Let's have a brawl: Best tom mics and preamps

[CrankyRayHanky]

I'm currently using sm57s, but I eagerly await my cad m179 on backorder. I've used oktava mk012 and loved those as well

I put my at 4047 on flor tom and that was awesome- I'm hoping the cad gives me something similar so I can afford to grab a few of those

[C/G]

Old white 421N and UA 2108. Good times. If I feel like condensers than sub Gefell UM70 for Senn 421.

Edit: just noticed you said $800 max for mics so revert back to used Senn 421 or 441.

[stevesmithfan]

I like my Shure Beta 98's going through my Daking IV's.

[BobbyPeru]

UA 2108 is permanently on my toms with 421's and maybe a Beta 52 or RE 20 for Floor. I wish I had 1 more 2108 for larger kits.

Bobby Peru
Milwaukee, WI

[fooman]

Best tom sound I've ever heard that was not sampled in was on my band's cd (I played, not engineered the drums). It was a 70's Ludwig with Evans coated using a 57 on rack, D6 on floor 14", and 421 on floor 16".

We ran the mics through vintage (I guess) 1073's.
I didn't EQ or compress the toms at all. So damn warm and punchy right off the bat.

I DID create samples from them for other sessions!

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by CuminGingerSpice

What are the 'best' mics and preamps for tom drums, assuming it's a realistic budget ($800 max for the mics, maybe). I have heard the AKG414s are amazing, but that is simply way out of my leauge if I want a few of them. I have been using SM57s for years. Thanks!

-Dave

I'm using MD421 or C451B at the moment and want to try the ATM-25.
my favourite preamp for rack and floor toms is the API 3124+

[spunkadellic]

for cheap (low end) mics on drums, i used a cad e100 through a relatively inexpensive tube pre - cranked the gain, and had a cool vintage indie thing going

[octatonic]

I usually start with some old 421's and API512c's and it is often fine.

If it is a metal record then I often end up replacing the toms with samples so it is less important- I'll use 57's for metal drummers because they are less likely to destroy a 57 and even if they do I can go get another.
Replacing my 421's would suck.

[cfdude]

ATM 25 and Daking or API

[dylansmale]

you cant give me a price limit!!! haha... at4050...or a D6?, or 210 even, but I haven't tried the 210 for that purpose yet.

up in the thousands price limit i would go with: El Diablo, M260? U67?

[MarkRB]

SM-98 is THE best tom mic. Sadly they are not made any more so I may be in the minority on this one.
Condensers on Toms are nearly always better than dynamics but that really depends on the kit/player etc... You need a good player to use condensers because they pick up a fair bit more so the drummers own balance needs to be pretty good.

[matta]

MD421's into Telefunken V672's, they were made for each other.

Matt

[DesertDawg]

Originally Posted by CuminGingerSpice

I have heard the AKG414s are amazing, but that is simply way out of my leauge if I want a few of them.

Definitely +1 on the 414's... I've used them quite a bit on toms over the years & they're my fave. Unfortunately, I don't have any 414's of my own, so at my place it's Audix D4's on toms, which I also like quite a bit (tried the 2's & 3's, as well, but the 4's seem to be better on toms, to my ears, anyway). Totally different beast, of course, and you don't get nearly as much stick out of those compared to the 414's, for example; but overall they pretty much fail to suck in that application. Preamps: on toms, I've never developed any favorites there... I've found that nearly anything with a reasonable degree of headroom is workable.

[stagefright13]

I use 57's into Eisen 512 clones. And those toms rip! Altho I did get 2 Cad M179's from Warhead and they will be at the bat next on rack toms. Hey 57's were good enough for Judas Priest. But they didn't have 179's back then

Seriously a 57 into a 512 type pre has a slamming sound for rock.

[Nu-tra]

CAD m179's!

Preamps SCA A12's

[nomatic]

Cad 177s with Sage pre's...........

Nomatic

www.hideoutstudios.com

[Kronos147]

Originally Posted by octatonic

I usually start with some old 421's and API512c's and it is often fine.

Yeah, get some API's when ya can, and you can even use the 57's until you can get the 421's. You would be amazed how good the 57 can sound through a pre like an API.

[AndrewsLaneRec.]

i love my tom setup... it's kind of a weird mix of stuff. sometimes i just use 421s on toms through my hhb radius 10 tube pre's... but sometimes i also really like sennheiser 609's (yes, the guitar cab mics) on toms, with either 421 or a Shure beta 52 on floor (depends on the size of the floor). i mean, if you can find a radius 10, you're looking at like under 800 bucks for your entire setup. 400 for the pre (it's a 4 pre unit), 100 for the 609 and like 250 for the 421. the radius 10 really shines when you drive the tubes fairly hard on toms. works well on kick, bass and gtr lo mic too.

-rs

[stagefright13]

I rent 421's sometimes but realistically the 57's into an API style pre sound great. And aren't so funky and breakable. I have high hopes for the 179's tho. I haven't miked a kit with them yet tho. But the other stuff I did was pretty nice. And forget about the 179 shock mount on drums. You will need to use the clip.

[TornadoTed]

I use CAD 179's into the JLM Baby Animal I built with API opamps.

[johnnydrama]

You could even try get your hands on the Audio Technica ATM-25 (discontinued). But they do more than the job. Run between $150-175

But if 421's are your style, I know a guy in the US selling a pair. $240 each and they're like new. (Just PM me for details)

I bought one from him and it was great.

Joash

[basho]

421s aside, the AT4047 and Oktava Mk319 aren't bad choices if you're on a budget...

[stagefright13]

The ATM25 is a great mic period. I have never regreted buying it. And makes a mean kick sound. Never tried it on toms tho. Except floor tom. I use a D-6 for rock and ATM25 for Jazz OR rock for that matter on kick.

[warhead]

Man, I feel like a broken record on these but the CAD M179 wins hands down with me on (A) sound (B) placement (C) versatility (they do other stuff well also, like outer kick also!). Preamps I use Mackie Onyx usually but the Chameleon stuff is great for a tom pre and EQ also.

War

[stagefright13]

I don't doubt you on that Warhead. They are a really nice condenser. Very neutral and high output. Just haven't tried them on Toms yet. But I will this coming week. And will try verses 57 and 421's. I use Eisen 512's for drums tho. The 179's seem alot less breakable than the 421's lol. They are just funky and are not very sturdy. I had a 421 rental break cause the drummer slammed it. The 179 looks much more durable.

[ribteen]

421's into cranesong spider.... smokin!!!!!!!!

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by cfdude

ATM 25 and Daking or API

+1thumbsup

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by octatonic

I usually start with some old 421's and API512c's and it is often fine.

Me too. I also like Langevin Am-16's for toms and drums in general.

[Coldbricks]

Thanks to all the replys. I do have a 2108 pre. I was one of the lucky ones who got one when I did. I'm going to consider some of these mics! As for the 57, if you send it through a smokin' preamp, it definetly does sound incredibly good. For example the 57 through the 2108 actually yields just about the best crunch guitar tone you'll ever get IMO. I was just curious about toms! thanks!