microphone use on a drum kit

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grn

grn

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akg d112 - kick drum
shure 57 - snare
studio projects b1 - for overheads (2 of them)

also, for vocals, miking an amp, or miking an acoustic guitar... which would i use s57/58 or sp b1? and if i need to mike an electronic keyboard... anyone have any idea about that? thanks

now i know how to position the kick drum and snare, how would i place the studio projects b1, just turn them over and hang them, or are their certain sides that need to face a certain way... i know where to place them as far as position in relation to the drum set...

would this be a good set for drums at the cheapest prices? please try to be objective and disregard previous prejudices...

apologies for all the questions, just want to get this straight
 
Vocals could either be 57 or B1, with the probability going to the B1 (with a nice preamp, the 57 can be nice). The amp - could go either way. Why not use both and see which you like better. Acoustic - most definately B1. I am not a huge fan of the 57 on acoustic guitar.
As far as how to place the B1 - it is a cardioid - and it only (basically) accepts signals from one direction. So you sorta should prolly face the front towards the set. Im not sure what you are looking for here. If you face the front to the wall (and the back on the mic facing you) - you will get severe echo effect.
Its simple to tell by looking how the diaphrahm is wired. The wired part is the back. Hard to explain. As I dont own a B1 - Id guess that the label is the front. You could simply plug the thing in and sing a line in one side, and sing a line in the other. You should instantly be able to tell which side is which. I think I wrote way to much for such a simple question.
As far as micing keyboards - I can only give you a shrug since I dont do it. I would guess the B1s.
 
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but does that seem reasonable for a good drum sound? those 4 or 5 mics? I heard 58 was better on vocals and 57 was better on instruments (so says shure).
 
It should give you a reasonable sound. Its not going to make anyone fall over in delirious wonders but it will do the trick. Make sure the drums are tuned nicely (and it also helps to have experience behind the set). With proper mic placement/somewhat skilled player/decent set tuned well - you should be alright.
You can also pick up some Oktava MK012s (going 2 for $100 at GC this month) and use those as overheads. That will free up the B1s for tom/snare usage. Try micing the top and bottom of the snare. Just try different stuff

For Vocals - the 58 is technically said to be better - mostly because the built in windscreen. However, some artists (I believe Madonna, Steven Tyler and others) have used a 57 for vocals. I know it sucks to hear it, cause it doesnt give you a clear decision - but you really need to try different mics for different voices and find which works best. My personal opinion is that the 57/58 deal is weak on vocals unless you have a nice preamp. Without a nice preamp I am not overly impressed with what I get. But, again - on your voice it they might sound great. Alls I can say with certainty is to experiment. Yes you may waste a couple minutes - but you will find things that sounds real nice.
 
57's work better in stands and 58's work better hand held.
 
The 58 is usually advised for live situations, cuz it is less susceptible to plosives than the 57. The 57 is really sensitive to plosives, but in studio, a pop filter or special positioning can make it useable.

As for the coloration of these mics to vocals, well, I would probably use a 58 for screams, but the 58 is quite destructive to the timbre of a voice, in my opinion. It is viciously 'colourful'.
 
having said that about the 58, i have had useable results from it for a demo job, after running it through (about 6) 4 band EQs.

-nah, I dont like it. useful for distorted guitar though.
 
i've gotten amazing results recording vocals with a 57...on certain people...most people...

it's also turned into a terrible horrible mess with other people, making me wish the session was just over, because at that point...i had nothing better to use...
 
Yeah, those mic's should work.

Here's other simple, but good sounding drum mic package...

Kick... Sennheiser MD421
Snare... Beyer M201
Overheads... AKG 451's
 
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having said that about the 58, i have had useable results from it for a demo job, after running it through (about 6) 4 band EQs.

-nah, I dont like it. useful for distorted guitar though.
 
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thanks for all the advice... it's very helpful, finally Ihave a somewhat reasonable idea of what I'm going to get
 
The SM57 has a flat little screen on the top. The SM58 has a round ball screen on it. Inside they are practically the same mic and can be used for the exact same applications. Which one you use is up to you. No two SM57's and no two SM58's will sound exactly alike anyway.

Your suggested drum mic set-up will work just fine, depending o the sound you are looking for. There are almost an infinite amount of possibilities depending on the sound you want. I like my B1, but I use it as a tom mic or a room mic. I prefer a pair of small diaphram condensers as overheads on a drum kit. Different strokes, different sound.
 
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ok, would THIS be ideal also? or would it be even better than my first post?

akg d112 ($200) - kick
shure 57 ($90) - snare
oktava MK012 ($100 x 2) - overhead (2)

that's ~$500 ... this sucks
the sound card I want cost 500$ (aardvark)

one more question... instead of getting the oktava mk012s, if I just got two studio projects b1's instead for overhead... what would the difference really be? would it really be that bad for recording an album? any help is appreciated.
 
Re: ...

grn said:

oktava MK012 ($100 x 2) - overhead (2)
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe the MK012's are going for 2 for $100 at GC. With that extra $100, you could pick up a B1.

travis
 
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