favorite tom mic

Randy Moore · 18th July 2004

I have been using sm 57 mics for the toms for some time, but would like to change. What are you using? Also some of my tom sound is from the O.H. mics (AT 4033se) which helps. The toms have remo pinstrips on top and emperor hazy on the bottom with the remo o-rings to damping the ringing slightly.

Randy Moore
www.sunsetrecordingstudio.com

Dave Martin · 18th July 2004

421's here. For pretty much every style of music.

3db@1K · 18th July 2004

mics 421top /57 bottom

or e22s top and bottom

or c414

or km 86

(from favorite down)

Try some coated ambassadors... I love the some for recording....

kwhatx · 18th July 2004

421's here as well. I've also found the ATM25 to be very useful on floor toms. And for drummers with control problems, I'll use MD504's instead of the 421's since they can a direct stick hit without breaking.

Randy Moore · 18th July 2004

Thanks for the advice. Do you guys like to record the toms with the remo o-rings or with no damping?

Randy Moore
www.sunsetrecordingstudio.com

Jules · 18th July 2004

Anything as long as they are Slingerland toms!

Not the answer you were expecting!

OK

Shure - SM7
Neumann - KM84
Neumann - M149
Sennheiser - 421

But thats realy a list of what I've used, rather than what I 'like'. I find the better the drummer the better the drum sound.

PaRaNoId · 18th July 2004

My normal go-to mics are Senn e604 for all toms, then I listen from there....alot of the time I end up replacing the highest tom mic with a SM57, and sometimes end up using a D-112 for the floor tom. 421s rock too, but I find them less convenient to set up than the clip-able 604s....

barforama · 18th July 2004

MD421 or MD409. Also C414 and U87 can do a pretty good job, but it depends VERY much on the style of music.

Brad McGowan · 18th July 2004

421's usually for me. Often I put a D112 on floor tom. I just did some drums yesterday and used an ATM25 on floor tom. I think I have to start doing that more often. It has pretty good rejection being hypercardioid. Also those cheap Studio Projects B1 large diaphragm condenser mics make good tom mics.

Brad

**Remoteness** · 18th July 2004

I second what torsten matthiessen said above.

StuartMac · 18th July 2004

I did a quick shootout the other day at the start of a session, actually. The mics were a 421, a 441, an AT4033, a Sennheiser e609 Silver and a Beyer M201.

I went with 421s for the rack toms and a 441 for the floor - as usual!

NathanEldred · 18th July 2004

Soundelux ELUX 251's are pretty much the ultimate (on kick too), but in the real world....I prefer Soundelux U195's whenever possible, as a second choice Neumann TLM103's, and then Sennheiser 604's when they pay the 'B' rate or are very sloppy players.

steins · 19th July 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Jules
Shure - SM7
Neumann - KM84
Neumann - M149
Sennheiser - 421

How do you position the M149's for Toms? I've never had the guts to try it. My (already dented) 421's don't mind a hit or two, but I don't know about the 149's.

Stein Tore

mitgong · 19th July 2004

Shure SM98s. Always.

Snare, too!

meteor · 19th July 2004

i know it's not a usual, but i have had a lot of luck lately with the ElectroVoice ND-468 swivel eggshell looking mic. for me, mic placement often has more to do with the capture than the mic itself (within reason of course). The 468's are very easy to place and adjust. I like get most of the tom attack from the overheads and use the close mics to give it a little body. so, i try to get some proximity working and just go from there till it starts to happen for me. Also, for a cheap Sennhesier 409 thing - you might try one of the new 609's - especially the more expensive non-silver version.

brownmouse · 19th July 2004

sennheiser 421
ev n/d 468 (or 408)
cad e-100
shure sm-57
beyer m-201
these are the most likely to end up on my toms... but then again... thats what i have available left over to put on the toms.
joshua

Jules · 19th July 2004

"How do you position the M149's for Toms? I've never had the guts to try it. My (already dented) 421's don't mind a hit or two, but I don't know about the 149's."

Well ... slightly out of the way, just peeking over the rim at an angle with the capsule poiinting at the drum head centre.... look for the stick hit marks on the head and move it back from those a few inches!!!!!

I dont put these up for 'kids' - only the seasoned pro's....

They can sound HUGE though....

441 on floor tom? Well... I'll be a monkey's uncle! I have to try that one day soon!

transfiguration · 19th July 2004

Studio Projects B1 :$80

trans

inaudio · 19th July 2004

Audix D4 when I run out of 421s. I really like the Audix D series - D4 can work on many things from bass to acoustic guitars and even fiddle.

<L>

Beech · 19th July 2004

It's the Sennheiser e604 here although I'm going to try 414s on my next session. If I had my way I'd have a pair of U87s in the Glyn Johns mode but thats not always appropiate for the song/producer.

theom · 19th July 2004

Another vote for the Audix D4

Sounds like a 421, easier to place, and less $$ if it gets whacked.

here's a pic in a rubber U shockmount

http://homepage.mac.com/leilatheo/D4/PhotoAlbum7.html

Bri_guy · 19th July 2004

I've been usin 421's most of the time (for ROCK). I also think if you're using double layer heads on the batter side it's a good idea to use single layer heads on the resonator side. This allows you to get the top end attack out of the batter and nice resonance control from the bottom. "Less chokage"

lowswing · 19th July 2004

i tried a lot of tom mics but coming always back to 421's.
also cool at4047 and c414

chriscavell · 19th July 2004

I'm another fan of the audix d-series. I use anything from a d1 to a d4 before I ever consider the 421's now. If the audix' don't cut it by the time I get to the 421, chances are a new kit or a new drummer is needed.

scotty-o · 20th July 2004

Another Audix D series guy here. I like the D-2 on rack toms, the D-4 or the Audio Technica ATM 23 on floor. Mostly the ATM 23.
I have an ATM 25 too, but find it to be way to boomy on floor toms most of the time.

-Scotty

LTA · 20th July 2004

One more audix D4 and D2 coming out of the closet here. They aren't as "dark" as a 421, although I like those too. Once you get the hypercardioid pattern figured out and the drum tuned well, they work good and are easy to focus on the portion of the drumhead you want to capture. Not too expensive either.

Originally got the D series mics for live sound, but they've found their way into my studio mic collection. They definitely aren't the "worst" common tom mic out there. Compact size combined with a right-angle xlr connector will get them into some tight spots too, unlike an sm57 or 421.

Jay Kahrs · 20th July 2004

Favorite? U87a. I rarely get to use them so I stick to either the standards or whatever's left over. I'd like to try 409's or 609's one of these days.

Simon Lomax · 20th July 2004

Apart from all the usual suspects. Has anyone else tried the Oktava 219 on toms? Not necessarily high end but they sound great; very natural and detailed, and are really inexpensive!!!

Simon

Tousana · 20th July 2004

I have used many different tom mics over the years. Really depends on the type of project and the skills of the drummer. Some of the suspects are as follows:
KM 84's, Sennhiser 421's and 504's (very easy placement and seem to have better top than 421's), 414's also some little known Yamaha MZ 204's and 205's which were made for about a year back in the early 90's. If you can find them pick them up. Just my thoughts and I'm always willing to try something new.

roughly · 21st July 2004

i really like the AKG 418's <and it helps with room for all the cramped with cymbolz>

jeffrey

18th July 2004	#1
Randy Moore Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jasper, Al. Posts: 42 Thread Starter	favorite tom mic I have been using sm 57 mics for the toms for some time, but would like to change. What are you using? Also some of my tom sound is from the O.H. mics (AT 4033se) which helps. The toms have remo pinstrips on top and emperor hazy on the bottom with the remo o-rings to damping the ringing slightly. Randy Moore www.sunsetrecordingstudio.com

18th July 2004	#6
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,356 1 Review written	Anything as long as they are Slingerland toms! Not the answer you were expecting! OK Shure - SM7 Neumann - KM84 Neumann - M149 Sennheiser - 421 But thats realy a list of what I've used, rather than what I 'like'. I find the better the drummer the better the drum sound. __________________ Jules Add your reviews to the new reviews area! Gearslutz on Facebook Follow my GS picks on Twitter

18th July 2004	#7
PaRaNoId Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 549	toms mics My normal go-to mics are Senn e604 for all toms, then I listen from there....alot of the time I end up replacing the highest tom mic with a SM57, and sometimes end up using a D-112 for the floor tom. 421s rock too, but I find them less convenient to set up than the clip-able 604s.... __________________ It's not the tools, it's the talent... My new Studio www.epicentre-recording.com Clients include- GIN BLOSSOMS, SOCIAL DISTORTION, HOT HOT HEAT, CIRCA SURVIVE, SILVER SUN PICKUPS, PHOENIX, DIRTY HEADS, ROGER CLYNE AND THE PACEMAKERS, BUSTICLES, ABOVE THE LOVE...

18th July 2004	#8
barforama Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 410 22 Reviews written	MD421 or MD409. Also C414 and U87 can do a pretty good job, but it depends VERY much on the style of music. __________________ torsten matthiessen studie barforama www.barforama.dk

18th July 2004	#12
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,130	Soundelux ELUX 251's are pretty much the ultimate (on kick too), but in the real world....I prefer Soundelux U195's whenever possible, as a second choice Neumann TLM103's, and then Sennheiser 604's when they pay the 'B' rate or are very sloppy players. __________________ Nathan Eldred Visit Atlas Pro Audio USA Distributor for Buzz Audio Atlas Recording Studios, Inc.

18th July 2004	#2
Dave Martin Moderator emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,152	421's here. For pretty much every style of music.

18th July 2004	#3
3db@1K Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LA Posts: 109	mics 421top /57 bottom or e22s top and bottom or c414 or km 86 (from favorite down) Try some coated ambassadors... I love the some for recording....

18th July 2004	#4
kwhatx Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 58	421's here as well. I've also found the ATM25 to be very useful on floor toms. And for drummers with control problems, I'll use MD504's instead of the 421's since they can a direct stick hit without breaking.

18th July 2004	#9
Brad McGowan Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 5,525	421's usually for me. Often I put a D112 on floor tom. I just did some drums yesterday and used an ATM25 on floor tom. I think I have to start doing that more often. It has pretty good rejection being hypercardioid. Also those cheap Studio Projects B1 large diaphragm condenser mics make good tom mics. Brad

18th July 2004	#10
Remoteness Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,311	I second what torsten matthiessen said above.

18th July 2004	#11
StuartMac Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 893	I did a quick shootout the other day at the start of a session, actually. The mics were a 421, a 441, an AT4033, a Sennheiser e609 Silver and a Beyer M201. I went with 421s for the rack toms and a 441 for the floor - as usual!

19th July 2004	#14
mitgong Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ITHACA, NY Posts: 387	Shure SM98s. Always. Snare, too!

19th July 2004	#15
meteor Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Lone Star Posts: 554	i know it's not a usual, but i have had a lot of luck lately with the ElectroVoice ND-468 swivel eggshell looking mic. for me, mic placement often has more to do with the capture than the mic itself (within reason of course). The 468's are very easy to place and adjust. I like get most of the tom attack from the overheads and use the close mics to give it a little body. so, i try to get some proximity working and just go from there till it starts to happen for me. Also, for a cheap Sennhesier 409 thing - you might try one of the new 609's - especially the more expensive non-silver version. __________________ "Hope doesn't float. It sinks to the bottom... You need more than hope. You have to believe."

19th July 2004	#16
brownmouse Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,399	sennheiser 421 ev n/d 468 (or 408) cad e-100 shure sm-57 beyer m-201 these are the most likely to end up on my toms... but then again... thats what i have available left over to put on the toms. joshua

19th July 2004	#18
transfiguration Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 243	Studio Projects B1 Studio Projects B1 :$80 trans

19th July 2004	#19
inaudio Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Marin County CA Posts: 156	Audix D4 when I run out of 421s. I really like the Audix D series - D4 can work on many things from bass to acoustic guitars and even fiddle. <L> __________________ Lou Judson Intuitive Audio 415-883-2689 inaudio@pacbell.net

19th July 2004	#20
Beech Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 701	It's the Sennheiser e604 here although I'm going to try 414s on my next session. If I had my way I'd have a pair of U87s in the Glyn Johns mode but thats not always appropiate for the song/producer.

19th July 2004	#21
theom Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 579	D4 Another vote for the Audix D4 Sounds like a 421, easier to place, and less $$ if it gets whacked. here's a pic in a rubber U shockmount http://homepage.mac.com/leilatheo/D4/PhotoAlbum7.html

19th July 2004	#22
Bri_guy Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 26	Tom Mics/Heads I've been usin 421's most of the time (for ROCK). I also think if you're using double layer heads on the batter side it's a good idea to use single layer heads on the resonator side. This allows you to get the top end attack out of the batter and nice resonance control from the bottom. "Less chokage"

19th July 2004	#23
lowswing Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 1,446	i tried a lot of tom mics but coming always back to 421's. also cool at4047 and c414 __________________ Guy Sternberg Engineer, Producer LowSwing Studios, berlin www.lowswing.de

19th July 2004	#24
chriscavell Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Orleans/Baton Rouge/Lafayette, LA, USA Posts: 107	I'm another fan of the audix d-series. I use anything from a d1 to a d4 before I ever consider the 421's now. If the audix' don't cut it by the time I get to the 421, chances are a new kit or a new drummer is needed.

20th July 2004	#25
scotty-o Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: D.C. / MD Posts: 222	Another Audix D series guy here. I like the D-2 on rack toms, the D-4 or the Audio Technica ATM 23 on floor. Mostly the ATM 23. I have an ATM 25 too, but find it to be way to boomy on floor toms most of the time. -Scotty __________________ "It's just like being in a reverb sandwich" - D.R. "It's those rock and roll hours...... really graves without flowers" - Lowell George "I wish more musicians were more interested in their "performance" than the "technology" that lets them appear to be musicians" - mixman499 "He was playing a Fender Precision with flatwound strings, like God meant for man to do." - Jim Dickinson

20th July 2004	#26
LTA Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 470	One more audix D4 and D2 coming out of the closet here. They aren't as "dark" as a 421, although I like those too. Once you get the hypercardioid pattern figured out and the drum tuned well, they work good and are easy to focus on the portion of the drumhead you want to capture. Not too expensive either. Originally got the D series mics for live sound, but they've found their way into my studio mic collection. They definitely aren't the "worst" common tom mic out there. Compact size combined with a right-angle xlr connector will get them into some tight spots too, unlike an sm57 or 421.

20th July 2004	#28
Simon Lomax Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK Posts: 224	Apart from all the usual suspects. Has anyone else tried the Oktava 219 on toms? Not necessarily high end but they sound great; very natural and detailed, and are really inexpensive!!! Simon

20th July 2004	#29
Tousana Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 304	I have used many different tom mics over the years. Really depends on the type of project and the skills of the drummer. Some of the suspects are as follows: KM 84's, Sennhiser 421's and 504's (very easy placement and seem to have better top than 421's), 414's also some little known Yamaha MZ 204's and 205's which were made for about a year back in the early 90's. If you can find them pick them up. Just my thoughts and I'm always willing to try something new.

21st July 2004	#30
roughly Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chi-town, a BlueState Posts: 215	i really like the AKG 418's <and it helps with room for all the cramped with cymbolz> jeffrey __________________ www.callthecow.com GO! ---- IL HB 311 -- US HR 676 ----- universal single payer healthcare for all!

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