Decent but lower priced mics for drum overheads

PrimeMover · Post by **PrimeMover** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:57 pm

Since I'll now be able to record drums with my soon-to-arrive MOTU 8pre, I'm thinking of purchasing 2 overheads for drum micing. My drummer said he'd probably like to buy some, but I may actually want to get them myself, just so I can add them to my arsinal.

Anyway, in looking around, I've been hearing a lot of good things about a Chinese company called Studio Projects that makes some pretty nice large-diaphram condensers for around $100, that are just a small step down from a pair of Neumann's or AKGs. I'm looking specifically at getting a pair of B1s. Anyone had any experience with these mics? Any other suggestions of overhead pairs I can get for 'round $300 that work as well?

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:03 pm

I recently bought an Avantone CK-1 which is designed for overhead use and goes for between $99 and $149 new. It comes with a wooden carrying case, a shock-mount, and I think a T-bar for when you have two of them.

I haven't had a chance to use it in a session yet, unfortunately, so can not yet report on how smooth it is for cymbals/etc. (though I also have some specialty close-mics from beyerdynamic and Sennheiser for that purpose).

The CK-1 has several capsules for different polar patterns, and alternate low-cut switches.

This mic has received excellent reviews from Mix Magazine and other fine publications; as have the other mics in the drum mic series. They also sell a discounted package of their entire drum mic kit.

The response is said to be similar to the famous AKG C414, but obviously not quite as crisp or smooth at the high end as that pricey mic. Nevertheless, it appears it may be a better buy than many of the other budget overheads at the moment, until mloving up to the price range of some of Earthworks' overheads ($700 or so).

There are enough weaknesses in the other budget overhead mics that I never found a compelling reason to prefer one over the other, except for polar pattern coverage. They're all good value for the money, but fairly compromised (especially the high-end range), and some have inconsistent QC that may require a replacement (never a problem, but it could mess up a session if you order to close to the session date under the assumption that you won't have to replace the mic in case of problems). This is all readily obvious from magazine reviews as well as e-store customer reviews. I am hoping that the Aventone CK-1's will be less compromised overall; otherwise I'll save up for Earthworks.

The feedback I have from pros so far is that the CK-1 is a cut above the Studio Projects, Rode, and other similar budget overheads (especially reliability and consistency). It's also the only overhead mic in that price range that I have been told is consistent enough in manufacture to not have to worry about buying both at once in order to have a matched pair.

digidan · Post by **digidan** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:14 am

I use a studio projects lsd2 in xy pretty often for overheads, and it works quite well. I also like rode nt5's, but 2 audio technica 3035's in an xy config are my favorite "budget" overheads. now if could just sneak a royer sf24 by the wife!....

PrimeMover · Post by **PrimeMover** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:46 am

Nothing wrong with X-Y configurations, but usually those are used with small-diaphram mics. The nice thing about large diaphram mics is that they're a bit more versitile to use in other applications (vocals, room recordings, acoustic guitars, etc), not that you couldn't use small-diaphrams, but large diaphrams are slightly preferable. Also, I just have had slightly better luck with spaced pair recording than coincidental. I guess it's just a personal thing, but I've just never really gotten comfortable with it. But a good thought, anyway.

aletheian-alex · Post by **aletheian-alex** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:26 am

I use those cheap Studio Projects B-series mics all the time. I opened one up and took a quick glance and they appear ( just looking quickly) to be a neumann-knockoff capsule with a Scheops-knockoff circuit. They use decent WIMA film caps, but the resistors are kinda cheap, but not heinous. They are really great for the money and since they are so cheap, I have put them in situations that I would NEVER subject a more expensive large diaphragm mic to and have gotten some cool results because of it. For overheads, I usually use either those cheapies, or a pair of BLUE Dragonflys (NOT cheap) or Audix small-diaphragm condensors (mid-priced) depending on what i need.

EDIT: I dug up this pic that I took of a board from a B-1 FWIW

mikebeckmotu · Post by **mikebeckmotu** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:25 pm

Cascade Microphones have gotten some good comments as drum overheads, as well as for regular uses.
They have sound samples on their site, and I think they even have drum overhead samples, if I remember right.
The prices are very good. I have some of their mics on my will-buy list.

http://www.cascademicrophones.com/

digidan · Post by **digidan** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:15 am

i agree that an xy config is often used with small diaphram mics, but who wants to be normal? I get great results with "large" mics...

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PrimeMover · Post by **PrimeMover** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:50 am

digidan, is that a snare drum I see clamped to the back head of the bass drum???

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:54 am

No It's a subkick
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Con ... WS,00.html

aletheian-alex · Post by **aletheian-alex** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:58 am

PrimeMover wrote:digidan, is that a snare drum I see clamped to the back head of the bass drum???

Sidekick. as i understand it, Yamaha heard about people placing reversed-polarity NS-10s in front of a kick drum to catch the low-lows and marketed a little gizmo that does the same thing.

adeptusmajor · Post by **adeptusmajor** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:08 pm

not long ago I used a SP B3 (multi-pattern version of B1) in figure 8 and a BLUE 8 ball for a mid-side overhead setup, and I got surprisingly pleasing results. Both of these mics were pretty cheap (under $200, I think), and are a decent starting point if you are building up an arsenal and need to buy enough mics at one time to get yourself up and running. I have always loved earthworks for overheads, and while these are not budget mics, I think they are very reasonably priced comparatively (especially the drum kit package), and an upgrade worth setting your sights on for down the road (just to add my two cents).

I'm interested to hear how that sub-kick sounds. I tried the NS-10 trick some time ago, and I remember not getting very good results with it.

digidan · Post by **digidan** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:15 pm

No sir, that is a Yamaha subkick. One of the best $300 you will ever spend. Use your fav mic internally, and add this "mic" to the outside. Hi cut the sub kick channel 70-100hz and gate x-tra tight. Or at least that is how I start out. This method produces a very tight and strong bottom end in the kick. Subwoofer food! Always check for phase cancellation, and move the mics (or waveforms) to compensate. Cant live without it.

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:34 pm

The new side address ATM450 sdc's work well on OH, but they're not cheap. They're not expensive either. They also sound nice on ac. gt. if you want a clean, bright sound that will work in a mix. The mic has a pad and lo cut.

What you have to consider when buying mics is, are you in it for the long haul, or are you going to stop recording in a couple of years and give everything away? If you're in it for the long haul, buying cheap mics is money down the drain. Buying mics you're still going to be using ten years from now makes a lot more sense.

digidan · Post by **digidan** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:58 pm

amen! I totally agree.. I have a pair of at 450's as well. I like them. They usually end up under the snare or on the hat though.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:33 pm

Russian Oktava MK-012s. I've had a pair since 2000 or 2001 and now have three sets of caps (cardioid, omni, and the discontinued Red large diaphragms). Amazing mics for the money. You can easily find a pair for $300-$400 with the cardioid caps and start from there.

I highly recommend them.

Jeff