Well, I remember reading about the 3 Microphone Setup for Recording Drums. Being one of the guys who likes information quicker, I made this for myself. So, self, here's the technique.

1. I usually start with a mic in front of the kit
   • It could be 6 feet or one foot off the bass drum
   • The object of this mic: get the "front of the kit"
   • good bass drum sound, bottom of the toms, a bit of snare and cymbals
   • Depending on the tone: ribbon, large diaphragm condenser or dynamic
2. In mono, over the snare to drummers right shoulder, or anywhere in the arc
   • The key: add that mic so you get snare, hat, top of toms & cymbals
   • Cymbals not out of balance with the rest of the kit
   • If the drummer can't control balance, this won't work
   • Why mono? To insure not going to mess with the bottom of the bass drum
   • For this I will often use a ribbon or a condenser
   • As I get closer to 'behind the drummer' a small diaphragm condenser
3. Mic #3: placed next to the floor tom peeking at the snare
   • usually placed equidistant from the over mic as it relates to ground zero
   • ground zero: where drummer actually hits the snare drum, not center
   • one speaker mono is your friend

• drummer must be competent
• the kit should sound good, and be well tuned
• large room (or a room with a high ceiling comes)
• try to get soft things around the drum kit.