Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Drum Micpre selection-- you decide???

Beech · 16th November 2003

So you say pad the mic Wiggy. I've recorded my last two drum sessions using the Glyn Johns four mic technique and also put up a Soundfield for a more 'hifi' sound if needed.
I used the API for the kit left and right mics which were U87s. It worked very well except for the fact that I had to pad one of the mics pres. After the session when I investigated why there was such a difference in level, it became clear that my U87s were TOTally different! The newer (dark color) one has much more gain and indeed top and bottom. The older (silver) one which takes a battery is weak in comparison. The old has been back to Sennheiser recently so I have to guess that it's probably as good as it's going to get.

So, pad the mic and not the pre seems to be the moral of the story.
Does anyone have any opinions on the U87 issue? I really need to have a matched pair in this kind of stereo drum setup, so I guess I'm going to have to dig deep and get another of the newer U87s

Sorry for drifting off topic.

16th November 2003	#11
Beech Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 703	So you say pad the mic Wiggy. I've recorded my last two drum sessions using the Glyn Johns four mic technique and also put up a Soundfield for a more 'hifi' sound if needed. I used the API for the kit left and right mics which were U87s. It worked very well except for the fact that I had to pad one of the mics pres. After the session when I investigated why there was such a difference in level, it became clear that my U87s were TOTally different! The newer (dark color) one has much more gain and indeed top and bottom. The older (silver) one which takes a battery is weak in comparison. The old has been back to Sennheiser recently so I have to guess that it's probably as good as it's going to get. So, pad the mic and not the pre seems to be the moral of the story. Does anyone have any opinions on the U87 issue? I really need to have a matched pair in this kind of stereo drum setup, so I guess I'm going to have to dig deep and get another of the newer U87s Sorry for drifting off topic.