ambient drum mics

[Harvey Gerst]

Allright Harvey you have me all fired up now... are you expecting delivery of the RNMP in 3 weeks, or what? You obviously know something that I dont and its killing me

Well, I talked to Beth McQuilken yesterday (the real brains of the company), and I got the impression that they were about to turn on the production line and that delivery on the first production units (baring any snags) would be 2 to 3 weeks.

What have you heard about it so far and have you heard a proto-type personally? Does it have any iron in the signal path?
Peace.

No, it doesn't have any iron in it (as far as I know), but it sounds like it does. I didn't get a chance to hear any of the protoypes, but, it's supposed to be similar in sound to an old RCA preamp (i.e., very warm, yet very detailed, according to one of the testers).

It will definitely have a sonic character of its own, and be well worth the wait, from what Beth said about the testers reaction to the prototypes. The first production batch will be the single channel units in the same 1/3 rack case as the RNC.

 

[fenix]

I usually am nasty. Fenix, get your head out of your ass. Why dont you start really listening, and base your thoughts and opinions on actual experience and not what some manufacturer says their mic can do...It's ok to look at specs, but dont base an uninformed opinion on them.

You guys have fallen prey to the Oktava market. I still think they are horrible microphones. But, if you own a four-track, I guess the mc012 would be your thing.

I am basing this on actual experience. I used to own 2 of those little Oktava condensers. Maybe mine were deffective, or maybe they were just too cheap sounding for me. Carvin makes a better small-diaphram condenser. lol

I'm trading my AKG's, Shure's and my Neumann's for Oktava mics. Oktava all the way!

 

[Track Rat]

I took a peak at your web page and I don't see any Neumanns or Octava listed. Seems to me if you had 'em you'd list 'em. And you have a 4033 listed as a large diaphram mic. Guess again Einstein.

 

[Executivos]

I checked out the site too, just cause I thought he was being cocky and I wanted to see what his studio was like.

I listened to the pop punk track called "here's an idea", and wanted to not like it, but I have to say:

I think the cymbals sound pretty darn good as well as the whole recording. (I really like the snare sound too) It might not match up to everyone else's liking (it's pop punk...BUT it sounds pretty close to how the big records sound) I 've heard so many crappy punk recordings where bands paid $50 an hour. He's charging $10 an hour.

The mic on the vocals on the other hand doesn't sound that great.

I like the sound of the oktava overheads as well but I'd be open to the c1000's now.


Oh yeah, I don't know about audio technica mics much...I can never remember which is which. but the two diff versions of audio technica 4033's that I saw look like they WERE both large diaphram condensers.

Am I right? here's the pic on the AT site:
http://www.audiotechnica.com/prodpro/profiles/AT4033aSM.html

Am I missing something track rat?

 

[fenix]

i thought the 4033 was a large diaphram mic too. But anyways, thanks for the compliment exectivos. For the record, I don't own a neumann, i was just joking or something. Sorry I dissed Oktava. What are your thoughts on Oktava 319?

 

[fenix]

Some words about the recordings at:
www.members.aol.com/racorndog/racorndog

The vocals on that pop-punk song were down with AT4033. I agree, I didn't really like the way the vocals turned out. For some reason, I can't get consistent sounds with that mic. Listen to that "Pearly Gates" song or the "Discuss the Matter". I think the 4033 performed the best on those songs. Maybe the singers sang at different distances. I should pay more attention to those little things.

That snare is a Pearl Chad Smith signature snare. An awesome snare for only $200. It has an Audix D-3 on top and a D-1 on the bottom with the D-1 out of phase. The problem I did have with the sound was with the drummer; he seems to be not so consistent.

You all should check out that jazz song on there. That thing is beautiful...was done by some young high school people. Brilliant sound, and all done in the same room and live!!!

 

[Harvey Gerst]

The AT 4033 (both the SM and the SE) are styled to "look" like they are large diaphragm mics. They're not. They have a 15mm diaphragm (a little over a 1/2" in diameter), a 2 micron diaphragm thickness, and they're an electret mic (built-in, pre-polarized charge), not externally polarized, so the 48V phantom power is only driving the on-board electronics, not the capsule.

 

[Executivos]

my thoughts or everyone's thoughts on the 319? here's mine:

When I went in to buy my first "recording" mic, I was going to get an nt1. The guy at guitar center talked me out of it and into a mk319 because it came with an audio buddy (mic preamp w/ phantom power...which I needed) He told me he'd accept a return if I didn't like it. (normally they don't take returns)

It was decent, but then I a/b'd it with my friends nt1, and I liked that better. The nt1 is a bit thinner, but it's kinda the standard for a lot emo stuff...ie: the getup kids and old jimmy eat world vox. Also the nt1 was better on acoustic guitar.

When I returned it I found out about the ntv deal...$499 and I had to get it.

I wouldn't say the mk319 is a bad mic at all. I'd pay $99 for it again. They say the the 219 is almost the same but the 319 is more open. I like the 319 much more...But for 199 out the door you can get a c1 and thats incredibly better IMHO.

What mic preamp did you use on that vocal track?

 

[Executivos]

Chad smith snare.

I've been wanting a new snare and I was listening to some chilli peppers songs the other day and i was like...that is a cool snare sound.

I'm going to check one out tommorow.

Harvey:
that sucks that they make you think it's a large diaphram...
Do any other companies do that? Is it still intended for primarily vocal use?

 

[ametth]

You guys have fallen prey to the Oktava market. I still think they are horrible microphones. But, if you own a four-track, I guess the mc012 would be your thing.

I am basing this on actual experience. I used to own 2 of those little Oktava condensers. Maybe mine were deffective, or maybe they were just too cheap sounding for me. Carvin makes a better small-diaphram condenser. lol

I'm trading my AKG's, Shure's and my Neumann's for Oktava mics. Oktava all the way!

I'm curious, which Oktava's did you try...and where did you get them?

 

[lucid]

thank you very much harvey...

definatly have a 57 on the snare because i alreayd have it, and the ecm's will arrive soon

i will probably go with the e604's on the toms.

going to reserahc into the kick mic you mentioned. i automatically thought akg because it seemed to be one of those 'studio standards'. what i wnat really is a BIG, FAT and powerful kick sound.

ambient: c1's? i have a heard a lot of good things about these mics. maybe i will go with a pair...

well, we won't be recording for a while, so i don't know when i will get the mics. if it turns out that it is easier and cheaper to record drums at a studio, then we will do that and do the rest at my place. but until that is decided i can't thank you enough for your help...

 

[Track Rat]

Fenix
Lets bury the hatchet (not in my head please, thank you ).
Everyone knows about the quality control issues with the Ocatva mics and to a large degree thanks to Guitar Center, deservedly so. The ones from Taylor Johnson at the Soundroom go thru a more rigorous screening process and though they're twice as much as the ones out of the bin at the Walmart of guitars they're fantastic mics. The 319 is darker, warmer and thicker, IMHO, than most other Large diaphram mics at this price point. Out of the vocal mics I own, it the one I like the most. It's not right on all voices, that's for sure, but I like the color.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Originally posted by Executivos Harvey:
that sucks that they make you think it's a large diaphram...
Do any other companies do that? Is it still intended for primarily vocal use?

The CAD E200 is a pair of back-to-back 1/2" Primo electret capsules, but most people think it's a large diaphragm mic.

The 4033 is intended as a general purpose mic, but the peaky top end is not something I find desirable for my needs.

 

[fenix]

Exectivos, that's just the pre on the mackie 24x4 i have. I also have a presonus bluetube that I'm not too fond of except, I might use the bluetube on toms or the bottom side of the snare.

 

[fenix]

indeed the 4033 has a top end.

 

[chessrock]

i will probably go with the e604's on the toms.

going to reserahc into the kick mic you mentioned. i automatically thought akg because it seemed to be one of those 'studio standards'. what i wnat really is a BIG, FAT and powerful kick sound.

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Not Harvey, but probably the biggest, fattest, most powerful bass drum sound I've ever heard was with a Shure SM 91. It's a bit pricey compared to some others, but I heard a band play with that thing live one night, and my hair almost parted from the "ooomph" they got out of their kick drum through a 91.

Also -- although I've rarely heard it mentioned as such -- my Shure SM-7 sounds amazing on toms. Recorded some stuff with it once by accident, basically, and almost everyone I talked to said "nice toms" Uh, thanks, I guess.