Your preferences in Drum overhead mics

[DHD]

So do you prefere bright mics, ribbons, LCD, SCD, cardioid, omni?

I'm just looking for personal preferences and for what inspires you.

Thanks guys.
DHD

[Nut]

My best results have been with KM84s, but thats just me

I positioned them as a spaced pair, using Stavs technique... turned out pretty good with nice stereo imaging (though admittedly not as good as it could be) and it supported the close mics well.

[The Reel Thing]

Hi there,

I always like Neumann U87, when I record to tape.
Often ribbon mics, when it goes to digital.

It really depends on the kind of music I'm recording.
I guess any nice mic will do the job if the sound fits the rest of the arrangement.
It's the overall picture that counts.
I've heard of sessions with SM57s as overhead mics...

Tom

[DirkB]

In my room I actually like the Josephson C42's a lot. However, the lowend on my drums I get from the close mics and the (mono) room mic, not necessarly the overheads (although they do contribute).

Greetings,
Dirk

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by DHD

I'm just looking for personal preferences and for what inspires you.

The room, mood, instinct, guesswork... in that order... that, and I try not to do the same thing more than a couple of times which directly leads to having no set ways of doing anything... or at least anything that has to do with microphone selection and placement.

[Riad]

I use AKG451C stereo pair, most of the time arranged in ORTF.

[Jules]

Audition whats available at that studio at that time on that drummer...

At my place we have these possble stereo pairs:

AKG 451 SCD
Neumann M149 valve LCD
Beyer M160 ribbon

I use the Beyers usually unless I do 3 the mic trick, then I use the Neumanns

[mwagener]

The Royer SF-12 gives me constantly good results. They take EQ very well, even tough only little is needed and you get a great stereo image, just make sure the snare shows up in the middle of the picture.

[Doublehelix]

My two favs are the Neumann KM184'ss and the AKG 414ULS's, depending on the room and kit, etc.

I just tried a single Blue Bottle (B6 capsule) last weekend with great results.

Cymbals all sound differently, and how they are played effect the choice as well.

As always, use your ears!

[missilanious]

QTC30's seem to be my favorite, given I'm in a great sounding room. Earthwork Sr77's, Royer 121's, and AKG451's also get that task often. Damn do I love recording with omni's!

[RCM - Ronan]

Shure KSM 32s are almost always the first things I try.

[WunderBro Flo]

I just did a drumrecording with a Soundelux U99b in Omni in front of the kit at about belly level facing slightly down towards the snare. this killed all the overhead mics I also tried....no competition.
before that I usually used a pair of AKG 451 or 414TLII in standard overhead position.

rock on,
P.

[Drumsound]

I've had good luck with AT 4047, 4050 and Pro37R. I used to work in a joint with a pair of Shure SM81s that I really miss. I've got a pair of the cheap ribbons on the way that I'm eager to try.

I was on the drum recording panel at TapeOpCon with Joe Chiccarelli and we used a pair of Blue Dragonflies and I'm jonesin' for a pair of those now too.

If I had a match to my U87 I'd dig that. I've got a 70s model and it does make a nice mono OH.

[stakeoutstudios]

Soundeluxe U99!

Great detail and excellent transient response.... you really feel the drums!

Also had good luck with Audio Technica 4050s sometimes I've even had luck with RODE NTKs....

Jason

[mwagener]

cool we got 13 posts and 12 different mics mentioned, that's what I love about recording

[84K]

4038s rule as the overheads 4 me. mono 251 room or 47.

[pigpen]

Although not considered high end here, I have had good results in my room with the lowly Rode NT4. Not always my fav, but when a session has to go warp speed, you can't beat the set up time.

I also dig the 414's

[The Reel Thing]

Originally Posted by Drumsound

If I had a match to my U87 I'd dig that. I've got a 70s model and it does make a nice mono OH.

I wouldn't worry so much about a pair of U87s matching. I would assume that if you find any U87 from the seventies, it would just match yours nicely for a stereo overhead pair. If it doesn't sound exactly like the one you have - well hell, then the drum set sounds a little wider...

Audio Technica gave me a pair of 4050s to try out, and I find they sound a bit too cold (probably because they have no transformer). Went straight back to the U87s.

Cheers, Tom

[ChrisG]

Most recent recording I did was with an AKG C24 in MS....that was a good time!

[NL5]

Pair of Gefell UM92.1's

[CorkyTart]

SM 81 through Summit Neve Pre Eq

[Jules]

Actually I also like using a Royer SF12 - Awesome! Great 'clang' and minimal 'hissssssss' sound - v beefy on overheads

[rwhitney]

This combo: M149s with Fearn VT-2.

[XHipHop]

ADK Vienna Editions.

[Lindell]

Originally Posted by mwagener

The Royer SF-12 gives me constantly good results. They take EQ very well, even tough only little is needed and you get a great stereo image, just make sure the snare shows up in the middle of the picture.

02:55 AM. Just got back from the studio, Been tracking drums for three days straight. Used the SF-12 thru a pair of V76 preamps. Gotto second all above.... very nice stereo image and smooth if your face cymbals.

Cheers and goooodnight,
Lindell

[joelgtrnut]

AKG 414s into a Neve Portico

[cajonezzz]

I got to shoot out KSM 32's against B and K ( not sure number) anyhow, high zoot mics. I really liked the shures!

also dig the royer 121's alot for the straight ahead jazz stuff... and, believe it or not..AT 4033's have been used alot lately around here!

WTF do I know tho?

[ziegenh5]

Always a mono km84 even though a I have a pair.
Sean

[Sui_City]

We used an AEA R88 on a session on the weekend.

Absolutely sings. Just bump up a few db's on the top-end and it's smooth as silk. No harsh transient from the metalwork at all.

[PlugHead]

AKG C451E's (most often thru Buzz MA2.2, or hardy M1's)
sometimes TC30k's thru the same
Used U99 a few times, but more often as FOK, or room...
KM184's also have worked, but not using them as much lately...

Would like to have another 4038 for OH's, but no such luck yet

Would like to try the R88, or moreso the SF24, or even the SF12 - have used R-121, and SF1 on kit, but no prs for stereo, tho I really dig the 'meat' from the kit, and lack of cymbal 'hash'...