suggestion for OH mics at someone else's studio

column17 · 11th April 2006, 03:02 AM

I'll be recording a band at a studio that i've never worked at before (a friend of theirs owns it). The studio has what look to be some pretty awsome mics , but i haven't used any of the pairs in their locker. I was wondering if you guys could help me narrow the overhead selections a little so that I don't end up spending half a day auditioning OH mics. Obviously I'll end up using my ears to decide what sounds best but any pointers in the right direction would be helpful.

The options are pairs of:
Beyer Dynamic M160
AKG451e
Coles 4038
Josephson C42
Neuman m582
Rode NT3
Sony C536p

In the past I've used and liked Neuman M49s, Sure SM81s, GT33s, AKG414s. The band is a moody rock band that has a kind of cure/killers vibe. There are lots of awsome pre's available so feel free to make suggestions as to what to pair the mics with too.

Suggestions on what to try?
Suggestions on what to skip?

column17 · 11th April 2006, 07:32 PM

bump.

nobody has any suggestions?

AdamJay · 11th April 2006, 08:02 PM

i love a pair of M160's on OH.

but they need lots of clean gain.
so if they have a Phoenix DRS-2 or A-Designs preamps.. those pair well.

JonCraig · 11th April 2006, 09:55 PM

M582's (assuming they've got the cardioid capsules)-SOUND GLORIOUS!
Beyer Dynamic M160-never used 'em on OH's...
AKG451e-too bright
Coles 4038-too dark
Josephson C42-never used
Rode NT3-is that the stereo guy? didn't like 'em--too "blah..."
Sony C536p-never used.

hope that helps just a bit.

--jon

seaneldon · 11th April 2006, 10:05 PM

M160s are more-than-stellar drum overhead mics. 4038s will bring the roof down for the right band/drummer/record.

chetatkinsdiet · 11th April 2006, 10:06 PM

I'd probably audition both the coles and the 451's to see which you prefer. Use the 160 pair for room mics and squash the shite out of them if you're recording rock.

m

Exsanguis · 11th April 2006, 10:15 PM

I can't get enough of 4038's on overheads

valverec · 11th April 2006, 10:21 PM

NT3's sound bad in my opinion.

The coles can be cool room mics, but definitely not for OH's because of their lack of HFR.

The 451's are brittle and harsh sounding on cymbals in my experience.

Sorry, that's all I can offer, I haven't used the other mics as OH's.

chetatkinsdiet · 11th April 2006, 10:32 PM

I happen to dig the 451's...the original one's with the screw on caps....with some ribbons for room mics. I think that really balances things out nicely.

m

Jetblack · 12th April 2006, 01:12 AM

The 4038s work great with drummers who have "loud / bright" cymbals like K series cymbals (especially hats). Their "darker" character works out great when you compress the overheads hard. However, if they are a Cure-esque band with minimal square drumming, maybe something with more top end would work better, like the C42s or the 451s.

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11th April 2006, 03:02 AM	#1
column17 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 46	suggestion for OH mics at someone else's studio I'll be recording a band at a studio that i've never worked at before (a friend of theirs owns it). The studio has what look to be some pretty awsome mics , but i haven't used any of the pairs in their locker. I was wondering if you guys could help me narrow the overhead selections a little so that I don't end up spending half a day auditioning OH mics. Obviously I'll end up using my ears to decide what sounds best but any pointers in the right direction would be helpful. The options are pairs of: Beyer Dynamic M160 AKG451e Coles 4038 Josephson C42 Neuman m582 Rode NT3 Sony C536p In the past I've used and liked Neuman M49s, Sure SM81s, GT33s, AKG414s. The band is a moody rock band that has a kind of cure/killers vibe. There are lots of awsome pre's available so feel free to make suggestions as to what to pair the mics with too. Suggestions on what to try? Suggestions on what to skip?

11th April 2006, 09:55 PM	#4
JonCraig Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,801	M582's (assuming they've got the cardioid capsules)-SOUND GLORIOUS! Beyer Dynamic M160-never used 'em on OH's... AKG451e-too bright Coles 4038-too dark Josephson C42-never used Rode NT3-is that the stereo guy? didn't like 'em--too "blah..." Sony C536p-never used. hope that helps just a bit. --jon __________________ "my job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --george massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Me. Pro Tools "Tip of the Day" Widget. Click Me.

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11th April 2006, 07:32 PM	#2
column17 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 46	bump. nobody has any suggestions?

11th April 2006, 08:02 PM	#3
AdamJay Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,368	i love a pair of M160's on OH. but they need lots of clean gain. so if they have a Phoenix DRS-2 or A-Designs preamps.. those pair well.

11th April 2006, 10:05 PM	#5
seaneldon Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 2,000	M160s are more-than-stellar drum overhead mics. 4038s will bring the roof down for the right band/drummer/record.

11th April 2006, 10:06 PM	#6
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	I'd probably audition both the coles and the 451's to see which you prefer. Use the 160 pair for room mics and squash the shite out of them if you're recording rock. m

11th April 2006, 10:15 PM	#7
Exsanguis Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 202	I can't get enough of 4038's on overheads

11th April 2006, 10:21 PM	#8
valverec Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA Posts: 189	NT3's sound bad in my opinion. The coles can be cool room mics, but definitely not for OH's because of their lack of HFR. The 451's are brittle and harsh sounding on cymbals in my experience. Sorry, that's all I can offer, I haven't used the other mics as OH's.

11th April 2006, 10:32 PM	#9
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	I happen to dig the 451's...the original one's with the screw on caps....with some ribbons for room mics. I think that really balances things out nicely. m

12th April 2006, 01:12 AM	#10
Jetblack Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 539	The 4038s work great with drummers who have "loud / bright" cymbals like K series cymbals (especially hats). Their "darker" character works out great when you compress the overheads hard. However, if they are a Cure-esque band with minimal square drumming, maybe something with more top end would work better, like the C42s or the 451s.