microphone options and durability

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tl32

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I have 2 AKG C1000 S microphones I use as drum kit overheads.

I want to sell them and get better mics, like SM81's, Crowns, or pelusi.

My question, is about durability with these types of mics. I have read that the C1000's can loose their charge or something like that in some conditions, or over time, or something. It's all kind of fuzzy right now. If possible, I'd like to get something that can potentially last me a lifetime, so I'd like to get an idea about how fragile they are.
 
I have four SM81s two of them are pretty old and are still running good and hard, the two newer ones I'm sure will be just as reliable.
 
I'm not sure I would want to use SM81's for drum overheads. The ones I had seemed to change character when subjected to higher SPL levels. And other problematic issues. Very directional, handling noise, .....

MXL 603's? or 604's?

Oktava MK-012's?

AT4033? Although mine was such a wide cardioid, I'm not sure if you'd gain much with a pair.

Senn MD421's?

Was there a budget and purpose beyond just drum overheads? In terms of durability, what do you plan on subjecting the mics to? A couple F5's? A trip to Alaska one week, then Saudi the next? A weekly smokers retreat in your sound booth? And other less ideal situations.....
 
Uhhh, the SM81 is considered to be one of the best possible mics for overheads. One of my friends who is a well known drummer and engineer personally recommends them.

All electret mics can lose their charge over time. Its one of the drawbacks of electrets.
 
PhilGood said:
Uhhh, the SM81 is considered to be one of the best possible mics for overheads. One of my friends who is a well known drummer and engineer personally recommends them.

All electret mics can lose their charge over time. Its one of the drawbacks of electrets.
Click to expand...

Thanks PhilGood I wasn't about to get into it on that one !
For live I would probably use nothing but the 81,for recording it would be my first chose but as we both know sometimes they may not work out, can't for the life of me know why but I'm sure there's a situation that would warrant it. Maybe to go to a LDC for that feel during the recoding of the drums.
 
PhilGood said:
All electret mics can lose their charge over time. Its one of the drawbacks of electrets.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you're talking 30-50 years. I had a ribbon mic with de-magnetized magnets, it was 40 years old. And how many '50s vintage U47s have been reskinned?
 
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