drum micing

I have to rent some mics to mic up a drum kit. I would like 2 room mics, 2 overheads, 2 snare, 2 bass drum, tom and hat mics. I have an AT 4050 some 57's and a d112 already. I would love some recommendations on some mics I can rent to fufill my needs. Hopefully nothing to esoteric or hard to get as I have to find these hopefully fairly cheap. Any opinions on Neumann km 184's or SM 81's? I might be able to borrow these. Where would you put them? Any help would be very appreciated, thanks.

[Jay Kahrs]

I'd prefer KM184's to the SM81 most of the time, smoother highs but the 81 is a bit brighter. Either pair would work well for overheads. I hardly ever put a mic on the hi-hat but when I do it's usually an SM57 and if that isn't working a small diapgragm condensor. I'd put the D112 on the floor tom or inside the bass drum. Use the 4050 for a room mic or outside the kick if your into that kind of thing. SM57's are fine for rack toms. Hope that helps.

[eliseus joseph]

yeah sm 81sound good on toms and that depends on the kit you are using 1st and 2nd tom a pair of sm 81's and a d112 for the floor tom or you can use sm 56's on toms they sound good as well and they are not that expensive the 56's i would rent for the toms 1st and 2nd and use the 81's as over heads if you have nothing else. if you can get a d12 for the kick that would be great they sound good on kick drums or sm 52 and these are all pretty cheap mics for the kick but they sound good. with exception to the d12. a 57 on the top snare sounds good depending on the snare or a 56 onthe top and a 57 on the bottom and i mean shure they are all affordable to rent.

Thanks Jay that does help. Do you prefer to use 1 room mic or 2? I've never actually tried using just 1.

[Jules]

Why not rent one stereo mic for overheads! - Just hang it over the toms in between the cymabals!

I like em!

AKG C24
Neumann Sm69
Neumann Sm2
SF 12 - Royer ribbon (favorite)

Shit, sometimes all you need after that is a kick mic!

Neumann M149's rule in a good room IMHO

Also an API 4 c mic pre (4312) performs very well on kick, Sn, & OH duties and would be worth rental too.

Sorry if these are way off target budget-wise!

[Knox]

yea Jules and i used to yak about this . . . if you can get a stereo royer . . and a kick drum mic . . . many times it is all you need depending on room etc.

[vsl666]

*sob*
well done guys ... im so pround of ya
*gush* i really love ya your just so ..... minamalist




ps yarrrrzzzzz (m149)(m49)

[Remoteness]

A nice pair of ribbons for the overheads, R121's or M160's, etc.
RE20, M88, MD421, U47FET in the bass drum depending on the sound of it.

Need to add more, how about MD409's or MD421's for the toms or try some TLM103's.

Can't hear the snare drum, try the old standby SM57 or be different and try a MD431 on it. KM140's or TLM103's also come to mind. rollz

Yeah and I agree with Jules, M149's are awesome for room. They're great overhead mics if you can make it happen.

I hope this helps.