Attention: This tutorial is for Pro Tools version 7 and above. If you are using an older version, these instructions and this template do not apply and you are on your own.
There are actually several ways to do this, but I’m going to cover the most popular one; using BFD All. (this tutorial is for the full version of BFD, and will not work with BFD Lite; a good reason to upgrade!)
For a quick setup, download my BFD Template, create a new Pro Tools session and “Import Session Data” into that new session.
Or if you want to do it the hard way…
In Pro Tools, create:
- One stereo instrument track
- Two Stereo aux tracks
- Thirteen mono aux tracks
- One stereo master track
On the instrument track, insert BFD All. Load a drumkit! (so many people tend to forget that step, and then want to know “why is there no sound?”)
Now we have to set the inputs of all of the aux tracks. On each input select “plug-in -> BFD All – Overheads – Insert a” and then each respective output. On one stereo aux, select room, and on the other select PZM.
For the kick and the snare, we’ll be using 3 aux tracks each; two mix tracks and a submix. On the first mono aux, select “plug-in -> BFD All – Overheads – Insert a -> Kick In” and set the output to bus 1. On the next mono aux, select “plug-in -> BFD All – Overheads – Insert a -> Kick Out” and set the output to bus 1. On the third mono aux, set the input to bus 1.
Now do the same thing with the snare drum; On the first mono aux, select “plug-in -> BFD All – Overheads – Insert a -> Snare Top” and set the output to bus 2. On the next mono aux, select “plug-in -> BFD All – Overheads – Insert a -> Snare Bottom” and set the output to bus 2. On the third mono aux, set the input to bus 2.Set the inputs on the remaining mono aux tracks in the same way to individual drum pieces; HiHats, Tom 1, Tom 2, Tom 3, Cymbal 1, Cymbal 2, Cymbal 2.
Label all tracks accordingly. MIDI data will be recorded to the instrument track, and the instrument track serves as the overhead mic output for BFD.
Now you are able to mix drums in BFD directly in the PT interface, adding effects and automation as you see fit.