Overhead Micing of Drums

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jdier

jdier

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I am interested in experimenting with overhead micing of a rock kit.

I have a decent sounding kit and would like to put two overhead mics up (One over snare about 3' and the other over the floor tom, pointed at the kick about a foot lower than the first mic - placement intended to center snare and kick)

I think I will then use some standard mics to pick up any deficencies.

My real question here is what two mics should I buy for the overheads? I invision using large diaphram mics, not the smaller type used traditionally as overheads to pick up cymbals... I really do not have much more than $200 to spend on the pair. Since I do not need these mics to do anything else, would I be happy with some cheap LD mics?

I may just stay with some close micing until I can save more money.
 
jdier said:
I am interested in experimenting with overhead micing of a rock kit.

I have a decent sounding kit and would like to put two overhead mics up (One over snare about 3' and the other over the floor tom, pointed at the kick about a foot lower than the first mic - placement intended to center snare and kick)

I think I will then use some standard mics to pick up any deficencies.

My real question here is what two mics should I buy for the overheads? I invision using large diaphram mics, not the smaller type used traditionally as overheads to pick up cymbals... I really do not have much more than $200 to spend on the pair. Since I do not need these mics to do anything else, would I be happy with some cheap LD mics?

I may just stay with some close micing until I can save more money.
Click to expand...
With regard to the statement in boldface: Why do you want to use large diaphragm mics there?
 
Harvey, Truth be told... Because I do not know any better.

My (often misguided) line of thinking has be believing that I will get a fuller rounder sound with a large diaphram mic.

<be gentle, I am new to this>

When I have seen the smaller mics used, I was under the assumption that they were for cymbals.

Am I completely off base? Would I be better off using some existing mics? I have 2 Beta 57's, 3 SM57's, a beta 52, two radioshack PZM's, and about 4-5 beat up sm58 knock offs from AT.
 
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jdier said:
Harvey, Truth be told... Because I do not know any better.

My (often misguided) line of thinking has be believing that I will get a fuller rounder sound with a large diaphram mic.

<be gentle, I am new to this>

When I have seen the smaller mics used, I was under the assumption that they were for cymbals.

Am I completely off base? I have 2 Beta 57's, 3 SM57's, a beta 52, two radioshack PZM's, and about 4-5 beat up sm58 knock offs from AT.
Click to expand...
Yes, smaller diaphragm mics are often used for picking up cymbals because they usually have a smoother and more extended top end, compared to large diaphragm mics.

But, they usually have a smoother and more extended bottom end too, compared to large diaphragm mics.

In other words, small diaphragm mics "usually" have a wider, smoother, extended response", compared to large diaphragm mics. They go up higher, go down lower, and give a more accurate "picture" of what's going on.

So, when would you choose a large diaphragm mic? When you want a pleasant coloration in the sound. What kind of "pleasant coloration" depends on the particular mic, it's placement, and the particular "pleasant coloration" you're looking for.
 
i don't fully understand why a SDC is better at low frequencies.
to me this seems contrary what (little) i know of sound physics - low waveforms are larger, and require a higher surface area to reproduce/capture effectively.

it's true in loudspeaker design, and it seems to be true in dynamic mic design too (basically all bass/kick mics are LD). why isn't it true in condensor mic design?
 
Harvey,

Do you see any glaring problems with using two SP B1's in the overhead config that I described?

Any suggestions where I might best place the remaining mics I have available?
 
bleyrad said:
i don't fully understand why a SDC is better at low frequencies.
to me this seems contrary what (little) i know of sound physics - low waveforms are larger, and require a higher surface area to reproduce/capture effectively.

it's true in loudspeaker design, and it seems to be true in dynamic mic design too (basically all bass/kick mics are LD). why isn't it true in condensor mic design?
Click to expand...
In the case of condenser mics, the larger diaphragms will have greater output, but you pay several penalties, one of which is reduced low frequency response.

The length of the low frequency wave isn't really important, since the mic is so small in relation to any low frequency wave.

Diaphragm surface area is important in condenser mics for greater output, but at a price; you pay for it in lower SPL ratings, diaphragm failing to behave as a piston, and poorer off-axis response, plus the greater capsule size creates a larger acoustic shadow.
 
jdier said:
Harvey,

Do you see any glaring problems with using two SP B1's in the overhead config that I described?

Any suggestions where I might best place the remaining mics I have available?
Click to expand...
Nope, no glaring problems that I can envision. If it sounds good, do it.
 
Harvey,

Where can I find a primer (or is there a book I can buy) that will help a musician learn more about microphone choices and characteristics?

There are many simple things like patterns and pads that I do not understand. I could also benefit from some general application examples (use this type of mic here...)

I know I will not become an engineer overnight, or maybe ever, but there have to be some good books out there to get me movingin the right direction.

Jim
 
And as soon as you've bought those mics -- please come back with some questions for microphone placement, because the one(s) you suggested might not work all that well;)
 
jdier said:
Harvey,

Where can I find a primer (or is there a book I can buy) that will help a musician learn more about microphone choices and characteristics?
Jim
Click to expand...


At the very top of the Microphones Forum. Harvey has a very long, and very good thread which will have most everything you need to know about mics.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
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