Rode NT2-A [7/16] Applications drums

Applications - Piano

To record a piano using a single NT2-A microphone

( g. 2), it should be placed approximately 200 mm (8”)

above the centre of the sound-board, aimed slightly towards

the front of the piano.

To record a piano using an X/Y Stereo technique,

two NT2-A’s angled at 90-110 degrees to each other ( g. 3),

are positioned over the hammers; one mic aimed towards

the lower strings and the other towards the high strings.

The gold dots should be directed down, towards the piano.

An effective stereo ambience may be achieved by recording

lower keys on the left and high keys on the right, placing

the middle keys around the centre of the recorded sound

spectrum.

Applications - Drums

There are various ways to record drum kits.

Single microphone ‘overhead’, two microphones overhead

(e.g. X/Y or spaced) and multiple microphones used close to

individual drums & cymbals (i.e. close mic’ing):

To record a kit with a single microphone (see  g. 4), we

suggest that you begin by placing the mic above the centre

of the kit at the same height as the kit is wide, with the

front of the microphone (Gold Dot) facing down.

To record the kit with TWO overhead microphones, they

should be used at a similar height (as above) and depending

on the size of the kit, between 1 - 2 m apart. The mic’s

would probably be equidistant from the snare drum.

To record a kit using the X/Y stereo technique, microphones

should be placed (as per  g. 3) with the front of each

microphone pointing down, and each at 90-110 degrees

to each other.

fig. 2

fig. 4

NT2-A

fig. 3

90°- 110°

Mic Front

Sound Source