Another Drum Mic Question
- Thread starter liono9
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muttonchopsrule
New member
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
i'm not sure if i'm clear on your question...are you talking about buying a drum mic package vs. just buying a hodgepodge of drum mic's individually?
what's your budget?
either way, the shure drum mic package (3 SM57's and a beta52) is a decent starting point. audix supposedly makes a decent set too, and i think they're pretty comparative in price to the shure's, but i can't comment on them because i haven't used them.
with that said, sennheiser 421's tend to sound good on tom's and snare drums, and large diaphragm condensers can also work well on tom's. for cymbals/overheads, if you're going to use them, a decent pair of small diaphragm condensers sound work fine.
i'm not sure if i'm clear on your question...are you talking about buying a drum mic package vs. just buying a hodgepodge of drum mic's individually?
what's your budget?
either way, the shure drum mic package (3 SM57's and a beta52) is a decent starting point. audix supposedly makes a decent set too, and i think they're pretty comparative in price to the shure's, but i can't comment on them because i haven't used them.
with that said, sennheiser 421's tend to sound good on tom's and snare drums, and large diaphragm condensers can also work well on tom's. for cymbals/overheads, if you're going to use them, a decent pair of small diaphragm condensers sound work fine.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
do you want dynamics or condensers?
do you want dynamics or condensers?
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
[opinion]
Kick drum: A Dynamic mic like an AKG D112 will be best for the kick drum - it's a large diaphragm dynamic and can withstand the SPL of a kick drum
Toms: I'd go with dynamics as well, for price. Condensers would be better for sure but are generally a whole 'nother price bracket, PLUS, toms are not the MOST important sound.
Snare/hi-hat: I'd go condenser, maybe something like a Neumann KM140 system mic. Transient resonse is increased with a small diaphragm, and the "fullness" is greatly enhanced with a condenser vs. a dynamic. That being said, a lot of people use SM57's here.
Cymbals: condenser. Again transient response is key with cymbals, plus you can record those super high frequencies without hiss and distortion on a small diaphragm condenser.
[/opinion]
To record / reinforce a drum set, it could cost whatever you want it to cost, from $500 to $20,000, (just like anything in music).
I'd say go dynamic everywhere except condenser on cymbals at the very least.
[opinion]
Kick drum: A Dynamic mic like an AKG D112 will be best for the kick drum - it's a large diaphragm dynamic and can withstand the SPL of a kick drum
Toms: I'd go with dynamics as well, for price. Condensers would be better for sure but are generally a whole 'nother price bracket, PLUS, toms are not the MOST important sound.
Snare/hi-hat: I'd go condenser, maybe something like a Neumann KM140 system mic. Transient resonse is increased with a small diaphragm, and the "fullness" is greatly enhanced with a condenser vs. a dynamic. That being said, a lot of people use SM57's here.
Cymbals: condenser. Again transient response is key with cymbals, plus you can record those super high frequencies without hiss and distortion on a small diaphragm condenser.
[/opinion]
To record / reinforce a drum set, it could cost whatever you want it to cost, from $500 to $20,000, (just like anything in music).
I'd say go dynamic everywhere except condenser on cymbals at the very least.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
hey, I didn't put it here! :laugh2:
hey, I didn't put it here! :laugh2:
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
I have to say, I've never been a fan at all of an MD421 on a snare - way too scooped for my tastes, but they go godly on toms.
Assuming it's a standard 5 piece kit, eBay 4 57's (snare, 3 toms), pick up a used Beta 52, AKG D112, or Audix D6, and then if you're only doing this for live stuff, stop there. You rarely need to mic OH's live, unless you're playing a bigger club or your drummer is a wimp. If it's recording, look around for a pair of Studio Projects C4's or RØDE NT-5's - small diaphragm pencil condensors. I wouldn't worry too much about hat's when you're on a serious budget - I usually get enough in the OH's to deal without them, but it's nice for separation. Almost the same deal with ride, but it's always good to have something under the bell, even if it's just a little dynamic mic - it can really help bring that thing out, especially if you have a soft-hitter on your hands.
I have to say, I've never been a fan at all of an MD421 on a snare - way too scooped for my tastes, but they go godly on toms.
Assuming it's a standard 5 piece kit, eBay 4 57's (snare, 3 toms), pick up a used Beta 52, AKG D112, or Audix D6, and then if you're only doing this for live stuff, stop there. You rarely need to mic OH's live, unless you're playing a bigger club or your drummer is a wimp. If it's recording, look around for a pair of Studio Projects C4's or RØDE NT-5's - small diaphragm pencil condensors. I wouldn't worry too much about hat's when you're on a serious budget - I usually get enough in the OH's to deal without them, but it's nice for separation. Almost the same deal with ride, but it's always good to have something under the bell, even if it's just a little dynamic mic - it can really help bring that thing out, especially if you have a soft-hitter on your hands.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Another Drum Mic Question
:bigthumb:
:bigthumb:
