Overhead mics for <$200

[dastrick]

Ribbon mics are no different when it comes to covering the entire kit. In fact they tend to give you more bottom end and since they are a figure 8 pattern, you get a bit of the room as well.

Give a listen: http://www.hometracked.com/2007/08/18/ribbon-mic-mod-part-2-before-and-after/

I'm not so sure a figure 8 mic would work considering I do live recordings.

 

[dastrick]

The ST31 says it has a hyper cardiod pattern, which kindof got my attention.

 

[dkelley]

OK, I'll throw in something different. Get yourself a pair of Apex 205 Ribbon mics (~$99 ea) and modify them (less the transformer).

I'll go one further.

buy a pair of apex 205 ribbon mics and don't do ANYTHING to them. they will still sound absolutely amazing.

I own several stock 205s and absolutely adore them. I'm consistently shocked after these years of owning them along with neumann, akg, AT, CAD, Heil, Audix, Shure, MXL, Apex, and other mics at how nice the 205s are in almost every situation I use the other mics in (although not always the best choice for making an interesting mix.... you want variety in your tones, not all the same mic imho is best for that).

205s are great for overheads, but being figure 8 make sure you treat the ceiling first unless you havea very tall room. and don't leave them up there all the time for pete's sake - they're ribbons, cheap ones at that, and they'll sag over time unless you store them 90degrees vertically whenever possible.

 

[Simman]

I'll go one further.

buy a pair of apex 205 ribbon mics and don't do ANYTHING to them. they will still sound absolutely amazing.

I own several stock 205s and absolutely adore them. I'm consistently shocked after these years of owning them along with neumann, akg, AT, CAD, Heil, Audix, Shure, MXL, Apex, and other mics at how nice the 205s are in almost every situation I use the other mics in (although not always the best choice for making an interesting mix.... you want variety in your tones, not all the same mic imho is best for that).

205s are great for overheads, but being figure 8 make sure you treat the ceiling first unless you havea very tall room. and don't leave them up there all the time for pete's sake - they're ribbons, cheap ones at that, and they'll sag over time unless you store them 90degrees vertically whenever possible.

Finely someone who gets it.