Drum Mic Package

vodka gimli · 20th March 2006

The new AMS catalog arrived on Saturday. I always give it a glance to see if there is anything so cheap/useful I can't do without. Usually not.

I did notice the plethora if "drum kit" mic packages. CAD, Samson, Audix, Nady, Sennheiser, AKG. I have my suspicions on some of these deals, but I do need drum mics, having split a studio partnership without them.

Any warnings or recommendations on any of these packages? Preferably from someone using them or, after hearing them, choosing not to use them?

seaneldon · 20th March 2006

in my opinion you'd be better off buying separate versatile microphones rather than a "RECORD DRUMS IN A BOX!" deal.

keep in mind i have no idea what your budget is, but if i were you i'd buy a stereo set of large diaphragm condensers, stereo set of small diaphragm condensers, and some good dynamics to throw around the kit that can also be used in a variety of other applications. i'd say keep at least one ribbon mic around, too.

the SM57, though i don't particularly favor the mic at all, is a good starting point for a do-all dynamic. they never suck, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're even close to the best for anything. it'll work on snare and toms. if you wanna step it up a bit, sennheiser makes that e604 three-pack that'll work on toms, the md421 is very useful, as is the more expensive md441.

i have a few "favorite dynamics" for kick drum, which depend on the drum and the room and the player. either way... Electro-Voice RE20 is great, the AKG D112 and Audix D6 are okay, Shure makes decent mics for kick, the MD421 will work here too. so will the 57 if you can't buy too much. i also like to put a large diaphragm condenser outside the front head.

granted you have the budget to cover it, i'd say this is a good blueprint thats relatively cheap. change it up as you wish:

EV RE20
3 Shure SM57s or Beta57s
Sennheiser MD421
Pair of Shure SM81s, KSM141s, Peluso CEMC6s, or AKG C451s, whatever SDC you prefer
Pair of AKG C414s of any series, Shure KSM44, any good LDC that can be used anywhere and sound good
Pair of Beyerdynamic M160s. Ribbon mic. Great on overheads, and superb on guitar amps. I'd make this a pretty high priority.

Good luck.

WidgetNinja · 20th March 2006

The upper range Audix is great. I don't remember if they have one with just the kick and toms, but if they do, go for it.

The D6 is great, if you like it at all.
The D2's are great, great tom mics. They are very, very, very similar to the 421's, but half the cost. I feel they're a little faster than the 421's too, something Audix mics seem to share in common.
I honestly like the Audix I-5 over 57's too. Less compression, more vocal.

Grab some C42's for up top and you're there in style.

20th March 2006	#1
vodka gimli Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 593 Thread Starter	Drum Mic Package The new AMS catalog arrived on Saturday. I always give it a glance to see if there is anything so cheap/useful I can't do without. Usually not. I did notice the plethora if "drum kit" mic packages. CAD, Samson, Audix, Nady, Sennheiser, AKG. I have my suspicions on some of these deals, but I do need drum mics, having split a studio partnership without them. Any warnings or recommendations on any of these packages? Preferably from someone using them or, after hearing them, choosing not to use them? __________________ "Directly or indirectly, all questions connected with this subject must come for decision to the ear, as the organ of hearing; and from it there can be no appeal." — Lord Rayleigh

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20th March 2006	#2
seaneldon Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Bahstahn, MA Posts: 2,687	in my opinion you'd be better off buying separate versatile microphones rather than a "RECORD DRUMS IN A BOX!" deal. keep in mind i have no idea what your budget is, but if i were you i'd buy a stereo set of large diaphragm condensers, stereo set of small diaphragm condensers, and some good dynamics to throw around the kit that can also be used in a variety of other applications. i'd say keep at least one ribbon mic around, too. the SM57, though i don't particularly favor the mic at all, is a good starting point for a do-all dynamic. they never suck, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're even close to the best for anything. it'll work on snare and toms. if you wanna step it up a bit, sennheiser makes that e604 three-pack that'll work on toms, the md421 is very useful, as is the more expensive md441. i have a few "favorite dynamics" for kick drum, which depend on the drum and the room and the player. either way... Electro-Voice RE20 is great, the AKG D112 and Audix D6 are okay, Shure makes decent mics for kick, the MD421 will work here too. so will the 57 if you can't buy too much. i also like to put a large diaphragm condenser outside the front head. granted you have the budget to cover it, i'd say this is a good blueprint thats relatively cheap. change it up as you wish: EV RE20 3 Shure SM57s or Beta57s Sennheiser MD421 Pair of Shure SM81s, KSM141s, Peluso CEMC6s, or AKG C451s, whatever SDC you prefer Pair of AKG C414s of any series, Shure KSM44, any good LDC that can be used anywhere and sound good Pair of Beyerdynamic M160s. Ribbon mic. Great on overheads, and superb on guitar amps. I'd make this a pretty high priority. Good luck.

20th March 2006	#3
WidgetNinja Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 507	The upper range Audix is great. I don't remember if they have one with just the kick and toms, but if they do, go for it. The D6 is great, if you like it at all. The D2's are great, great tom mics. They are very, very, very similar to the 421's, but half the cost. I feel they're a little faster than the 421's too, something Audix mics seem to share in common. I honestly like the Audix I-5 over 57's too. Less compression, more vocal. Grab some C42's for up top and you're there in style.