karma micros as drum overheads

[connor413]

i'm looking to make some modest upgrades to my current drum mic setup. i've been using cheapo nady mics and while i'm really not dissatisfied with the results, there's clearly room for improvement.

so my pursuit of super budget mics has led me to the k-micros. i've read just about every thread that mentions em and i've still come up undecided. a lot of people on here and gearslutz mentioned them sounding brittle and tinny - which is the complete opposite of where i'm trying to go (harshness/thinness isn't even an issue with my super cheap nadys), though most weren't used in a drum OH situation.

i know there were at least 2 different production waves, with the second having a larger frequency response and higher spl handling, so any brittleness may have been a 1st wave problem.

so basically, would it even be worth the 30 bucks to upgrade to these from my current setup? and if not, is there anything in the $50 range that would be? i plan to pick up an ES-57 for a snare mic - would a pair of these be better than similarly priced condensers?

i know 50 bucks is super cheap, but i'm not looking for anything spectacular. i'd like to get my hands on some of those MSH-1's, but that's pretty unlikely

 

[moresound]

i'm looking to make some modest upgrades to my current drum mic setup. i've been using cheapo nady mics and while i'm really not dissatisfied with the results, there's clearly room for improvement.

so my pursuit of super budget mics has led me to the k-micros. i've read just about every thread that mentions em and i've still come up undecided. a lot of people on here and gearslutz mentioned them sounding brittle and tinny - which is the complete opposite of where i'm trying to go (harshness/thinness isn't even an issue with my super cheap nadys), though most weren't used in a drum OH situation.

i know there were at least 2 different production waves, with the second having a larger frequency response and higher spl handling, so any brittleness may have been a 1st wave problem.

so basically, would it even be worth the 30 bucks to upgrade to these from my current setup? and if not, is there anything in the $50 range that would be? i plan to pick up an ES-57 for a snare mic - would a pair of these be better than similarly priced condensers?

i know 50 bucks is super cheap, but i'm not looking for anything spectacular. i'd like to get my hands on some of those MSH-1's, but that's pretty unlikely

Then why not go for a pair of Naiant X-S for over head microphones.
A very good microphone ,better than the other brand you were looking at, and again they are right in your price range.

 

[Potsy24]

I haven't used the micros, but the K-10s are great. The cymbals sound great, but the biggest thing I noticed was how well they pick up the drums (in a recorderman placement). I still close mic everything, but use much less of the close mics in the mix.

 

[connor413]

Then why not go for a pair of Naiant X-S for over head microphones.
A very good microphone ,better than the other brand you were looking at, and again they are right in your price range.

i meant around $50 for a pair, which i realize limits me to about 4 different options. just trying to see which of those people have had the most luck with, though i might actually splurge and go for a couple X-Ss.

anyone have any experience with the behringer C-2s? for 20 bucks less than the naiants, i'm giving them a lot of consideration, seeing as that $20 is two thirds of a new snare mic.

I haven't used the micros, but the K-10s are great. The cymbals sound great, but the biggest thing I noticed was how well they pick up the drums (in a recorderman placement). I still close mic everything, but use much less of the close mics in the mix.

yeah, as far as i've seen/heard, karma in general produces some good mics but the reviews for the micros have been pretty divided.