Drum mics, set up and the Digi001

[RobiesD15]

Okay, for you drum-heads (no pun) out there, I need some advice. I want to use my Digi001 to record a full kit with the full 8 tracks...

Current gear/will have prior to recording:
Digi001 on a P3 850 w/512MB RAM
Makie 1604VLZ (or equivalent...not sure yet)
Alesis NanoVerb
1 Rode NT2 mic
3 SM58's

That's what I have RIGHT NOW, but I fully plan to get a different set of mics. I COULD just go with SM57's to save money, but I would really like some recommendations on a GOOD set of drum mics that won't break the bank. I'd like to have 1 mic per channel, but do I HAVE to do it that way?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

Pete

[Tim Brown]

Current gear/will have prior to recording:
Digi001 on a P3 850 w/512MB RAM
Makie 1604VLZ (or equivalent...not sure yet)
Alesis NanoVerb
1 Rode NT2 mic
3 SM58's

That's what I have RIGHT NOW, but I fully plan to get a different set of mics. I COULD just go with SM57's to save money, but I would really like some recommendations on a GOOD set of drum mics that won't break the bank. I'd like to have 1 mic per channel, but do I HAVE to do it that way?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

Pete [/B][/QUOTE]


Hi Pete,

Well, the 58's basically ARE 57's, just with the Ball end on them...That's the main difference.

How big of a drumkit, (How many kicks, Toms...cymbals don't matter as much-since nobody really individually mic's each of those)

Define your budget.

You can get the Mic Packs for as low as $100 for a kick mic and two tom mics.

I use a double bass kit with a snare, one mounted tom (between the kicks), and two floor toms.

Normally I record with 2 AKG D112's in the kicks, a Beyer M422 on the Snare, and a Radio Shack PZM mounted overhead on the ceiling.(it's mounted directly over the drumthrone)

This picks up the kit pretty much just like it sounds.

For my newest project, which is a very "80's Metal" (Think DIO and DIO-era Black Sabbath crossed with Yngwie Malmsteen) I'm individually miking each Tom as well with EV n/Dym157's....which is basically an SM57 with a bit more top end, so it's brighter sounding...

You can GET ATM Pro25's for under $110 each.(great little Mic...designed as an economical Kick Mic, but I like them for other things as well)

There are tons of mic's in the "Under $150" range.

I'm using a Mackie 1604 Vlz Pro, and I love it. For under $1,000...it's a great little mixer.

Tim

[mikemoritz]

The ball end is the difference? I beg to differ. The main difference is that one is a vocal mic and one is an instrument. You're better off with 57s than 58s on most everything on a kit. I tried miking toms with a 58, and some of the toms just sounded so flat that a tone was barely even recognizable. 57s do the job much better. The other advice is good to go on though.

[Tim Brown]

Originally posted by mikemoritz
The ball end is the difference? I beg to differ. The main difference is that one is a vocal mic and one is an instrument. You're better off with 57s than 58s on most everything on a kit. I tried miking toms with a 58, and some of the toms just sounded so flat that a tone was barely even recognizable. 57s do the job much better. The other advice is good to go on though.

I Hate to disappoint you, but I've been doing live sound since the mid 80's, and have had a few discussions with reps from Shure.
The Ball is the difference.

The Ball causes the Element to be about an 1" away from the source, and has a pop filter in it. That is the only difference. Same pickup pattern and everything else.

The next time you go to mic toms, get a 58 and take the windscreen off; the reason it sounded a little different is the foam inside the windscreen.

Tim

[mikemoritz]

no kidding? Wow, you learn something new every day.

[scroticus]

ball on the end? hmmmmm oh never mind
hey ive bought 2 of those adk area 51 mics,with a cool flight case and shock mount and standard mic mount for $180 each but musicians friend has a great deal on nady's version the scm 1000, its a very versatile mic with 3 polar patterns, cardoid figure 8 and omni,a pad and bass roll off switch ,and nickle finish(mmmmmmm nickle)it retails for $500, but they got a deal at $150, man its heavy with 3 of the pieces machined from solid blocks of brass, id recomend the shock mount other wise you cant mount it to a stand , bummer, either way you get a nice mic, the adk gives you the accessories in the price but the nady give you a 3 patterns
and slighty better build, but you pick up the tab for the shock mount goo luck