micing toms from the bottom? top? both?

[lansingxcore]

i have always miced my toms from the top, and the results are fine, but I remember reading that danny carey's studio setup is condensors on the tops and bottoms of all toms (boy, that gets expensive fast!)... my question is this: is it common practice at all to mic toms from the bottom or from both sides? what is the difference in sound? which do you prefer? what about internally mounted mics? (such as the may system) should i consider outfitting my studio drumset with those? as usual, i'm sure i could answer these questions myself by experimenting.. but that's what you guys are here for, right?

 

[Herm]

I cant say for sure about the bottom micing thing. I quit micing toms along time ago. It was to much work for very little return for the amount of use they got and what it really added to the song.
As for going with a may system i would say what a waist. They are great for someone that does alot of gigging and doesnt want to tear down mics all the time. But why would you want to limit yourself to an exspensive set up like that that is only good for micing toms? Spend the the extra they would cost for better mics that can be used with differant things.