Since my Gefell UM900 went out, I don't have a pair and I have to record some tasty drums this weekend. The only tube LDC's I can get in their place is a pair of U67's. Anyone ever use these on drum overheads? If so, what kind of pre and placement do they excel with for a big rock drum sound. My pre selection is as follows:

Mercury M72s (what I normally use on overheads)
Trident S80 Box
Chandler TG2
Seventh Circle Audio N72 8-Channel

Let me know.
Thanks,
Justin

U-67's. My all time favorite overhead mic next to a pair of C-12's.
Yes they will work great. I have used them in a 3 mic technique or more typical spaced overheads. I would use the roll off and probably the pad and they may need a little more eq than some other mics but they will be beautiful. Unless you room has any kind of boxy issues (which if your using the UM-900's you would have found by now since they are also a great mic) you will love how they take eq and the clarity that you can get if you have a good pair of them.

The studio I worked at 8 years ago bought a pair of quite nice ones and I would run them through either the Focusrite Red 4cnl pre or a pair of Neve 1073's.

Now the studio is going downhill and the U-67's never work and they won't send the golden jems into get them fixed

With your pre selection I would choose the SCA but I haven't heard the Mercury. If they are anything like a real V-72 they might be a bit creamy but will probably sound amazing with lots of bottom end (Sometimes good sometimes not. Just depends on your style and preference.)

Give it a go and let me know what you think of them,
Michael Greene

I would use the U67s OH with the M72. If by some chance there's something with an EQ shelf built in, you might fine yourself wanting to add a 10khz or 12 khz shelf. Or if they have a nice tube EQ like the Pultec EQP1, you might try that. The U67s pre amp is rather dark, even though it's a very bright capsule.

They're great on overs.
If they have some good C12's, I'd try them first.
Better yet try them both.

We have (3) U67 with consecutive SN#s.... Never use them for OHs.... COLES!!! 251s, but not 67s. Don't know why, we'll have to try it.

Oh man....u haven't tried U67's as OHs ? They take comp and EQ like nothing else....I rent'm all the time with API pres....if I can't get U67's, its vintage C12's......I LOVE RENTAL COMPANIES !!!!!!!!!!! thumbsup

Whats wrong with sticking the stereo version SM69 up 'in da middle'

I love stereo mic's

Yeah I know rental co only had those....

Jules, that's what I do, sometimes. It's awseom in M/S and Blumlein. However, the SM69 had a different tube, slightly different preamp and a different transformer. I actually prefer it to the U67 on OH because it lacks that darkness.

I used the U67s today through the mercury and it sound ****ing awesome. The drum tracks came out great. I ended up using the following:

Kick- Audix D6 -> SCA N72 -> Distressor -> AD16X
Kick 2 - Yamaha Subkick -> N72 ->AD16X
Snare Top - SM57->TG2-> Distressor -> AD16X
Snare Bottom - Sennheiser e609 -> SCA N72-> AD16X
Hi Hat - AKG 451 -> SCA N72 -> AD16X
Ride - AKG 451 -> TG2-> AD16X
Rack Tom 1 - 421 -> SCA N72 - AD16X
Rack Tom 2 - 421 -> SCA N72 - AD16X
Floor Tom 1 - 421 - SCA N72 - AD16X
Floor Tom 2 - 421 - SCA N72 - AD16X
OH L - U67 - Mercury M72s -> Great River EQ-NV-> AD16X
OH R - U67 - Mercury M72s -> Great River EQ-NV-> AD16X
Room L - Avenson STO-2 -> Trident S80 -> Chandler TG1 ->AD16X
Room R - Avenson STO-2 -> Trident S80 -> Chandler TG1 ->AD16X

It's my second big session with my new gear and all I can say is that it was worth every penny.

black or silver e609?

A silver.

Tasty gear list!



44.1 / 48 ?? or 96K ? 24 bit? What DAW?

How are the SCA N72's compared to the TG2's? And can you buy a complete rack assembled or do you have to do some soldering yourself?

Cool setup, though I would have used the Great River EQ on the close kick and snare track...

Greetings,
Dirk

Thanks Jules. I did it at 88.2khz just to keep the math easy when going to 44.1
I'm using Nuendo 3. And I got the Adam S3A's. I'm loving my sound.
DirkB: I got the SCA's fully assembled second hand. I got all 8-Channels for $3300. They are great for the money. Really tasty on kick drum. The TG2 is my favorite for guitars and snare.

I use 4038s, or IF I am in the mood for a tubier sound, a pair of 251s. The U67 is not as open on the top, that is why I never tried it. The elam does great as the OHs, but Most of the time, I go for the coles. They are usually just right... I do use the 67s for room sometimes.

84K. LOL!!! The U67s aren't as open on the top so you use 4038s? I mean, I have nothing against using either mic, but I hope you aren't using the 4038 for their openness!

heh