What's a good drum mic package?

[Sunshy]

Hey gang, long time reader and first time posting.

I need to mic a drum kit (my first time!) and would like to purchase a "drum mic kit" because I don't think I have enough in my mic collection and I don't want to buy stands:

sm58
sm57
NT2
C1
(2) Oktava MC012

I will be using the oktavas as overheads (even though they're not matched) so all I need is something close to the $500 range that comes with clips like:

Audix DP5

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=41464

or the Shure DMK57-52

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=15198

or the Sennheiser e604 (3 pack for toms)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=41464

or the AKG drummer's pack

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.as...ory=Microphones

Just wondering if you guys have any suggestions on these as I have no experience recording drums and will probably be purchasing them mail order.

Also: are the condenser mics better than the dynamics on the toms? And how exactly do I position the mic on the "side of the snare" that so many of you talk about. On the opposite side of the hats by the floor tom? THANKS!

[Jay Kahrs]

You're AKG link is dead. Barring that I'd get the Shure package. But honestly since you have no experience recording drums I'd get a mic for the kick and use what you have for now.

[Ted Nightshade]

Skeptical about these drum mic packages myself. A decent mic should be relatively all-purpose.

Basically you have what you need already. Lots to learn, trial and error...

[Gulliver]

I had pretty good luck with the Shure PG series drum mic pack if budget is a concern. I think my buddy paid $275 for the kit-kick mic w/ 3 tom/sn mics, clips and case. They work well live, and we did record them to a Roland VS 840 with pretty good success....good luck!

[Beezoboy]

Get 3 Sennheiser e609 silvers.

Then get 1 of these:

Akg D112
Audio Technica ATM25
Shure Beta 52

That will put you right at $500. Use your 57 for snare and you'll be set. The e609's work good for guitar cab too. After that get a couple more 57's

Beez

[warhead]

The Audix fusion packages are OK for the money. The F15 condensors are bright and lack any depth or real low end, but they'll give you a half decent cymbal sound. If it's gotta be a package, that's the only one I've really played with. Well, there's this other package but...whole 'nother story.

Personally I use the E/V ND468's on toms ($169 each) and the ND868 on kick ($189), 57 on snare top, AT4033 on snare bottom, KSM32 on hi hat and CAD M179's overhead. I dig, but I'm considering another ND868 on floor since the 468's are better suited to rack toms. I like the 468's cause you can really get in close and they don't get too boomy on my toms. Hypercardioid, but still sound big in this application.

Those Oktavas you have are decent on overhead use, I have a pair and they're better suited to acoustic guitar IMO but work OK on overhead.

Best of luck with it.

War

[Jason Poulin]

I agree with Beezoboy

Jason

[Jay Kahrs]

FWIW, I captured what I (and my client) thought was a killer drum sound with a 421 halfway inside the bass drum and a pair of SM57's about four feet off the kit at about tom height. Well, the drummer didn't suck and that's half the battle....