SDC as overheads?

[SlowerHand]

I've been getting great results with a 4 mic setup, using dynamic close mics on the snare and kick, and small diaphragm condenser microphones on the toms. Because they're so sensitive they still pick up a lot of cymbal sound, the perfect amount of cymbal I want, really. I still have a beautiful stereo image, a la Glyn Johns method, just more toms. (I actually stumbled upon it that way, by putting the floor tom mic really close by accident. I tried it with the rack tom and ended up sounding exactly like what I had been trying to achieve for a long time.)

But because they're so sensitive, would it be bad for the mic's diaphragm?

 

[AMcB]

If they can handle the spl of the toms that close, then I would assume they would be fine. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable doing it though. But whatever works, works.

 

[drBill]

But because they're so sensitive, would it be bad for the mic's diaphragm?

That's fine. Especially if you like the way it sounds. Lots of people use SDC's on toms. Most notably KM84's, 451's/2's, etc.