R my radioshack pzms by crown? good at allfor drums?

  • Thread starter Thread starter j dubb
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j dubb

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hi, all--
i have 2 radio shack PZMs i bought from some Indiana U. audio-tech guys. they'e obviously older (the mics), but how do i know they're Crowns?
i'm short on money, but not brains or time. can i--with plywood, duct tape, and patience--use PZMs to mic my tubs on a 4trac?
the only other viable(?) mic i own is an AT813 (from the same kids). so, i also need a kick mic on the cheap. should i get the sm57, or the $50 CAD, or a better idea?
i play live hiphop drums, with a fast but heavy foot--plus all the other instruments, if that helps and you're still reading.

thank you for your patience, time, and knowledge--

j dubb
 
Ive heard of Alan Parsons using them for overheads...did you do the mod to make them Phantom powered and put them on 12" square peices of plexiglass?
 
I've used crown PZMs for overheads and have also had good results using them taped to the underside of a grand piano hood.

AE
 
If they're really old Radio Shack PZM's they were most likely made for Radio Shack by Crown. I've used PZM's as drum overheads, taped to a piano hood, and as stereo room mics.
 
Without the mod to increase the voltage, they'll sound like crap.........

You should get more usable results with the phantom power mod (or even use a higher voltage camera battery - they have 2 6 volt battery that put end-to-end equal the casing size of an AA battery.)
 
how?

i looked up the PZM mods before i asked you guys for help, but i'll try only the plexiglass, until i've amassed more knowledge and an arsenal of decent mics as backups or replacements.

still, how do i use the pzm as an overhead? i'm clueless.

and can you guys tell me of a good, cheap kick mic? i looked thru old posts (maybe 60-75) until i hit the wrong button and lost my place. i can get a CAD for $50, or i've read of people using an SM57. you've read this far--gotta minute and an answer?

thank you--

j dubb
 
Just to clarify ---

There are 6-volt camera batteries available that are about the same diameter as a AA battery and half the height.... you can put 2 together in series giving you 12 volts and it will fit in the AA battery slot...

I did exactly that years ago with an old Rad Shack PZM....
 
Last edited:
Re: how?

j dubb said:
i looked up the PZM mods before i asked you guys for help, but i'll try only the plexiglass, until i've amassed more knowledge and an arsenal of decent mics as backups or replacements.

still, how do i use the pzm as an overhead? i'm clueless.

and can you guys tell me of a good, cheap kick mic? i looked thru old posts (maybe 60-75) until i hit the wrong button and lost my place. i can get a CAD for $50, or i've read of people using an SM57. you've read this far--gotta minute and an answer?

thank you--

j dubb
Click to expand...
Just tape the PZM's on the ceiling or walls over the drum kit... you can even tape them to a music stand, or tape them together (back to back) for stereo and hang them. One of the best cheap mics that sounds great on kick is the ATM25... checkout ebay for one.

Your welcome--
 
thanks

i've learned so much already. you guys rock (or hip-hop, jazz, polka, whatever).

--j dubb
 
Re: thanks

j dubb said:
i've learned so much already. you guys rock (or hip-hop, jazz, polka, whatever).

--j dubb
Click to expand...
Yeah, when everyone is not too busy having fun as a smartass... there is a lot of good info posted on this BBS all the time. Anyway, take care and have fun with your PZM's.
 
Try one of those PZM's in your kick drum. I had a lot of fun years ago doing this, it was a big round thump that worked well in a lot of cases. I was using the stock setup, 2 AA batteries I think? It was made by Crown.

I removed it from the backplate and floated it about 8 inches or so out from the beater. Sweet...

Warren Dent
www.frontendaudio.com
 
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