Drum Overhead Mics

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skylab001

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Ok so I'm new to this forum and actually have recorded many CD's released by major labels, however, I haven't done a lot of Drum recodring in my studio, I would usually rent a studio and record there, and overdub and mix here.......anyway, I am looking into some overheads and a Hi Hat mic, now I always preffered to use matched 414's as overheads cause I like the sound and thats what they used in school so it's familiar, but they are a good 1500 for the pair. Now I have heard all this good stuff about Rode and Studio Projects being cheap but good mic's, yet have never used them.

I was looking into the Rode NT or Studio Projects c1 as overheads or maybe the rode Nt5 or Studio projects C4's but then again, never used pencil condensors as Overheads.

and an Octava mc012 for the hi-hat

I'm looky for an airy room sound from the overheads

so recommendations or comments would be helpful
 
skylab001 said:
Ok so I'm new to this forum and actually have recorded many CD's released by major labels
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So you mean to tell me you've recorded major-label CD's, but you don't know jack shit about recording drums? ? ?


Forgive me, but something just doesn't quite sound right, here.
 
What Chess REALLY meant was...."Welcome to the forum".

He just has a hard time expressing himself sometimes.

That having been said....

I agree with him. Something doesn't smell right here.....
 
Well, you can add me to the list.

But I think you will find a ton of info about OH and drum recording in general if you search the many forums like this forum, musicplayer.com prosoundweb.com gearslutz.com recording.org
studioforums.com and there are many more.
 
skylab001 said:
Ok so I'm new to this forum and actually have recorded many CD's released by major labels, however, I haven't done a lot of Drum recodring in my studio, I would usually rent a studio and record there, and overdub and mix here.......anyway, I am looking into some overheads and a Hi Hat mic, now I always preffered to use matched 414's as overheads cause I like the sound and thats what they used in school so it's familiar, but they are a good 1500 for the pair. Now I have heard all this good stuff about Rode and Studio Projects being cheap but good mic's, yet have never used them.

I was looking into the Rode NT or Studio Projects c1 as overheads or maybe the rode Nt5 or Studio projects C4's but then again, never used pencil condensors as Overheads.

and an Octava mc012 for the hi-hat

I'm looky for an airy room sound from the overheads

so recommendations or comments would be helpful
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Lets skip pass the above replies and get right down to business... first welcome to the HR bbs.

I recommend the Shure SM81 for your hi-hat.

Now what is the max price range you have to spend for drum overheads?

Also, what are you using on your kick?

What drum kit are you using and how many pices is it?

And tell me about the room your recording in?
 
hey Chessrock, can you read?? Well I don't mean to be a jerk here but.......check my post again, I HAVE recorded Drums, but in REAL studios where they had matched 414's and sm81's and u87's, and countless other high quality mics. Not my home studio though,(I have a really nice Neuman U87 that I use on vocals, as well as a nice Blue, but there is no way I'm using those on drums!)

My post was asking about the quality of the these new low priced condensors ie Rode and Studio Projects, I have read some really good stuff about them and wanted some feedback from real users and to see what is working for them.

so chessrock, get a clue and read next time.
 
Ok then... I see this thread may go in a direction I don't want to go... with that said... good luck and have fun. Bye
 
DJL
I always use an audix d6 on the kick, (sometimes) a 414 out in front about a foot, as well as either Audix D's or shure sm57's on the rest of the kit, depends on the kit, (sometimes) a 414 on the floor tom. Usually I use an sm81 on he hat but I was just curious about other options.

the live room of my studio has just been completed, built from the ground up, it is a 20x16 room with interchangable baffles, so I can tailor the room to my needs, it can be deadend or completely live, or somewhere in between depending on the sound I'm going for.

I was planning on 414's for overheads but if I can get something cheaper that works just as well I would go that route.

really just curious about the quality of the rodes and studio project mics for this application, they interest me.
 
skylab001 said:
DJL
I always use an audix d6 on the kick, (sometimes) a 414 out in front about a foot, as well as either Audix D's or shure sm57's on the rest of the kit, depends on the kit, (sometimes) a 414 on the floor tom. Usually I use an sm81 on he hat but I was just curious about other options.

the live room of my studio has just been completed, built from the ground up, it is a 20x16 room with interchangable baffles, so I can tailor the room to my needs, it can be deadend or completely live, or somewhere in between depending on the sound I'm going for.

I was planning on 414's for overheads but if I can get something cheaper that works just as well I would go that route.

really just curious about the quality of the rodes and studio project mics for this application, they interest me.
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Well, at the risk of being flamed for saying this... those mics are all cheap Chinese budget mics (except the cheap budget Russian MC-012 mics) and don't sound anything like AKG C414's... so with that said... if you already know you like the AKG C414's as drum overheads, I suggest you get AKG C414's.
 
What a great advice that is DJL :D

C414's eh? Don't like them very much, but that's just me.

I prefer the old AKG C451/CK1 for OH and hi hat spot mic.

But the most stunning OH mics I've worked with are the Sanken CU31's
 
AKG C414's wouldn't be my first choice either... but he said he likes them, so IMO he should get them.
 
Some people seem to think that the at4040 is the new poor mans c414, a few even prefer it. If you like the LDC on overheads sound, then the at4040 also seems to be popular for this application. I've never heard of anyone using SP C1s as overheads, which doesn't mean they aren't good for that application, it just wouldn't be most people's first choice because they are rather bright and colored. On the other hand I have heard the SP B1 used as overheads and they sounded pretty good.

Just my 2 cents.....
 
hey djl. i agree with you if you like the 414 then get a 414. but then again this discussion is going on b/c everyone here doen'st have the money to fund one. no matter how much we might like them they are, right now, an out of budget mic. so....what would be the closest, chinease imitated, cheap mic that sounds the best??
 
Why don't you just go hit up one of the major labels you work for for some extra cash if you can't afford the C414's you normally use on your major label releases ?
 
who you talking to there chessrock? i dont work for any labels and have never done a label release.
 
got a decent pre? if so .....senn 421's are ok, oktava mk012 are ok, at 3035's are ok
best bet ....the best small condenser you can afford
In His Name
Big Kenny
 
btr31 said:
who you talking to there chessrock? i dont work for any labels and have never done a label release.
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Sorry -- I was talking to Skylab. And I'm going to pull a Triumph the insult comic dog and say: "I keeeed . . . I keeeed." I was just messin' with Skylab.


Originally posted by btr31 so....what would be the closest, chinease imitated, cheap mic that sounds the best??
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Noise Portrait already mentioned the Audio Technica 4040. I'd also ad the CAD M-179 if you like the sound of Large Diaphragms. That's a good, meaty-sounding mic. Dot seems to like the Studio Projects B1, although I've never used one in that application.

I just always use the Oktava MC-012 and I'm happy with the results every time. I've used the Rode NT-5's before and they were okay.
 
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btr31 said:
hey djl. i agree with you if you like the 414 then get a 414. but then again this discussion is going on b/c everyone here doen'st have the money to fund one. no matter how much we might like them they are, right now, an out of budget mic. so....what would be the closest, chinease imitated, cheap mic that sounds the best??
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He has the money.
Originally posted by skylab001 I was planning on 414's for overheads
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Hey guys I want to thank you for all your input that is what can be had in a day......and chessrock, no worries, just wasn't having a good day there for a bit(oh yeah most of my work has been in the electronic, ambient genre, and not rock bands, and usually these artists come in with samplers and drum machines, so only sometimes do we record live drums)....anyways I am going with 414's(theres just something about them that I love) and looking to pick up a matched pair of the Octava's since I can probably get them for the same price as a single sm81,that is if I can find them.(anybody have any suggestions where to look?) I might even pick up a pair of the Rodes, I'm sure I can find a use for them somewhere. You can never have too many mics.
 
skylab001 said:
My post was asking about the quality of the these new low priced condensors ie ... Studio Projects
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DJL said:
Ok then... I see this thread may go in a direction I don't want to go... Bye
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LMAO!! Who says he's not self-aware??:D :D :D
 
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