Using different mics as stereo overheads

[SteveMcB]

I have a question for this forum, related to "old school soul drums" which I just posted in the Drums Forum.

Basically I'm recording a 5 piece kit, old-school soul type song.

Mics I have available are:
1 x Shure Beta 58
zillions of 57's and 58's
1 x Studio Projects C1
1 x Rode NT1
1 x Peavey 520i large diaphragm dynamic (works well live on bass/kick)
1 x Peavey omni small diaphragm (lies around at the church)

Two of the micing techniques I am going to try would involve using condensors as a stereo pair (kick, snare and pair + the 3-mic technique Tubedude posted about a while ago). Obviously, from the list above, I don't have a proper pair, and would have to use the C1 and NT1.

Does anyone use different mics for stereo overheads? What problems am I likely to run into doing this? Am I better to go in mono (might suit the old school vibe)

There are more equipment details on the post in the drums forum if you want to know exactly what I'm trying to do.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[knownuttin]

Not really problems. The Recording Police won't bust through the ceiling and descend to collar you. Having two of a kind and preferably a matched pair isn't a rule; it just makes for a more symmetrical stereo image. And while I prefer SD's for overheads, I've stuck mismatched LD's up, just like you're contemplating, and gotten great sounds that way as well. Try 'em spaced observing the 3:1 rule, or X/Y if you like.

That said, if I were doing the 3-mic thing with your selection, I'd try the SD Peavey about two foot or so over the drummer's right shoulder, have the C1 peeking over the floor tom from a couple foot above it, stick the 520i in the head of the kick a bit off axis, and probably cover my bets with 57's on the snare and toms just in case (and end up ditching them at mix time like always).

Let us know what you do and how it turns out.
-kent