favourite tom mics?

[elementary]

I searched and couldn't find a thread about this, so thought this was legit

I'm just wondering what everyone prefers to use on toms. I'm currently in the market for a couple of decent, full bodied, warm, clean tom mics and I'm wondering how other people would accurately capture their toms?

So far I liked shure sm57s and didnt like sennheiser e325s, they seemed a tad brittle.
What reasonably priced alternatives would you recommend?

thanks
ryan

 

[Slowrider]

I'm prejudiced in favor of 57's. For everything.

 

[MadAudio]

I use 57s on my rack toms and an Audio Technica ATM25 on the floor.

 

[TaperChuck]

MD 421's

 

[cavedog101]

Audix D2/D4, Sennheiser MD421, Audio Technica ATM25, SM57.....everything else....in that order.

 

[NL5]

AT4033's

 

[donger]

Sennheiser e604 for rack toms, and MD421 for floor toms.

 

[phaqu]

57s or MD504s on rack. 421 or RE20 on floor.

 

[qbert1]

EV N/D468's are working really well for me.

 

[Ironklad Audio]

the 421's really are great tom mics...

i have the audix d2 and d4 mics which i've been using on toms with decent results, but last week i did a session where i used 57's on the rack toms, and found them to have a much better tone - i feel that the d2/d4 sound very "thuddy" in comparison to the 57's

i've also heard sm-98's on toms, and they sounded pretty damn good...it's also nice that they're mini clip-on condensers. but for the money, you could get the 421's, which are great on damn near everything.

 

[Recording Engineer]

I've had a few different tom mics over the years and always seem to come back to 57s all around toms... However, I always say it'd be nice to have a few 421s again, so that I can change ii up... Maybe one day when I have everything else I want...

 

[TragikRemix]

hey mod

right now, i have audix ATX or ADX 90's, i cant remeber. they suck. the clamp design makes tons of noise. i went out and bought new heads all around because of the noise.. i got em on sale, but im selling them and getting some more SM57's.

but maybe ill get 421's.. i only need two, im using a 4 piece setup now.

anybody have any experience with the 441? whats it good for?

 

[someguy]

someguy

I generally use 421-u5's. Great tom mic. Sometimes I use a d112 on the floor tom too.

 

[cavedog101]

hey mod

anybody have any experience with the 441? whats it good for?

A 441 sounds like a 421 only more of it. Actually they are incredible vocal mics as well as snare and lots of other uses. A Leslie top sounds great with one. The problem with them is the physics of the size and the ability to place them .

 

[SixFootHero]

Neumann u87.

To me, an sm57 or md421 sounds like crap on toms comparing to the u87

 

[Supercreep]

I've tried 57s, C1000s, and I'm trying B1s now. I'm curious about the MSH condensers in the works. Seems like a miniature sdc would be ideal.

 

[Phosphene]

Neumann u87.

To me, an sm57 or md421 sounds like crap on toms comparing to the u87

I get madder than crap when a drummer hits my U87 that is micing the tom.

 

[NL5]

I get madder than crap when a drummer hits my U87 that is micing the tom.

If you position them right, it's next to impossible for drummers to hit them.

 

[Warhead]

I am a drummer, I am also an evil gear seller who is surrounded by tons of mics at all times and I'm not afraid to use them and experiment with them.

I have discovered that the CAD M179 set to hypercardioid with the pad engaged to be UNBEATABLE on toms, period, end of story, over, done, cows come home and all that &$^%. They are easy to place as they are side address condensors, and provide unbelievable depth and punch with great balance between stick attack and resonance.

Awesome.

They make Senn 421's sound boxy by comparison in my experience.

Caution: only use CAD M179's on toms if you want a big, open clear sound that actually delivers an overall picture of the entire drum and to hear both batter and resonant heads in action. Also, beware if you like to EQ toms heavily at times as the M179 takes EQ like a champ. Another terrible fact: they reject off axis noise as well as any hypercardioid dynamic in this position but the off axis sounds more pleasing.

I own 3 for these very reasons.

War

 

[qbert1]

I get madder than crap when a drummer hits my U87 that is micing the tom.

Those seem to have their own gravitational pull.