Hi Paul, 
I don't go too nuts with it. I also use overheads more than a side mic by the floor tom. 
I can and have time aligned the overheads but for demos, its more of a fun technical thing than mission critical. 
You should learn how to do it though. It's not hard at all. 
 
I am happy you liked the video and the theory behind measure the distance between mics. Can't hurt to try it out.

AKG-112 for the kick.  A LOT of studios use it.  Note that in a pinch SM-57 or 58 will work, but probably not transfer quite as well.  Shure makes a nice one too The Beta 52.  Both will set you back about $200.
 
I have gotten away from miking ALL of my drums.  I use the three mike method (two overheads and kick).  IF your room is nice and large a couple of room mikes (condensers) might be nice to pick up the sound of the kit in the room.
 
With the overheads it is definitely important to make sure that they are the same distance from the snare.  The phase issues will absolutely kill a good performance.  That is one reason some people prefer the X-Y method for the overheads.

You all just covered everything I was about to ask about mic'n drums for some basic recording coming up with my new pal.   Thanks for good stuff...  ;o)   ....might return with feedback or ??s if needed in near future...
 

Shure Beta 52 or the AKG D112 for sure. Also double for bass cabinet mics.

Middleman
Shure Beta 52 or the AKG D112 for sure. Also double for bass cabinet mics.

+1 on using these for the bass as well!

Little late to the game, but if he can stretch the budget just a little bit, he could afford a used Sennheiser MD421 that will be WAY more useful in other situations than yet another SM57/58.
 
But, I understand budget constraints too.
 

MakerDP
Little late to the game, but if he can stretch the budget just a little bit, he could afford a used Sennheiser MD421 that will be WAY more useful in other situations than yet another SM57/58.
 But, I understand budget constraints too.
 

+1 on the sennheiser MD421s  Go to mike when miking up toms. Especially floor toms...Some people use these for bass guitars as well.  It was common in the 1970s studios to use these all over the place.