Overhead/Room mic for drums

[Kristian]

I have a small treated room, with a low and treated ceiling. Record altetnative country/rock and also mainstream rock. The kit is a Ayotte Custom with A LOT of sound(nice, almost more gretchy than gretch).

I have used U87 before on this kit, also some old KM84's, and a pair of small Bruel&Kjaer(could blow my budget), but all in a different room. They all sounded well, so I'm a bit unsure what I should go for.

My budget is $2500-$3000.

If you suggest a mic that also work well on vocals, it's a big plus...

The signal then runs into a Aurora Audio GTQ2.

Let me know what you think!

[warhead]

AEA R84 is such an incredible room mic on drums, and doubles up for any duties you want a classic (but present) ribbon sound. The Peluso R14 is arguably as good in this position if not better if you're looking for more tom-tom boom etc (it really delivers those even bigger).

War

[kittonian]

You can't go wrong with a stereo pair of Peluso P12's in that situation. It'll sound great. However, if you've already found mics that you love and use, why not go with something like the DBX 160SL. In dual mono mode the thing is just amazing for tracking, plus you can mix with it (I've got two and have one strapped to my 2-bus).

Either way, both suggestions will get you great tools to make great recordings.

[henryrobinett]

I'm getting a second Peluso P12 for that very reason. I'll let you know how it works out!

[SRS]

For overheads, try Josephson C42. For room, try a couple of Shure KSM-32s. The KSMs will certainly do decent for vocals and acoustic guitar as well, and give you a few dollars left to buy some other slutty gear.

[radicalron]

The Josephson C42 is a definite favorite as an Overhead. I recently switched to a matched pair of C42's and I am Way impressed! For Room mic I use an old U-47 to get the "olde sound". Otherwise a Royer SF12 works well too.

[IPLayHamers]

Originally Posted by kittonian

You can't go wrong with a stereo pair of Peluso P12's in that situation. It'll sound great. However, if you've already found mics that you love and use, why not go with something like the DBX 160SL. In dual mono mode the thing is just amazing for tracking, plus you can mix with it (I've got two and have one strapped to my 2-bus).

Either way, both suggestions will get you great tools to make great recordings.

I've been using a pair of Peluso CEMC6 with the wide cardioid capsules for over heads and a 22 47LE behind the kit and a P12 in front, both set on omni with incredible results. The Peluso mics are IMO, the best new mics available.

[Kristian]

I will check out this mics, thanks!

If we think more vintage mics, how about neumann, schoeps, telefunken etc.

ANYONE USED THE M221?

Remember, in a small treated room...

[Muad'Dib]

Royer R-122 should work nice for you. Good on room, overheads, and sometimes on vocals.

[seaneldon]

Gotta agree with the R84 suggestion. I use two of them very frequently as front of kit "underheads". Velvet-izes cymbals, adds weight to the drums. Being bidirectional, they'll also cover a lot of the room tone as you move them further from the kit. You can find audio samples on the Mercenary site and a video on the Meth Lab site featuring R84's in such a position.

I've also re-fallen in love with the Crowley & Tripp "Soundstage Image" over the last couple days. I'm doing drums for my album and am totally loving the texture they're giving me in a Glyn Johns triangle. They need a dash/pinch of 10kHz shelving for cymbal detail, but when you're not GOING for cymbal detail they're just what the doctor ordered. Again, space out the triangle far enough and you can negate the need for room mics.

If we're talking about one mic for overall kit pickup...InnerTUBE "Mag Mic". Set it up in front of the kit starting about 5 feet away and in cardioid. Now dial in the "width" of the kit with the variable polar pattern. The Mag Mic just kind of takes audio waves from the air, scrambles 'em up with magic, and spits them out 10 times larger than they actually are.

[Nishmaster]

Another vote for the AEA R84s.

I've really been digging using them in a M/S setup, so I can get the room sound out near the very edges of the stereo field. The ribbons, being somewhat dark, allow the cymbals from the close microphones to remain defined while still retaining some depth and space from the rooms.

I know technically you are supposed to use a directional and figure-8 pattern, but this setup sounds great to me. Admittedly, this is in a medium size room, well treated, with a high ceiling. I'm not sure I'd really use room mics at all in a small room, as they really only amount to slightly delayed copies of the overheads.

[Holy Grail]

Well, have tried P12....did not like them (but was hoping they would sound like C12, that was probably to much to hope for....)

C12 (also actually the new C12VR) is my favorite for OH. But have had good results with ribbons to, royer, AER and Beyer M160.

[BlueSprocket]

Demo a pair of Korby FET mics ($2k). These are hands down the most amazing drum overheads I've ever used. The C42 is a great option if you want a small diaphragm in that price range.

[skybluerental]

bright = akg 451 EB (put these up against C 42's and its no contest)
dark = Coles 4038

ive never heard the AEA R84, but it seems that id like to............

[tree]

Keeping in mind the size and dimension of your room, be cautious with the ribbons...
In that situation fig 8 can certainly bring about some unwelcome time/phase issues.
That said, i do love the sound of the 4038 at just slightly above drummer's head level over snare and kick in a low ceilinged rm. Yeah Mono!!
Of the stereo OH options here (incl. most usual higher end suspects), have freakishly been favouring 2 of those Avant c28 mid dia. tube mic deals. Great lo end and smooth top - 2 characteristics that might be useful in a rm like the one you've described....
unless you prefer that bright sizzle mayhem ......

[starfighter]

Try a Royer SF-12... Does wonders 90% of the time... Let's you choose between X/Y and M/S as well by just turning the mic 45 degrees...

morten

[TanTan]

Coles 4038 is my all time favourite drum room mic..