Noob equipment question.

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Chewie

Chewie

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What do you guys think of the Nandy DMK7 7-Piece Drum Mic Package?

I’m new to the whole recording thing. Far less drums. I’m a guitarist in fact. But I want to be able to record bands so this question is just about me doing some preliminary pricing. Living in the Caribbean means I’m depending on reviews from you guys up there before I can start purchasing.
I want to get the best sound for the least of money (as does everyone else).
Going through this forum it seems ‘the less mics the better’ is a recurring theme. But I was thinking one kick, one snare, two toms (or maybe one between), one hi-hat and two overheads. This is my plan. Could you tell me what you think of Nandy DMK7 7-Piece Drum Mic Package and how well it would work with my plan and even if indeed my plan makes sense.
 
I don't hold a very high opinion of any of the cheap drum mic packages, but if you're really planning on getting one, I would recommend the Samson 7Kit over the Nady DMK7. The Samson is tolerable, while the Nady just plain sounds bad. What's really going to kill you in these kits is that they generally use pretty low quality condensers for the overhead mics, and to get anything like a decent sound you need some quality mics up there.
 
i think those type of packs are more suited to small live set ups.... personally i would be looking at individual mics that will have uses all over the studio try;

snare; shure sm57
toms; shure sm57, studio projects b1, sennheiser 421(pricey)
bass drum; audio technica 25pro or atm25, shure beta 52, akg d112
oh; mxl 603, behringer ecm8000

these are all budget suggestions, you could spend thousands of dollars micing up a kit.

you may also consider building up your drum mic locker and just purchase a bass drum mic a snare mic and some oh's.

the shure sm57 is a must have (and you probably already do have) in the studio, the b1 is a very useful flat (sounding) alround large diaphragm condensor and the 603's have been used succesfully on accguitars by many board members. The 25pro can be cool on heavy metal guitar amps.
 
dr.colossus said:
i think those type of packs are more suited to small live set ups.... personally i would be looking at individual mics that will have uses all over the studio try;

snare; shure sm57
toms; shure sm57, studio projects b1, sennheiser 421(pricey)
bass drum; audio technica 25pro or atm25, shure beta 52, akg d112
oh; mxl 603, behringer ecm8000

these are all budget suggestions, you could spend thousands of dollars micing up a kit.

you may also consider building up your drum mic locker and just purchase a bass drum mic a snare mic and some oh's.

the shure sm57 is a must have (and you probably already do have) in the studio, the b1 is a very useful flat (sounding) alround large diaphragm condensor and the 603's have been used succesfully on accguitars by many board members. The 25pro can be cool on heavy metal guitar amps.
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I use the samson 5 kit with MCA SP1 condensors for overheads. The Samsons are OK, but the clips kind of suck, because you can't get the mic out of the way on some drums. I highly recommend the MCA mics for anyone with serious budget considerations. I'm very pleased with them and it's hard to go wrong for $50 each. The overheads do most of the work (70%+ of the mix).
 
KevinDrummer said:
I use the samson 5 kit with MCA SP1 condensors for overheads. The Samsons are OK, but the clips kind of suck, because you can't get the mic out of the way on some drums. I highly recommend the MCA mics for anyone with serious budget considerations. I'm very pleased with them and it's hard to go wrong for $50 each. The overheads do most of the work (70%+ of the mix).
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How do you set them up? I mean like where and how many?
 
The close mics are mounted (closely) to each individual drum head with a rim clip or a mic stand.

BD mic goes in through the reso head about 4" away from the batter head via a boom stand on a short base.

I use two overheads. They are both slightly higher than my head when sitting at the drums. One is kind of over my floor tom and ride pointing a little toward the snare. The other is to my left a little left of the HH and kind of pointing in between my crash, HH, and first tom.

First get the overheads sounding right together, adjusting placement, add kick drum to suit, then tweak up the close mics on snare/toms that need a little more than the OH is giving to the mix.

That's the way I do it. Not to say it's the "right" way.
 
KevinDrummer said:
The close mics are mounted (closely) to each individual drum head with a rim clip or a mic stand.

BD mic goes in through the reso head about 4" away from the batter head via a boom stand on a short base.

I use two overheads. They are both slightly higher than my head when sitting at the drums. One is kind of over my floor tom and ride pointing a little toward the snare. The other is to my left a little left of the HH and kind of pointing in between my crash, HH, and first tom.

First get the overheads sounding right together, adjusting placement, add kick drum to suit, then tweak up the close mics on snare/toms that need a little more than the OH is giving to the mix.

That's the way I do it. Not to say it's the "right" way.
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The "right way" is subjective (to say the least) - this sounds like a decent setup to me.

I like to close mic all my drums - and set my OH mics (also 2) with one directly over the snare (2 drum sticks above) pointed to the center - the 2nd is set exactly the same over my left shoulder (for a left handed drummer - the right for a rightie) the same 2 sticks from the center of the snare and exactly the same distance from the bass kick as it is for the snare OH.

I can't take credit for the set-up - it comes from a gent called recording-man.

One nice thing about this is the beautifuly wide stereo recording - and when panned hard left and right the snare and bass wind up dead center.

As far as mics go - I get real good sounds with 57's for my OH's.

Rod
 
Forgot to mention the panning. I also go almost all the way left and right on my faders for the OHs.

This is one of the biggest improvements I got in my sound since I started stereo premixing (I used to use my mono Samson PA mixer straight into my soundcard).

It's a very cool sound when you switch back and forth from the ride and so forth - and this is on my cheap harman kardon computer speakers. gotta get some decent monitors.
 
Some mics

Can anyone tell me of their experiences with the Shure SM57, Beta 57A, SM58
 
Chewie said:
Can anyone tell me of their experiences with the Shure SM57, Beta 57A, SM58
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I'll tell you my personal opinions - just understand that I am a hobbiest with this - not a professional....... so them with a grain of salt.

The 57 is an excellent mic for a wide variety of instruments - and certain vocals (depending on the vocalist - you can experiment) I have used the 57 successfully on everything from horms to keyboards - I use it for OH's on my drums - great for guitars (both acoustic and electric) and even some basses (depending on the bass and cab. - I don't think it would be successful on a 6 or 7 string bass - but that's just a guess on my part seeing as I've never had the opportunity to try).

I tried it a long time ago without success for a bass drum - this on the front side - although it works well for picking up the snap of the batter when used on the kick side- nice for snares, good for toms.

The Beta 57A sounds a bit warmer to me than the 57 - and works the same as above.

I wouldn't use the 58 for anything other than vocals....... and personally not for studio vocals - although I think it's a great stage mic.

Rod
 
the sm57 is an extremely verstaile mic and will play a functioning role in your studio no matter how many hundreds of other mics you get! (use the forum search function if you don't beleive me:))

haven't used a beta 57...

And i agree with what Ron Gervais says about the 58.
 
Welll I am trying to get a 57 as I speak on eBay. Until I get more mics how should I mic the drums? When I get the 57 I will have two cheap no name XLR mics and two Nandy SP1s and the 57.
I was thinking 57 on the snare, cheap mic 1 between toms, cheap mic 2 on hi hats, Sp1 on the bass, sp1 over head.
 
I've actually been looking at the 5-piece CAD mic package. Anyone have experience with this? I don't have the money to go buy several SM57's or whatever, I just need something that is going to be useful to a high school senior that is recording his own music for a senior project and other local bands.
 
Rod Gervais said:
I wouldn't use the 58 for anything other than vocals....... and personally not for studio vocals - although I think it's a great stage mic.
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But aren't the 57 and 58 identical electronically?
 
Mic Kits

Progger said:
I don't have the money to go buy several SM57's or whatever.
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I be agreeing with this. I'm looking at is the Nady DMK5 5-Piece Drum Mic Package. I figure I could eventually relace each mic but one at a time. Any comments on this or any other mic kits?
 
Progger said:
I've actually been looking at the 5-piece CAD mic package. Anyone have experience with this? I don't have the money to go buy several SM57's or whatever, I just need something that is going to be useful to a high school senior that is recording his own music for a senior project and other local bands.
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I have the cad 5 piece set.
I am currently using the kick mic on my low tom, I did'nt like this mic on the kick. My current kick mic is a Shure Beta 52A, I am planning on buying a Beta 91 for my kick very soon.
I use SM57's on the snare.
For the price I am happy with the tom sound but I definintly plan to upgrade these mic's when I get more money!!
I am not happy with the overheads and also plan to replace them soon.
You are 18 years old so I asume you are not wealthy, these mic's will work well to get you started on your journey.
 
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