Drum Mic Differences

[Shaft]

Anyone have experience with the following:

Will an SM57 sound as good (accurate) as a Beta98 or a Beta56? Are the Betas worth the price for just the size/mounting convenience or is the sound significantly better? (I know that's subjective, but any input is helpful).

What about e604s and Audix D2s compared to the above?

Lastly, how would you characterize a Beyer M201 compared to the 57 on snare? Worth the extra dough?

Thanks

[anne_paranoid]

I have for snare the SM 57 and the Beyer 201. Me personally prefer the beyer, much clean and defined. Since i bought beyer, i use only SM57 in those recordings looking for " old punk snare ( Misfits style snares, those with poor definition and dark untuned sound ) " with the snake skin really soft. For the rest of the recording, Beyer.

No idea about Audix, but D6 on bass drums sounds superb!

[Doublehelix]

First off, the Beta 56 sounds nothing like an SM57. The Beta 56 (from what I understand) is the same as the Beta 57 in a different body. I do like the Beta 56 on snare and use it a lot.

Last night we were setting up drums for a new session, and we had a really tough time getting the right snare sound. We tried a couple of different snares, and several mics (including the Beta 56). We ended up liking the Beyer M201 best for this particular snare/player/style/mic pre (API 512C).

It is nice to have choices! Every situation is going to call for something different, and having several mics to choose from is helpful. I also at times have used SM57's (duh!), and the Audix I5, which is definitely worth checking out.

Also, at the risk of getting laughed out of here, I have got some great snare sounds with a cheap Superlux PRA228A.

The Audix D2 you mention works well for me on the toms, especially the smaller stuff (less than 14"). I also like the D4 and Sennheiser MD421 on the bigger toms.

The kit we set up last night ended up as follows (11 mics total):

Snare: Beyer M201 (API)
Snare Bottom: Senn MD441 (API)
Tom 1: Audix D2 (FF ISA)
Tom 2: Audix D4 (FF ISA)
Tom 3: Senn MD421 (FF ISA)
Ride: Rode NT5 (Topaz)
OHs: Neumann KM184s (Telefunken V672)
Kik: Audix D6 (API)
FOK: Yamaha Subkick (API)
Room Mic: Blue Bottle w/ B7 capsule (FF ISA)

[cdog]

Originally Posted by Shaft

Lastly, how would you characterize a Beyer M201 compared to the 57 on snare? Worth the extra dough?

Thanks

The only Beta I like on snare is the Beta 57. What a surprise.

Get the Beyer 201. You won't be dissapointed. Its a nice dynamic mic.

[Shaft]

Originally Posted by Doublehelix

The Audix D2 you mention works well for me on the toms, especially the smaller stuff (less than 14"). I also like the D4 and Sennheiser MD421 on the bigger toms.

Great info DH, anne and cdog. Thanks

But DH, do 3 different mics on toms for one kit cause any problems? I can understand the 421 or D4 on the floor tom, but wouldn't you want the rack toms to all be consistent? Does this take more mix time to reconcile the different mic characteristics?

Sounds like you really prefer the D2s to sm57s for rack toms. How about Beta 56s compared to D2s on rack toms?

Have you ever worked with the e604s or the little Beta 98D/S?

I hear you regarding variety, but I'm just recording me and my buddy. Style-wise, I mostly play straight forward rock/alternative. I hit pretty hard - make that very hard - but tasty. Think Dave Grohl on In Utero. I love the sound Albini got on Grohl's kit for that record. If i could come close to replicating that, I'd be in hog heaven.

[Doublehelix]

Three different mics on three different toms makes no difference. I want the best mic to match the sound of that drum. I do normally use a pair of D2's however, as you mention, but for THIS KIT on THIS DAY, the D4 just sounded better on the 2nd tom. I really love the D2s on toms, although the MD421 and the D4 sound great on the right drum as well.

I have used 57's on toms as well (haven't we all???), and let's just say that it is not my favorite for that application. It is serviceable in a pinch, but there are better choices in my opinion.

I have never tried the Beta 56 on toms, funny you should mention that!!! It never really dawned on me that I had never tried that combination before! Now I gotta try that someday!

The Sennheiser e604's get used by a lot of folks around here, and I have heard good stuff about them, but have only used them live, and not in the studio, so I really can't comment, sorry. The beta 98's I am not familiar with at all, sorry.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Grohl's sounds on that record were more about the player, the room and the kit. I'm sure Stevie could have put up 57's on everything and it would have sounded fine.
Get an old set of Tama Superstars and you're nearly there...assuming you do play/hit like him.

later,
m

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Shaft

Anyone have experience with the following:

Will an SM57 sound as good (accurate) as a Beta98 or a Beta56? Are the Betas worth the price for just the size/mounting convenience or is the sound significantly better? (I know that's subjective, but any input is helpful).

What about e604s and Audix D2s compared to the above?

Lastly, how would you characterize a Beyer M201 compared to the 57 on snare? Worth the extra dough?

Thanks

I tried about 15 different drum mics in the $100 - $300 range very recently.

They were all pretty equal in sound quality.

It's really about your own pesonal taste. Not fidelity.

I can't use anything but a SM57 on snare.

[Shaft]

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

Grohl's sounds on that record were more about the player, the room and the kit. I'm sure Stevie could have put up 57's on everything and it would have sounded fine. Get an old set of Tama Superstars and you're nearly there...assuming you do play/hit like him.

Grohl is awesome and I'm not making a direct comparison of myself to him. Just trying to give a sense of style in which I play and the sound that I'm looking for. But I'm not trading in my deedubs for Tama Superstars!

And thanks DH for that last post. I've heard 56s are a great tom mic, like the D2s and the e604s.