to experiment will smaller microphone setups, as well. I was thinking that because of the TRS connections I might need a small USB … After the drum module has been enabled as a MIDI device and a MIDI mapping preset has been selected, update the computer’s sound settings to control and record audio and MIDI tracks … Please help. The interface needs a MIDI input which will be connected to your e-drum module via MIDI cable. Also included with the Apollo interface is the Realtime Analog Classics Plug-In Bundle, which are some of the most accurate emulations of analog audio equipment ever created. The Apollo produces gorgeous and lush open sounds from the converters that deliver optimum audio quality between 129db dynamic range and -118db. You need to connect your electronic drum module to your computer to record. The overall construction and build quality of the unit is of a very high standard, which is testament to the German design and engineering. Paul. Great info Nick thanks a lot. Some really great information in the article. The answer is no. PreSonus Studio 192 is often slightly … For the price, you can’t beat it. Thanks Nick. Best Audio Interface for Recording Drums at Home. You can even control this software from your iPhone or iPad! You can find UAD Apollos in professional recording studios around the world because of their array of pro-level features and their legendary preamps with Unison technology. My personal setup revolves around the Universal Audio Apollo Twin. Drum Helper is one of the most popular free drumming resources on the web, dedicated to helping you achieve the most from playing the drums! Unless you’re going to record into your laptop’s built-in microphone or an old-school tape machine, you need an audio interface.These devices (which can also be called sound cards) connect microphones and instruments to your computer, allowing you to record into your recording software (or DAW) of choice.. You can pick it up from Sweetwater here (affiliate link). Figure out which one your drums have and use the … Paiste PST X Cymbal Series Review: Affordable Effect Cymbals. A cable that connects your e-drum kit to your computer. Focusrite uses a console software called Focusrite Control for all your monitoring purposes. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. The table above shows my top three favorite picks. The high quality XMAX preamps alongside the 24-bit/ 192 kHz conversion makes this an amazing drum mic interface for even the most demanding producers. This is really important to prevent drum recordings from sounding out of time, and another reason why this is the best drum recording interface for those starting out. If the drum module has a USB jack, you can simply use a regular USB cable. You will have the ability to record, edit and mix all the channels directly on your laptop. It offers studio-quality sound at a great price. I recommend you name the stereo inputs 5 & 6 to VDrums in the main audio … Tune up your drumheads slowly counter clockwise up from a loose tension (finger tight tension rods around the drum) with a quarter of a turn of a drum key until you have reached your rough desired pitch and the tension rods are all equally tensioned around the drum. It has a total of 18 inputs and 20 outputs of incredible sound quality. Thanks Nick. A rugged budget audio interface that’s built to last. This is a complete all-in-one recording package that is perfect for home studios and it is compact enough for easy transportation for remote recording. Apps like Melodics also offer a way to learn how to play drums by … . Otherwise you won’t be able to record anything. This is the lowest signal-to-noise ratio of any interface available. Hey Greg. Some of the more expensive audio interfaces will offer things like DSP plugins, extra inputs, special preamps, and so on. Last but not least we have the Behringer UMC404HD Audio Interface, and this is a compact 4-channel interface that is perfect for smaller drum recording sessions, where all you need is 4 microphones. Contact Us, The Best Audio Interfaces For Recording Drums at a Glance. Each microphone should be delivering a clear signal into each respective channel in the DAW. The Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820 Audio Interface is the best audio interface for recording drums on a budget! Correct drum tuning is essential for achieving a good drum tone. It is ultra easy to use for beginners and delivers professional audio quality. For starting out, just use the audio … Disclaimer If you are looking for the best interface for recording drums and you are on a budget, then look no further. Before we begin, please remember, that recording drums is no easy task. The USB-MIDI functionality is great if you want to connect your electronic drum kit to a computer to record externally. (It allows electronic instruments and computers to control one another.) They have insane isolation and sound incredible. Audio interfaces … Of course you will need your drum set and the best cymbals you can get your hands on for a drum recording session. The work-arounds are as follows, but aren’t totally useful: 1) Record each pad individually with your DAW and create separate tracks. I don’t know how to connect the DTX to the Scarlett and then hear them as separate tracks. The UMC1820 is a powerful recording interface that takes advantage of exceptional 24-bit/ 192 kHz converters for its price range. The interface utilizes Dual Crystal clocking for producing pristine sounds. I take the audio outputs in to inputs 5 & 6 of the Quantum (or previously Studio 192) and create a stereo audio track for the VDrums. The preamps on the Scarlett 18i20 are very clean. I have a steinberg and even with the volume turned all the way up, I still hear my drums over the track. I can’t imagine tracking drums without them after trying them out. It has 8 balanced XLR inputs which is more than enough to accommodate for a full set of drum microphones and overhead drum microphones. Also, I am really only trying to get scratch tracks, I am not producing an album or anything. There may be affiliate links on this page and on others. Imagine recording yourself and hearing your drums delayed from when you’re playing. 18 inputs and 20 outputs of pro … Hope that helps! Sign up to the Drum Helper mailing list for exclusive tips, guides, lessons, and reviews. Unfortunately, there’s no easy solution when using only stereo out. One thing though… can I multitrack with the 18i20? When recording electronic drums there are two options for the audio source: either an out-of-the-box performance with a sound module (for instance, Roland’s TD-20X), or an inside-of-the-box … I’ve been obsessed with drums and percussion (especially all the gear) since day one of playing. Thankfully, we don’t have to deal with Firewire anymore. The 8 included XLR inputs will allow you to record a full drum set plus overhead mics and even a room mic. You want the cleanest signal you can get from the source to allow you to add EQ, compression, and other effects inside your DAW during mixing. For sake of simplicity, we’ll be talking about an audio interface that has more inputs. MIDI Interface A MIDI interface is usually also known as an external sound card. In addition to a drum set, you’re going to need a computer, microphones, stands, XLR cables, and an audio interface with enough microphone inputs for the number of microphones you plan on using to record. First of all, I am new to all this… Recording the LR output will give you access to the sounds included with the Yamaha DTX. The UMC1820 offers zero-latency recording, which means you can record drums without experiencing any delay or lag in the returning signal. It’s an affordable yet high quality interface with ample connectivity and an ultra-high-definition sound. Terms of Use Drumeo Edge Review – Worth It For New Drummers? Despite my negative view, I think StudioOne is a perfect option. You’ll still want to make sure you get an audio interface with eight preamps, but don’t expect to be recording a drum set the size of Neil Peart’s on day one. The winner of the best interface for recording drums is the affordable Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface. Thanks again. How To Play Polyrhythms Easily (With Audio Examples). Turn the computer on. sound card or a mixer? MIDI is a digital interface that carries performance and configuration data, not audio. Eight channels are plenty for doing kick, snare, toms, overheads, and rooms even. Hi is the headphone out loud enough for recording drums on the Scarlett? Else, something I can’t recommend more, is getting a pair of GK Ultraphones. These interfaces do often have Audio … Mixers are easier to use and often don’t require a computer. The Behringer UMC404HD is the ultimate compact studio in a box. Thanks for reading. If you were dead set on using … On the backside of the drum recording interface, there are eight separate line outputs. There is a work around, and I’ll explain it further if this is what you’re talking about! In fact, I bet a lot of their newer products are much better than my FireStudio that never liked to work. I am able to listen to YouTube, Spotify, my library, drumless tracks, loops, etc… while playing along with my setup. Electronic percussion is a virtually new addition to the contemporary drum kit. In this guide we’ll take a look at the best drum recording interfaces. It’s all about the source you record, the microphones, and sometimes the microphone preamps (last 5% of the sound IMO). The best thing about this particular drum mic interface is the price. There’s a LOT better options out there once you cross the $2k-3k mark in terms of recording interfaces, but at that point you’re better off going to a professional studio. Recording the MIDI USB information allows you to use software/samples for additional sounds. Many modern electronic drum modules (also called ‘brains’, the bit that houses your drum kits sounds) come with a USB port. The Tascam doesn’t come with DAW software but I was thinking of using the free Cakewalk Daw