Off topic: Which drum mics do you like?

[rcook349]

I'm planning to buy a set of drum mics and wanted to hear some opinions. I hear that Shure mics are decent and was thinking:

1- Kick: Shure Beta52A
2- Snare: Shure Beta57
3- LowTom: Shure Beta57
4- MidTom : Shure Beta57
5- HighTom: Shure Beta57
6- HighHat: Shure KSM137
7- OverheadL: Shure KSM137
8- OverheadR: Shure KSM137

Would anybody have any tweaks to this configuration? Any other recommendations?

I'll be recording from hard rock to acoustic rock mostly.

Thanks for any feedback,
Ron Cook
Boulder, CO

[rossi68]

Some people likes the sm57 on snare drum better and the akg d112 on the bass drum, and if you have the money the akg 414 are fantastic overhead mics. But I am sure this setup will work. The best is to borrow a lot of different mics and let your ears decide. Be sure also to try some ambience mic in the mix.
Depending on your recording room a ambience mic could really add some magic.
Just remember that drums are LOUD!!!!!!!!! I wouldnt place my delicate condencer in the bass drum
Shure mics are decent, and so is akg and a lot of other brands. Try different stuff.

Rossi

[delgadil]

Here is my mic setup which sounds fantastic with my DW Drums:

Bass Drum: AKG-D112 (internally mounted)
Snare: Shure SM-57
Toms: Shure SM-98
Hi-Hats: Shure SM-81

Overheads: AKG C2000, Oktava MK012

I LOVE these mics!

Kevin

[Naagzh]

I'm planning to buy a set of drum mics and wanted to hear some opinions. I hear that Shure mics are decent and was thinking:

1- Kick: Shure Beta52A
2- Snare: Shure Beta57
3- LowTom: Shure Beta57
4- MidTom : Shure Beta57
5- HighTom: Shure Beta57
6- HighHat: Shure KSM137
7- OverheadL: Shure KSM137
8- OverheadR: Shure KSM137

Would anybody have any tweaks to this configuration? Any other recommendations?

I'll be recording from hard rock to acoustic rock mostly.

Thanks for any feedback,
Ron Cook
Boulder, CO

Ditch the Beta57s. Get regular 57s, which haven't been hyped in the upper frequencies. Also, drums sound pretty dry and thin without room mics in the mix.

Do the KSM137s have a -10 or -20 dB pad built into them? This is usually required of an LDC on overhead duty.

And I've never had too little hi-hats in my overhead mics. Always the contrary, so I've never had to use a dedicated hi-hat mic.

[Kris75]

I would stick with the Beta 52 for the kick. I have never been a fan of the D112 though......
And like everyone else said, just get regular 57's, not betas

[sw rec]

In My Humble Opinion:
1. Kick: EV RE-20
2. Snare: Either a Shure SM57 or an AT 23HE
3. Hi hat: AKG C-451
4. Toms: 57's work fine, but if you have room and/or budget, Sennheiser 421's really rock!
Also had real good luck using an AT25 on floor toms.
5. Overheads: Audio Technica 4033's

[NickH]

I tend to use:-

• Kick - D112 (sold my Beta 52, just not my thang)
• Snare Top - Mostly SM57, occasionally a Beta 57 if the drum suits it more (vary rare)
• Snare Bottom - SM57 or AKG414 (god knows why, I rarely end up using it in the mix...)
• Toms – SM57’s or MD421’s
• OH’s - AKG451’s or AKG414’s
• Ride – AKG414 or Rode NT5
• Hats – (when needed) Rode NT5 or AKG451’s
• China or splash (when needed) Rode NT5 or AKG451’s

N

[albee1952]

Kick-Sennheiser e902, e602, 421, EV RE20, Audix D6, (Beta52 and D112 are not my favs)
Add a subkick for extra beef(home made with a small woofer works quite well)
Snare-SM57 top, almost anything on bottom(polarity reverse either but not both-unless that sounds best)
Hat-Audio Technica 3031 (the best hat mic that everyone can afford hands down)
Toms, e604 or SM/beta57 for small toms, 421 or AT3035 for large toms(I like SM98's but they are discontinued)
overheads-MXL V6 silicon Valve, Shure KSM32

If the ceiling is lower than 12 feet, I would treat above the kit, even if you just make a wood frame of 1 by lumber, tack on a moving blanket and hang it from the ceiling with some eye hooks. With an 8 foot ceiling,(for overheads) use small condenser mics and point them up(angled toward the kit) and put the capsule as close to the ceiling as you can without actually touching it. This will mimic the PZM effect and cut a lot of phasing from the reflections off the ceiling in the average home studio with drywall.