My drum mic choices so far - any stupid choices here?

[reflekshun]

Hi everyone, I'm going to the shops tommorow to get my first set of drum mics. It'll be 4 mics comprising of:

Rode NT5 Pair (Overheads)
Shure SM57 (Snare Top)
AKG D112 (Inside Kick)

I'm basically asking anyone to please give me a NOOO STOP NOWW!!! If there are any stupid or bad choices in here which rings an alarm bell in any of you? I plan to primarily record pop oriented genres, although not always straight pop.

Really appreciate this, as it will be drying up my budget almost completely e :/

[XLR2XLR]

These are not bad choices it's just that there could be an equivalent set that some
may prefer, personally I would go for:

2 x SP B1 as overheads
1 x BETA 57 snare, a little faster and brighter than 57 (for not much more)
and for Kick there are a few choices :

Audix D6, Second hand MD421, BETA 52 as far as dynamics go.

In my experience the D112 is not a fantastic kick mic, just an ok kick mic.

I like an MD421 personally it does not have the hyped typical "kick mic"
tailored freq response, but it is all there, just a little EQ brings out all you need
for click and deep.

[reflekshun]

Thankyou so much for that advice. After doing some more research I have just bought the Audix D6 for a slightly cheaper price than the AKG D112, and I feel better about that choice..

I'm still trying to decide on the shure SM57 / beta57, I guess the supercardioid pickup angle is useful for isolating the snare?

Hrmmmmmm. I always thought the SM57 was the essential snare mic, but now I'm thinking twice. Put it this way, I REALLY don't want to come back and feel like I have to upgrade. Do you think the beta57 is definitely a better snare mic than the SM57? Is there anything in the character of SM57 that isn't present in the beta 57 for example?

Thanks once again, your advice has already been VERY helpful!

[XLR2XLR]

The Sm57 or the B57 will do the job fine, either way.

My personal preference is that I like the little extra attack
I get from the Beta57 and that little extra brightness.

Bear in mind that the B57 in my opinion is not as versatile...
i.e. I don't like it as much as the Sm57 for guitar cabs.

As a starting snare mic and for other sources you cannot really go
very worng with an SM 57 (I have 4 + 1 BETA57)

[pootkao]

I'm a big fan of the Audix D6 for kicks. Second choice is Shure Beta52. Last choice and avoided at all costs is the D112, though I know lots of people love 'em.

Shure SM7 on snare is also pretty damn killer.

[joelpatterson]

Unless you thought an Audix i5 on snare was just that much more... nasty.

[matt thomas]

if you don't already own a 57 buy that over the beta, the 57 is the classic mic that you should own, it will get you the classic sound. Heil and audix mics are great for this too, but I'd go classic first if I were you.

The audix D6 has a frequency curve built into it optimised for kick, this can be a good thing, but it makes it more difficult when you want to use your own eq's to create your own curve (or have a flat curve). I'd get the D6 if you want a quick and easy (and good sounding) solution, otherwise get something else for flexibility.

My experience with rode mics is that they are a bit harsh in the highs, however this can be used to your advantage (I've never used the nt5, however I sold all my other rode mics). Same goes for Studio Projects, however some people swear by them.

For not that much more you could consider a pair of peluso's (which I've never used) or for about double you could get some josephsons (which I own and are fantastic).

Narco

[dudge]

I agree you are probably better off with the B1s for O/H.... very reasonable price, and they sound good. The ATM450 is getting a lot of praise, too although I have never used them.

SM57 is good on snare, but I usually prefer the Beyer M201.....you might be able to afford it if you get the B1s. 57 is good too though.
I like the EV N/D868 on kick for a rounder, little more natural sound on kick than the D112 .

just my 2¢

[Blake Minaker]

I say the d112 and the 57 are great choices, epspecially if you are just starting your mic collection. For overheads, I would say go with some Studio Project's C4's instead of the Rodes. Admittedly, I am not a Rode fan. I think the C4's would also allow good use for other applications, such as acoustic, a room mic etc... with the additional caps it comes with. If you can, add an AT4050 to the mix (vocals, guitars, acoustic) you'll have all the mics you'll need for a long time as you learn and get better. Just a quick chart for you.

57: Guitars, Snare, some vocals
D112: Kick and Bass
C4: OHs, acoustic guitar, rooms, various secondary mics with omni pattern
AT4050: Vocals, percussion, guitar, a slew of other instruments.

Basically, everything you'll need for awhile.

[stickers]

The 57 and D112 are good choices.

I have the D6 and its a one trick pony for kick. The D112 or the beta52 will likely be more useable on other sources than just kick like a bass cab.

I have the nt5s and again i think there are better options out there. For a couple hunderd more id check out a pair of modded Oktava mk-012s.

I like the suggestion of the at4050 too.

and for toms i think there's no better deal than a couple audix D2s with the D-vices. the aren't to big, Easy to position and no need to mess mic stands.

[Wo0d643]

I like the D6 i dont think it meets the online praise i read
but it sounds good everyway ive used it in or outof the kick
and i have used it on my bass amp with an I5 and the two toghether are great

it sounds like a bass

[Wellcraftmusic]

I use, depending on the music \\

Overheads - AT 4050 or Rode NT2
Snare - Audix - I-5 top, 57 is fine but the I-5 has more crack, & Neuman 184 bottom
Toms 1 & 2 AT-23
Floor Tom AT -25
Kick inside AT-25, maybe a 421, outside Yamaha sub kick
Hat - AT-4040

Depending on the room size, I might put another set of condensers back about 10 feet from the front of the kit, maybe 414's

[reflekshun]

Okay, again, you guys are just helpful to the max. Thankyou!

Heres my latest update on choices

Kick - Audix D6 (Bought)
Snare - SM57 (since i dont have one, I figure its a good multipurpose mic, if i find I need something brighter / quicker i will look at the beta57)
OH - C4 Pair

I'm fairly certain about this choice.. I will go with the SP C4 because I already have a Rode NT1a for vocals. I figure I should experiment with the different brands and learn what I like / dislike.

Hope this sounds okay! because I'm very close to going and buying these
Thanks once again, would be lost without you guys e

[stevecapp]

If you're considering a beta 57, take a look at the beta 56. It's a lot easier to position on a snare. It sounds great, you can use a short mic stand, and it stays out of the drummers way a lot better than a 57 or beta 57.

[moon_unit]

Why do you feel that you need the approval of a bunch of random strangers on the internet?

For all you know, we could all be deaf.

[warhead]

The C4 is an excellent mic, and with the omni and cardioid capsules a far greater value.

I would go Audix i5 on snare and Beyerdynamic Opus 99 on kick, or E/V ND868 myself.

Any of the mics you've considered would sound fine pointed at a great drummer on a great kit.

War

[joeq]

I'm still trying to decide on the shure SM57 / beta57, I guess the supercardioid pickup angle is useful for isolating the snare?

the regular 57 is the classic sound

for whatever reason, the Beta 57 is not an improvement - though it does have a hotter output.

I like the Beyer 201 sometimes on snare, but not all the time.

[kojak]

I too agree that the D112 is OK, but the Beta 52 or D6 are better options. Also someone mentioned about the B52 being a little more versatile for stuff like bass cabs and the like, I totally agree...the D6 is killer in the kick, but that's about it. So if budget allows, maybe get both, but if it has to be one, I'd do B52.

Also, +1 on the Beta 56 idea someone brought up...sounds at least as good or better than a 57 IMO, and the low profile can't be beat. I've even used em on guitar cabs both live and in the studio.

Cheers

[Brent Casey]

Slutz,

Slightly O.T. but I would like to add that the C4 omni is also put to good use as a vocal mic. They are routinely used to record singers for the N.Y. Metropolitan Opera by one Louis Brown of L.Brown recording. In fact, the entire circuit was redesigned last year based on his work with these vocalists.
In terms of SPL handling and transient response, this also bodes well for drums.
That is all.

Brent Casey
Design, Engineering
Studio Projects Microphones
877-563-6335