What to do for overheads.

[guitarmagic]

Hey, right now i'm using samson co2 microphones as overheads for drums. I know there are a lot better microphones out there. I havn't been getting bad sounds but i would like to use one of the co2's for the highhats and use something else as overheads. I have a session sunday so i would like to get them before than but i don't know what to get.

I currently have a cad m179 which i use for vocals. I'm planning on getting a much better high budget vocal mic in the near future so i dont have much money to spend on overheads.

My question is, do i buy another m179 and use it for the overheads and take down when i have to do the vocals or do i buy a matched pair of mics for overheads. My budget is around 300$ can. I've heard great things about the rode nt5's(i thinkthere called that) but i believe there a little over my budget. If i have to go over, i'll wait a little longer to get the mics beause i want decent quality. And obviously something better than what i have now.

Thanks.

 

[scrubs]

buy another cad m179 and a pair of naiant msh-1 omnis. If you decide you like the MSH better on OH, the M179s make killer tom and/or room mics.

 

[Roguetitan]

buy another cad m179 and a pair of naiant msh-1 omnis. If you decide you like the MSH better on OH, the M179s make killer tom and/or room mics.

+1 the GXL2200, Shure KSM27, MXL V69 and V57M all make for good overheads. they'll pick up every fricken thing in the room!

 

[thehymns]

$300...hmm...this is a tough one...you should have no problem finding a used pair of NT5s for that amount, Rode microphones don't hold their value very well. But, if you are patient and like eBay, you can easily find two SM81s for $300, which are my favorite SDC overheads.

The only LDC I've used as overheads are KSM32s and C414s, which is out of the budget.

I have a CAD M177 that I like for bottom snare and high tom, but I don't know how they would work as overheads. Try it as a mono overhead and see how it sounds.

 

[guitarmagic]

Ok thanks for the replies. I might go for the rode nt5's or the sm81's how do they compare?

 

[omtayslick]

Ok thanks for the replies. I might go for the rode nt5's or the sm81's how do they compare?

Don't like the Rodes. Sizzly, as most Rode mics are. The 81's are a nice choice.

 

[Han]

What's wrong with the CO2's in your opinion?

 

[Ironklad Audio]

Ok thanks for the replies. I might go for the rode nt5's or the sm81's how do they compare?

i have both, and prefer the 81's

they seem to be crisper and more detailed, especially on the cymbals and such. it's also nice having the pad and bass roll-off right there when needed.

 

[dayvel]

I recently started using a couple Apex 205 ribbons as a Blumlein pair out front, up about six feet, and angled down at the set instead of condensers in x-y over the set. I like it a lot. If I need more sizzle I can dial it in with EQ without things getting harsh and the imaging of the whole set is downright scary.

The 205s have an asymetrical figure-eight polar response with the wide response on the back side. I flipped the motors around in mine so I have the wide response in front.

 

[guitarmagic]

Well it seems everyone likes the 81's a lot more. theres nothign wrong with the c02's, i just need to mic the highhat and would like two more mics just to be able to have a choice. I also record acoustic guitars so it would help too and i hate the co2's on acoustics. I'm going to go check out the sm81's.

 

[dgatwood]

I'm a big fan of the Oktava MK-012 for overheads. They have just the right response curve, IMHO, to bring out the toms without sacrificing clarity in the cymbals.

I keep meaning to try ribbons up there, but right now, my ribbons are modded Nady RSM-2s and I don't want something that heavy hanging over my head on any mic stand, thank you very much. Maybe when my group buy ribbons come in....

 

[apl]

If OHs sound poopy, you may need to treat your room. Your recordings will improve tremendously.

 

[Ironklad Audio]

SM81's are great acoustic guitar mics, fwiw

 

[guitarmagic]

It's not that they sound poopy, i know they can be a lot better. And it's definately not my room. The room is super dead and all they pick up is the drum set. If the 81's sound good on acoustic guitars i think i'll save up and just get a pair of those.

 

[Han]

I recently bought four CO2's and compared them to classic AKG C451/CK1's and Neumann Km184's, needless to say the Neumanns are the best IMHO, but the CO2's aren't bad at all. Compared to the 451's they are a little brighter and a tad more harsh, but they really are nice mics and IMO a good investment for the €50 I've spent.

 

[guitarmagic]

Ya there very good mics and like you said for the price you can't complain. I just need to add something to my collection but maybe i'll wait and get something different. I do like the sound of the sm81's. I've read countless good reviews on them.

 

[cavedog101]

SM81's= desert island mic.

I've yet to find any source that these didnt, at the least, sound respectable. Some things they sound quite decent on and others they are really good to outstanding. They are definately in the same neighborhood as the Neumann KM184, AKG 451, or the Audio Technica 4051. The roll-off not only makes them exceptional for fine acoustic guitars with a lot of bass response but also for plywood acoustic guitars in need of some life.


They are a mic that you will keep throughout your career as a recordist.