Three LDCs.

[ModestCargo]

Hey guys. I'm looking to (eventually) buy three LDCs. They will be used for a lot of things but mostly drum OH and FOK, and vocals.

My mic setup right now consists of two SM58s, four SM57s, and three Fender D3's (I don't know either but I got them CHEAP).

Anyway I was looking at Studio Projects B1s but I got to thinking, it would probably be a good thing to have three different mics, or at least two the same and one different for variety. I have heard good things about the Audio Technica AT2020 also.

What do you guys think? Should I get three different mics? If so what are the three best LDCs that are in this price range?

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by ModestCargo

Hey guys. I'm looking to (eventually) buy three LDCs. They will be used for a lot of things but mostly drum OH and FOK, and vocals.

Four questions:

1. Why LDCs for overheads?
2. What the FOK is FOK mic? Front of Kick?
3. If so, why not just call it a kick mic like everybody else?
4. Why a condenser for kick?

[ModestCargo]

1. Because I like LDCs for overheads and the front mic. These three mics will be the "main" sound. I also put dynamic mics on the kick and snare. I don't use that XY method.. I usually put one mic pointing right down at the kick beater and another over the floor tom pointing at the hi-hat. My overheads are not just for cymbals.

2. Front of kit. I put it three feet out and maybe four feet up. We'll just call it "front" from now on then.

[mrhotapples]

I must chime in and add a vote for CAD M177/M179s. Spaced Pair OHs FTW!

[mrhotapples]

I must chime in and add a vote for CAD M177/M179s. Spaced Pair OHs FTW!

[Robert D]

Two of one, and a bit more spendy on number three, picked primarily for it's match with the primary vocalist.

[kojdogg]

i made a recommendation for these in another similar thread by accident, but you could get three mca sp-1's for about the price of one sp b1.

[ModestCargo]

Thanks for all your input.

I have heard good things also about the Rode NT1A?

[Ironklad Audio]

a lot of people seem to love the NT-1A

...and just as many seem to totally hate it

for the $$, you'd probably be better off w/ a pair of AT 3035's, along with some other condenser, be it a rode, SP, or whatever else

[JPXTom]

Originally Posted by Ironklad Audio

a lot of people seem to love the NT-1A

...and just as many seem to totally hate it

Isnt that the case with every mic it seems? But i think i heard good things about the NT-1A as overheads. I know their great for picking up guitar ambience, so i'd think they'd be at least decent for drum ambience.

[Robert D]

Originally Posted by JPXTom

Isnt that the case with every mic it seems?

Naw, just the ones we can afford. That's one of the biggest differences between high end mics and budget mics. The high end mics don't often sound bad on anything, just better on some things. Budget mics on the other hand are often completely hit or miss.

[sound125]

I would go for a pair of AT2020s and an AT4040 for your main vocal mic. The 2020s have an airiness, smoothness and rolled of bass response making them an excellent choice for OHs and percussion. The AT4040 is warm and very smooth, despite its frequency bump on the top end, which is why I would choose it for a vocal mic. Most of all, they're affordable and I find that they are a tad smoother than the other budget mics I've used.

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by ModestCargo

1. Because I like LDCs for overheads and the front mic. These three mics will be the "main" sound. I also put dynamic mics on the kick and snare. I don't use that XY method.. I usually put one mic pointing right down at the kick beater and another over the floor tom pointing at the hi-hat. My overheads are not just for cymbals.

2. Front of kit. I put it three feet out and maybe four feet up. We'll just call it "front" from now on then.

I'd have a condenser on snare instead of kick. This gives quite a nice clear sound, imo.

[Micter]

I have recorded drums with 3 LDC's before with great results. I used a pair of AT 4033's as overheads and a GT55 in front of the kit. The GT55 did great for picking up the kick and underside of the toms/snare while the 4033's as overheads was perfect. I was looking for more of a Jazz drum sound which worked out just as you'd expect. My recomendation would be a pair of one type of mic for OH's and something different for the front. Adding a kick and snare mic to this setup would cover everything pretty well.

[dgatwood]

You folks do realize that the AT2020 is neither large diaphragm nor a true condenser, right? It's an electret SDC. It's a perfectly decent mic, IMHO (particularly for mic work where you want flat response, e.g. overheads, acoustic guitar, etc.), but it's about as far from an LDC as you can get without being dynamic.

Just checking.

[ModestCargo]

I guess I should have made myself more clear. I forgot to mention that along with the three LDC setup I like to close mic the kick and snare.

Anyway, thanks for your input.