Drum overheads?

melonhead · Post by **melonhead** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:16 am

Will these work good? I have a matched pair here and thought about using them.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:14 pm

They are quite nice in the old Glyn Johns pattern.

sdemott · Post by **sdemott** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:24 pm

I don't have any first hand experience, but a friend of mine loves his for OH. Give them a go and see what you think.

I still don't own a pair of these. Been contemplating the OktavaMod version. They seem like a good deal.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:17 am

I have a pair of those, which I use for drum overheads. I think they work well in that application.

I've been meaning to try the Glyn Johns method. I've been using them as a spaced pair. I tried putting them in an XY, but I like spaced at the edges of the kit better.

sdemott · Post by **sdemott** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:40 pm

I agree, spaced pairs sound great on drums. I use DPA 4021s on the edges of the kit with an AKG C4000B about 4ft in front of the kit. Very natural & detailed sound.

Kind of a pseudo Glyn Johns setup.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:59 am

I also agree on spaced pairs, I never use X/Y unless I have a killer stereo mic--but I generally use my TC30's.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:57 am

BradLyons wrote:I also agree on spaced pairs, I never use X/Y unless I have a killer stereo mic--but I generally use my TC30's.

I have some Earthworks Z30 cardioids (discontinued) that I also use for overheads. I prefer them to the Octavas, but then, they cost five times as much: I spent $1000 for the Earthworks pair, and about $225 for a pair of the Octavas. For the money, the Octavas are hard to beat. I've read reviews in which they were compared favorably to Neumanns!

I originally bought the Octavas to use in smoky bars, something I wouldn't do with my Earthworks mics.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:16 am

Jim,

Yeah, the idea of using Earthworks in a place like that---makes me want to cry!

sdemott · Post by **sdemott** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:44 am

Brad & Jim-

how do you guys find the Earthworks. I've heard some not-so-good things about their self-noise.

I tend to use DPA & Schoeps for my live recording (mostly classical), and have always wondered about the Earthworks. I'm seriously considering another pair of SDCs, but just keep thinking...'Hmm...Earthworks again...people keep talking...'

Part of the problem was that when I bought the DPAs and Schoeps, I was able to audition sets to find the ones I wanted. I couldn't find anyone willing to lend out a pair of Earthworks for testing.

I'd appreciate any input you guys have from real world use especially if you've had the opportunity to use them in audiophile type recording situations.

Thanks.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:19 pm

sdemott wrote:Brad & Jim-

how do you guys find the Earthworks. I've heard some not-so-good things about their self-noise.

I tend to use DPA & Schoeps for my live recording (mostly classical), and have always wondered about the Earthworks. I'm seriously considering another pair of SDCs, but just keep thinking...'Hmm...Earthworks again...people keep talking...'

Part of the problem was that when I bought the DPAs and Schoeps, I was able to audition sets to find the ones I wanted. I couldn't find anyone willing to lend out a pair of Earthworks for testing.

I'd appreciate any input you guys have from real world use especially if you've had the opportunity to use them in audiophile type recording situations.

Thanks.

Steve, I'm not that knowledgeable. Although, I've read great things about DPA and Scheops mics, too. Since I only use my Earthworks for drum overheads, and I typically ride the overheads channel pretty low in my drum mix, I can't say that I've ever noticed any noise from them. Cymbals are white noise generators anyway, so it's not something that would stick out... other than to say they sound noisy in a pleasing way.

zara_drummer · Post by **zara_drummer** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:27 pm

I love my MK 12's!! I use them for OH or for hats and ride...They are great multi use mics!

I also have a set of MK 319s that I paid $100 for at GC!! I use those for OH's as well...I like the 10db pad and the low cut switches. They are nice and shiney on cymbals and capture the sound of the kit pretty well same with the MK 12's...

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:06 pm

Steve,

The selfnoise with Earthworks mics is VERY mis-understood. There are basically two series of their mics per say when you think of "Earthworks". YOu have the QTC series and the TC series. The QTC are really aimed more at acoustic recording, they are meant to record a very quiet signal from a long distance. They have a much higher gain and because of that they can be perceived as noisy if not used properly. They will work just fine over drums, but you will have to pad them.

As to the TC series (I have the TC30K), they are better suited for closer sources---therefore when you try to use them at a distance on a quiet source---you have to turn them up more and guess what, more noise. Over drums, they are THE MICS to have IMHO. I really like that combination with a Royer SF12 out in front as well.

Earthworks mics are beautifully clean and quiet, that's why they are a standard for measurement and recording. It's what I use to test every new pre I use, to see what the pre really sounds like. People say that if they could only have one mic, they'd choose an SM57. Me, it's my Earthworks. They are like gold to me.

sdemott · Post by **sdemott** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:47 pm

BradLyons wrote:Steve,

The selfnoise with Earthworks mics is VERY mis-understood. There are basically two series of their mics per say when you think of "Earthworks". YOu have the QTC series and the TC series. The QTC are really aimed more at acoustic recording, they are meant to record a very quiet signal from a long distance. They have a much higher gain and because of that they can be perceived as noisy if not used properly. They will work just fine over drums, but you will have to pad them.

As to the TC series (I have the TC30K), they are better suited for closer sources---therefore when you try to use them at a distance on a quiet source---you have to turn them up more and guess what, more noise. Over drums, they are THE MICS to have IMHO. I really like that combination with a Royer SF12 out in front as well.

Earthworks mics are beautifully clean and quiet, that's why they are a standard for measurement and recording. It's what I use to test every new pre I use, to see what the pre really sounds like. People say that if they could only have one mic, they'd choose an SM57. Me, it's my Earthworks. They are like gold to me.

This is what I mean about conflicting reports. Several very respected engineers of classical music swear that the QTCs are *not* good too far back and they prefer DPA or Schoeps for a main pair because of that.

and yes, the SF12 is a wonderful mic...just gorgeous for a capella choir too. very tasty.

The more I think about it, I just think I'm going to stick with what I know and know I will be happy with. I've been eying the Schoeps MK21 capsules anyway...a pair of CMC6s with the MK21s to add to my collection maybe the best way to go. I'm not feeling particularly adventurous right now and I know I can get a pair to try out and spend a couple weeks with before I make my decision.

I'll probably always wonder - I'll just wait for someone I know to grab a pair of the Earthworks so I can hear them first hand.

Thanks guys.

Phil O · Post by **Phil O** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:45 pm

BradLyons wrote:I also agree on spaced pairs, I never use X/Y unless I have a killer stereo mic--but I generally use my TC30's.

I agree also. You'd think that there would be phase issues with spaced pair for overheads, but my experience has been that with cardioids XY sounds kind of flat and phase cancellation hasn't been an issue with spaced pair. Go figure.

Phil

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:21 pm

Steve,

If it aint broke, don't fix it