CAD or APEX

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tom5

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Hey guys I'm new to the forum...and I'm beginning my journey into home recording and I was wondering what are better microphones. CAD or APEX... I'm looking into their microphone kits for the drums. Its between the CAD 4 peice Drum Mic Tour Pack and the Apex-DP2 Drum Pack. Now if i feel the bass drum mics provided don't give me what i need, i will automatically replace it with a D112 of course, and as for overheads, i will get open diaphrams as suggested by the electronics specialists at the music store instead of the pencil condenser, one which is provided in the Apex kit. Anyways, between the CAD and APEX, which would be better in durability and sound quaility? Any of your inputs is much appreciated!!
 
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In general, I would tend to trust the CAD name more than APEX, but both have good and bad mics. Personally, I wouldn't waste money on a drum mic kit for any sort of recording purposes. You may get one or two decent mics in the kit, but the others will be useless. Instead, buy several multipurpose mics of good quality. Get a pair of small condensers for overheads, a good quality kick mic, and a few dynamics for snare and, if needed, toms.
 
Is that coming from expeirience?. Cuz my budget is pretty tight and i need something that isnt expensive. And if you can, may you provide alternatives to what i have suggested, which is reasonably within my price range?
 
I've used the CAD drum mic kit a few times. The kick drum mic is horrible. It sounds like plastic. If you get this kit, sell the kick mic.

The tom mics are pretty good with nice placement and a little EQ. I try to use them with clips so they get a bit more ring and not so much "slap", but that's probably also the drum kit I was using. Don't use them on a snare though. Not good.

The overheads are nice. Worth the price of the whole kit.

If you're on a really tight budget, this will do it. When you have a bit more money, upgrade the kick and snare mics (AKG D112 for kick and SM57 or Beyer M201 for snare are popular, great choices).
 
Dot said:
Why would you buy a drum mic kit and then replace 3 mics?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Tom5, buying a kit of mediocre mics and then having to replace them is a waste of resources. I have no direct experience with the CAD or APEX drum mics, though I own other mics from both companies. If you are going to buy a D112 anyway, get that plus a pair of SDC overheads (MXL 604, SP C4, etc.) and a snare mic (SM57, Audix i5, etc.). If you want to mic your toms separately, you can get more sm57's or even some of the 57 clones out there for not much $ (there are better mics for more, but you said you are on a tight budget). Basically, for about $400, you can get a darn nice set of mics that will serve more functions than just drum miking.
 
I thank you guys all very much for your very informative input. Thanks to you guys, and other threads concerning different microphones, I am now leaning more towards buying separate mics. The reason being, as I get more and more skilled at recording, my need to be able to get the best sound out of my kit will also increase. If I do get decent, well known mics now at what is considered a decent price for microphones which are known to be used in studios, I will save more money in the long run because my equipment will already suit my needs. This will mean I wont have to sell my previous microphone kit, which will cost me around $450 in the first place, in order to buy microphones for probably a bit more than $500. At very most $600.

But this begs the question now...some of you may think that as my skill progresses, my equipment should accordingly... I've also given this alot of thought too...but as I don't know how much my used microphones would sell for (i'm guessing not a lot), I believe it would be safe to say that paying more now will save me more in the future.

That being said, I have now made a list of microphones that I am highly considering:
AKG D112 (1)
OR
Shure Beta 52A
OR
Beyer Opus 51 or 65

SM57 (3 just for my toms, or 4 for the toms and snare)
OR
Shure Beta 56A

Thats what I have considered so far...As far as overhead mic's, I am unsure.
Maybe some Samson CO2 Pencil Condensers. I've been told that diaphram condensors would do better than pencil condensors in home recording situations because of a more open sound.

That is all for now, I shall keep you all posted with my progress. Anyways, any input or alternative considerations for my list would be also very welcome and appreciated.

Thank you and Take Care
 
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