Ecm8000

[Rhino_Rick]

Greets board,

I'm recording tonite and I was reading something about the Behringer ECM8000's and how they make decent affordable overhead mics.

I went onto the Mars Music site (since I have one very close by) and it listed the description as:

******

The ECM8000's linear frequency response and omnidirectional polar pattern allows you to carry out measurement and alignment tasks with minimum hassle and maximum precision, making it a perfect complement for a real-time analyzer.

******

I was under the impression this was a microphone, not a tape measure. I don't know how a tape measure can pick up the ambience of the cymbals and toms any better than a hair dryer.

Maybe someone could clue me in as to what this really means? What kind of measurements are we talking here?! I'd really like to pick these up if these could be of value.

Thanks much!
-Rick, Detroit

 

[Axis]

The ecm8000 is a measurment microphone that was disigned to measure room acoustics.

It has a very flat frequency response, so it gives a very true sound.

 

[Michael Jones]

And from what I understand, they make great o/h's too. So don't be afraid to pick up a pair and use 'em for that.

 

[Rhino_Rick]

Excellent, then I'll be purchasing tonite.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

You shan't be sorry. Although I reach for my MXL603s first when I want to record drum overheads, the ECM8000s do a fine job, and I stunned the hell out of my bandmates the first time I brought them over to record the drum overheads in our jams. They couldn't believe they were only $35 each.

 

[Rhino_Rick]

Ah, growl!

The big three here in my area (Mars Music, Guitar Center and a smaller local shop called Huber & Breese) either A) Don't carry Behringer mics or B) Don't have one in stock.

What a pain in the arse. Guess I'm going to have to shoot to rent a high dollar mic. We'll see how *that* hunt goes.

-Rick, Detroit

 

[chessrock]

Hey Detroit Rick, see if you can get your hands on a couple of Oktava mc012s at your guitar center, then. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Michael Jones]

You can always order them here

 

[chessrock]

You can always order them here

Dude Rancher, did you read his first and 6th posts? He's recording tonight, and all he's got are Mars and the but-licks at Guitar center nearby in lovely beautiful motown. Maybe if they had same day delivery.

 

[tdukex]

Recording tonight???

Two words:

Radio Shack

 

[crawdad]

I know this is past due for you project, but Motor City Guitar on M-59 did have some recently. I bought a pair there. Sorry I couldn't reach you sooner.

 

[Riku]

and they work for acoustic guitar as well

Riku

 

[chessrock]

So how did it go, Motown Rhino?

Did you get a hold of some mics, or did you have to pull out the Radio Shacks?

 

[detuned6]

ecm8000

Is their really a advantage of having 2 ecm for overheads, i mean they are omni, they pick up everything, how can you really get a stereo l&r spread, when panned they will (should?) sound the same (?). I bought one a while ago( i didnt whant to get burned -Its a behringer!) and its not bad, i have to eq the shit out of it to get rid of kick and snare. I think in the future i need something thats just gonna pick up the overheads mostly.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

Re: ecm8000

Is their really a advantage of having 2 ecm for overheads, i mean they are omni, they pick up everything, how can you really get a stereo l&r spread, when panned they will (should?) sound the same (?). I bought one a while ago( i didnt whant to get burned -Its a behringer!) and its not bad, i have to eq the shit out of it to get rid of kick and snare. I think in the future i need something thats just gonna pick up the overheads mostly.

Yes, the closer proximity of one mic to the hihat and one mic to the ride will give you a definite difference in the two signals and make for some stereo spread. Just because it's omni doesn't mean it picks up all sounds equally without regard to distance.

Also, why are you trying to remove your kick and snare from your overhead mics? They're supposed to pick up the whole kit and be a base for your sound. A good portion of my snare sound comes from my OHs.

 

[detuned6]

Re: Re: ecm8000

Also, why are you trying to remove your kick and snare from your overhead mics? They're supposed to pick up the whole kit and be a base for your sound. A good portion of my snare sound comes from my OHs.

I like the sound of the each drums close mic, it allows me to eq to taste. I use both ways.I have better results this way. I dont like my snare sound the ecm gives me.

 

[Henrik]

Re: ecm8000

Is their really a advantage of having 2 ecm for overheads, i mean they are omni, they pick up everything, how can you really get a stereo l&r spread, when panned they will (should?) sound the same (?).

Yes, if you try to make an x/y setting, they will sound more or less the same. So you place them a few feet apart if you want stereo.

CHeers
/HEnrik

 

[Rhino_Rick]

Good day everyone!

I'm back. Thanks for the responses. I ended up finding my way to the closest shop the place we were recording and I rented a pair of Shures for the overheads. I don't have the model in front of me but they were like $175 a piece to purchase and they did sound MUCH better than the 58's we tried last time around. I'll get that model number when I return them today and letcha know.

We mic'd an ATM25 just inside the kick drum and a good old 57 pointing toward the beater, a 57 on the snare (a little piccolo) and the dueling Shure condensors for up above.

The results? I could use a little more tom power but besides that, the kick is kicking, the snare is totally cutting (getting a good supplement from the overhead as well), and the cymbals are sounding nice. It sounds very clean and I have yet to even begin tweaking some EQ cuts into the matter.

We've got some bass down on it (mostly scratch) and tonite we're borrowing a Marshal half-stack from a friend and laying down some fat guitar. Once I get something presentable I'll post something in the mixing clinic for sure. We're a ska band (mostly ska, anyway) twisting funk and rock in with our grooves and it's some pretty tight catchy stuff.

Crawdad-- That's awesome. I'll run out there tonite I think and pick up a pair for the next session we do with the drums.

Thanks for all the words guys, I'll check in in a bit when we get the project under way a bit more and I'd love some serious critisicm. Hehehe..

-Rick, Detroit