Recording an acoustic set

[Trippsol]

I was asked this question today, thought Id throw it this way to see what kind of answers ill get.

Question:

What's the best way to record a crappy drum kit via video? I ask because a friend got himself a Pearl start, and they REALLY sound like garbage, but he'd like to record himself drumming without having to have his drums sound so crappy. Like, is there a way to turn down the volume intake on camcorders or whatever? Is there some trick that folks use to have their drums sound at least audible somehow while still filming yourself drumming?

[fulrmr]

i would imagine it depends on the video camera, but there is prolly an audio in or mic input somewhere. mic the drums and run them through a mixer and out to the camera. that way you'll have a small degree of contol over the sound. other than that you could record them to your pc and use software to dub the audio into the video when you make the file.

[king]

New drum heads are always a good idea for a new kit. Most kits come stocked with mediocre heads to say the least. Try re-heading the kit and try the suggest audio adjustments and it should sound a lot better.

[Trippsol]

Thx for the info guys, very much appreciated.

[inclineline606]

I've known this one drummer who films themselves on a camera, but at the same time records the drums via microphone(s) or mixer and runs it into the computer to a mixing program like Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net). Then they take the tape and remove the sound and mix in the recorded sound with the video.
I'd personally do this if I had a mixing board.