Drum mic bundles?

[kator]

Audix or Beyer bundles. 2K range- help please.

 

[dgatwood]

I generally would recommend against bundles; they almost invariably compromise at least some aspects of the sound in order to keep cost down. They usually either have a lousy kick mic and great tom mics, a great kick and lousy tom mics, great kick and tom mics with awful snare and overheads, etc. Either that or they end up being just so-so on everything. Either way, you usually end up replacing some of the mics with other mics and never use the mics from the kit again.

At the very least, I would generally avoid kits that contain overheads, as manufacturers of good dynamic mics rarely make good condensers and vice-versa. You're likely better off picking the overheads yourself, IMHO.

Some folks really seem to like the Audix kick mic, but I haven't heard a lot about the other mics in that kit.

I didn't even know Beyer made a drum mic bundle. The two Beyer bundles I'm seeing from Sweetwater look really wrong to me. They're using all condensers except the kick mic. That's bound to be bleed city. Also, their high end bundle description seems to emphasize the off-axis rejection on the overheads for live use. That's not what I look for in a set of recording overheads. In fact, it's the exact opposite. I look for accurate off-axis response, (though you do probably want less response off axis, i.e. not omni).

It's hard to say without trying those particular bundles, but my gut says you'd be better off building a bundle yourself, picking and choosing the best mics for the job. It would be worth checking the board for opinions on the individual mics in those kits and getting a feel for which mics in them are good choices and which ones aren't, though, as you never know---somebody might actually make a bundle that's good. It's possible....

 

[Ironklad Audio]

a lot of drum bundles do suck, but i opted to buy the audix DP-5A set - includes the D6, D4, 2 D2's, an i5, and 5 rim mounts. on top of that, it also includes a pretty nice locking case the mics - much nicer than what they would've been packaged in individually

the price is also considerably less than what it would've been to buy each mic separately - i ended up paying $550 for the set, whereas the individual mics(sans case and clips) would've cost around $800.

i would definitely stick with the previous advice, though, of getting a package that doesn't include OH mics

 

[Gherkin]

I second the notion of the Audix DP-5A set.

The Audix D6, D4, D2 and i5 mics are top notch.

I ended up getting the Audix DP7a mc pack - the same as above, but with two ADX51 condensors, which i sometimes use on hats/snare bottom/ride. They're very usable.

 

[Vagodeoz]

If you want a kit, how about a dynamic kit, like the Shure with a Beta52 and 3 SM57s with mounts, and these babies for overheads?

Or make yourself a custom kit with your needs: Ie: Akg 112; 3 x Senheisser 421; 2 x SM81, 2 x SM57...
If you are spending 2k on drum miking I don't really see the point of getting a kit, since they are made to keep costs low.
I have tried the beyer kit. It's good, but not miraculous.
My advice is pick your own mikes and grab a mike case.

 

[kator]

Thanks for the help...

I will build a bundle myself.

 

[donkeystyle]

I will build a bundle myself.

if you've really got 2 grand, then that's definitely the way to go.

 

[Vagodeoz]

You could try something like buying 3 kick mikes from a store. Let's say the beta52, 112, and D6. You try them, and you keep the one you like the most and return the ones you don't like. Buy 3 OH mikes, a SM81, a Rode NT5 and an Oktava... etc etc... Keeping the ones you like and return the ones you don't
Even better way to get your own bundle.

 

[Squiksilvery]

Red5 Audio drum mic set

Hi, I did this:

With Red5 Audio mics - google them. They are incredible value

Drums with scratch guitar and bass here:

cheers