Room mics for drum recording

[tommy lee]

what will be a good choice for room mics when recording a rock drum kit, I am thinking about buying a pair of Audio Technica AT3032 omnies or some DPA 4091. Will they fit the purpose or is other mics to consider?

[manthe]

I use a LOT od different mics when mic'ing drums....A LOT! But, when it comes to my room mics, I ALWAYS use ribbon mics. Just like anything else that has to do with microphones, it comes down to preference. But i also happen to know many engineers that use ribbons for the room. For me it adds punch and power that no other type of mic can match. It also takes EQ like no other type of mic.

If you have a decent sized budget, I would look at Royer R121 and the AEA R84. If you are on a tight budget, check out Cascade Microphones ( Ribbon Microphones - Cascade Microphones ) They have absolutely amazing values. I have a few of them myself. When I saw the prices, I just HAD to try. They do not disappoint. They sound great. I have the Fathead and the Vin Jet. They are really, really good.

Just my .02

[PhilE]

I have a pair of 4021 Ball and Biscuit mics that I love as room mics on pretty much anything and usually use them when tracking a kit... although I have been doin it as mono more often these days.

[tommy lee]

Originally Posted by manthe

I use a LOT od different mics when mic'ing drums....A LOT! But, when it comes to my room mics, I ALWAYS use ribbon mics. Just like anything else that has to do with microphones, it comes down to preference. But i also happen to know many engineers that use ribbons for the room. For me it adds punch and power that no other type of mic can match. It also takes EQ like no other type of mic.

If you have a decent sized budget, I would look at Royer R121 and the AEA R84. If you are on a tight budget, check out Cascade Microphones ( Ribbon Microphones - Cascade Microphones ) They have absolutely amazing values. I have a few of them myself. When I saw the prices, I just HAD to try. They do not disappoint. They sound great. I have the Fathead and the Vin Jet. They are really, really good.

Just my .02

Tanx, very, very nice prices and good looking mics I think I can aford to try out a pair of thouse, shal I pick the vin or the fat for my purpose; My drum both is about 20m2 and very alive/undamped.

[manthe]

For your scenario, I would go with the Fatheads. They have a ton of punch and 'power'. The Vin is great, but it has an extended frequency response (over the Fathead) that, IMO detracts from the drum sound and clashes with the OH mics. I love the Vin (and Fathead) on guitar cabs and horns. Actually, the Vin and Fathead work very well as a pair on horns. But for a room mic for drums, I prefer the Fathead.

Originally Posted by tommy lee

Tanx, very, very nice prices and good looking mics I think I can aford to try out a pair of thouse, shal I pick the vin or the fat for my purpose; My drum both is about 20m2 and very alive/undamped.

[tommy lee]

Originally Posted by PhilE

I have a pair of 4021 Ball and Biscuit mics that I love as room mics on pretty much anything and usually use them when tracking a kit... although I have been doin it as mono more often these days.

Where to get those mics?

[gurubuzz]

I use a Rode Valve Classic and it amazes me how complete a drum sound it can be just that one mic... I use it low in front of the kit on the side of the toms about 6-8 feet away

But WOW the demo mp3 on the cascade site of the horns is amazing...

[PhilE]

Originally Posted by tommy lee

Where to get those mics?

You'll need to look around used gear places like radio fairs, ebay etc but they arent too hard to find if you keep an eye out. I dont think anyone actually makes them now though.... I may be wrong. Well worth putting a little effort into finding them though.

[lpkyer]

Originally Posted by manthe

I use a LOT od different mics when mic'ing drums....A LOT! But, when it comes to my room mics, I ALWAYS use ribbon mics. Just like anything else that has to do with microphones, it comes down to preference. But i also happen to know many engineers that use ribbons for the room. For me it adds punch and power that no other type of mic can match. It also takes EQ like no other type of mic.

If you have a decent sized budget, I would look at Royer R121 and the AEA R84. If you are on a tight budget, check out Cascade Microphones ( Ribbon Microphones - Cascade Microphones ) They have absolutely amazing values. I have a few of them myself. When I saw the prices, I just HAD to try. They do not disappoint. They sound great. I have the Fathead and the Vin Jet. They are really, really good.

Just my .02

How does the vinjet compare to the fat head? I'm really impressed by the comparisons on their website with the royer and aea.....do they really match up that much?

[manthe]

With the Lundahl transformer, it is pretty darn close. It lacks the build quality of the more expensive counterparts, but the sound quality is amazingly superb given the price range.

The Vin has a wider frequency response (noticeably) than the Fathead. The fathead has more 'punch'. They are both great!

Originally Posted by lpkyer

How does the vinjet compare to the fat head? I'm really impressed by the comparisons on their website with the royer and aea.....do they really match up that much?

[T_R_S]

C24 or a Crown SASS-P

[stevep]

Used a U87 today, but i have used a bunch of diffrent mics,... i really want to get a couple Fat heads



Qtc40s Soon





.

[ToddF]

Always been a fan of U87's or 414's. Usually in omni as spaced pair.
Todd

[tommy lee]

Originally Posted by manthe

I use a LOT od different mics when mic'ing drums....A LOT! But, when it comes to my room mics, I ALWAYS use ribbon mics. Just like anything else that has to do with microphones, it comes down to preference. But i also happen to know many engineers that use ribbons for the room. For me it adds punch and power that no other type of mic can match. It also takes EQ like no other type of mic.

If you have a decent sized budget, I would look at Royer R121 and the AEA R84. If you are on a tight budget, check out Cascade Microphones ( Ribbon Microphones - Cascade Microphones ) They have absolutely amazing values. I have a few of them myself. When I saw the prices, I just HAD to try. They do not disappoint. They sound great. I have the Fathead and the Vin Jet. They are really, really good.

Just my .02

Anyone knows if the Cascade Fathead is the same as the Golden Age R2? Golden Age Project
Could it be one of thouse Chinese mics sold under different brand names in different places?
The Golden Age one is easier for me to get hold of since i live in Denmark, Anyone knows anything?

[lpkyer]

Originally Posted by manthe

With the Lundahl transformer, it is pretty darn close. It lacks the build quality of the more expensive counterparts, but the sound quality is amazingly superb given the price range.

The Vin has a wider frequency response (noticeably) than the Fathead. The fathead has more 'punch'. They are both great!

so i guess the vin is more like aea r84 whereas fat head is more like royer?

[Fernando S.]

beyer m160 is great! 414 are great too.

[manthe]

Actually, yes...that sums it up nicely!

Originally Posted by lpkyer

so i guess the vin is more like aea r84 whereas fat head is more like royer?

[phaqu]

Omni 414s , compressed like crazy.

[peat]

pair of SM7's
try that one out

[andremattos]

I love U87's
thumbsup

[mltamisin]

I usually interchange my KM184's and my Brauner Phantom AE's as overheads and room mics. If I need a fast sound I'll stick the KM184's OH and use the Brauners as rooms. If I need a slower bigger sound I'll reverse them. Also had good luck with Manley's, Lawsons, and M-Audio Sputniks. The Lawson L47 makes a really nice room mic and OH mic. I've also had suprisingly good luck with a Groove Tubes AM52 FET mic. For me though, the Brauners take the cake.

[hurricaneE]

I typically used a spaced pair of omin Earthworks (SROs). -E

Originally Posted by ToddF

Always been a fan of U87's or 414's. Usually in omni as spaced pair.
Todd

[Ollie]

I am guessing many mics would work well. As of late, I have been using a Royer SF-12 and really liking what it adds to the sound.

[bigbone]

i use a aphex 205 that i mod ( the mesh removal and all those thing )
and i love it as a room mic

[tommy lee]

Got some GA R2s yesterday they look like the Fatheads, think they was made on the same Chinese factory- I'll report later