Tom mic alternatives

[Dave Martin]

What microphones would you choose as an alternative to Sennheiser 421's on toms? I like the sound of the 421's, but I can't use them with some drummers who keep their cymbals low, because there's not enough room to place them without them getting in the way of the cymbals?

Ideally, y'all could give me some alternatives to try which are still in production - I'd rather not have to go online to find some rare but marvelous tom mics...

[NathanEldred]

Gefell 930

[henryrobinett]

I really like the Audix D2 as a cheap sub on toms. They're also very small,in comparison to the 421, and unobtrusive. OK, I prefer the 421, but the D2 ain't bad.

[Simon Lomax]

I have had really good results with Oktava 219s. They give a very natural and usable sound and they are really cheap.

Simon

[DigitMus]

ElectroVoice N/D408s have often served me well (you know, those egg-shaped ones). The 408s are no longer made, but the "new improved" ones with a higher number (468??) are in current production.

Scott

[alphajerk]

604

[Telecastr]

e604s. about 300 bucks for a 3 pack. also i've used audio technica pro 25 once or twice. they are pretty good too. they're about 120 bucks a piece. i didn't like the audix D2, but i've only used them in a live setting. i can't say i would at least try them again though.

[~ufo~]

my personal holy grail:

the yamaha MZ204 and MZ205 mics.

the 204 is made for the smaller toms, 205 for the larger ones. say use the 204 up to 12" and the 2005 after that.

they don't make 'em any more so the trick is to find a pair. (or more)

I'm looking for a few too, they are the nicest tom & snare mics I've used.

[toolskid]

201s are good and small, I love 414s (not a cheap alternative tho).

[cgarges]

I love me some Oktava MC012s on toms, especially with the hypercardioid caps, but they sound different than 421s.

Check out the aforementioned EV 408s as a less obtrusive alternative. The Sennheiser e604s are also cool and not too dissimilar to the 421s, but the older versions, the MD504s, get a little closer to the 421 sound. They're still a bit brighter, but the rejection on them is great, as is the off-axis response and you can get them really close to the drums without proximity effect really blowing up the bottom. They're also typically cheaper than the 604s used because nobody really knows much or cares about them.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[Mike Tholen]

I always turn to the 421 for micing toms...but every no and then I run into a drummer like the one your dealing with.
When there isn't any space for a mic like that I always feel out how the drummer feels about scooching some elements of his kit in order for both of us to do our jobs to yield the best possible results, if he can't accomodate my needs I look for the best alternative.
Having said that, for toms I'll turn to Shure SM98's, VERY small (almost a lavelier), good sounding condenser.
I don't usually like condenser mics for toms but these do sound good.

[Tim L]

I use the 604's ... I've used 414's for the "tight squeeze" thing but I find the rejection's not great if that matters to you at all. Another option I've used is dumping the individual mic's all together for a 3 or 4 mic "whole kit" capture scheme.

[Midlandmorgan]

At the risk of sounding too low end...

Ever tried on AT 831R? Very small, very unobtrusive, and sound pretty good on every tom I've tried them on...they are little tiny goosenecks that clip onto the drum rim or drum suspension ring...

Note: I think the 831R combo kit was discintinued (figures...) as the kit came with the mic, a lav clip, a guitar soundhole clip, and the tiny gooseneck...

[AdAudioInc]

Another vote for the 414. To deal with the rejection, I put it in figure 8 and mic 2 rack toms with it, the null pointing at the snare.

[Waylon]

the Sennheiser flat mic... ( 409? ) that is commonly used on guitar amps rocks on toms. Steve Remote turned me onto this, and it is killer in the situation you are describing.

[Bang]

I like the Oktava MC012s all around the kit, they sound great on toms and snare.
Steve
www.bangrecording.com
www.blacklinerock.com

[Beech]

Another vote for the e604. Sound great and clip on to drum so less mic stands cluttering the area.

[brownmouse]

here are a few i've been rotating on toms depending on my mood..
cad e-100
beyer m-201
ev n/d 468
shure sm-7b
ev re-20
soundelux u-195
cad m-177/m-179
cad m-9
and of course... shure sm-57's and sennheiser 421's.
joshua

[meteor]

another voet for the sennheiser e609 (current) or 409 (older better version of the 609).

however, i find myself using the ev n/d 468 pretty often even when i have plenty of room. to me getting usable toms is all about positioning and the 468 are the most manueverable mic i have used for that app.

cheers,
brandon

[twilt]

in a situation like that (unless recording tech metal or an inconsistant drummer) i would opt for the 3-4 mic set up, it's always sounded more natural to me and there is less potential for phaze crap.

[Beech]

Oops! I just had a look at mine and they are 504s not e604s like I stated in earlier post.

I'm all for the less mics technique but sometimes that's just not what the song requires (or indeed the producer!).

[Steffmo]

Try a D112 on floor tom. Especially if its an 18" fllor tom. A bit more depth than a 421, and the boost at 5k defines the hit.

If you really need to get into a tight space, try a Shure SM98. They come with the worlds best clip on attachment with a gooseneck thing. You can attach the arm to almost any part of the kit ....and the mic is about 3/8" by 3/4.

[warhead]

Originally posted by DigitMus
ElectroVoice N/D408s have often served me well (you know, those egg-shaped ones). The 408s are no longer made, but the "new improved" ones with a higher number (468??) are in current production.

Scott

Yes, the ND 468's are a good tom mic, as well as cabs, some voice work...very versatile dynamic. Pretty "sharp" sound for a dynamic as well.

War

[warhead]

Originally posted by Bang
I like the Oktava MC012s all around the kit, they sound great on toms and snare.
Steve
www.bangrecording.com
www.blacklinerock.com

I love those mics on acoustic and some overhead work...but man I hated close mic'd sounds on drums.

War

[djui5]

ATM25's, D-4's, U87's, C12's, and Beta52/D112's on floor toms.

[mwagener]

Originally posted by Beech
Oops! I just had a look at mine and they are 504s not e604s like I stated in earlier post.

I'm all for the less mics technique but sometimes that's just not what the song requires (or indeed the producer!).

Have you (or anyone else) actually compared the 504s to the 604s? I use the 504s a lot, sometimes on snare and the last drummer killed one of them, so now I'm looking to replace it and was wondering if the 604s sound any different or if they just changed the model number.

[TER]

I'm glad Randy mentioned the ATM25... a really good tom mic. The Yamaha MZ204/205 ( I have a pair of each) get used here every now and then, but since I bought 3 ATM25s, they get used a lot less. The Audix D2 isn't bad...never tried the Beyer 201 on a tom.

I'm amazed folks have good luck with the E604...I'll have to try them out. Do they actually stay put without interfering with the tone of the toms?

- (floor) tom

[Steffmo]

The E604 is not a bad mic....I have a few.

Its reminiscent of a 421....but not quite as good. But its size does allow it to be a good solution on a lot of kits. I try not to use those 'shock mounts, because they don't isolate and the toms sing when the kit vibrates.

I've never openned a 604....but I have wondered if it has the same element as the 609... hence Steve Remotes observation about the 609.

[Cornvalley]

Josephson E22s will capture everything you need from the toms in addition to fitting into tight spaces.

[Tim L]

Originally posted by Steffmo
The E604 is not a bad mic....I have a few..... [snip] I try not to use those 'shock mounts, because they don't isolate and the toms sing when the kit vibrates.

I try to avoid the clips as well... they do indeed suck.