Drum overhead mic shootout - suggestions

[666666]

I recently gathered a bunch of mics to test on drum overheads. A few friends and I plan on conducting a drum overhead mic shootout very soon, will be happy to post high quality clips when done.

I'm still looking to get a few more pairs of mics for this shootout. Would specifically like to try some more large diaphragm condensers (since I have mostly small diaphragm condensers on hand at this point). I'd appreciate some suggestions. What LARGE diaphragm condensers do you guys like on overheads?

Also, how about ribbon mics? I've noted that the Beyer M160 has been recommended for overheads here. Any other good ribbon mics for drums that can stand up to very high SPLs (because I'd like to potentially test overhead mics for assorted drum close miking as well)?

To sum up this post, what mics to you like BEST for drum overheads?

Thank you.

[bigbone]

You should try the KEL HM-1...i like them on overhead

[lpkyer]

i like my atm450 from audio technica quite a bit.

[Sigma]

akg 451's

[Stevil]

hey I need to upgrade overheads in the near future. heres some mic's (from my shopping list) that seem to get mentioned alot for this purpose.

Rode NT5
CAD M179
SE Electronics SE1A
AT4040
ATM450

[deve]

I want to hear beyer m130 - royer 121 shootout

[Protools Guy]

+1 for the AKG 451's! thumbsup

[DigitMus]

My 2 favorite LDCs for OH --> Brauner Valvet BEs (in cardioid, XY) and DPA 4041T (in AB, obviously, since they're omni). If you have a really nice room with high cielings, try a Royer SF12.


Scott

[666666]

Thanks for the suggestions so far... please keep `em coming.

In terms of large diaphragm condensers... yes, the AT 4050 was definitely something I was looking at at... will see about trying to get a pair of those for this test since they're probably not too hard to borrow / obtain.

I have a pair of Neuman TLM103s... I know a lot of you guys do not like the TLM103s... so my question is, what large diaphragm Neumanns DO you like on drums... if any??? What's the story with the TLM 170, TLM 193, TLM 49 or even U87ai? I've never used any of these so I have no idea. How do they compare to the 103 and are they worth dealing with? It's not like I'm specifically in love with Neumann, but I'm just interested.

And what about BLue mics? I hear about them but I've never used any. Any Blue stuff worthy of serious drum overhead use?

I will check out the others suggestions as well of course.... thanks!!!

[cassnate6259]

I've always wanted to hear the Earthworks mics as overheads.

[audible]

If you are thinking of checking out ribbon mics, the 160 is pretty awesome though the Beyer 260 is also worth checking out as it rolls some of lower frequencies off and helps the overheads sit a little better. For ribbon mics, a Coles 4038 is hard to beat as an drum overhead. Since it is a figure 8 pattern, low ceilings can inhibit their performance. I have placed a Coles about 6.5 ft. above the floor with good results(a little over common standing height). If the drummer is particularly loud, you think of putting a pop filter in front of the mic to avoid major wind blasts.

I like using a Royer 121 as an overhead as well, but I will use the Beyer more often (either 160 or 260 depending on the drummer and desired outcome). Maybe one of the active models made by Royer would be interesting as an alternative. Probably not necessary with any drum set unless you have low gain preamps.

Have you tried a Sennheiser 441 as an overhead? They can have a really cool, unique sound for drums.

For LDC, I usually use a pair of Neumann U67 which sound awesome on drums. When it is working, I also like to use a Neumann SM69 tube in X/Y coincident style. The older Neumann do seem to sound better than the Sennheiser made products. I think marketplace demands have changed the company for the worst hence even late 70's U-87 mics are currently pushing $2,000.00. The early TLM-170 is a decent mic though it is very neutral.

Another alternative would be Gefell UM-70 mics. They can sound stunning as drum OH. A friend of mine uses a pair all the time as his OH mic of choice. Of the newer mics, I like the Audio Technica 4050-pretty neutral, but they handle transients really well. Haven't heard the Gefell 930, but a lot of people seem to like them.

Good luck on your quest

[Nu-tra]

A pair of Peluso P12's

[BlueRadio]

I'm going to go ahead and say it.


People often claim to hate them, but used correctly, Neumann km184s rock HARD as overhead mics. The 8-10k bump can work amazingly on acoustic guitars and other instruments, but can get a little harsh on cymbals.

This is why I like to use the km184s in X/Y fashion in FRONT of the kit, not hovering over. Just center your X/Y axis online with the kick and snare, fairly close to the front or back of the kit...depending on what tickles you.

This technique works pretty well with just one kick mic added...and phase-aligned with the already coincident pair.

[Coldsnow]

I like the Josephson SDC mics a lot in the SDC catagory.

[Matteran]

i love to hear the beyer m160 (or 260) shot out against any other overhead mics. However, I wouldn't suggest using it to close mic, we've had a 160 blow out on us when miking a snare.

[NathanEldred]

The mics Digitmus mentioned are kick ass...also the Soundelux e251c (or the ELUX 251 of course). Also, for small diaphragms Schoeps are essential IME.

[classicalrecord]

josephson c42's are worth a listen... recently heard some earthworks at a session-- not sure which model, but they sounded pretty good.

[*CISKO*]

what about coles 4038 or 4040?? or some of the new RED mics

[canderson]

pair of AT4050's. m160's. TLM103 as a single spot mono overhead or.....kick ass with detail to write home about on snare.

MXLV69's as an overhead pair of tube LDC's.

canderson

[666666]

I greatly appreciate all the responses so far... thanks!

I do already have KM184s, as well as Schoeps MK4s and MK41s etc for the shootout... also some AT4051s and 4053s... SM81s, TLM103s and more.

As for ribbons... I have zero experience with them, and I'll admit, I've purposely tended to stay away from them in the past due to the endless stories of how easily they can be blown up. But I think I'd like to give them a chance at this point. I'm thinking of maybe trying to get the M 160s as they seem to be pretty universal for ribbons... plus many of you have commented that they are on the brighter side for ribbons, and I don't like things too dark.

Also note... the room that this shootout will take place in (friend's studio), as well as my own recording room, is pretty small with a not so high ceiling... so I am pretty much ruling out any figure 8 or omni mics or any mics that are recommended for situations with "high ceilings"... etc. Well, I will not truly "rule out" anything, but at the same time I do not plan on making a big effort to get anything that will most likely not work out so great.

Thanks again... keep the comments coming! Getting a lot of good ideas here!

[Frost]

I either use earthworks sr77s but usually add tom mics then. I get a big bright rock kit from these overheads, or an intimate real sounding jazz kit (no tom mics), OR i use my gefell UM70 (most of the time) with no tom mics, just a HH and kick. That gives me a full drumkit sound (in ortf over the drummers head), thats warm full and only brash and trashy if the drummer is extremely so.

Frost

[mute pink]

i think you should throw some 57s up just for funsies

[SMT]

Originally Posted by BlueRadio

Neumann km184s rock HARD as overhead mics.

thumbsup
I agree!! I love ém!

[illiummusic]

I would like to hear some Peluso P12's and
Pearlman TM1's. Pearlman's are awesome for rooms.

[big country]

I just recorded a band tonight with a matched set of royer 122's

holy crap , the ceilings where aprox. 20 - 30 feet high . we always

used km 84s for OH's . never a frikengain. the royers kicked ass.

it always seems their is Phase a problem with the km84's ( the drums

are recorded next to a wall) any how the royers put a big room

to work. I like the kms on snare and hats, never been hog crazy

about them.they make a nice papper weight.

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by big country

I just recorded a band tonight with a matched set of royer 122's

holy crap , the ceilings where aprox. 20 - 30 feet high . we always

used km 84s for OH's . never a frikengain. the royers kicked ass.

it always seems their is Phase a problem with the km84's ( the drums

are recorded next to a wall) any how the royers put a big room

to work. I like the kms on snare and hats, never been hog crazy

about them.they make a nice papper weight.

km 84's are nice on rack toms

seems like alot of the mics chosen would be more suited as room mics than overheads ..but just imho..

it's all what you want..

do you want the main kit sound fron the ovd's and then "fill" with the individual mics or do you want the ovds to be cymbal mics really and get each part of kit close up?

either way the "most accurate" sound on anything with some room between it and the mic should most always come from a quality small diaphram condenser by nature of its design characteristics

[Infernal Device]

414 TLII's.

I would love to hear how they perform against some boutique mics.

Thanks! Great idea!

[retropete]

The best I've found so far are the Microtech Gefell M300s

[mltamisin]

The Brauner Phantom AE's or C's are the best overheads I've ever heard. Words cannot explain how great they sound on overheads. I've also used my Manley Reference and Lawson L47MP. The Manley was pretty good........ the Lawson was better......but the freakin Brauners rule. Just got a Sputnik in and my bro said he used it on drums this weekend and likes the mic alot. A pair of those would be pretty fair priced. I've heard the AT4047 is a nice OH but I've yet to use a pair.

[PRobb]

The big knock on 184s is that they aren't as good as 84s. That's true, but considering that 84s are one of the all time great mics, the leaves the 184s a lot of room to be awfully good. I like them them as OH for a tight, controlled sound.

121s absolutely kill as OHs for a bigger, roomier sound. And they take EQ and compression really well.