Drum OH's SDC VS LDC

  • Thread starter Thread starter VTgreen81
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VTgreen81

VTgreen81

Active member
Most commonly I hear SDC recommended for drum OH, LDC for vocals.
But I hear equal recommendations of LDC Vs SDC for acoustic guitar.
From what I understand SDC mics give a more accurate response while LDC tend to add more coloration. But if coloration is a good thing on vox and some acoustics why not on drums? Why not use LDC as OH?
 
I'll use either depending on the situation and band. My choice for overheads LDC are AKG 414's, for SDC I like AKG C451's. I've used SM81's for SDC's in the past with okay effect, but I prefer the SM81 on high hat over anything else including the C451.

I've heard guys get good overheads with Schoeps SDC's. Forget the model number though, but they are tiny.

The way I use overheads--which is to compress them 4:1 or so--is to buffer the kit together and capture the kit sound. My EQ for overheads is usually pretty flat--except I suck out some 800hz to make room for other drums. If the cymbals are coming across dull I will add either 7khz, 12khz or 14khz depending.

Lately I've been putting an older NT1 as a central overhead directly over the snare from about 7-9' up. When I say directly over the snare I mean it is point face down towards the floor right at the snare. Since I've been doing this I've felt my drum sounds have gotten 10% better.
 
Coloration can be good.

I have little choice because I dont have a decent stereo pair of SD's but I have gotten very pleasing results from my Groove Tubes MD-1b tube mics.
LD's and deffinitely colored.

It was in a hard rock context but the coloration seemed to be very complimentary.

I do need to pick up a decent pair of SD's for variety.

I used to have a pair (sold one) of the ECM's (Berhinger omni mics) and I didnt care for them as overheads although others have liked their results from them.


-mike
 
Thanks guys. I'm just setting up and on a VERY tight budget so I'm gonna try a pair of S.P. B1's for OH and won't need to spend the $$ for another vocal mic just yet. This'll keep me at least operating til I can afford some better quality mics and the B1's will become another paintbrush in my cabinet.
 
i'm having an awesome time with my pair of v67g's as overheads. i always wanted to close mic everything, but then i started recording with these and have not felt the need to. i think they're a great choice if you're just recording snare/bass/oh's. i've never used the b1, so i can't tell you not to buy the pair, but deffinately check out the mxl's. i got mine on ebay for $80 a piece with a (somewhat shotty/cheap) shockmount.
 
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