Best Overhead Mics

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What type of mics do you use for Drum Overheads?

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mattkw80

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What type of mics do you use for Drum Overheads?

If you want to also add what make / model, that's cool too, but the main poll is regarding the type.
 
For me I like SDC's because they pick up less room and seem to be focused more. I just bought a pair of Peluso CEMC6's that I am very happy with. I have tried ribbons and LDC's but they pick up a lot of room sound (at least the ones I have tried). For me thats a very bad thing because my room is not too great.
 
I paid approx 700.00 for the "stereo kit". I can't remember the exact amount but it was around there. I got them here:

http://www.soundpure.com/showProduct.do?id=713

For a frame of reference I have used SP-B1's, MXL604's, KEL HM-1's, APEX 205 (ribbons) and AT4040's as overheads. I was never quite satisfied with the sound I was getting until the Peluso's came along. I know there are better mics out there for overhead purpose but in my price range these were by far the best. The Peluso's can be a little bright but in a smooth way. They are great sounding (for me at least)! For the money the KEL's sound really good too. :)
 
I use LDC's because that's all I have. A pair of Rode NT2-a microphones, which are "overkill" for overheads but whatever, they sound great.
 
Hey... LDC's Are Pretty Good...

I have a good amount of Mic's but I really like to use a pair of my MXL-4000's
as Overheads, The thing is is that I have a good room so I actually like the room sound...
I haven't tried my MXL-603's as Overheads yet bu I do plan on that soon and I could change my mind, I just like them on my Hi-Hat so much...

The bottom line is If you like your room sound, the LDC's are good, i'm sure if you have really nice SDC's though...

The other cool thing about the LDC's is that you can use them to communicate with the band when your recording, think about that...

Cool,
The Electric Blu Studio
 
I have a pair of LDC's (Rode K2) and a pair of ribbon mic (moded Cascade Fat Heads) that I have gotten nice results with. I do plan to buy a pair of SDC's in the near future too, one of which I'm looking at are the Peluso's mentioned above.
 
SDCs are the traditional choice for overheads because of their theoretical superiority in reproducing transients, which is important for catching the stick attack on ride cymbals, hi-hat, etc. This is not to say that excellent sound can't be captured with a LDC, or even a high quality dynamic. Some of the dynamic mics have a nice, almost silky high end. I've used a Sennheiser E835 dynamic - about $100 - for overdubbing ride cymbals, and it sounded wonderful.

BTW, have you heard about the Karma K-micro? A killer little SDC. I own eight of these mics, and they're a knockout deal for the price.

http://www.karmaaudio.com/products.html
 
Steve Moser said:
SDCs are the traditional choice for overheads because of their theoretical superiority in reproducing transients, which is important for catching the stick attack on ride cymbals, hi-hat, etc. This is not to say that excellent sound can't be captured with a LDC, or even a high quality dynamic. Some of the dynamic mics have a nice, almost silky high end. I've used a Sennheiser E835 dynamic - about $100 - for overdubbing ride cymbals, and it sounded wonderful.

BTW, have you heard about the Karma K-micro? A killer little SDC. I own eight of these mics, and they're a knockout deal for the price.

http://www.karmaaudio.com/products.html
Click to expand...

Steve,
They have them listed on the site for $99/pair. I may get a pair. Thanks for the heads up.
 
I've always liked the sound I get with Large Diaphragm overheads, and 4050's work great. I have a pair of NT5's, but they don't capture the fullness of the snare and toms for some music
 
Thanks Jay.

I was *a little bit* considering the Rode NT5's, but my Audix F-15's are the same as you say... the tom's and snare just have no meat on them.

So..... I am heavily leaning towards the 4050's.

(Would the 4047's make a decent set of OH's ???)
 
mattkw80 said:
Thanks Jay.

I was *a little bit* considering the Rode NT5's, but my Audix F-15's are the same as you say... the tom's and snare just have no meat on them.

So..... I am heavily leaning towards the 4050's.

(Would the 4047's make a decent set of OH's ???)
Click to expand...

You would never regret buying a pair of 4050's. The 4047 is their take on a 47FET, which was more commonly used in front of a kit/kick drum.
 
Not sure I'd ever use all those polar patterns.

Any idea which 40 series mic is the 4050 but minus the extra patterns ?
 
I was rocking 3 blue KIWI's 2 overheads, and 1 placed in front of the kit waist high about 4-6 feet out to capture the room, and kit as a whole. That was a bitchin setup. I am a huge fan of most blue products, and I really like Audix drum mics too.
 
apl...

Are the naiant OH's still available?

I was interested in that, but I thought I read something about Naiant discontinuing some of his mics.

Those overhead's we're the MSH-1's right ?
 
mattkw80 said:
apl...

Are the naiant OH's still available?

I was interested in that, but I thought I read something about Naiant discontinuing some of his mics.

Those overhead's we're the MSH-1's right ?
Click to expand...

He made some design improvements when the original housings were discontinued, mostly on the electronics side.
 
For the better ?

(You always here about mic's being re-done, but.... NOT for the better. ie: C 414 )
 
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