dynamic mics as overheads

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dr.colossus

dr.colossus

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i've been going back through some old recordings and have noticed that i got a tighter fuller sound back when i used dynamics as over heads, and they weren't by any means fantastic dynamics (behri xm2000)

i think that it is perhaps my room.... i have 18' ceilings, and my ecm8000 doesnt seem to pick up any cymbal attackand the whole overhead sound is not at all dynamically balanced.

what i want is a tight dry drum sound, and in this room i understand its like pissing on a fan, but the dynamics seem to fit the bill in the over head role....

the question is why do i feel like a recording philistine? is there any way to get a better o/h sound from my ecm? anyone else used dynamics as overheads? anything? anyone?
 
Dude. If it sounds better to you, use the dynamics. Ribbons are more or less a dynamic and they're commonly used as overheads.
 
If you're looking for a tight, dry drum sound, I hate to break it to you, but the ecm8000s aren't going to cut it. Omnidirectional mics in general aren't going to do it for you.

You need some condensers with a tighter picup pattern, and move them in very close to the kit. If you have any spare change lying around, grab a pair of Marshall mxl603s.

Dynamics generally suck as overheads.
 
Normally I use shure condensors as overhead, they give a special kind of spark I guess, but I am definetely for the rule 'no rules!'.

I often watch ppl in this forum that claim you HAVE TO use mic x for guitar Z and vice versa, and making up all kind of rules. What about creativity?

If the dynamics give you the sound you want, go for them!
 
yeah, its something about these dynamics giving the recording a really nice fat saturated sound... and i don't mind a bit of lo-fi...
 
I agree...if you find that the dynamics work, use 'em...

Maybe at some point you could try other mics when you pick 'em up, but for now...

Tom
 
i know a guy who almost always

uses shure 57's as overheads. His stuff doesn't sound that bad either. He has a nice treated drum room though, so i guess you could stick almost any mic up and have something remotely descent sounding to work with. Anyhow he really likes dynamics for overheads.
 
I've only ever used Condensors as overheads in other peoples studio's and my colleges, at home I've only had a chance to use Dynamcis so far.
To be honest, I do like the sound. It is quite a bit 'Meaty' I guess. Next time I get a chance to record a drum kit however I'm using two B1's, so will be interesting to hear a difference.

Neil
 
tight and dry in a room with 18' ceilings? gonna be hard. first you need some blankets and some office cubicle partitions. make a little drum tent in the corner.

then try your existing mics.


if you are on a mic shopping spree a pair of beyer m160s (or on the cheap 260s) or a pair of md441s will knock out some of the room sound (hypercardiods) and generally be pretty standard grade A mics to have around. with the hypercardiod overheads you need to be careful about distance and aiming... but you can get all sorts of balance by carefully moving them around. far more delicate operation than using an omni.

also dont forget to treat the drums. those 70's recordings with the tight and dry drums, james brown or steely dan i am thinking here, used really small drums with all sorts of crap on the heads. i believe towels and tee shirts. j


ok. this post is sort of a mess... let me restate: first treat the drums, then treat the room. then try your mics.. not working. start looking at dynamic hypercardiods...
 
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