Opinions on drum overhead mics

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eggwheat

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Hi I've decided to try and get some decent overhead mics, what do you guys recommend? I've tried some octava mk219's which I think sound awful! I was thinking along the lines of a pair of AKG C414's but don't know which type to get ie the C12 capsule one or not..Also someone recommended a pair of AKG Solidtubes any opinions on that..I want to go for some large diaphragm condensers maybe valve,but I cant stretch to the U67 etc level..

I generally only use one drum set a Pearl BLX birch kit low tuned with big toms 18" floor etc,and really super bright loud cymbals like 20" Zildjian Z crashes etc... My current drum mics are 421's toms kick, 57's snare, 451 on the hi-hat..

What do you guys reckon I should be looking at??

Thanks, Phil.
 
I'd be looking at new cymabals (thinner ones that aren't so bright).
 
Track Rat said:
I'd be looking at new cymabals (thinner ones that aren't so bright).
Click to expand...

Yeah I get better cymbals recordings from my old dull dirty green Zildjians. Using MC012s.
 
Umm nope Im happy with the cymbals, bright is not the problem, through the octava's they sound dull and lifeless, in the room they sound superb!
 
I think you went half way to answering your own question... in the room the cymbals sound superb, but when tracked they sound dull and lifeless. Room sound has somewhat little to do with how an instrument tracks.

That said, the Oktava MC012 (or MK012) are a great mic recommendation. I've tracked with none that I like better so far for the way the drums sit in and fill out the mix when mic'd with them.

You can also try different overhead mic'ing techniques, as this can really change the sound. Just a few thoughts that might help. Good luck!
 
The mic most engineers grab for drum overheads are Neumann KM 84's.
Recently, one engineer I talked to was using the Blue Dragonflys. If you are serious about spending your hard earned cash, go to your friendly audio rental house and rent a few pairs( Try the new 414,the instrument one, the vocal 414 has some hype in the 4k range, or try the TLM 103). Try them with your mic pre's and recording space. That is truly the only way to tell what works.
Good luck.
 
eggwheat said:
Hi I've decided to try and get some decent overhead mics, what do you guys recommend? I've tried some octava mk219's which I think sound awful! I was thinking along the lines of a pair of AKG C414's but don't know which type to get ie the C12 capsule one or not..Also someone recommended a pair of AKG Solidtubes any opinions on that..I want to go for some large diaphragm condensers maybe valve,but I cant stretch to the U67 etc level..

I generally only use one drum set a Pearl BLX birch kit low tuned with big toms 18" floor etc,and really super bright loud cymbals like 20" Zildjian Z crashes etc... My current drum mics are 421's toms kick, 57's snare, 451 on the hi-hat..

What do you guys reckon I should be looking at??

Thanks, Phil.
Click to expand...
If you ever change your mind about SDC mics... checkout the Josephson C42.

Checkout the matched pair (Josephson C42MP)
http://www.josephson.com
http://www.mercenary.com/josephsonc42mp.html
 
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My overhead drum recording world has been butter since i picked up my blue dragon flys.
I used to use adk sc-1's,,,,man those sucked.
 
Room sound has somewhat little to do with how an instrument tracks.
Click to expand...

Doesn't room sound (and tuning) effect how well the drums sound, more so than mics?
 
Room sound does indeed have a lot to do with it! As does mic selection and placement. I like sdc's. Mk012's are great for overheads with less high end than their competitors (at that price point) The shures and josephsons get great reviews as well as AT 4041 or 4051
 
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