BLUE mics - which models for drum OH and drum room?

[666666]

I have zero experience with Blue mics, but I was talking to someone recently who got me interested.

I stopped over at the Blue website but couldn't find info regarding suggested applications, etc. Plus, I'd rather hear opinions from the slutz anyway.

So, for a stereo pair of drum overheads, or drum distant room, which Blue mics might you suggest? In general, I like a fairly clean and accurate sound. I'm not really a tube or ribbon mic guy in general... usually use fairly clean large and/or small diaphragm condensers. I like lots of detail, super quick transients, but overall "flat" response, not really into lots of upper or lower end "hype"... the flatter, the better, but a little hype in the right places might be ok.

Thanks

[espen askelad]

Blue mics are typically known for being "character" mics - I'm not sure they'd be the best line to look at if you're after really clean/flat mics. That said, Dragonflies are pretty popular for OH duty, and I'm fond of the Baby Bottles as room mics. Again though, for your want of pretty flat response, I'd probably look elsewhere first. I really like most of the Blue mics I've used, but have never thought of them as being neutral sounding mics.

[666666]

Originally Posted by espen askelad

Blue mics are typically known for being "character" mics - Dragonflies are pretty popular for OH duty, and I'm fond of the Baby Bottles as room mics....

Thanks

Please elaborate on the "color" of the Dragonfly and Baby Bottle when used in a drum setting. I do have other "neutral" mics already... so a bit of character might be welcomed... depending.

Much appreciated.

[lowfreq33]

Baby Bottle has a thicker character. it emphasizes the mids more than the highs, so you'd get lots of punch from the snare, it'll also tame the harshness/brightness of the cymbals. Not the same kind of "warmth" (god I hate that word) as a tube mic, more like a darker character. I'd suggest the Bluebird for rooms, it's really the only Blue mic intended to be general purpose, it has the least character of all their mics.

[espen askelad]

There are a couple of variants of the BB as well. The two that I had were both almost an "M" curve in response - big low mids and high mids, with a little rolloff on the top and bottom, and seemed like a little dip in the more central mids as well. Because they had such a strong character they would be totally hit/miss mics, but I do regret selling them. They were fantastic on a cleanish Fender amp, a mic'd Wurli/Rhodes, and often worked really well as stereo room mics. I'm not sure if the current production models are the same.

[Jay Kahrs]

I have a pair of Dragonflys & a super early pair of Baby Bottles, serial numbers in the double digits...

The Dragonflys are without a doubt, possibly my favorite overhead pair ever with the exception of Scheops 221's and old C12's. Bright & detailed yet with enough low end body to capture the kick drum & toms with great justice. Kind of 'scooped' but in a pleasent way. The swival head makes it really easy to adjust position without having to muck with a big micstand for little adjustments... aiming it towards or away from the ride cymbal for example...

Last time I put them over a kit we started with AT4051s & a pair of old silver 414EB's and the Flys beat 'em all hands down. The 4051's were 'balanced' but dull... the 414's crisper but had a funky midrange on the snare & toms and then one of 'em started making LOTS of noise. Put up the Flys & it was like a breathe of fresh air... Drums sounded more or less like they did in the room with no further EQ or anything.

The Baby Bottles I have are fairly tailored sounding... more like ribbon mics then any condensors I've ever used. Very midrangy with the bottom & top rolled off, the latter starting around 5-7kHz maybe? Great for guitars & horns... not so good for overheads. Not at all really. Makes the cymbals 'gongy' and lo-fi in a "bad" way.

[pan60]

i have only one Dragonfly and i really really wish i had a pair.
in time i will!

[Mind-Over-Midi]

Kiwi's are great, killer, the shiznit, what ever you want to call it on overheads! Very detailed, you should give them a try.

[slobbermonster]

a pair of big bottles is nice, that's usually what I use

[pan60]

Originally Posted by slobbermonster

a pair of big bottles is nice, that's usually what I use

now i drool.

[lowfreq33]

I love the kiwi on rooms except for the amount of hat it picks up. If the drummer has good control they're fine, but if it's a rock drummer it'll be nothing but hat.

Of course, you can always put them in cardioid and face them away from the kit. Hmmmm.....

[gundling]

Just to repeat the same old mantra... Love the Mouse, Love the Baby Bottle... would not use them for OH or Room. Very Hyped. I can't speak for other models.

Neat trick with the Mouse.. use an sm57 (or sim) on snare bottom and a BLUE Mouse on snare top and you can get some wicked Sum 41 / All American Rejects / POP Punk type snare stuff... .

Reading this makes me wanna get a kiwi........ dammit...

Cheers,

Rob

[scking]

The Kiwi sounds very clear and detailed. Smooth high end. I haven't tried them on overheads (I only have one), but I'd bet they would sound great for that.

[sethmeister]

Bumping an old thread here, but I just got a pair of Blue Bluebirds and tried them out in spaced pair on drum overheads. For $299 apiece brand new I think they're great.

Like my wife, they have a really tasty rounded low end and a pleasant, bright but not harsh top end. Nice stereo image too.

[666666]

Originally Posted by sethmeister

Like my wife, they have a really tasty rounded low end and a pleasant, bright but not harsh top end...

Forget the mics, how much for the wife?

[pan60]

i have said it before i will say it again: )~ i am a fan of the BLUE MICS!
and the RED one as well!

[RuffJazzRecords]

I read somewhere on here someone was using two Woodpeckers.

[jjblair]

Skipper told me that with the Dragonfly, they were going for a mic that was in the vein of the 414-EB (CK12 one). I would say that based on that description, I would try that.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by RuffJazzRecords

I read somewhere on here someone was using two Woodpeckers.

i can see that being awesome. also really want to try the Woodpecker as a room mic. on a side note, it has probably become my favorite acoustic mic that i own.

[bgrotto]

If you've got the money, a pair of Blue Bottles with the B6 capsules are fantastic. HUGE tom sounds, great image of the whole kit, and perfect brightness. The B0 capsules are nice too, for a more hyped sound.

[drumkideric]

Originally Posted by RuffJazzRecords

I read somewhere on here someone was using two Woodpeckers.

I currently own one woodpecker (which I am selling), but I have used it as a mono room mic and it was great. I compared it side by side with a 77dx and actually preferred the woodpecker. It adds a great character to the drum sound. I wish I could afford to keep this mic.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by bgrotto

If you've got the money, a pair of Blue Bottles with the B6 capsules are fantastic. HUGE tom sounds, great image of the whole kit, and perfect brightness. The B0 capsules are nice too, for a more hyped sound.

There's always the RED TYPE B bodies and B6 capsule combo that would be much less $$$ and achieve very good results. On overhead duties the B6 would be a top pick for me. The KIWI uses the B6 capsule also.

War

[pan60]

Originally Posted by warhead

There's always the RED TYPE B bodies and B6 capsule combo that would be much less $$$ and achieve very good results. On overhead duties the B6 would be a top pick for me. The KIWI uses the B6 capsule also.

War

the TYPE A is also a top pick for me, in addition to the TYPE B.

[RKelly]

Last few days we've been using Omni Mice as Drum Rooms. They sound nice, better when squashed!