Overhead mics

[benshea]

So I know and have read a few threads on overhead mics, but some of them are pretty old, there is nothing wrong with that really, but I wanted to write out my situation.

What I have been using is a pair of akg c1000b, and i don't really have any nice pre's just presonus lt's and fireface 800 pre's.

So my question is, what overhead mics would be a decent upgrade, in the price range of $1000 or so for the pair.

I have been looking at atm450, octava mk012, KSM44, KSM32, Mojave 100sp. I know that some of those for a pair would go over $1000 but just wondering if it's worth it.

I know I need some better pre's too, but just trying to figure what I should upgrade now, since drums is something I want to make sound better.

thanks, sorry if this was confusing

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by benshea

KSM32,

These are my favorite overhead mics at any price point. They will also be great for tons of other stuff as well.

[ROCKER STUDIOS]

BEYER M160 I got a pair for $1100

[Slikjmuzik]

Beyer 930's or Josephson c42, however, I have heard KSM32's on overheads as both live and in the studio and they rock. This mic also sounds great as a room mic or on a Guitar Cab!! Consider the CAD M179 as well, it has multiple polar patterns, is nice and smooth and make your kit sound huge!!

[earsofgreen]

The 32's are great on OH. But i've found the KSM 44 to be a much more versatile mic.
Guitars, Perc, Cabs, Drums, & even strings.

Live and Studio I've seen both applications. I saw a tour come through recently and they had the 32 on a ac30, and a 44 on a marshall 2x12, and it sounded pretty epic.

good luck.

[slaves666]

I love my Fathead II's on Drum OH's and guitar cabs....only around $300 a pair. Maybe stretch your cash and get a Vintech Dual 72 with the rest of the money.

[Track 7]

ATM 450's or KSM32's.... although as mentioned, the KSM 32's are much much more versatile!!!

[Daedalus77]

Another vote for KSM32. Great, underrated, workhorse mic.

First call on OH at our shop, and we have a number of other choices.

Especially at the price point you note, this is your best option, IMHO.

Best of luck.

[voidtunes]

Lots O good OH mics out there. For your budjet I would go for Rode NT5's for Pop/rock or the beyers for more melow stuff. Eq the high mids out of the NT5's slightly and they sound magic! I sometimes pick them over more expensive ribbon mics (depending on how I want my drums to sit in the mix. You will find them in your price range.

[jmikeperkins]

Many gearslutz seem to dislike them, but you could get a used pair of Neumann KM 184 mics for about $1,200 and I think they make pretty darn good overhead mics for that price. I have a pair of them and I used to use mine for that purpose until a got a pair of U87 mics which I now use for overheads. 87's on overheads are killer, but that's a lot more money than you want to spend. Sometimes a pair of AKG 414 B-ULS mics can sound good on overheads and you could get a used pair in good shape for $1,300 or so. I have not used the Shure KSM 44 but I have used the KSM 32 and its a great mic for the money and a good suggestion for what you want to spend.

No one can give you a specific answer as a lot depends on the sound of the drums, the drummer, the room you are recording in and how many other drum mics do you want to use. The larger diaphram mics (Neumann U87, AKG 414 B-ULS, Shure KSM 44 and KSM 32) will do a better job of giving body and thickness to the sound of the toms (and kick and snare) and are a better choice in a MINIMAL mic set up where you do not mic everything individually. If you plan on putting a mic on each tom and the snare, then you don't need that extra thickness and the small diaphram mics should be fine as their primary purpose would be the cymbals.

But there are no rules here. Don't think you have to set up a ton of mics and put them in specific places just because someone else does. Many of the greatest drum sounds ever recorded where done with just a few mics (and a good drummer, good drums, good room). I used to use a lot of mics to record drums but now I am down to just 3 (2 U87's overheads and a vintage Neumann U77 on kick). I am recording my mid 60's Ludwig set with a (bright sounding) metal Ludwig Symphonic snare. With these drums I find every time I add another mic (snare top and or bottom, toms, high hat) it just starts creating phase issues and makes the dums sound smaller and not bigger but your milage may vary.

J. Mike Perkins

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by slaves666

I love my Fathead II's on Drum OH's and guitar cabs....only around $300 a pair. Maybe stretch your cash and get a Vintech Dual 72 with the rest of the money.

great idea. i would opt for the FH1, cheaper and supposedly sonically the same. i own a trio of FH1's. amazing sounding for the money! the vintech or the chameleon labs 7622 in the classifieds. my FH's love the CL 7622 and my sytek.


also, the josephson is a great recommendation. i want a pair of those or peluso cem-6's really bad.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by voidtunes

Lots O good OH mics out there. For your budjet I would go for Rode NT5's for Pop/rock or the beyers for more melow stuff. Eq the high mids out of the NT5's slightly and they sound magic! I sometimes pick them over more expensive ribbon mics (depending on how I want my drums to sit in the mix. You will find them in your price range.

i like the nt5's, but not for OH. man are they bright! with very little bottom end meat. if your looking for just cymbals and your cymbals are dark, by all means, they would be GREAT, but looking for the kit or have bright cymbals like in rock, not so much. i do use the nt5's for spot micing the HH and ride, but i want those to pop out more in a mix if i am having to spot mic.
for my own OH, adk SL pair or FH pair. all depends on the song/style/drums.

[Daedalus77]

I have to disagree on the KM184s. We have 'em and use 'em on myriad sources, but I find they tend toward brittleness and don't take EQ particularly well, which means they're usually a no-go for OH duties.

If you're going to spend the money on a pair of KM184s, spend a little bit more and get a pair of the Gefell M300s. Or spend slightly less money and get the Mojave 100s.

Best of luck.

[cheu78]

I recently bought a pair of JZ BT 201 and they're amazing as overheads..even with just decent preamps... As a plus you can swap the capsules and choose the one that suits better for your needs.
Just my 0.02$
bests,

Cheu

[Gaston69]

DPA SMK 4060 distance between mics 38cm, excellent panorama and lot's of punch, tight bass, clear high end etc and on top they don't required hugh mic stands.

Gaston

[Tom Hakala]

KSM32. I haven't used it myself, but I have heard nice recordings that was done with it. I have AT4050 myself (great, great workhorse) and KSM32 should be somewhat similar.
You should also consider MC930. I'm probably buying a pair next week.

[Yorke]

I bought a pair of Peluso matched SDC's, and have been very happy with them, he sells various capsules for this design as well.

When i ordered them, I got an email that said they were being tested and matched, and would take a couple of days to ship.

That made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

[Jungle Jazz]

I'll add another enthusiastic vote for the Beyerdynamic MC930, and I also like the Shure KSM141, which I don't think has been mentioned as yet.

[cyjanopan]

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

I used to use a lot of mics to record drums but now I am down to just 3 (2 U87's overheads and a vintage Neumann U77 on kick). I am recording my mid 60's Ludwig set with a (bright sounding) metal Ludwig Symphonic snare. With these drums I find every time I add another mic (snare top and or bottom, toms, high hat) it just starts creating phase issues and makes the dums sound smaller and not bigger but your milage may vary.

J. Mike Perkins

Usually when working with great drummers I use only 2 microphones, 1 OH and kick drum mic and its enough, but recently I wanted to add some thickness to toms and found the same problem as you have. Tom mics just brought them higher in level but it wasnt necessary becouse balance was great, toms was not thick enough. What helped and made sound richer was tom microphones but on the bottom of toms and low in the mix. Sounded natural and full, maybe you should try it

[drBill]

Originally Posted by benshea

So my question is, what overhead mics would be a decent upgrade, in the price range of $1000 or so for the pair.

Here's an opportunity for you to listen and decide which ones fit your own esthetic. Good luck with your quest! The search is half the fun.

Drum Mic Madness!!!!

bp

[ArnauTS]

well my vote is for a matched pair of gauge ecm-87 i love them
my twoo cents

[Inertia_Rec]

KSM 32 or 44, both sound great on overheads. I am 21 years old, had mie since I was 14. Used it on everything imaginable still sounds great today. Another favorite of mine is DPA/B&K 4011's.

[Drumsound]

MC012 have really been rocking my world lately!

[vernier]

Just stick one up. One mic.

[dannycurtean@yah]

Originally Posted by voidtunes

Lots O good OH mics out there. For your budjet I would go for Rode NT5's for Pop/rock or the beyers for more melow stuff. Eq the high mids out of the NT5's slightly and they sound magic! I sometimes pick them over more expensive ribbon mics (depending on how I want my drums to sit in the mix. You will find them in your price range.

As far as the Nt5's I respectfully disagree. I have a pair and I wouldn't ever use them on OH in my room again. Theyre just thin, shrill and unnatural sounding, no lushness. It could have been the pre I used but I just very quickly lost interest in these mics. I could imagine a use for them (Acoustic GTR or Upright Bass, maybe even Vocal choirs) but for OH I just dont like them.

You know man, there is NOTHING wrong with Mono overheads and stereo room mics, I love that! But that is all up to you....

Your probably better off getting a Coles 4038 or shoot, even a pair of 414 BULS and then you can mod them later (Jim Williams). I would really stay away from the Rodes, for your future proof sanity. They're not horrible, but you start with Rodes and you get a Neve preamp and then you will want to sell them immediately because you'l need better mics. That was my experience anyways.

I would stay away from Chinese mics (SE ect...) for workhorse mics. Get SE mics, but AFTER you got your main Vocal or W/E mics.

Now the Shures, I have used and I really like them. Theyre kind of boring, but not in a bad way. Theyre boring like a 414 is, but theyre great for tailoring your sound later after capturing. Thats what makes them versatile in the first place! NT5s wont let you do that. And the KSM's will work great for allot of sources so, I really doubt that anything under a 414 will match the KSMs. YMMV (the great Fletcher line).

(Excuse the somewhat confusing rant, i just got home from doing battle with some bitchin servers.....)