Jblount
New member
So I got two deals to choose from for tom mics. I found 4 md421's for 280 a piece new. And I found 4 used e604's for 300 total. So which sounds like a better deal? I will be using them for recording as well as live.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
id go with the e604's on high and mid toms and the 421 on floor tom but that 421 price seems high.......also, check out the AT ATMPRO or PRO25 for floor tom.......
that 421 is a nice all around mic to have, but still that price seems high.......id like it more in the $200-225 range.........come to think of it, im a cheapskate so id only go about $200-250 on 4 604's.....
that 421 is a nice all around mic to have, but still that price seems high.......id like it more in the $200-225 range.........come to think of it, im a cheapskate so id only go about $200-250 on 4 604's.....
Jblount
New member
Well, I really have a thing for uniformity. Where can I get a md421 for 200 bucks, they list for like 425? I thought the e604's were a pretty good deal, thats less than $80 a mic. Anyway, are the 604's good mics to record with? I know absolutely nothing about seinheiser.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Ive seen them go on ebay for those prices from time to time.....if you arent patient or fond of haggling, you wont see those prices.....
as far as quality, the e604s rock on hi and mid toms.....decent enough on low toms but that 421 or pro25 would be ALOT better.....
421 just rocks on lots of things but 4 for toms is really overkill IMO......
retail on the 421 is $299 as far as i know and $99 on the e604's.........
as far as quality, the e604s rock on hi and mid toms.....decent enough on low toms but that 421 or pro25 would be ALOT better.....
421 just rocks on lots of things but 4 for toms is really overkill IMO......
retail on the 421 is $299 as far as i know and $99 on the e604's.........
Jblount
New member
Thanks gidge, can u show me where u found the list for the 421?
Jblount
New member
Well, I ended up getting 4 e604 for $28 a piece, so I went with them. I am still saving up for the md's
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
ok, im finally seeing in your first price that its NEW 421's for $280....thats good......
<smacks forehead 10 times>
wow, e604's for $28....Im impressed!
<smacks forehead 10 times>
wow, e604's for $28....Im impressed!
Rimshot
New member
Those are both really great mics but not suitable for the same applications. I own two of the e604's and I use them for my snare and sometimes the other one on the hi-hat. I like them better than the sm57 because they put out a stronger signal and they're so small that they don't get in my way.
The 421's are a dream on the lower frequencies and a lot of people like them as a kick mic. I agree with previous posters that they would work real well on your floor toms.
If you really push them at GC, they will let the e604's go for $60 each. That's what I paid for mine there just a few months ago. If you got yours for $28 a piece, that's impressive. They will work well on your mounted toms, but they may not provide you enough bottom for your floor toms.
Sennheisser makes some real nice mics, I also use their e835 on hi hat once in a while and occassionally on snare when I'm recording brushes.
The 421 is available in a few places for $299, when you say that you've only seen it for $425 are you sure you're not confusing it with the 441? That's another great mic of theirs which is even better on the low freqs.
The 421's are a dream on the lower frequencies and a lot of people like them as a kick mic. I agree with previous posters that they would work real well on your floor toms.
If you really push them at GC, they will let the e604's go for $60 each. That's what I paid for mine there just a few months ago. If you got yours for $28 a piece, that's impressive. They will work well on your mounted toms, but they may not provide you enough bottom for your floor toms.
Sennheisser makes some real nice mics, I also use their e835 on hi hat once in a while and occassionally on snare when I'm recording brushes.
The 421 is available in a few places for $299, when you say that you've only seen it for $425 are you sure you're not confusing it with the 441? That's another great mic of theirs which is even better on the low freqs.
I
invisiblemute
New member
Rimshot, how does the E835 compare to the SM-57? I really want to get the E835 because I hear it has a much hotter output and seems to cover the same bases as the SM-57. But the 57 is such an industry standard.
Rimshot
New member
The e835 is a MUCH brighter mic than the sm57. It is a really good mic for the sharper instruments and responds real well to female voice. It is easily overwhelmed by deeper frequencies, but when you WANT a bright mic it is a great one that won't sound tinny or brassy. I got mine at GC for about $80.00. The sm57 that I own is one of the older ones and it's a trooper, but I've noticed that it as well as the newer ones demand a lot more gain to be pushed up to get a workable signal compared to the Sennheisser or AKG mics that I use.
I
invisiblemute
New member
Hmmm, brighter would not be bad considering I've always thought that the 57/58 sounds oddly muffled or nasal. But I'm not sure I'd want something that much brighter because I could always go to one of my condensers, all of which have been characterized as bright -- MXL V93(2003), MXL V67. I'm looking for a dynamic that's smooth and can also handle the crazy stuff.
Rimshot, think I should be saving up for a MD421 too instead of trying to fill this SM-57/E835 hole? Something else I'm consider is the Beyerdynamic M-88 which I've never seen anyone use but many on here have recommended. Which AKGs would you recommend in this category. Thanks.
Rimshot, think I should be saving up for a MD421 too instead of trying to fill this SM-57/E835 hole? Something else I'm consider is the Beyerdynamic M-88 which I've never seen anyone use but many on here have recommended. Which AKGs would you recommend in this category. Thanks.
M
mrface2112
Well-known member
i really like the senn 835 on snare. as rimshot noted, it's brighter than a 57 and the 545's that i've got, although i wouldn't exactly call either of mine "MUCH" brighter. it IS a brighter mic, no matter how you slice it, and may be the answer you're looking for. i like the 835 a lot better on my voice than a 57/8 too. certainly, it's a variation on a theme.
the beyer 201 gets a lot of press around here as a nice snare mic, and i'd like to get my hands on one.
if you've got the room for it (and can manage to not smack it), i really like the studio projects B1 on snare--lots of nice crack from my mid-60's ludwig yellow sparkle 5.5x14. it's not very directional, though, so it'll get a lot of bleed from the hihat, kick, anything else in the room. depending on your style, you might need a pad for it too. that may or may not be good for your needs.
wade
the beyer 201 gets a lot of press around here as a nice snare mic, and i'd like to get my hands on one.
if you've got the room for it (and can manage to not smack it), i really like the studio projects B1 on snare--lots of nice crack from my mid-60's ludwig yellow sparkle 5.5x14. it's not very directional, though, so it'll get a lot of bleed from the hihat, kick, anything else in the room. depending on your style, you might need a pad for it too. that may or may not be good for your needs.
wade
Rimshot
New member
In have an older AKG D690 that I got in trade from a friend, it's very similar I understand to their current model D790. It's a very good all-round dynamic that gives you a good signal and also tolerates lower frequencies pretty well. It makes an excellent vocal mic for many different ranges, as the sm58 does, but I personally feel that the AKG has a more pleasant clearer sound.
I have a Studio Projects B1 and I love it on so many things, but I wouldn't put it anywhere near my snare or kick. I might have a few months ago, but I've gotten smarter since then.
I try to keep big cumbersome mics way out of my way when I'm playing.
I'm really good at targeting exactly where and how hard to strike my drums when I'm playing.......but....shit happens.
You ....can....accidentally hit one of the above mentioned dynamics and they will probably survive. A condenser is another story. Also, the B1 is just so damn big, and it will pick up way too much more than just the snare including any digestion problems the drummer might be having (just think about where it would be pointing).
I have a Studio Projects B1 and I love it on so many things, but I wouldn't put it anywhere near my snare or kick. I might have a few months ago, but I've gotten smarter since then.
I try to keep big cumbersome mics way out of my way when I'm playing.
I'm really good at targeting exactly where and how hard to strike my drums when I'm playing.......but....shit happens.
You ....can....accidentally hit one of the above mentioned dynamics and they will probably survive. A condenser is another story. Also, the B1 is just so damn big, and it will pick up way too much more than just the snare including any digestion problems the drummer might be having (just think about where it would be pointing).
tubedude
New member
Would those e604's at $28 each happen to be those similar looking radio shack mics? I can tell you right away that if thats the case, then they are NOT rebadged Sennheisers, the do NOT sound near as good, and they are NOT worth near as much nor are they going to be as useful/versatile.
Anyone else that happens by here should consider buying a couple of e609 silvers for the toms and guitar cabs... at $99 each they are a steal and work/ sound great.
I have an e609 black, a e609 silver, a 421, a 441, and several e604's and an e602... I like sennheisers, but they all do have different characters, and I did try out the Radio Shack tom mics, and even A/B'ed the against the Senns.... no comparison.
Anyway, if you found real Senns for $28 each, can you direct me to a where more might be available?
Thanks!
Anyone else that happens by here should consider buying a couple of e609 silvers for the toms and guitar cabs... at $99 each they are a steal and work/ sound great.
I have an e609 black, a e609 silver, a 421, a 441, and several e604's and an e602... I like sennheisers, but they all do have different characters, and I did try out the Radio Shack tom mics, and even A/B'ed the against the Senns.... no comparison.
Anyway, if you found real Senns for $28 each, can you direct me to a where more might be available?
Thanks!
Jblount
New member
Um, no unless radio shack changed the name of their mic brand to sennheiser, then no, these are not radio shack mics. They specifically say Sennheiser on the mic. And they are obviously not that cheap, I just got them slightly used, and I bargained with the music store salesman for about 2 hours.