What's a good drum mic package?

Sunshy · 30th December 2003

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 · 31st December 2003

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 · 31st December 2003

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 · 7th January 2004

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 · 7th January 2004

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 · 8th January 2004

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 · 11th January 2004

I agree with Beezoboy

Jason

Jay Kahrs · 13th January 2004

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....

30th December 2003	#1
Sunshy Gear nut Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 105 Thread Starter	What's a good drum mic package? 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!

8th January 2004	#6
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,259	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 __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

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31st December 2003	#3
Ted Nightshade Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: state of jefferson Posts: 1,328	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...

7th January 2004	#5
Beezoboy Gear addict Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 495	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

11th January 2004	#7
Jason Poulin Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Sudbury, On. Canada Posts: 1,780	I agree with Beezoboy Jason

13th January 2004	#8
Jay Kahrs One with big hooves Joined: May 2002 Location: Earth, NYC metro Posts: 5,899	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....