CHeap Overhead Mic's Poll

[moon]

Gobos and baffles usually aren't available to people looking for "cheap overhead mic's" (sic); people looking for inexpensive mics usually aren't looking to also spend lots of money redesigning their rooms.

For under $50 you can make some baffles which can make your room sound much better. It's probably better to invest in a good sounding room.
Not only for tracking, but also for mixing.

 

[MichaelJoly]

I love it when a poll vote bumps a thread!

Keeping well within the OP's limit of $200 for OH I offer...

The NADY SCM-800 is now $40.95. Same KM 84-inspired capsule as the popular MCA SP-1.

The NADY CM-90 is now $45.95. Same '84-inspired capsule as above. The least expensive pencil-type SDC with potential.

The MXL 990s is $69.99. Good value for a stereo mic using two of the '84-inspired capsules. Limits one to X-Y mic'ing only so not as versatile as the the two above.

So my vote for the best value, versatile, true externally polarized small diaphragm capsule mic (lower noise than the 1/4" electret capsule mics) is the Nady SCM-800. Looks like a side address mic so your drummers will dig that 1970's horizontal U 87 OH look.

 

[mshilarious]

So my vote for the best value, versatile, true externally polarized small diaphragm capsule mic (lower noise than the 1/4" electret capsule mics) is the Nady SCM-800. Looks like a side address mic so your drummers will dig that 1970's horizontal U 87 OH look.

Drum overheads are not a noise-critical application.

 

[MichaelJoly]

True. I should have said "best value, true externally polarized small diaphragm capsule cardioid mic. Cardioid being a desirable quality for OH mics usually. The versatility (when called for) comes from the lower noise figure of a 1/2", externally polarized capsule relative to a 1/4" electret capsule.