time for new overhead mics

[paul tha other]

hey there guys im looking for some advice on getting some new overhead mics.my old ones are giving up the game.prob up to a grand budget...

[Hugh Robjohns]

If you want to spend that much, the Neumann KM184 stereo set would do the job well, be useful in myriad other applications too, and hold their value very well in the long term.

But there are plenty of much cheaper options that would do a perfectly acceptable job, starting with the Rode 55 stereo set, which would give you omni and cardioid capsule options, adding significantly to their versatility.

H

[mjfe2]

You could get a couple of beyerdynamic m160s and have spare change. I'd also consider LDCs as sometimes SDCs can pick up too much cymbal zing. This doesn't matter if you have spots on the drums but if you want to go for a minimal setup then the splashiness can be a problem. A nice general rule for overheads is SDCs for cymbals and LDCs for toms. Maybe a pair of TLM102s?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yep, a pair of M160s would be within the budget, and they are lovely mics. The ribbon sound complements cymbals nicely and don't suffer that splashy, edgy quality that some capacitor mics can.

H

[paul tha other]

thanks for the replies....some good looking mics there...up till now i have been using a matched pair of loe meek LDC mics for my overheads

how do the neumann km184ss compare to the rode nt55's cause there is a big differance in price???

the beyer's look interesting

[Hugh Robjohns]

The Neumanns sound cleaner to my ears, but the Rodes are quite acceptable and you do gain the benefit of the omni capsules: four mics for the price of two (ish).

H

[paul tha other]

which ones do you guys use ??,may i ask?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Various, depending. Neumann KM184. Sennheiser K6/ME64. AT4040. ...mostly

H

[mjfe2]

I'd usually recommend beyerdynamic MC930s as my 'go to' SDCs, however I have started to find them a little 'sibilant' on cymbals, especially hi hats. I noticed on certain forums they get praised as 'airy' but evidently this isn't always a good thing!

[The Elf]

which ones do you guys use ??,may i ask?

Neumann KM184 and Rode NT55 - just as Hugh recommended.

[Sam Inglis]

which ones do you guys use ??,may i ask?

Usually a pair of the old AKG C414s but they're quite hard to come by now. Haven't tried the newer ones but you could get a pair for under a grand and I bet they'd be useful on lots of things. Occasionally I use a Pearl ST8 stereo mic if space is tight, and if I'm in the mood I sometimes use AKG D224s, which are old moving-coil dynamics. They can be great if you want something chunky and solid and not too bright.

For some reason I don't often use small-diaphragm capacitor mics as overheads. They often sound a bit too clinical.

[christianmurphy]

Used pair of AKG C414 XLS (NOT the XLII, that's the vocal one and sounds a tad harsh on overheads).
Should come bang on top of your budget. Or save a few extra hundred and get a new set if that floats yer boat.

Get a lot of mic for your money with that plus the bonus of it not really depreciating anymore if you look out for a reasonable deal.

[Jack Ruston]

I suppose a pair of coles is going to stretch the budget too far isn't it.

[Mixedup]

+1 to a pair of 414s. I'm using C414 B- ULS. So not new... but not as nice as Sam's older ones. But still brilliant. You want the XLS or ULS varieties. Very good all rounder mics and multi pattern. Good choice for snare too IMO.

but... it kinda depends on whether you want a good all round OH pair or to find 'your' drum sound. Ribbons can be very nice. I also like the bright sizzly C451s... and the ultra clean Earthworks things. For an all rounder, 414 seems a no brainer. For something specific you're going to have to try a few...

[John Willett]

If you are thinking of the Neumann KM184 - there is also the Gefell M300 worth considering (at a similar price bracket).

Or, if you want a super/hyper-cardioid - the Neumann KM 185, Gefell M310 or, if you have a tight budget, the Sennheiser e614.

[RegressiveRock]

which ones do you guys use ??,may i ask?

On the rare occasions I get to record drums these days, I often go for a single overhead or an alternate configuration as it makes setting up simpler. Mikes tend to be Gefell or Beyer, which is pretty much all I look to buy these days new or second hand, no disrespect other manufacturers, I just like and am familiar with using a lot of their offering.

Reg

[_ Six _]

I believe heavily compressed overhead 414's was the classic rock drum sound of the 80's?

Used that set up once.. Loved it!

This is an interesting technique. The FAT mic. Haven't tried it yet but want to!

FAT mic technique.

[Mark6432]

I second the Nuemann 184's, having used them for a few years with always good results.

[Nate Najar]

I don't know what it costs in the UK (I'm in the states) but the AEA R88 stereo ribbon is a terrific drum overhead and is priced very reasonably here in the US. If the UK price is close to the conversion rate then I would imagine it being £8-900.

[paul tha other]

thanks for the replies .....ace info...im gonna chase down some Nuemanns by the looks of things....let you guys know when i get them

cheers
x
x
x

[texasfl0od]

I use earthworks tc25's - I have the earthworks drum recording kit which includes an sr25 and an eq module along with the tc 25's . I use a few other mics on snare and toms as well but the earthworks are capable of amazing tone and great accuracy ! they are pricey but you get what you pay for .

[Hugh Robjohns]

I don't know what it costs in the UK (I'm in the states) but the AEA R88 stereo ribbon is a terrific drum overhead and is priced very reasonably here in the US. If the UK price is close to the conversion rate then I would imagine it being £8-900.

The R88 is a superb mic... but the list price in the UK is around £1200 ex VAT and £1500 inc VAT -- soi nearly double the US price.

H

[Jeraldo]

I would love to have an R88! Fantastic.

The problem for me would be (is) purely practical. This is one really heavy mic, and needs a serious mic stand. Too bad for me as I do remotes and am always going lighter.

A mic that I often mention is the Shure KSM 141, single medium diaphragm switchable. I don't own it, but I've used pairs on several occasions. You can read about the mic elsewhere - but - Mike Senior has some very interesting audio files on the Audient site (I think) meant to demonstrate the options presented by a variable impedance mic preamp. Some of the examples use the KSM 141 to mic a drum set. The speed, smoothness, and clean nature of the mic is on display there.

The KSM 32 (cardioid only) is an other Shure medium diaphragm mic, and tonal balance is quite different (generally fuller/darker) than the 137/141 - I don't own that either but it is also a very speedy mic - like the 141/137, you can actually hear a piano string detune with a strike. Hugh reviewed the 32, PW did the 137/141.

Forgot to mention the caveat about Shure mic's often costing a great deal more elsewhere, so maybe they are not an optiom. (With the 32, the grey version looks the part with a Rycote mount if needed.)

[jtcoops]

I recently went for it and finally bought a pair of Coles 4038. In one sentiment.... Game Changing.

Finally the drum sound I've been trying to achieve for 6 years. They also sound great on elect and acoustic guitar. Really wish I'd splashed out years ago.

[TheReson8or]

Ok....I'm gonna go a bit leftfield and throw a couple of Heil PR30 into the mix....yes! dynamics. It's what I use in my tiny space! Dave