1st. overheads, what should i get

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdalziel
  • Start date Start date

which ones

  • Studio Projects B1

    Votes: 8 26.7%

  • Oktava MK319

    Votes: 3 10.0%

  • Audio Technica AT2020

    Votes: 1 3.3%

  • MXL Marshall 603s (not matched)

    Votes: 10 33.3%

  • Other... (Please name)

    Votes: 8 26.7%
  • Total voters
    30
J

jdalziel

New member
im looking to get some drum overheads. these would be my first. already have my sm57(snare) and d6(bass). what do you suggest i get...

mk319
at2020
mxl 603
sp B1

they all seem to be selling for about $99 online. these are mics ive been pointed to to look at. i cant seem to find any other mics like mc012s, gt-33... thats in my price range(0-100each). and if any one can direct me to an online store that might have these for a better deal that would be awesome, thanks.
 
I'm actually a fan of the apex 185's, they come as a matched pair and include shock mounts, but the best part, they come with switchable capsules to make them either omni or directional. I thought that was pretty damn cool.
 
ya but, arent the 603s a little too bright? i hear people say that whenever 603s come up. or is that for the real picky types on the forum? i have a pretty "bright" kit ( masters brx with the toms tuned up, and HHX evolutions ). am i being to "picky" for my first mics? i think the 603s are the way to go i guess. thanks
 
jdalziel said:
im looking to get some drum overheads. these would be my first. already have my sm57(snare) and d6(bass). what do you suggest i get...

mk319
at2020
mxl 603
sp B1

they all seem to be selling for about $99 online. these are mics ive been pointed to to look at. i cant seem to find any other mics like mc012s, gt-33... thats in my price range(0-100each). and if any one can direct me to an online store that might have these for a better deal that would be awesome, thanks.
Click to expand...
Oktava MC-012's... try Guitar Center.
 
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jdalziel said:
ya but, arent the 603s a little too bright? i hear people say that whenever 603s come up. or is that for the real picky types on the forum? i have a pretty "bright" kit ( masters brx with the toms tuned up, and HHX evolutions ). am i being to "picky" for my first mics? i think the 603s are the way to go i guess. thanks
Click to expand...

I have no idea what your kit will sound like with the 603s or what your (or anyone else's) perception of "bright" is. I just think the 603s is a very versatile mic for $200/pair. If you can find the Oktava's with the multiple caps for the same price, that may be a better deal. Try before you buy, if possible. Or, buy from a store with a generous return policy so you can take them back if they don't work for you. Good luck.
 
The MC012 is much better than the 603s for overhead. If you have bright cymbals with the 603s, the "ouch" factor is pretty bad.
 
Yeah the MC012's have a really nice dark, dry sound to them and if you have an already bright kit, the 603's might be overkill.
 
i currently have no way to get mc-012s. i live in canada so my music store is Long & McQuade, and they don't carry them. i can't find any place that will do a mail order, and i cant afford the soundroom prices. can someone give me a link/email address to a store that sells them for a good price? im googled out. i would love to get oktavas if i can find them. thanks
 
jdalziel said:
i currently have no way to get mc-012s. i live in canada so my music store is Long & McQuade, and they don't carry them. i can't find any place that will do a mail order, and i cant afford the soundroom prices. can someone give me a link/email address to a store that sells them for a good price? im googled out. i would love to get oktavas if i can find them. thanks
Click to expand...
Ebay's always an option, if the seller will sell to Canada.
 
ya, i dont mind shipping to the states, i live like 30 mins from the border and its worth the drive to save on taxes. ive checked out ebay but they are still way more then the $100 im aiming for. thanks
 
Save a bit and spring for the C4's... less than $350 for the pair, much more versatile than the others. Very nice mics for the price.
 
603's work nicely..."brightness" is going to come down to the rest of your chain, placment and EQ. I like to put them in front of my ART mpa pre amp to warm them up and take a little sizzle out but that's just my taste and how I deal with the drum room.
 
I highly suggest stepping up a bit and picking up a pair of CAD M179's for overhead use. Damn versatile with completely variable patterns, pad and hi pass filters. You can use them on lots of stuff as well.

The C4's are a good option for overheads as well.

War
 
The CADs would definitely be a step up but his price range was upto $100.

MusiciansFriend.com has been pushing the MXL990 which is the same as the 603. You can get them for $60 each with case and shock mount. They might be a little awkward to work with on acoustic guitars but they'll work as well as the 603's for over-heads.
 
Shit, is Guitar Center doing those cheap Oktava MC012 deals? Test them first...I urge you...but find a pair that's reasonably matched and you're done.

War
 
ya... im a long ways from guitar center...

Thanks for all your help people, i think ill go down to long and mcquade tomorrow and see if i can find something nice. if it turns out i cant find anything ill just return it and take my chances with a mail order.

ill be checking out some apex mics (like Ptownkid mentioned) cause they are really cheap since L & M owns them. thanks again!

jd
 
L & M sells the Studio Projects B1 about $120.
The Apex 435 is about $70
I tried them both.
I think the B1 is a better mic.

Good first overhead. Also good for lots of other sources like acoustic guitar, amps, percussion etc. A real multi-uses instrument mic. They are excellent tom mics, even if you were to upgrade to other overheads later.
If your budget is around $100 each, the B1 is a good choice.

If you wanted to mail order from Guitar Ctr in the states, the Groove Tubes Gt-33 is, I think, an even better mic for $99 US each. It's also a very versatile mic on acoustic, amps, etc, and great on overheads.
 
+Speaking of which, have a look at the apex sp2 pack, it comes with the 185's and a tube LDC (with 9 polar patterns) and another LDC. The whole set is 499.

I like having these mics around, they provide a lot of options.

Just to clarify. L&M does not own apex, Jack Long personally owns Apex, Yorkville, Traynor, ART, and L&M. I'd be willing to bet he owns more, but that's all i know.

Cheers
 
If you're sticking with the 200 definately do the sp B1s thing or something similar (I really like behringer B1s) I own a pair of mxl 603s, a pair of mc012, and have owned multiple other mics. While most of the condensers recommended on this site will do well, the mxl 603s can just be too bright. They work wonders on acoustics and dull cymbals but my advice is to go with something darker.
 
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