Room Mic for Drums

[albee1952]

Personally, I'd pass on the KSM32 and 44. They just never measured up for me

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Personally, I'd pass on the KSM32 and 44. They just never measured up for me

I had a client who brought his own KSM32 to a session; said he loved the way it sounded on his voice. We recorded his vocals and they sounded great. Then he busted out a flute and it just wasn't translating well. Ended up using a TLM103. To me, the KSM32 had a kind of hyped 4kish thing going on, almost a plastic-y kinda sound (but it did work on his voice).

[johnbarnesiii]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Personally, I'd pass on the KSM32 and 44. They just never measured up for me

Yes I’m now leaning more towards a ribbon mix for the room. Thanks for the feedback on the ksm!


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[johnbarnesiii]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Lots of recommendations but zero info about the actual room. How does it sound in there? Keep in mind ribbon mics have a figure-8 pickup pattern, so they will capture what is behind them as well as what's in front. Is this what you want? If so, I'll second the Cascade Fathead IIs.

The room is a bit dead sounding honestly, as it’s in a small rehearsal room that’s been pseudo soundproofed so as not to hear bands in other rooms down the hall.

That said, I’d still like to capture the room sound and mix it in with the close mics. I feel some natural atmosphere can be achieved to the mix.

Still leaning to the Se Vr1 or vr2. Haven’t heard too many people experience with em but hopefully someone who has will chime in.

Thanks!


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[JFreak]

Originally Posted by johnbarnesiii

The room is a bit dead sounding honestly (...) I feel some natural atmosphere can be achieved to the mix

So you want it to sound dead?

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by johnbarnesiii

Still leaning to the Se Vr1 or vr2

The reason ribbons are hyped is their figure8 pattern, which is mostly used to capture stereo image (M/S). Second most used scenario is capturing two BG singers to one track.

Neither of these use cases IMO compliment a dead room. Because if you use it as a mono mic, you will also capture the sound you don't want. If your room was very alive, then fig8 might be a nice spice.

Best if you could rent a fig8 mic to hear it yourself.

[johnbarnesiii]

Originally Posted by JFreak

The reason ribbons are hyped is their figure8 pattern, which is mostly used to capture stereo image (M/S). Second most used scenario is capturing two BG singers to one track.



Neither of these use cases IMO compliment a dead room. Because if you use it as a mono mic, you will also capture the sound you don't want. If your room was very alive, then fig8 might be a nice spice.



Best if you could rent a fig8 mic to hear it yourself.

I see. So if a ribbon doesn’t complement a deadened room, what mic would? Would the Rode condenser you mentioned be the better choice in this case?


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[JFreak]

Originally Posted by johnbarnesiii

I see. So if a ribbon doesn’t complement a deadened room, what mic would?

Almost any condenser cardioid (anywhere), or an omni type (center of room) mic would be better than fig8 in a dead room. Why? Because you want to slam the dead room track to death (no pun intended) to find what exciting you might find there. Bi-directional stuff slammed will make your ears turn around.

Once you have a chance to rent one you need to try. But don't spend your limited budget on one until you know.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by johnbarnesiii

Would the Rode condenser you mentioned be the better choice in this case?

That is the mic I always recommend for anyone who mentions limited budget. In this case it would be great choice, but also excellent addition to your choice of mics later. It sounds "like a thousand bucks" not cheapo few hundred mic. I have never heard a complaint about this recommendation.

(and no, they don't give me stuff)

[EGS]

Originally Posted by johnbarnesiii

Hi guys,

Which mic would you recommend as a room mic for recording drums?...

My favorite under-rated mic: Shure SM81.