Getting budget drum mics - Shure pack, SP B1?

[Nellsalot]

So I've been doing research on drum mics. I really can't spend over $500 total and would like to cut down cost as much as possible and still get a "good demo/low level pro" set-up. I should mention that I will be mic'ing acoustic guitar and (baby grand) piano as well, and that factors in to what mics I end up with. I also mic vox, bass, elec gtr but my SM58 is decent with those. Not really happy with the SM58 on the acoustic. Judging by reviews, thought that two Studio Project B1s on a piano might work... whaddya think?

Onto the main point of the post: I currently have a SM58 and my dad's condenser mic, an Azden SGM-2x, which is an omni-directional and designed for film. I've been using it for overhead temporarily. Here's a few arrangement ideas, I'd like to hear some opinions on them or alternative arrangements:

- Shure PG pack, 6 pieces. $400. Easy solution, but may be more mics than I need if I can get fewer, better ones. How are these mics??

- Two Studio Projects B1 for overhead/cymbals, my 58 on snare, something else for kick (AKG D112 or Red5 RVD1 are ideas). About $350.

- Studio Project B1 for mono overhead (would this suck?), 58 on snare and 57 on kick. $190.

Anyway, those are some ideas (I know there are other similar combinations). Feel free to suggest something different. If it matters (I know most of this will happen in tuning/cymbal buying), I'm a rock player who likes a somewhat jazzy sound - deep, open snare and tight, poppy kick and toms with thick, dark cymbals. Overall, I tend towards warm and mid-rangey as opposed to bright and trebley.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[treymonfauntre]

what mics do you have already? i'll assume an sm58 since you're hellbent on using it on drums?

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Here's my budget set up up- you can hear it at my NoWhereRadio site. Listen to Dragonfly.
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1247&alid=-1

Kick is a Shure Beta 52 ~ $190
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--SHUBETA52A

Overheads are 2 MXL 603s' (assuming you have 2 channels of phantom power.) A pair for $200
http://www.music123.com/Marshall-Microphones-MXL-603-Pair-i144710.music

Then stick your 58 on the snare. I used a 57, but you'll get a good enough sound out of the 58.

On the recordings I also 57's on the toms, but they were cut to just the tom hits so you're not hearing any leakage from them, and I've recorded lots of projects without the tom mics and it sounds about the same, just less control at mixdown.

Not necessarily the bottom of your budget range, but I *know* these mics and I'm certain they won't disappoint you.

Take care,
Chris

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Hmmm... I should add that I have no idea how a B1 will do on overheads. I have one at work that I could test out, but it'll be a while before I can get to it. Now I'm curious. ;')

-C

 

[mr.rich]

for 500 id go with mxl603sx2. sm57sx2. mxl v69. think those push right around that on ebay.

 

[jonnyc]

You should just stay clear of the pg's they're ok for live mics where sound isn't super critical but for recording i can't see them cutting it although many people use them. I'd have to second the 603's as overheads, the shure beta 52 is good on the kick, and 57's all around would do you a little better. I also don't like mics with rim clips on them but thats just me. I recommend the 57's because you'll be able to use them on many sources and IMO you can never have too many sm57's.