Decent pair of matched stereo overheads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MattGallagher
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MattGallagher

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Hi everyone, I'm looking to start recording drums as my friend would like to record some demo tapes at my studio, and I need to get a pair of matched condenser microphones for the overheads. I'm thinking M-Audio Pulsar II's are looking quite tempting, and the reviews I've read have said they're quite good. Are there any others that match them in the under £250 price range?
 
Thanks, I think I'll have a look at the Rode NT5's, as from what I've heard they have some better reviews...
 
Coolieo .... let us know what your thinking for there are other alternatives both upwards and downwards monetarily and as you know you get what you pay for.
 
Hrmm..what about the Studio Projects C4s? I guess they aren't matched but for the price they are very nice. I've used them quite a few times and they do a great job on drums/acoustic guitar. They also come with a case/shockmounts/and omni/cardiod capsules.
 
lank81 said:
Hrmm..what about the Studio Projects C4s? I guess they aren't matched but for the price they are very nice. I've used them quite a few times and they do a great job on drums/acoustic guitar. They also come with a case/shockmounts/and omni/cardiod capsules.
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They look good, but unfortunately they aren't in the price range unfortunately...it's more £250 and below with £250 being the limit - hence why the NT5's are looking like the best option at the moment. Thanks for the feedback though!
 
Don't get too caught up in "matched pairs". As long as they're the same type mic you'll be OK. The Octavas are pretty decent.
 
Yes Track Rat does not speak with forked tongue! Matched pairs are ok, but while at a store purchasing two over heads of the same type and make you can get darn close by just listening to your options from their inventory.
 
Matched is always better, if only as a selling point when you tire of them. I had two SM81's, serials within 30-ish of each other. NOT matched. Since one required more gain for the same signal level, one had a higher noise floor. Kind of like watching a video that always tilted. If you do it while walking, you'll be going in circles.

I like my STO-2's. Oktava MK-012's, Rode NT-5's, and other options. MXL 603's? Depending on what you consider good enough.
 
I'll throw in that I've used the SE electronics SE1A for a lot of things, including overheads, and think they're an excellent mic for the money. I'm in the camp that's not too worried about a matched pair for overheads (as long as the "normal" versions have decent quality control) but there's lots of other things where the matched pair is useful so, from the point of view of versatility, it can be worth it.

Bob
 
At times an unmatched pair would come in handy - say you have a bright mic compared to a not so bright one and the hihat and cymbals on that side of the drum set is to bright ... just put your not so bright mic on that side!
 
Another vote for the Oktavas. MK-012 pairs are awesome for overheads.
 
I have the Pulsar IIs myself. I was using them as drum overheads for about a year and was pretty pleased with them, but unfortunately I bought them used and now one of them fails the breath test (the Diaphragm is dirty) so I can no longer use them for OHs. And at the price that they sell for its not really worth it to send it off for cleaning. Also, you can forget about trying to get Avid on the phone.....you're basically on your own if there's a problem with them. I wasted waaay too much time on hold just to find out if they did microphone repair. As far as I know, you need to purchase a repair code online just to speak with them!
 
TheNightman77 said:
I have the Pulsar IIs myself. I was using them as drum overheads for about a year and was pretty pleased with them, but unfortunately I bought them used and now one of them fails the breath test (the Diaphragm is dirty) so I can no longer use them for OHs. And at the price that they sell for its not really worth it to send it off for cleaning. Also, you can forget about trying to get Avid on the phone.....you're basically on your own if there's a problem with them. I wasted waaay too much time on hold just to find out if they did microphone repair. As far as I know, you need to purchase a repair code online just to speak with them!
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OUCH!!! Now let that be a lesson to us all.
 
Firstly I'd like to say thanks to everyone who's given feedback, it's all very helpful and I'm not needing to get the OH's for another few weeks so I can still think and research some more.

Secondly, Avid's support is one of several reasons why I'm moving to Logic Studio in a few weeks also. :)
 
NT5s are good, but just remember they are dark. I have used them for years and love them, but a lot of people think they are too dark. For detailed guitars they are great, and as drum OH they are great.
 
That's right Aaron bark and may I add buttery and silky. No harsh high end that I''m in no way a fan of.

You can check out Shures KSM 137s or 141s they are in a bit of a better league than the Rodes but a bit more up the ladder monetarily.
 
moresound do you think the KSM 137 & 141s beat out the tried and true SM81s? I got a pair for 400$ used and I think they are great overhead and acoustic mics. Really, I don't need much more than these. Thoughts?
 
SM81's are cardioid ONLY. I'd call them hyper cardioid myself. Or shures terminology, unidirectional. They are very directional, kind of flash light directional. With two as a stereo pair, I pretty much had to have them at 45 degrees to pickup sound in a 90 degree range. With enough overlap to seem like stereo. Which was part of the reason I got rid of them. And also way too sensitive for outdoor use.

KSM141's have a selectable pattern. Or the KSM109's if you want the older version.
 
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