Looking for some low/mid range overhead mics

[analogboy]

Hello all

I am looking at buying some decent overheads for recording drums for pre production. Lately I have been trying to write with programmed drums and I have come to conclusion that I have to get back on my drum kit and really "feel" the songs as opposed to just imagining them. That being said, I am looking for a pair of mics that I can use as overheads but could also have other uses as well (eg. a d112 can be used for a kick AND a bass amp) I don't have a lot of cash right now, so I want to be as efficient with my mic choise as possible. So if anyone has any insight, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[Darth Preamp]

Check out this page at my website, there are almost 100 links to reviews/discussions about gear, classified by type. Reicher Recording - Gear Rebbe I think there are probably a couple there that you should read the reviews of. Like the Samson CO2's, and the Cad m179's, or even the M-audio Sputnik would be great in a pair, although it might be a little too expensive

My hope is to create an online library of reviews for audio nuts to use.

The best

The Gearer Rebbe

[grooveboxxx]

I'm not sure of your budget, but Shure KSM 44's are great inexpensive mic's. You can find them pretty cheap on ebay.They work good on a lot of sources.

[lakeshorephatty]

beyer m160 is a good choice for a lower budget.

heck for any budget. they're just good.

[nickolo]

I am quite satisfied with my cheap well made SE electronics SE1 a pencil mic and their large condensers..Know for sure that if the kit sounds good ,well tuned + the room,then they will do a great job..Lots of people say the cads are great! What about those fatheads or golden age ribbons???...

[tINY]

There are two that come to my mind - the CAD M179 and the SP C4 set.

The M179 is pretty versitle and has a bunch of low-end that make it really good as a Kick or a Bass amp mic too. They're decent vocal mics and I've used them on HH and as M/S for large ensembles.

The Studio projects C4 set is really nice for overheads on a budget and they can handle all your SDC needs: Acousitc Guitar, fiddle, ensembles, room mics, pianos, etc.

For overheads, I really like my ATM450 - but I haven't tried them on anything besides drum overheads. They should be alright for toms, guitar, fiddle, etc, but they get mixed reviews for those uses. They are really nice for overheads....



-tINY

[warhead]

Without a doubt for multiple use the CAD M179.

War

[SammyD]

Check out sahiaman's mics. I can't talk enough good things about them. A $140 for a pair of them.

End up selling my nt5s, and one peluso cemc6 as this mic replaced those duties and I'm using the cash I got from that for new drum heads.

I recorded overheads with them, huge bottom end and not to harsh. I'll upload an mp3 for you. Its an ortf overhead pair infront of the kit.

[rackdude]

Get a pair of naiants if you want budget. Also great on acoustic guitars. Good lavs and hidden mics for video. They're TINY!, so anything you need a midget mic for it also works. The best part is they cost peanuts.

[GordZilla]

Might want to look into a pair of Kel Audio HM-1s.. these smaller diaphram (1/2") side-address condensers are wonderful as OHs, and also work well for vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar, amps, horns, and many other sources. They have a wide-cardiod pattern, but their off-axis response is pretty neutral sounding.

They are only $149 ea. (which includes shipping) and if you find you don't like them... just return them within 21 days for full refund

[tINY]

This is getting boring, guys:

M179 - C4 - Kel .....

...and don't forget about the Heil PR30 and PR40.



-tINY

[analogboy]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to look into all of these suggestions and try to find whats best suited to me. Also, anyone have any opinions on the Rode NT5? A buddy of mine made that suggestion.

[pedalboy]

I was reading this thread because I just sold my NT5's and was hoping for some good suggestions.... hah. My NT5's were BORING as HECK (after hearing what a pair of sm81's sounded like - more exciting).

Mics I was thinking about:
Fat Head II's, but only with the Lundahl option (after listening to the great drum mic shootout thread).
Along the same lines, the Oktavamodded Apex 205 ribbons. they sounded quite good to my on the shootout threads (piano/ribbon thread and drum shootout thread).
I really like the idea of a Blumlein pair for OH sometimes, but I don't have the room for it, I fear...
Kel hm-1's - a little skeptical.
two sm81s off the 'bay.

Anyway, some new ideas, and one guy's feedback on the nt5's.

[SittinIdol]

Originally Posted by rackdude

Get a pair of naiants if you want budget. Also great on acoustic guitars. Good lavs and hidden mics for video. They're TINY!, so anything you need a midget mic for it also works. The best part is they cost peanuts.

Yep, I got a pair of MSH-2s to use as overheads and acoustic guitars, and I think for the price they're excellent.

Here's a clip of a full mix with the naiants on overheads:

http://www.sittinidol.com/Slider4.m4a

[tINY]

To be fair, the NT-5 is a pretty decent mic.

It' really is not a utility mic unless you are recording ensembles in larger spaces - it's quite bright.

Works pretty well for manolin, string quartets, nylon guitars, and stuff like that....




-tINY

[Hammer Mark]

I had a pair of SP C4s and while they were fine on OH duty, I wouldn't recommend them for anything else. I replaced them with the AKG C451B stereo set and these are much more versatile. If you're looking for LDCs, consider the KSM32. I don't have experience with them, but many others here swear by them. Either way, you can get what you need for <$700 used.

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by grooveboxxx

I'm not sure of your budget, but Shure KSM 44's are great inexpensive mic's. You can find them pretty cheap on ebay.

The KSM 32s are even cheaper and I like them even better.

[china jam]

You certainly can't go wrong with a pair of Beyer M160's, regardless of your budget.

I also use them (not as regularly) on acoustic/electric guitars and percussion.

[Tomic]

I did some A/B listening between a U87 and a Studio projects B1 today on acustic guitar and yes,i´d vote for the U87 but the B1 is deffinetly a VERY good choise if you dont sit on a lot of cash...the B1 goes for 100€ (100-150$ i think) when the U87 goes for 2333€

[tINY]

Originally Posted by Hammer Mark

I had a pair of SP C4s and while they were fine on OH duty, I wouldn't recommend them for anything else.

Was that an old set before the redesign? The old ones were OK on softer sources, and good on gentle drummers - bashers got really harsh.




-tINY

[Sigma]

451's

[Hammer Mark]

Originally Posted by tINY

Was that an old set before the redesign? The old ones were OK on softer sources, and good on gentle drummers - bashers got really harsh.

I think they were the older ones. They were virtually unusable on acoustic guitar.

[Singinto Th'Can]

I'm another +1 for the Beyerdynamic M160. I only have one and I'm very happy with it as a mono overhead. I put it over the kit and I like it without having to do a lot of fiddling, which is especially good in demo/pre production. And the other uses for this mic will keep you entertained for years.

[lynyrd]

I really like AKG C451Bs for overheads and I got a good deal on a pair that Nu-Tra didn't need any more but if $600 ish is too much for you, the CAD M179s are pretty good and sound like absolute doom on toms.