getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
I'm going to upgrade from Samson and Radio Shack quality mics. Any "thrown together" packs I should stay away from?
darrin_h2000
Banned
Most any of them that exists are pretty substandard...If I had to go with one it would be the Shure with the Beta 52 and the 3 SM57s
ranjam
New member
You might think anything will be a step up from what you have, but you also have to look at the application. Is this for live or....... home recording? Oh, the irony. Anyway, if it's live, you won't notice a huge difference until you spend $$$. If it's for recording, you still may not notice night-and-day differences. If you're using them raw, maybe. But once you get into pres, EQ's, compressors, and what have you, it will all affect what you end up with, not just the mic alone. I have a few drum mic packs (I'm a slooooooooow learner), and the kick mic always comes up short on the cheap packs. If you get the Audix DP5-A kit, you'll avoid being dissapointed, and you'll avoid having to buy a separate D6.
The truth is I wouldn't avoid anything, but I know I'll always have to add a D6, so just get the Audix pack right off the hop. If money is a big issue, the CAD Pro-7 is $200, the Audio Technica MB/DK4 is $129, and Superlux maybe the same. The D6 alone is $200, so there goes the budget. And they may all sound the same as your Samson, so whaddaya gain? Maybe just try a D6 instead of what Samson gives you, and save some time and money. Now add EQ and compression, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
The truth is I wouldn't avoid anything, but I know I'll always have to add a D6, so just get the Audix pack right off the hop. If money is a big issue, the CAD Pro-7 is $200, the Audio Technica MB/DK4 is $129, and Superlux maybe the same. The D6 alone is $200, so there goes the budget. And they may all sound the same as your Samson, so whaddaya gain? Maybe just try a D6 instead of what Samson gives you, and save some time and money. Now add EQ and compression, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
darrin_h2000
Banned
Well money seems to be a issue to everyone these days.
Decent Bass drum mics are not allways strictly designed for bass drum...LDD mics really make the best bass drum mics and they are more versitile...take the SM7b...MD421...or the Beyer M88 which is said to be the very best bass drum mic...all of which will be great for amps and voices.
Then SM57 mics are the most popular drum mics...Ive bought them for $10 each...then make sure you can get the best overheads you can afford...these will also be for acoustic instruments so dont skimp there.
Chances are by now you have allready got a pair of those...but Id suggest 2 AT4033...KSM32s...or on a budget AT3035 mics.
Decent Bass drum mics are not allways strictly designed for bass drum...LDD mics really make the best bass drum mics and they are more versitile...take the SM7b...MD421...or the Beyer M88 which is said to be the very best bass drum mic...all of which will be great for amps and voices.
Then SM57 mics are the most popular drum mics...Ive bought them for $10 each...then make sure you can get the best overheads you can afford...these will also be for acoustic instruments so dont skimp there.
Chances are by now you have allready got a pair of those...but Id suggest 2 AT4033...KSM32s...or on a budget AT3035 mics.
G
Greg_L
Banned
You'd be surprised how well the cheaper packs work if you spend some time on your playing, tuning, room, and mic placement.
Shit will sound like shit no matter what mic you stick on it.
getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was really hoping you'd remind me of what you're using. I remember you saying something like Cad or Audix, and relatively cheap. Might have been over at audio and anchovies.
What's a recommendation in that price index?
saads
Baka
Audix isn't really considered cheap. I think he uses a CAD Pro with an SM57 on Snare. I asked him once.
getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
I'm looking at CAD Premium 7 and Audix Fusion 6 sets.
C
captbz13
New member
I own the CAD Premium 7 set. Bought them on a budget while putting together an amateur basement studio. Overall they are a decent package. The tom mics are a little lacking and are very dependant on placement (more than higher quality mics). The kick mic, to me at least, is the best part of the package although lacking the ability to pick up a good "thump" without eq and compression. The overheads work well, doing a decent job of picking up the Highs. I was able to overcome alot of the issues, especially with the toms, with compression and EQ. Mechanically, they work fine, the only draw back is the plastic adapter used to attach the mics to the rim mounts. It seems like it could strip easily.
I have used them for both recording (6 piece Mapex) and live (Meinl String Cajon) and they do the job pretty well. You won't get a professional sound right off the bat but you can make them sound pretty good with a good mix and effects.
getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
I had the CAD Premiums cued up at MF, but they were out of stock. I got to rummaging through some boxes last night though, and found 2 Audix F15s I bought last year. So I grabbed the Audix Fusion 4pc set, and will use the F15s for overheads. Got some CAD metal mounts, too. Tired of plastic shit breaking.