High End Tom mics

[nandoanalog]

Let me be simple... I wont plug a 100$ mic, into an api 512 pre... You get the picture right?...

So, Im looking for really good tom mics.
(it`s obvious I wont use neumman 49`s...)

Let`s keep this thread simple ok?

Simple=good

Thanks

[chrisso]

Senn 421's are used by nearly everyone (at some time or another).
Otherwise, 414's, U87's, KM56's, Josephson E22s's.
I'm sure there'll be other suggestions.

[picksail]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

Let me be simple... I wont plug a 100$ mic, into an api 512 pre...

Why not?

[PhilE]

87,
421,
TLM 103,
e604 (OK they are cheap but sound great on the bottom head with an 87 up top) I have no qualms plugging them into neves

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by picksail

Why not?

no kidding....

[s_sibs]

I wont plug a 100$ mic, into an api 512 pre...

Has to be one of the silliest things I've read on here in a long time.

I use e604s on toms. They sound great...can't get much simpler than that.

[nandoanalog]

Those e22s are looking really good to me... Thanks a lot.

[TanTan]

MD 421 , on floor a TLM103 is also great

[PhilE]

I think it's important to differenciate between being cheap and sounding cheap... if it makes you feel better I can buy some good mics and you can buy them off me for a lot of money- they will still sound the same.

I had this discussion with my tech earlier- I will not pay the asking price for a Neve 2264, I would pay £800-1100.
In 5 years they will probablly cost either £500 or £5000, this will be dictated by how cool people think they are at that time. They will always sound like they should cost between £800-1100 to me... consequently that is their worth to me.
If an e604 cost £300 I would pay it, the fact that I can get them for £75 just makes me happy- it does not make me doubt the sound I hear.
If a Behringer C1 cost £3000 I would still not want it.

[Curtis Franklin]

You are a dork. Absolutely. Try asking a question in this fashion:

"Does anyone know of any mics besides the usual suspects (sm57, e609, md421,sm58, etc.) that are good for toms? I don't paying top dollar."

This way you don't come off like a ass. Just a tip.

[AB3]

E22s - not only great on toms, but versatile.

[nandoanalog]

Originally Posted by pumadrum

You are a dork. Absolutely. Try asking a question in this fashion:

"Does anyone know of any mics besides the usual suspects (sm57, e609, md421,sm58, etc.) that are good for toms? I don't paying top dollar."

This way you don't come off like a ass. Just a tip.

My english sucks... I cant explain myself that good...

How would you like if I called you an ass because of your bad portuguese?..

Peace...

[nlc201]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

Let me be simple... I wont plug a 100$ mic, into an api 512 pre... You get the picture right?...

So, Im looking for really good tom mics.
(it`s obvious I wont use neumman 49`s...)

Let`s keep this thread simple ok?

Simple=good

Thanks

Simple. Got it. Go here. The very top post on this page. Look at the input list.

What's up with King's X?


Here's a picture (taken from earlier in the same thread).




Take a minute to realize who posted that.



If you're hell bent on spending money, far be it from me to stop you. U87s can work well. 414s. KM84s (or 184s). Hell, most anything will work. Just watch out for the inaccurate drummer who gets a little ambitious on his fills and gives the mic some "love" with his stick.......ouch.......there's a destroyed capsule....and a hefty repair bill!

[NathanEldred]

e22's, U87's, TLM103's, iFET7's, U195's. They'll all sound bigger than any dynamic, IMHO.

[warhead]

You paying $2000 each for CAD M179's might make you happy.

They friggin' smoke for 10% of that price though.

War

[picksail]

For what it's worth, 99% of the time, I mic the rack toms with the Senn 609s and the floor with a Neumann TLM-103.

With the 103 you'll need a preamp with both input and output attenuation. The mic is so hot that it's almost impossible otherwise.

I like the Chandler TG2 with the 103 on the floor tom.

[chrisso]

I think we got the message now that some cheaper mics can work well on toms.
Perhaps we can now stop crucifying the guy and just post comments about various mics.

[nandoanalog]

I have some 103, and I never tried them on floor toms.... But I like to mic bass amps with those....

I will be the only drummer playing with those mics... I never hit a mic in my life... And Im not worried about it... I just want my sound to b good.... I love TOOL drums.... On AENIMA, and LATERALUS, the drums are simply outstanding. They sound quite natural, and they have all the power they need. Just perfect..
I can reach a fairly similar sound with my actual gear.... But I hate to think that im using a 200$ mic on a 1500$ tom... Or a 300$ mic on a 3000$ kick drum.... You get it ,right?

I love my drum sticks more than any bunch of microphones......

[Bdiggy]

Nando,

Please take this comment in a non-confrontational manner as this is just my opinion.

I think you are making a huge mistake equating dollar amounts with what works or sounds great. I've used many of the mics mentioned above and I can tell you that price is NOT the only factor in what I (and i'm sure others) use and what sounds great.

I believe the very affordable 604e was mentioned. I auditioned several mics in all price ranges and configurations and that mic kicked my ass for toms. It's functional, light, durable and not only sounds great on Toms but gtrs. and snare too. I've also gotten great results with the ATM25. If you want more low end meat hype that's a great mic as well.

To sum it up... think tone not bone.

Bdiggy

[Baz]

Well, I posted pics HERE of some mic'd up toms, BUT we did have el'cheapo's underneath .

We ended up using 414's on rack and FL tom. Just an experiment really, but we were very pleased with the results.

I gotta agree about that TLM103, too. As anyone who owns / or has used one knows, these things are hella hot but would problably work well on the FL tom, too. We didn't really have a prob with ours, once we padded it out @ the input.

[MBishopSFX]

I've had really good results with DPA 4023s on toms and snare. They fit anywhere, too.

[Doser]

Well I have no quams plugging in a $100 microphone to record toms but ususally i use 421s or KM84s. The 604s are good but sometimes they lack snap in my opinion.
I have used Beta 98s for some projects and supprising I did not have to touch an EQ.
Doser

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Baz

I gotta agree about that TLM103, too. As anyone who owns / or has used one knows, these things are hella hot but would problably work well on the FL tom, too. We didn't really have a prob with ours, once we padded it out @ the input.

Yep, takes about 15-20 db of padding between the microphone and the preamp with an inline pad from Audio Technica or Shure to take it down to the level of a 'normal' microphone.

[redrue]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

How would you like if I called you an ass because of your bad portuguese?..

[Fletcher]

e22S's on top and bottom whenever possible... when its not possible, MT Gefell M-930's on the top and e22S's on the bottom or Gefell M-71's on the top and M-930's on the bottom... running them through an API 3124MB+ with some SPL "Tranient Designers" on the insert points of the mix busses... my toms have been coming out exceptionally controlled but none the less thunderous.

The client's have been exceptionally pleased and I've found them remarkably easy to fit into the mix without them fukking with the kik, snare and/or H/H sound.

As always, YMMV.

[84K]

e22s. Unlike Fletch, I guarantee your miles will not vary.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

Let me be simple... I wont plug a 100$ mic, into an api 512 pre... You get the picture right?...

So, Im looking for really good tom mics.
(it`s obvious I wont use neumman 49`s...)

Let`s keep this thread simple ok?

Simple=good

Thanks

Simple..... 414s or 421s


.

[George Necola]

57 or 58's.. or my red ddrum triggers

[digibird]

How about no close tom mics at all? That would solve the dilema. I get the tom sound from overheads, close ambient mics, FOK, mono or stereo room mics, or some combination of those choices. I prefer this sound to using close mics. Gotta like the room you're in for this, but that's always true, I guess. Drums sound more like drums to me when no close mics are used - just bring up the faders and smile, instead of manipulating the hell out of the close-miced tracks.

The last combo I tried that was a lot of fun was:

2 AT 4047s as close ambient mics (widely spaced pair 3 ft. off the floor)

1 GT AM52 FOK

2 KEL HM-1s Room

1 AEA R84 mono Room

1 SM7 mono overhead

[JDunkley]

Ive got 3x 421s and 3 x 604s. usually the 421s are for recording and the 604s are for live.

If Ive got a particularly big kit to record i start at the biggest tom and work my way to smallest firstly with 421s then 604s when Im out.