mic selection

[Cpl. Fatty]

hey there gearslutz, i'm after a set of mics that i can use on both a drum kit and then on amps and such. as i can only have 8 mics plugged in at a time, i don't want to have to unplug and get new mics out, that means i have more mics than inputs and more time wasted. i was looking at the good old sm57s coz they go nicely on snare top and btm and also guitars. but i was just wondering if there was anything else out there. i mostly record metal so the mics have to reflect that. i heard the e606 is great for a metal guitar, but then what else can it be used for?

i guess what i'm really asking for is a direction to choose 8 mics that would work 'universally' across a band. please help.

[Fishmed]

There are quite a few out there. What is your budget would be for getting 8 mics?

[Cpl. Fatty]

my max budget would be $2000 aus. i've been having a look at some of the jts drum mic kits but i don't think they would be any good for a guitar or bass.

[pootkao]

The Audix drum pack is what, $600? (Get the one with the D6)

A couple of good small diaphram condensors for Overheads and you're rolling.

You may even have a bit leftover for a MD421.

[Old Cane]

Everybody here is required to own at least 4 57s. It's a federal law. I swear it is.

[Cpl. Fatty]

the audix dp7 has the d6 and overheads, but what mic in there is known to be really good mics for amps?

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

Everybody here is required to own at least 4 57s. It's a federal law. I swear it is.

Does one Beta 57 = four 57s? (Just trying to be in compliance)

[Old Cane]

No, but your heart is in the right place so some leway is granted. This is one reason why it will never be a constitutional amendment. You are trying to comply.

And no, driving nails with a 57 is not a hate crime as some have asked. It's just a mediocre hammer. You need an EV PL95 if you have a lot of nails to pound.

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

And no, driving nails with a 57 is not a hate crime as some have asked. It's just a mediocre hammer. You need an EV PL95 if you have a lot of nails to pound.

Driving nails with an SM-57?

You need to be "Realistic" about that!

[bgrotto]

(1) Audix D6 - Instant metal kick sound, usable on bass cabs
(2) SM 57s - Snare, guitars, etc. You know the drill.
(2) 421s - Toms, kick drums, bass cabs, guitars, and vocals
(2) Oktava MK12s - Overheads, guitar cabs (in a pinch)
(1) SM7 - perfect for cutting cookie monster vocals

That oughta do ya. You could also substitute more SM 57s in place of the 421s for use on the toms, or (here comes a big secret from the metal engineers' playbook), pick up some used ATM25s. Those'll kick all kindsa ass on kicks, toms, and bass cabs.

If you've got the dough, ditch the MK12s and try to find some used 451s. You'll get more mileage out of them.

Good luck.

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Fishmed

Driving nails with an SM-57?

You need to be "Realistic" about that!

Ha! Good one. I'm just afraid it would be more of a splat.

Seriously, Fatty, you can't go wrong with all of the suggestions here. Classics are that for a reason. 57s, sm7s, re20s, 421s.....man oh, man. I remember when as a band in high school, we finally had enough 57s to mic all of the drums. It was like we had reached the next level. The drummer also had a 421 and a 112, I think. We had all 57s on vocals and amps. We were the envy of sw Oklahoma.

The drummer I work with now has a studio and he just got the Sennheiser drum pack and is pretty happy with them, along with a couple of semi-decent condensor overheads (Sterling?). He has a GT convertible for snare top. Sounds great but his drums sound great plus, he's a great player.