best mic for micing toms??

[jacko32]

I have been really trying to experiment with different mics on both rack toms and floor toms. I have used sm57s and i didnt like the result at all. I recently used a few C414's on all the toms and got noticeably better results. The thing is, the 414's were not mine. I am looking into some mics that would be great for micing toms (something that would provide better results than say a sm57) but that wouldnt be any more expensive (hopefully less) than the 414's. Im just basically looking for some suggestions to try out from some of you folks out there that have had more experience in micing kits than myself. Thanks for any info
Joe

[Punx]

I don't have a whole lot of experience with miking drums, but the few times i have i've used sennheiser md421s in an XY configuration on the toms. They worked pretty good, but i don't know if that's a standard technique. I believe we used the same mic on the floor tom as well. hope that helps. I'm sure there will be plenty of other suggestions

[marcusb]

XY on the toms ?? whatever works I guess ...

personally i'm over the 421 sound on toms, the only way to get the really big rich tone with a nice bit of top end snap seems to be with condensers, preferably large diaphram, some personal faves:

* AKG C414
* Neumann FET U47's
* Shure SM98's
* AKG C451's
* Rode NT1

For a cheap tom option the Rode NT1's were great, you can get two for the price of one new 421. I personally don't dig the NT1 for any other purpose aside from sticking it on toms, works nicely.

Cheers,
Marcus

[bassmac]

Me too on the 421's...they're pretty much a standard.

[steve_o]

a list of some cool tom mics ...in my opinion: No particular order....

1. AKG c3000's (surprising)
2. AKG c1000's
3. sennheiser e604's (not too shabby)
4. md421's ( a classic)
5. Shure ksm 32's (very cool--but kinda big)
6. nueman km184's (very very cool but kinda $$$)
7. shure sm57 (why not)
8. Audio Technica 4051's or 4041's (kinda like km184's)
9. 414's

I think those are all common tom mics i have used. I always end up back with the km184's on rack toms and ksm32's on floor. or 421's all around. or e604's ........

[where02190]

First, there is not best, man I'm tired of that. We all have our favs for whatever reason.

My picks are:
1: 414's. Great sound, but a bit fragile, hoever they can be placed far enough out of stick range and still sound amazing.

2: Sennehiser 409/e609. Blows 421's away.

3: Shure SM-98's. Not the betas, the original ones. Easy to place, excellent imaging and bottom end.

However, most of my tom sound is achieved by proper choice and placement of overheads(Shure VP-88) and room mics(AKG C4000B or 414's). I'd guess 75-80% of the time i never use the tom mics I track.

Hope this is helpful.

[Rail Jon Rogut]

The best.. Tele 251's .. but at $15,000 each I only know one studio which would even let you use them on toms.. and only if the drummer was a pro.

C12A's are a good 2nd choice.. followed by 414EBU's

Rail

[English Jim]

I have Sennheiser 504's, e604's and e609's and never use any of them for drums. The 421's sound much better to me. Having said that, like where02190 I very rarely use then in a mix anyway. 90% of the final drums will probably be the overheads with a touch of kick and snare, perhaps some bottom snare for at little extra grit.

The main purpose of the tom mic's is to make the client feel good.

[Superclock]

I don't think there are any drummers out there that can properly hit the toms, so I wouldn't even worry about mic'ing them! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I concur with the 421's. Nice, tight bottom end. It also seems to have a better ambient sound on the drums it is not pointed at. There is also an EV mic, I think it's an RE21, or something like that. All I know is that it is this big, awkwardly shaped mic that is hard to position, yet sounds great on toms and kick.

[where02190]

jbartunek, what you refer to is the E-V RE-20 and RE-27. They have been an industry standard for a fee decades. Sorry you haven't had the opportunity to work with a good drummer yet, but it will come, and the experience will I'm sure be enlightening for you.

Hope this is helpful.