Cheaper or more Expensive?

[Mark7]

What's this obsession you have with drum mic packages? . Trust me, you don't need that many mics for drums. And if you feel you do then get 3 more SM57s.

As for an LDC try the B1 or B3 from Studio Projects or maybe the MXL V67.

 

[tom18222]

lol im lazy

 

[Dethska]

Dude, get the MXL603s and a bass drum mic, and you will have a decent sound. That's what I use along with a SM57 on the snare and it sounds pretty decent. I don't really even need the 57, but I use it cause I have it.

 

[DJL]

lol im lazy

I think the SM57, 2- Oktava MC-012's and ATM25 mic was the best suggestion posted above... or you could just pick a package of your choice, buy it, and tell us later which package you got and how much it sucks.

 

[Rev E]

Tom,

Get your head out of that drum package idea. Most packages are not up to snuff, particularly the lower-priced ones. One good reason for this is because you're often micing most of the kit with the same mic. The other reason packages suck, is because the mics in the lower-end packages suck.

Specialty mics are the best way to go. There are two great things about drum micing IMO: 1) Quality drum micing can be had inexpensively IF you buy carefully and are willing to buy some quality used gear and 2) Drum micing has been written about and discussed at great length, particularly on the Internet (so finding information should be pretty easy... great for beginners).

My suggestion: follow some of the advice you heard above. I would get a pair of the Octava MC012/MK012s for overheads ... period. The MXL 603 are good overhead mics, but they tend to be a bit bright compared to the Octavas. Thus, you would have more options with the Octavas. You should be able to find a pair for ~$150 or so. Check Guitar Center or eBay. I got 2 Ockavas at Guitar Center for $100 during the August month-long sale.

For kick go with the ATM 25. It's a great kick mic at any price. I also like the Audix D6. I use both of these with great results. New price for the ATM 25 is $140. I got an ATM 25 used off eBay for about $100 (a real bidding war).

For snare the Shure SM 57 is a great buy... truly a classic. New for $79. Others recommend the Beyerdynamics M88. I have no personal experience with the Beyers, but the M88s get rave reviews all over the place for snare, kick, and Chessparov's favorite application ... vocals (evidently a versatile mic). You should be able to find the Beyers used on eBay for about $100 or a bit more.

Even if you got just 4 mics BRAND NEW (ATM 25, SM 57, 2 Octavas), you would still be under $400. So there you go.

 

[DJL]

Rev E, you mean the Beyer M88 on kick and the Beyer M102 on snare right? Great mic's by the way... but the cost of those along with O.H's would be more than his budget.

 

[Rev E]

Rev E, you mean the Beyer M88 on kick and the Beyer M102 on snare right? Great mic's by the way... but the cost of those along with O.H's would be more than his budget.

Do you mean the M201s? I have heard great things about the 201s on snare. But, I've heard some folks talk about using the M88s on snare as well (fuller sound). If he bought used on eBay, he should be able to find an M88 for $100 - $150. Add an SM57 on snare (new for $80) and add a couple of Octavas and he's still under budget.

 

[DJL]

Oops, yeah I mean M201... sorry about that.

 

[Mark7]

Well, I only suggested the MXL 603S FMSP because I figured this might not be the kind of guy who likes to spend hours in GC sorting through a bunch of mics and who would, therefore, prefer to pay the extra to have someone do it for him.

 

[tom18222]

Tom,

Get your head out of that drum package idea. Most packages are not up to snuff, particularly the lower-priced ones. One good reason for this is because you're often micing most of the kit with the same mic. The other reason packages suck, is because the mics in the lower-end packages suck.

Specialty mics are the best way to go. There are two great things about drum micing IMO: 1) Quality drum micing can be had inexpensively IF you buy carefully and are willing to buy some quality used gear and 2) Drum micing has been written about and discussed at great length, particularly on the Internet (so finding information should be pretty easy... great for beginners).

My suggestion: follow some of the advice you heard above. I would get a pair of the Octava MC012/MK012s for overheads ... period. The MXL 603 are good overhead mics, but they tend to be a bit bright compared to the Octavas. Thus, you would have more options with the Octavas. You should be able to find a pair for ~$150 or so. Check Guitar Center or eBay. I got 2 Ockavas at Guitar Center for $100 during the August month-long sale.

For kick go with the ATM 25. It's a great kick mic at any price. I also like the Audix D6. I use both of these with great results. New price for the ATM 25 is $140. I got an ATM 25 used off eBay for about $100 (a real bidding war).

For snare the Shure SM 57 is a great buy... truly a classic. New for $79. Others recommend the Beyerdynamics M88. I have no personal experience with the Beyers, but the M88s get rave reviews all over the place for snare, kick, and Chessparov's favorite application ... vocals (evidently a versatile mic). You should be able to find the Beyers used on eBay for about $100 or a bit more.

Even if you got just 4 mics BRAND NEW (ATM 25, SM 57, 2 Octavas), you would still be under $400. So there you go.

THANKS..now if I get those will i get really good sound? I'm looking to impress the local bands and make money with this stuff. I think thats what I'll do.

 

[Mark7]

Bands will respect you far more if you have a bunch of decent to good mics (like the Oktavas, the ATM25 and the SM57) than any of those cheap generic Drum Mic packages


And you will get good sound out of those mics

 

[tom18222]

 

[DJL]

THANKS..now if I get those will i get really good sound? I'm looking to impress the local bands and make money with this stuff. I think thats what I'll do.

It depends on the drummer, drum kit, your room, your other equipment... and most of all, if you know how to place the mic's and if you what your doing. If all the above is good... then the answer is yes.

 

[tom18222]

I know how to place the drum mics...would it be a good idea to get another sm 57 to put under the snare? I've read that many times.

 

[Mark7]

It's more common to find a condenser mic such as an AKG 414, being used as an "under Snare mic". A Studio Projects B1 might work.

 

[tom18222]

Ok Thanks man

 

[DJL]

I know how to place the drum mics...would it be a good idea to get another sm 57 to put under the snare? I've read that many times.

Were you happy with it the last time you placed a 57 there?

 

[Mark7]

If you have a nice room to record them in then another possibility for Drum Overheads might be a pair of these:

In which case, you might also like to get one of these:

 

[tom18222]

Were you happy with it the last time you placed a 57 there?

yea, it got a very rich tone

 

[tom18222]

Hey mark, would small diaphram mics be good for vocals though? Like the behringer or Octava one?