MAY internal drum mics...

[Nik D]

What do you guys know about these? I've done lots of looking, but found pretty much nothing about them short of the linked site at DW's place. I'll be getting a new kit in 2-3 months, and I've decided to go with Conaway Drums so far. Unbelievable prices for monster kits, and I've only heard good things about them. Well anyway, I was looking to upgrade my drum mics along with the drums, and the MAYs caught my eye. I'd like to hear sound samples or something, I'm worried that I won't get good attack sound because they're inside the drum. I was planning for D2's in the rack toms. and D4s in the floors, along with a 57 for the snare. Are these mics worth it?

 

[Tim Brown]

Well, it depends upon the sizes of the drums.

I have them for my kit, but I pulled them out except for the Kicks and snare.
They are convenient-but that's it. The drums sound much better mic'ed from above.

Also, 18" or bigger Floor toms (I use 18" & 20" diameter floor toms) wind up sounding like Kick drums instead of floor toms.

On 16" or smaller drums, they sound killer, and you can have the heads so loose that it isn't funny, and they will sound really big.

On the Kicks they are great, and the Snare is fine IF you are using either a supercardioid or a hypercardioid, but you can forget using a cardioid (like a 57) because it will be too "Pingy" sounding.
I have D112's inside my Kicks with Full front heads, and a Beyer M 422 inside the snare. I just bought the May mounts and put my own mic's on them (because I already had the microphones.
I had May's on my old Yamaha Recording Custom kit, and they were fine in that, but they were smaller drums than what I am currently using.


Tim

 

[Nik D]

Knowing that, I think I'll pass on the internal mics... What do you think about regular outside D2s on the racks, and the D4s on the floor? I'll keep a 57 on snare, like I have now. and for kick a Shure Beta 91. Overheads probably the Oktava 012s, or the AKG C-414 B-ULS. Here's what I'll be getting so you know tom sizes and everything...

16 x 22, 9 x 10, 10 x 12, 11 x 13, 12 x 14, 16 x 16, 16 x 18, SD 3.5 x 13

 

[mikeh]

I agree with Tim. Internal mics can sound good on smaller drums but are too "boomy" for biger drums. I've never liked an internal mic on a snare (although depending on the set-up, it can be a pain to position a mic in the right place for a snare). I have found that internal mics often require more attention on EQ settings.

On a whole I prefer external mics - even if it is a little more work.

I think the D2's and D4's are very good mics. The 57 is a given for snare. I don't have experiance with the other mics you mention (other then the 414's) so I can't offer an opionion.

It sounds like you've thought it out pretty well.

 

[fenix]

the audix mics are brilliant. the may system is not.