Which mics for drum overheads?

[theletterq]

In working with my budget, which mic's out of the following 3 would you suggest for drum overheads in my home studio? I would also like something that could perform as a backup condenser in a pinch.

AKG C1000s
RODE NT5 (come as a matched pair)
Oktava MK012

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks...

 

[chessrock]

I'll take what's behind door #3.

 

[rushfan33]

In working with my budget

What's your budget?

RF

 

[theletterq]

$300-ish. Actually, my father in-law is paying me in equipment for doing drum tracks for him so I wouldn't call it MY budget.

 

[Gidge]

Marshall MXL603's.....

 

[rushfan33]

The Behringer ECM8000's did a nice job for me on an acoustic. I'm not able to try them as overheads yet. The 603's are very nice too!

RF

 

[Tom Hicks]

I second the vote for ECM8000 for budget overheads.You can't beat the $30 price and they sound good.Here is a clip of my former band with these mics on the drums as overheads (prolly 80% of the drum sound here) done in the drummers garage...

Shake

 

[pratt]

the NT5s are intriguing....the first reviews are starting to roll-in (either EQ or Electronic Musician this month had one) and what I've read has been favorable for these mics.

I have a pair of NT3s and like them very much as drum overheads...also have a pair of ECM8000s which sound great as well

 

[Michael Jones]

In order of preference:
Marshall MXL603's
Oktava MK012's
ECM8000's

In order of price: (least expensive first)
ECM8000's - $30-$35 a piece for a great sounding SD Omni; This one's hard to beat.

MXL 603's - at about the same price as an SM57, everyone should have 2 of these!

Oktava MK012's - more expensive if bought from the Sound Room, but worth the extra money for a properly matched pair.

My thoughts anyway.

 

[ZPphreak]

Hey Michael, I'm relatively new to mics so I'd like to ask you a ? since it seems that you have a pair of the 603s's. and the 8000's (whick I'm thinking of buying bith.. just debating on which first)
What other applications have you found for those mics other than drums? And is there a better "all round" SD that I should be looking into?
Feel free to speak up anyone eles!

Thanks

-ZPphreak

 

[ChuckU]

I own, and have recorded overheads with both the ECM-8000's and the Marshall 603's.
I like them both, but I think the 603's might be a bit more versatile as I have also recorded acoustic guitar with the 603's.

You won't be disappointed with either. Keep in mind the ECM's are omni, meaning they pick up everything. I like what they do for me despite that because I have a good room.

The ECM's are in action here http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1400&alid=-1
As room mics in the first song (Jazz Odyssey), overheads in the second song (Son of God Song).
The acoustic guitar in the second song is a pair of the 603's.

 

[ZPphreak]

How do you guys think that the 603s's compare to say... NT-3's or the new NT-5's... or Does anyone think that it's worth it just to wait for the C4's to come out? My price range is 200 - 300 for a pair...

Thanks for teh quick response!

-ZPphreak

 

[ZPphreak]

Tom, where did you find the ECM's for 30.00 ?

I'm curious because I can only find them for 40 bucks.

-ZPphreak

 

[Michael Jones]

ZP - There are other's on this board more qualified to answer those questions, but I"ll give you my thoughts.

The ECM8000's, being a small diameter OMNI, will work very well in just about any application you would reach for an omni on. As omni mics, the pick-up pattern is well, omni directional, meaning they pick-up a sound source from just about every direction, including room reverberation.
Aside from O.H's I have found that they work well for small ensembles, but usually in conjunction with other SD condensors.
I have even used them on grand piano, and the results were..... acceptable. I think any time you have a condition where there is a lot happening, musically, or you want to capture some room ambience, the ECM's excell at.

The 603's, being a small diameter condenser mic can be used where detail and clarity are essential. Most common uses I have found are delicate acoustic instruments. While the 603's can be very good at this, my preference for those types of applications is the Shure SM81's. However; the price difference between the 603's and the SM81's may not warrant the purchase of the latter if you're on a budget.

For an all around, small diameter condenser microphone, the 603's are fast becomming a studio work horse, and would be a nice addittion to any mic locker.

 

[Michael Jones]

I can't compare them to the NT's. I have no RODE mics in my locker.

 

[ZPphreak]

Thanks michael, i appreciate your input ALOT.
When you mention (about the 603s's) "small ensembles" do you mean Vocal or instrumental- like strings?
The reason I ask is because I want to record my Quartet or possibly my upcomming vocal band with them on top of being an acoustic Guitar Mic.. That's why I like the flexibility

-ZP


By the way, I started my mics off with a set of three cheap Samson R21 Dynamics, and a MXL V63 LD.. and I got a 8 ch mixer to work with.. Just filler info ;-)

 

[Michael Jones]

I mean instrumental.
If you're going to record an string ensemble, use the 603's to mic the individual instruments, place the ECM's over head, watch out for phasing, mix to taste, and it'll sound gorgeous!

 

[ZPphreak]

I can really see how that could work WONDERS. But I am starting to center in on my real question:
Can the 603's work to record a vocal ensemble or even choruses?
I understand that the 8000's work great for choral recording.. But I'm wondering if the 603's would double as small vocal or large vocal group mics...Am I being confusing... ? lol I know I'M confused!

hehe

 

[ZPphreak]

I'd also be interested in seeing if anyone has had any experience using the 8000's as small group vocal ensemble recordings!

 

[Michael Jones]

Can the 603's be used to record a vocal ensemble?

Sure, they can be used, the 603's don't care what they're recording. I'm not sure how good it would sound though, or even how to go about setting it up. I know decca trees are used a lot for that type of application, but you're getting beyond the limits of my knowledge.

You may want to start another thread, and ask specifically for help in that matter. Harvey, Track Rat, BlueBear and littledog can offer much more advice than I can when it comes to stuff like that.