AKG C1000 as overhead?

[robin watson]

I use a home-built, 2U rack of sixteen batt-powered preamps for portable recording, using 2 Adats. The pre's don't have phantom power, so I'm using 2 C1000s as drum overheads since they can use batteries. I've heard bad things said about these mics used as OH's, and I thought a thread here regarding this may be in order. Can anyone recommend an upgrade to the C1000 that also enables battery power?

 

[sdelsolray]

Depending on your budget, just about any SD condenser will probably improve things. Don't be fixated by the phantom power issue. You can get phantom power boxes for $40 or so, double for two channels. How much do batteries cost (over the long run)?
--
Stephen Boyke

 

[PapillonIrl]

Marshall MXL 603 x 2 (and a phantom power box)

I received mine yesterday, and they are a great deal.

Nathan

 

[tmix]

I've used C1000's many times for overheads and got very good results. You have to work with placement a little more, and obviously any one set of mics probably will NEVER sound appropriate on all kits.

That being said, I also own a set of CAD E-100's that sound fantastic as overheads or on acoustic guitar, and sound wonderful for my particular kind of Baritonish type voice. They have built in rechargeble batteries. You recharge them by hooking them up to a souce that has phantom power for 4-5 hours. They (like the C1000) are a mid sized diaphram mic. But are so much more versatile. You can pick them up used for about $150-$175 each.

Your other option is as others have said, go get a few phantom boxes.They are'nt expensive.

Tom

 

[Han]

Never liked the C1000's as overhead mics, the C3000's did better but sound very brittle.

The best AKG mics so far on OH are the C451/CK1's

Absolutely stunning are the Sanken CU31 and 32, which I have experienced.

I also hear very good things about the Josephson SDC mics.

Forget about the C1000's, they're not bad, but you can have better mics for the same $$'s. Like the Rode NT3, which is in the same price, works with a battery, and sounds nicer.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

They work fine. Learn how to use them and save your money.

Unless you really want something better, you know? Phantom boxes aren't that expensive, but you already have the mics and despite the fact that so many people say "they aren't the best" the DO work.

I've used them several times as overheads. Now I defualt to my MXL 603's but I don't need the battery power any more. Sometimes I use C1's.

They all work. It just depends on what you need. Assuming that you record other things, I recommend going for a good sounding preamp with phantom power becuase it will reinvigerate all your mics.

But use what you have and learn how to make it work. It will.

Take care,
Chris

 

[eeldip]

yea- use what cha got. dont sweat it.

yea, they might be bright, but then just move them around till they arent so bright. if they still are too bright, try some eq. dampen the cymbals, try different heads.

 

[Rocket Boy]

oktava mk012 + m-audio audio buddy = 180-200 dollars at guitar center.

 

[tkingen]

Rocketboy's suggestion may work for you. The C1000s and Rode NT3 both sound much more brittle than the Oktava MC012.

Terry

 

[Richard Monroe]

Try this one, battery guy, it's so much better. Go to a place that sells trailer equipment and buy an invertor. They're anywhere from $50-$75 at Radio Shack, but the trailer guys will sell it to you for $40-$45. Then buy a 12 volt riding mower or motorcycle battery and a trickle charger. Then you can plug pretty much whatever pre you want into the puppy. I have powered a DMP-3 for hours with a motorcycle battery without a problem, all the phantom power you can stand. Do not try this with a Class A amp though, they suck juice quite a bit faster. For your overheads, the little Oktavas will annihalate the C1000S. But for that matter, a pair of C2000B's will, also.