What drum overhead mics are you using

[Jim Williams]

AKG 460B with transformers removed. Also used on hat, best I've ever heard.

[AKCSTUDIO]

Hey Jim my deck sounds awesome bro,sounds like that 460 would be a custom from jim ha ha.

[TristanHackney]

"single mum finds new and free way to record drums without the huge overheads!"

[Ward Pike]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

AKG 460B with transformers removed. Also used on hat, best I've ever heard.

Who did you have perform the mods and what kind of difference can you describe? (big fan of the C460)

Thanks in advance,

Ward

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

Who did you have perform the mods and what kind of difference can you describe? (big fan of the C460)

Thanks in advance,

Ward

The mods are done by Jim Williams himself..
I'll let him describe the differences..

Btw..I own a pair of C460's modded by Jim and I could only tell good things about them (and his work)... they sound cristal clean, with a HUGE clean bottom and sparkling highs, a LOT of detail...Very very nice mics!

Just my 0.02$,

Bests,

Cheu

[Wlouch]

Originally Posted by TristanHackney

"single mum finds new and free way to record drums without the huge overheads!"

LMAO!

[JimDaddyO]

Pair of Neumann KM 184's in an X pattern......I need more mic stands

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by cheu78

Btw..I own a pair of C460's modded by Jim and I could only tell good things about them (and his work)... they sound cristal clean, with a HUGE clean bottom and sparkling highs, a LOT of detail...Very very nice mics!

Just my 0.02$,

Bests,

Cheu

Same here. My modded 460's are my go-to SDC's when I want clean and transparent. I also have a pair of un-modded 460's which sound quite different. I pull them out on the rare occasion when I don't want quite that much detail (like with sloppy acoustic guitar players).

[RKelly]

I normally go with a pair of 67's for rock and a pair of 184's for most anything else (both set up spaced). Just used some Milab VM-44's though on a record a couple weeks ago and the imaging was great on them, really balanced sounding and the positioning felt like it came through really clearly, big fan now.

[Matt R]

I've been a huge fan of the Studio Projects C4 mics. I'd definitely put them up there in the "high end" range. I think they kick the KSM-141's up and down the street as overheads.

[Malini]

I'm really surprised. Over 300 answers and nobody mentioned Elam 251's. It's always my first choice if 2 originals are available. If not, 67's or 47's.

[bkbirge]

Must be nice. Is it hard to breathe the air up where you live? LOL. I would LOVE to try a pair of 251's on overheads. I have used a pair of U67's extensively and those are great I'll agree. I'm also partial to CMV563's with the 55k capsule or a pair of altec lipstick omnis in a space omni config but the room has to be really good. Depending on the music and how live we're tracking there's a real good chance those mics are going to be used for something else though like upright bass, string sections, vocals, piano, etc.

Originally Posted by Malini

I'm really surprised. Over 300 answers and nobody mentioned Elam 251's. It's always my first choice if 2 originals are available. If not, 67's or 47's.

[Tim Abraham]

Configurations and mics I use often:

Mono 4038: Classic mono overhead sound. 4038's have incredible "reach" and often a close snare mic is totally unnecessary with this setup. You will get room in the overhead. Rather dark in the top octave, so I usually use a Hammer or Pultec to lift 10k.

Stereo 4038: Either ORTF or spaced pair. The advantage of the ORTF is that I can get a nice sense of width, but with a super solid center image. I have the AEA mounting bar kit. Spaced pair is wider (but these days I rarely want a really wide drum image anyways).

Mono U67: Darker than an 87, and brighter than a 4038. Good if there is subtle cymbal work (4038's just don't pick up delicate cymbals well, especially brushed). Also, drier if I'm looking for a dead room sound or just less room in the overs. A great combo with a spaced pair of 4038's in the room.

Mono Gefell UM92s: Leaner than a 67, with a buttery midrange and smoother top (a little less grainy than the 67). Focused sounding.

Stereo U67's: Spaced pair. Good for rootsy stuff and jazz. I prefer U87's for rock (harder and brighter sounding).

Stereo U87's (not ai): Larger than life rock sound. Hard and bright (in a good way (U87ai's are hard and bright in a not-so-good way).

Stereo KM84's: I love the top end and definition of this setup. Good if I want clarity and definition (I don't always...).

Stereo Blumlein ribbon: AEA R88 is an amazing mic. Handles transients in a different way than the 4038's (not as punchy, but that's not always a bad thing). Has a unique stereo image....you kinda have to hear it. Great for roots/americana/jazz.

Stereo XY condenser: AKG C24 - for some reason these always seem to have issues in the studios around here, but when they're working, they're sometimes just the ticket. Not as wide as a spaced pair, but that's a good thing in my books...

3 Overheads (Spaced U87's/KM84's, Mono 4038). I love having a 4038 in the middle - it's an amazing way to bring out more snare (sounds way more 3D and natural/bigger than pushing more close mic). I'll use 87's if I actually want a wide stereo image to go along with the mono centre. If I want a mostly mono image, but with better cymbal definition I'll use KM84's and move them in closer to the hat and ride, almost like cymbal spot mics.

No overheads: close mics only (84 on the hat). This is sometimes just the ticket for live hiphop drums. Sounds kinda sample-y and super dry.

No overheads: ORTF 4038's out in front of the kit about 6' away, waist height, placed to have a strong centred image of the kick and snare (i.e. draw a line between the kick and snare and mount the AEA bar perpendicular to the imaginary line. This will be to the left of the kick drum in a conventional setup). Kick and snare close mics. Really wide, roomy, powerful sound, especially if when smashed with a pair of 1176's or a 33609.

[andychamp]

Originally Posted by Tim Abraham

Configurations and mics I use often:(...)

Some cool ideas in there!
Could you elaborate a bit on how the toms turn out with these setups? Or do you rely on close mics for them?

[robbyandlondon]

earthworks sr77's - Auditronics 110 console

[Drumsound]

Today it was Aseyer L36Bs spaced pair.

[Demonslave]

KSM44 baby! i have c12 84's tube version of the 84's and i'm tellin' Ja try the 44's. You'll be surprised!

[syra]

Originally Posted by Malini

I'm really surprised. Over 300 answers and nobody mentioned Elam 251's. It's always my first choice if 2 originals are available. If not, 67's or 47's.

Yeah I love 251s on overheads. Its usually a toss up between those and the C12s although lately the 251s have been parked at the piano.

[bforest4]

Originally Posted by syra

Yeah I love 251s on overheads. Its usually a toss up between those and the C12s although lately the 251s have been parked at the piano.

Yes, I just got a 2nd Tele 251E USA reissue and used it for drum overheads with Chad Smith, drummer for RHCP, for the first time at my studio. The difference from my old pair of AKG C28's, which were really nice, was astounding!!! Thanks, Syra, for pushing me to go for a pair of 251's, now my new favorite for OH's!

[mattqualls]

Depends on the band but I usually go mono with a Blue Dragonfly, or Cascade VinJet. Sometimes I go Glyn Johns or spaced pair with the VinJet and a Cascade 731R.

[Flying_Dutchman]

t.bone sc 140
really
peace

[KillerV]

Shure KSM32's

[tomas.nedoma]

Usually pair of AKG C480Bs with CK61 capsules or 414LTDs.

[Tomas Miller]

M160 in stereo, 4060 for mono, or 414 b-uls & u87 for other flavors. It all depends on what I'm going for.

[MixBuss]

Shure ksm-32

[edvdr76]

AKG 451's, 414's, and 87's once in a while.....

[void1985]

Used to always use C414's or the sE 4400's as OH's, but I'm beginning to really dig the Neumann KM140's with an sE/Neve RNR1 hanging over the drums as a room mic. The KM140's go to an Avalon 2022. The RNR1 to an Amek/Neve 9098 pre.

[jgimbel]

I really, really love my KM84s.

[Ward Pike]

At the risk of being called heretic or screamed at for mentioning (hypocritically, I might add) such a low-end product here...

Many years ago I recorded many drum tracks using AKG C1000s as overheads. Recently I transferred one of these albums from analog to PT.

I was really surprised at how good the tracks sounded.

[Drumsound]

Tried Shure Beta 181 on OH Friday night. Had the cardioid capsules in ORTF. Pretty interesting.