Tom Mics - Decent Mid Priced SM57 Alternative

[CJWalker]

Just wanted some info on alternatives to SM57s. I'm looking for somethin thats a little more contoured for toms in general, but do not wanna spend $300 a mic on 421's. Even the Beta 98s are pricey. ( Like $280 each?? ) Anyway, I've seen some mics from AT and Sennhieser that seem comprable. Thanks for any info.

 

[Ears]

CAD has a drum pack. Check it out. They're pretty descent for the price.

 

[Tim Brown]

Just wanted some info on alternatives to SM57s. I'm looking for somethin thats a little more contoured for toms in general, but do not wanna spend $300 a mic on 421's. Even the Beta 98s are pricey. ( Like $280 each?? ) Anyway, I've seen some mics from AT and Sennhieser that seem comprable. Thanks for any info.

You can get the Beta 98's with the Tom mount fo $230 each at Interstate Music.

Also the AKG C418 & C419's works very well in recording situations, but I didn't like them for live use, because the cable is "built in".

as a first choice-I'd go with the Beta 98.
Also, the EV beta N/Dym468 is an awesome Tom mic. It's about $175, but it's not a condenser.


Or you could do what I do, and just use Overheads....I'm not a big fan of close mic'd toms, I like them to have a little room to breathe.

Tim

 

[sonusman]

AT 25's....

Decent enough.

Some like the Audex stuff. I can't stand them myself.

I don't know. I have found 57's work great. It is more about slight angle adjustments and tunings usually to pull them into sounding killer. Also, you will want to get them at least 4" away from the tom. Angle towards the center of the head for more attack, more towards the rim for resonance. If the drum sounds sort of "splatty", back them off another inch. Make sure you have a good amount of resonance in the drum already.

At mix, try cutting a few dB of somewhere between 200Hz through 1KHz, and boosting a couple dB of 5KHz and 80Hz. They will definately come alive!

Good luck.

Ed

 

[CJWalker]

thanks to all for the advice

 

[James HE]

Ed, (et al.)

What do you think of senheiser E604's? I'm thinking of getting a three pack for $299. These will be for the rack toms. (12" 13" 14") I was thinking AT pro 25's for the two floor toms (16" and 18") and 57's (or 58's) for the roto-toms and a 57 for the 10" concert tom. and oh yeah, my NT-1 for the big 22" gong bass drum tom. Why must my drummer have such a big kit any way?

-jhe