Drum mics

[icarus73]

This isn't an urgent issue, just wondering if you had some ideas for good (lower-ish priced) drum mics. I'm new to recording, and I don't know much besides Shure's good mics. If i made a setup right now it would probably go something like:

snare - 57 (original or beta?)
Kick - beta 58a
toms - 57 original or possibly a beta 56?
hi-hat - some sort of condenser? or should I be looking at dynamic mics?
OH 1&2 - condensers of some sort? no model in mind

So basically, share your opinions on the following:

Beta 58A vs. AKG D112 (for kick AND bass guitar) I like a deep, clear, punchy kick - ala www.myspace.com/vedera ( i love the kick in those recordings )

tom mics - stick with Shure or branch out?
hi-hat mics - i have no ideas here
OHs - mic ideas? Also, what is your opinion on the whole "position mics like an 'x' touching eachother in the center vs. each OH over one side of the drumset.


No real question here, just looking for what you guys prefer on drum mic'ing.

[gainreduction]

Hey man,

Looks like you're on the right path. A couple things:

1) The Beta 58/A is generally considered to be a vocal mic. You will not get the deep low end you're looking for with that mic. Did you mean the Beta 52/A? If so, that is a great mic for Kick drums and low frequency instruments that I've used for years. My current favorite though is the AUDIX D6. Same price, easier to get a fatty sound, IMO. The AKG D112 is considered the 'Standard.'

2) Beta 56's for toms are great. If you can get the $$, the Beta 98's are far superior, IMO.

3) Definitely want condensers for the OH and Hat mics. Much more resolution on cymbals that way. In the lower priced range, I've had good experiences with the MXL series condensers. Try not to skimp here unless you absolutely have to. These mics play a huge role in the overall sound of your set. Experiment with XY mic positioning or spaced pair. I've had great success recently by measuring the distance from the center of the snare head to each OH mic and making sure they're the same. This has seemed to help with phasing issues.

All the best!

[icarus73]

Hey thanks for the awesome reply, I appreciate all of the new info. I'll look at the D6, I haven't check it out. and yes, i did mean the beta 52a, not the 58.

[smbirddog]

For the OH/Hat mics look at Audio Technica 4041s. I have a pair of these and they are killer. Another great small diaphram condesor is the AKG Small Diaphragm C 451b (one of my all-time favorites), a little more cost, but well worth it.

Also, look at Sennheiser MD421's for your tom mics or even a bottom snare mic (if you mic top and bottom), these are also amazing for close micing guitar cabs.

Another option for your Kick would be an EV RE20, I have used these many times for kick and never been dissapointed.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[BTGR&P]

I love how my drum recordings turn out,
here is what I use...

Kick - Either D112 or Beta52 depending on the drum.
Snare - SM-57
Tom(s)- SM-57
Floor Tom(s) - MD421
OVH L & R - Pair of Octava MK-012-01
HiHat - AKG414 EB

Artur of
Beyond The Gates Records & Promotions,
Beyond The Gates Studios

[EGS]

...looking for what you guys prefer...

I prefer a great drummer, great set, great heads properly tuned. Any engineer can make THAT sound great. Honestly, setting up the instrument is more than half the battle. My 2 cents.

[paul_g]

I love how my drum recordings turn out,
here is what I use...

Kick - Either D112 or Beta52 depending on the drum.
Snare - SM-57
Tom(s)- SM-57
Floor Tom(s) - MD421
OVH L & R - Pair of Octava MK-012-01
HiHat - AKG414 EB

Artur of
Beyond The Gates Records & Promotions,
Beyond The Gates Studios

Great set up! I have the Octava's as overheads as well.
Beta 52 in the kick and mostly sm57's for everything else.

I also think the pre's in the 003 make a huge difference. I used to have a Roland VS-1880 and the recordings are night and day.

[Ziko]

Ditto EGS, do make sure the drum kit is setup well and have a close listen for funny little rattles etc, especially once the drummer has warmed up and is really hitting everything.
Also, I don't know where you're recording but the room sound has a massive impact on the recording you get, the best mics in the world won't save you if the room sucks.
If you're new to recording I'd suggest taking along as much absorbing material as you can and experimenting with making a sort of "booth" for the drummer and the mics to sit inside. Heavy sheets hung down from the ceiling, bed mattresses or the big cushions from couches stood up on the left, right and rear of the drummer will all potentially help minimise the amount of bad room sound getting into your recording.
The other good thing with playing around with room treatment stuff is that you'll learn a whole lot as the result will be quite obvious. Then when you try different mics your ear might be better at hearing the difference and you'll be a better judge of what is "good" or "bad" for you.

[icarus73]

The drums I'll be recording for my main project coming up (my band's album) will be in a room with every wall lined with pyramid shaped studio foam.

I just need to hang heavy sheets from the ceiling, like you said, and put in some sort of fake walls, whether it be couch cushions or not, on the corners of the room so I don't have perfectly parallel walls.

my drummer currently has studio foam stuffing the entire inside his bass drum.

He's a real amazing drummer, but things like that make me want to smack him in the head.

[Keniko]

I get great results from these mics:

Kick - D112
Snare - SM57 or Audix D1
HiHat - SM57
Toms - Audix D2
OH - AKG C1000

Not knowing your budjet there's a few company that sell drum mic kits. Off the top of my head....Earthworks,Audix. The AT 2020 is a great mic for only $100. This would be a good choice for Overheads as is the C1000 plus it sounds great on guitars and vocals.