I may need to learn how to record real drums instead of using Toontrack like I've been using for years.
 
the drums will be set up on a stage in a small rectangular shaped church sanctuary (carpeted floor), with a pony wall immediately beside them and the exterior wall of the church about 6 feet from that. behind them is an interior wall that goes to the ceiling, so they're kind of nestled in a corner.  there is no drum cage, they are otherwise open.  for recording, I could pull them out to the center of the stage if it makes more sense to do that.
 
I don't have a lot of mics to use.  I can probably get a dynamic kick mic.  I have 2 small pencil mics (CAD C-9) and I have 3 large diaphram mics including a Shure KSM44, an MXL-V67M and an AT-2020.
 
I have a MOTU Ultralite MK3, so I have plenty of channels to use, but not a lot of mics.
 
I'm currently thinking I'd hang the KSM44 and the AT-2020 over the drummers' shoulders, getting a kick mic and putting one of the pencil mic's at the snare.  
 
does that sound reasonable?  is there anything else I should be considering?

that'd be a good setup for a studio,
but i think NOT for a live production,
especially in a church.
 
drummer needs to play lightly, 
and be well miced and mixed.
 

As always, it depends.  The rest of the band, drummer and spot.  I would think I'd try the corner - that should provide some shielding against the band bleed (tho maybe not).
 
Dynamic on the kick and probably the AT on the snare - both close.  Then I'd probably try to catch the rest of the kit, esp. the toms, with the pencil mic(s).  I would hope you'd catch enough brass with bleed - I usually do.  But of course keeping out band bleed is a bigger priority.  Be prepared to make the band work long (tho not hard) to get your mics up. 

Thanks bats, I should have made it more clear - this would be just for recording drums for a couple of songs, I wouldn't be leaving the mics for live.  the church is small and I'm not mic'ing the drums for live at all.

AT
As always, it depends.  The rest of the band, drummer and spot.  I would think I'd try the corner - that should provide some shielding against the band bleed (tho maybe not).
 
Dynamic on the kick and probably the AT on the snare - both close.  Then I'd probably try to catch the rest of the kit, esp. the toms, with the pencil mic(s).  I would hope you'd catch enough brass with bleed - I usually do.  But of course keeping out band bleed is a bigger priority.  Be prepared to make the band work long (tho not hard) to get your mics up. 

Ah!  another thing I left out!  This would be recording the drums only with the drummer using a scratch recording of the band playing of the song in his ears, there will be no band recorded at the same time - at least at this time for these recordings.

Sounds like a plan. If you have lots of distant Mics, you might use a tool like Melda auto align to handle phase.

Use a Mic cable to measure distance from center of snare to each pencil SDC. Keep the distance equal for both. This will help with phase.

gswitz
Sounds like a plan. If you have lots of distant Mics, you might use a tool like Melda auto align to handle phase.

Use a Mic cable to measure distance from center of snare to each pencil SDC. Keep the distance equal for both. This will help with phase.

great tips, Geoff, thanks!

i'm curious how the church ambience will work out for you. please take the time and let us know afterwards.
 
as regards micing a drum kit with only a few mics - this may be very helpful (yes it does work nicely even if the mic placement seems odd): http://therecordingrevolution.com/the-glyn-johns-drum-recording-method/
 
make sure you a have really good pair of overheads. if in doubt, borrow some and try alternatives (definitely worth the effort). work with the mic placement - it pays back. and if done properly, it can save you all the phase align work (apart from engaging some phase switch)

Rob[atSound-Rehab]
i'm curious how the church ambience will work out for you. please take the time and let us know afterwards.
 
as regards micing a drum kit with only a few mics - this may be very helpful (yes it does work nicely even if the mic placement seems odd): http://therecordingrevolution.com/the-glyn-johns-drum-recording-method/
 
make sure you a have really good pair of overheads. if in doubt, borrow some and try alternatives (definitely worth the effort). work with the mic placement - it pays back. and if done properly, it can save you all the phase align work (apart from engaging some phase switch)

Interesting approach, he has, Rob, thanks for sharing!  

If you have time (and patience!) try each method here in your space.
http://recordinghacks.com/2010/04/03/drum-overhead-microphone-technique-comparison/
 
Then pick the one that sounds the best to you!
Bottom line is there is no one correct way to record drums.  Success has been found with and without "Room" mikes that set back from the drums.