tom mics 200 a piece budget

[jonnyc]

Sennheiser 604's, they sound an awfull lot like 421's but you should be able to pick up a 3 pack for around $300. (last time I checked) I use these things instead of 421's because I don't like people hitting the 421's with the stick.

Good call. Forgot about those.

 

[Nick The Man]

If you want your toms to sound big, open, clear, bassy and round (like a tom) I'd take a listen to the CAD M179 on toms.

Best tom sound I've ever achieved, I own 3 for them now.

Hypercardioid with pad engaged = done. Easy to place also.

War

those look pretty nice ... easy placement huh? i like that

 

[Farview]

I never had luck with the CAD's, it probably depends on the drum and the type of sound you are going for. I used them on a Tama Artstar kit 12X12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 Tuned really low and hit really really hard. All I got was a midrangey mess. I can see how they might sound good on smaller, ringier toms. As always YMMV.

 

[xstatic]

I think tom mics are a lot more important than a lot of people like to think. At least if you want that big current rock drum sound. That sound just can't be done with just overheads. I have owned Audix D series, Shure beta56, pg 56, and beta 98's, sennheiser 604's and 421's, ATM25's, and probably a few others that I can not remember off hand. IN the end, they all work pretty well. If I were on a budget and buying today, I would go for the sennheiser 604's. I find that to be the best bang for a buck. I actually would buy them instead of 421's. On toms at least I do not find much difference, but the 604's take a better beating, are much easier to place, are very light (for tippy mic stands or dual adapter bars), and don't have that silly 421 clip. Out of all of the mics I have had though, I greatly prefer my EV's. Personally I do not care for the newer EV's (468's), but I absolutely love my older 408's. The newer ones seem to not sound nearly as full and natural all the same time.

 

[xstatic]

Also, I would avoid condensors as your primary tom mic. A lot of drummers technique does not lend well to using condensors on toms. That being said, with the right drummers I feel that most any condensor smokes the dynamics.

 

[Supercreep]

You're getting close to a few M201s at 600... Maybe 2 M201s and a B1 for the floor tom?

 

[qbert1]

I absolutely love E/V N/D468's. You can pick them up for under $150/each. They totally rock. I prefer them over the MD421's.
http://electrovoice.com/Electrovoice3/products.nsf/pages/ND468

Second that! Also, I just used them on a horn section for a live DVD shoot. Worked REALLY well. Just trying to point out they're a versatile mic.

 

[littledog]

One more vote for EV ND/468's. Another advantage to them that I don't think has been mentioned is that they are very low profile (small footprint) and have that swivel-yoke, so you can squeeze them into really tight places that you could never get a 421 or even a 57 into. (OK, no snickering - keep it clean!)

I actually like 414's on toms, but if I was limited to your budget I would not hesitate to use the EV's. And as qbert pointed out, they are good for a lot of other things as well. I also have used them often as a kick beater mic, and a snare mic. For live sound I've used them on horns and hand percusssion.

But if you are unhappy with the your Tom sounds in general, the real culprit might be your overhead mics, or their placement. Something to at least consider, as a good set of overheads placed properly makes individual tom mics almost redundant.

 

[fizbin]

god id love MD421's .. but they are just too much!!! dammit lol i think you recommended those to me a while ago and i still want them so bad

maybe for now do 57s then upgrade to MD421's?

1xMD421 for Floor tom: $350
2xSM57 for other toms: $180
Total: $530

 

[gcapel]

I use audix d2's on two mounted toms and a senn 421 on the floor. I found the d2's for 100 bucks a peice on ebay new from an audiosurplus ebays store and I bought the sennheiser for 350 new in the store. The sennheiser is excellant for micing guitar cabs too. I wish I had two of them.

 

[Warhead]

I never had luck with the CAD's, it probably depends on the drum and the type of sound you are going for. I used them on a Tama Artstar kit 12X12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 Tuned really low and hit really really hard. All I got was a midrangey mess. I can see how they might sound good on smaller, ringier toms. As always YMMV.

Are you talking specifically about the CAD M179?

When it comes to varying mileage, I'd have to say we're not even talking about the same mic. Placed about 2" from the drum, they're incredible (I'm using power tom sizes 12/14/16 floor with clear G2 by the way, on an Arbiter maple kit.

War

 

[Warhead]

those look pretty nice ... easy placement huh? i like that

They are a side address mic, so you don't have the body of the mic with the cable sticking up into your cymbals etc. Doesn't take up much space at all.

War

 

[Farview]

Are you talking specifically about the CAD M179?

When it comes to varying mileage, I'd have to say we're not even talking about the same mic. Placed about 2" from the drum, they're incredible (I'm using power tom sizes 12/14/16 floor with clear G2 by the way, on an Arbiter maple kit.

War

Nope, my mistake. I used the TM211 tom mics. I'll read a little closer next time.

 

[Nick The Man]

WOW came home to millions of responces and what it sounds like many great ideas...

the EV's seem to have alot of votes
War makes the cads sound real nice too


SO MANY OPTIONS

 

[Raw-Tracks]

One more vote for EV ND/468's. Another advantage to them that I don't think has been mentioned is that they are very low profile (small footprint) and have that swivel-yoke, so you can squeeze them into really tight places that you could never get a 421 or even a 57 into. (OK, no snickering - keep it clean!)

Another thing to mention about the EV 308/408/468's is that they are hyper-cardioid. So, while they can offer great isolation, you need to be mindful of the rear lobe. If you use instinct to place the mic, you'll usually end up pointing the rear lobe directly at a cymbal. If you're careful to place them so the rear lobe is not directly at the cymbals, you can get great isolation.

Also, come to think of it, I'm not sure I have even used the newer N/D468. I know I have used lots of 308's and 408's. Maybe the the newer 468's are not as good? I am not sure.

 

[xstatic]

I n y experience neither the 468, 308, or newer 408's sound nearly as good as the older 408's. However, that is not to say that the newer ones sound bad, I just prefer the old ones

 

[Raw-Tracks]

I n y experience neither the 468, 308, or newer 408's sound nearly as good as the older 408's. However, that is not to say that the newer ones sound bad, I just prefer the old ones

I'm confused. There is a newer and an older 408? I'm pretty sure the progression was 308-->408-->468. Was there a revision to the 408's before they became the 468?

 

[littledog]

I'm confused. There is a newer and an older 408? I'm pretty sure the progression was 308-->408-->468. Was there a revision to the 408's before they became the 468?

Yeah. I've got an N/D 408 and an N/D 408B. Everything looks identical, except the 408B has a barrel (the part with the XLR Jack that the yoke is attached to) that is about 1/2" longer than the original 408, and the lettering and logo are slightly different in font, size, and color. The egg shaped windscreen is identical.

Oddly enough, though I've been using both for years, I've never A-B'd them to determine if I could pick out the differences in sound. Maybe some day...

 

[Raw-Tracks]

Come to think of it, I've really even looked closely at the model number printed on the 408's I often use. But it seems kinda familiar that there is a "B" after the 408. I'll have to check the next time I use them.

 

[bigtoe]

try the oktava 012's - they rule...and they are pretty forgiving on the playing...much more so than 414's and 451's!

the 604's rule too. so easy to clip, too...i think i'm going that direction.

Mike