mxl603 question (drums)

[In Flames 19]

i am planning on getting a stereo pair of mxl603s for recording my acoustic.. but later plan on using them for drum overheads as well.. do stero pairs sound good for drums overheads overheads? compared to not using a matched pair..

 

[chessrock]

do stero pairs sound good for drums overheads overheads? compared to not using a matched pair..

Uh . . . yea.

 

[mrface2112]

my 603s (not matched) do a fine job as overheads. i've used them both in XY and spaced pair configs and have been satisfied with their performance. a little harsh/hyped on the highs, but that could also be due to my shitty ride cymbal or the shitty room, too.

i think they excel as acoustic guitar mics, but as overheads they do an acceptable job. there may be mics out there that are better suited for your cymbals and room, but no one can tell that but you.


wade

 

[In Flames 19]

my 603s (not matched) do a fine job as overheads. i've used them both in XY and spaced pair configs and have been satisfied with their performance. a little harsh/hyped on the highs, but that could also be due to my shitty ride cymbal or the shitty room, too.

i think they excel as acoustic guitar mics, but as overheads they do an acceptable job. there may be mics out there that are better suited for your cymbals and room, but no one can tell that but you.


wade

yea i know mxl603s sound good.. but im talking a matched pair.. how are they on overheads? anyone have recordings of using their overheads in stereo?

 

[Herm]

It doesnt matter if they are a matched pair or not when it comes
to the sound of these mic,s as overheads. Matched or not matched wont help or make any differance

Here is a link of three mics, there is a few seconds blank
in between the mics.

Two of each mic with a kick drum mic.

Fisrt mic is a pair of oktava 012,s second mic,s Mxl 603,s
and the last mic,s are ecm8000,s

There is about 3 seconds between each mic.
Excuse the bad sound this was done quick so you could here
these mics.

Hope this helps
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2850&alid=-1

 

[theletterq]

yea i know mxl603s sound good.. but im talking a matched pair.. how are they on overheads? anyone have recordings of using their overheads in stereo?

There is waaaaay too many variables involved with recording drums to base a purchasing decision off of listening to something someone has recorded them with...what if they have shitty cymbals that the 603s accentuate which in turn makes you think they sound like crap?

 

[chessrock]

Hmmm.

Actually, I think Herb's examples are pretty much spot-on, and very much in line with my own experiences with the three mics.

Notice how, going from example one to example two, there is a noticeable accentuation of the cymbals. On the plus side, everything sounds very crisp and vivrant, but ouch! ! ! That crash is hurting my ears! That's the sound of the 603, alright!

The good news is that those 603's sound brilliant on darker cymbals . . . and the snare has noticeably much more crack and tone to it. If you can afford a few Zildjian Custom K's or Paiste Dark & Crisps . . . then the 603 is a top-notch drum overhead mic for you.

If, however, your cymbals are loud, proud, bold and bright, then get out the Tylenol ! . . . or use a darker mic.

 

[In Flames 19]

thanks for the help.. im probably going to need some darker sounding mics.. i use z customs and some paiste rudes... im still get the 603s for my acoustic though

 

[theletterq]

Holy crap! Z Customs and Paiste Rudes for recording? Sheesh...good luck with that!

 

[Herm]

Well now the question is Do you buy mics that will work with most
cymbals or do you buy cymbals that record well?

 

[theletterq]

The best scenario is to buy cymbals that record well but if you are recording other people where the drummers are bringing in their own drums, you should have a "pallete" of mics to choose from depending on the type of drums/cymbals that are coming in.

 

[In Flames 19]

how bad will the paiste rudes and z customs sound while recording.. i do have a new beats, a custom ride and a custom crash.. but still i like my other cymbals

 

[chessrock]

The best scenario is to buy cymbals that record well

 

[theletterq]

how bad will the paiste rudes and z customs sound while recording.. i do have a new beats, a custom ride and a custom crash.. but still i like my other cymbals

As a drummer, I feel your pain.

Upon entering the world of recording, there are some painful truths you have to learn. What you "like" and have been using live may not work too well in the studio. That tuning and heads you love so much that are so integral to "your sound" may completely and utterly fall apart in the studio. The way your snare is setup relative to your rack tom may make it impossible to achieve an optimal micing position. Remember that in the studio, no one is going to see the way your kit is setup or what kind of cymbals you are using. It is the recorded sound that counts more than anything.

So to answer your question, when I think of Z Customs and Paiste Rudes with a pair of 603s (or pretty much any overhead) I think: harsh, ringy, very weird harmonics and overtones, ouch what was that. Those cymbals are made to cut through a wall of amps turned up to 11. In the studio, I should hope this isn't a requirement.

Now when I think A Customs I think: crisp, airy, colorful, etc. By all means, experiment and do what works for you. Who knows, perhaps the rock cymbals will be perfect for what you are trying to achieve. If you are going to use them, you may have to delegate your overheads to simply cymbal micing and maybe pull them down really low in the mix.

But most importantly, you won't know how anything is going to work until you try it. We can only offer suggetions based on OUR own experience.

 

[gitrokr]

how do you think the 603s would sound on paiste 302s

 

[T-RAVE]

Chessrock,

our drummer uses real thin Paiste Signature Series hats and cymbals....these are the shit for recording...maybe it is the mic placement , cymbals or a combination of both but I am getting the best cymbal sounds in my short time as a "hack producer" .... any drummers should check these cymbals out.....awesome stuff...

 

[Herm]

Just do like me and never clean the cymbals, Let them get all kinds of road food and sweat on them and they will sound great!
Let em get green.