Cheapish mics BETTER then MXL603s or Oktava 219, for overheads?

[dgatwood]

I think the behringer pre is almost as good as the Digidesign pres, and better then the M-Audio Audio Buddies, I was using. Is there any NEW/cheaper? preamp that will help more so then mics?

No way. Most modern pres (highly colored tube pres and the like notwithstanding) have very little effect on the sound except possibly adding a little muddiness, spittiness, or noise in the extreme high end. If the sound is significantly different from what you'd like in the mids, no pre is likely to fix that in any significant way.

About the worst that can be said about Behringer pres is that the older ones are noisy. The current stuff, reliability issues aside, seems pretty decent, judging solely from my very limited experience with it. (*dons flame-retardant suit*) Could you get better sound with a Great River? Sure. You'll hear the mic's output more accurately, with less noise, and with a slightly more open top end. Will it make as much difference as switching from an MK-219 to an MK-012? Not even in the same league.

 

[dgatwood]

I heard the MXL 603 that i have, and they sound....like the ones i have "cheap" sounding in the mids and bright. and the Oktava 219s sounded dark and boxy and sort of....warm but dull. BUT, the point being....those JoeMeek JM27s sounded REALLY good from the clips. Are they new or are they discontiuned as almost no one seems to carry them? Any idea if for around $150 these are any good?

I've heard them mentioned quite a bit. They're pretty easy to get for a lot less than $150 apiece....

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1762

Different people have different opinions on what they like in overheads. Some people really liked the JM27, others thought they were excessively brittle. YMMV.

If your room has tall ceilings and is well treated, you might also consider buying a couple of Apex 205 ribbons and a couple of Lundahl LL2912 transformers and modding them. I would expect those to be really great overheads if your room permits it.

 

[c_corie]

My room is small, and low ceilings....like i can touch them, and im 5'5 haha. and the room is sort of an L shape. what about those Blue 8-ball mics which on sale pretty cheap?

 

[mindrought]

PRO37's for drum overheads

Found a pr of PRO37's for $140 today on cl and an sm57 for 60, so for $200 my drum mics are complete. I'm using triggers and a vdrum module for the kicks. I used to have a pair of sm94's for overheads. Do you think I"ll be happy with the 37's? I haven't picked them up yet today. If they sound close to as good as the 94's I'll be happy...

c_corie,

The Pro 37r is the same mic. These are outstanding SDC mics for drum overheads and acoustic guitar. You can get them used for under $100 each if you shop carefully.

That said I have a 603 I was using as an over the shoulder mic when recording acoustic guitar instrumentals. When I got my Pro 37r I started using it. It was just a little bit better in the detail and nuance at the high end. But not a lot better because the 603 mics don't suck.

So maybe an M-Audio DMP3 preamp would be a better place to put your money. I don't know what you're using now but I plug everything through my DMP2 preamps when I can. This makes a big difference in high end clarity.

Do the drums sound really good in the room and not so good on the recordings? Because if they don't sound really good in the room it will be difficult to make them sound great in the recordings. Extra rugs, blankets, strategically placed gobos can really make a difference.

Mic placement is also really important. A pair of cardiods can work well on an x-y bar. Also recommended is the recorderman method. A quick search should find this.

Ok, now for a really bizarre note. On live sound outdoors I've been using an Audio Technica ATM25 placed in front of the kick about a foot off the ground and 6-8 inches from the head. We run a small PA with usually just the vocals and this kick mic. The weird thing is that the single mic, in front of the kick, amplifies the whole kit, cymbals, snares, toms and all. Who'd a thought it?

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[moresound]

They should be fine but you won't have the pad and roll off that the 94s have.
Try taking a look at the naiant x-s microphones @ $39. each you will probably enjoy them better!