2014/03/18 21:59:43
Rimshot
So I bought the Samson 7 drum mic kit.  
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/7DrumMicKit/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&utm_term=DSA_-_Product&adpos=1t1&device=c&network=g&gclid=CO2Nzc--nb0CFcuSfgodQFQA3Q
 
I decided that I needed the 2 pencil condenser overheads and their kick mic seemed pretty decent to catch the raw sound from what I saw on YouTube.  The tom mics seem OK and I can EQ those to taste (I hope).  I will most likely use a SM57 on the snare.  Not sure about the hi hat yet.  
 
All in all, for $199, I will have a way to capture my kit better than what I have been doing and look forward to seeing how good I can tweek this system.  In my old studio days, I recorded tons of groups using all SM57's but with a 421 on the kick.  Made lots of rock demos back then.  I am excited to see how well I can make an inexpensive mic setup work.
 
I'll will post some tracks in a few weeks.
 
Thanks to all.
 
Rimshot
 
2014/03/19 00:16:36
aspenleaf
+1 on the Studio Projects B1 for overheads.  I set them aside for a few years as I was using ribbon mics for OHs, but recently used them on a project and got a nice image of the kit.
 
If you want very natural sounding cymbals and a big low end, you might want to consider using ribbons.
2014/03/19 16:51:33
jerry@macwood.com
Try http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=behringer+pencil+condensers&qpvt=behringer+pencil+condensers&FORM=IGRE
 
The the c2's and have done a remarkable job in my home studio!
 
2014/03/19 19:00:18
ChuckC
Rimshot,
 Grabbed 2 pairs of these when they were about $150/pair, now I see they are on sale at $99.   They are nice for the money and come with shockmounts, and extra elastics for the shockmounts too.  I have been using this on my last several recordings for Overheads or Hat/ride mics, as well as I use one as my bottom snare mic.  Picks up that nice snap from the snare.
http://www.guitarcenter.c...-108256280-i2613804.gc
2014/03/19 22:56:52
Rimshot
Thanks again guys.  I am going to hook up my new Samson 7 kit and it comes with two pencil condenser mics that I have heard on YouTube.  I think they will work good for my overheads.  We will see.  I have always tried to do more with less and I look foward to a challenge.  I also ordered a Presonus 44VSL to compare against my Zoom R24.  I am hoping to do some re-amping with it and want to learn more about the VSL capabilities.  
I hope to soon get into some radio ads and jingles for fun.  
 
Rimshot
2014/03/21 09:54:15
brconflict
I use the best mics I can afford for overheads, mainly because they are attempting to pick up the entire kit. Many times, I use AKG C451B's (matched stereo pair), but other times, I will use some flat side-address condenser mics, like a couple of Shure KSM44's, AT4050's, or AKGC414's. The rest of the kit gets a D6 and AT4047 on the kick (in and out, respectively), SM57 on the Snare (top), Audix D1 under the snare, some Sennheiser MD421-U5's on toms, an AT3030 on the hi-hat, and a Royer R101 for room mic, if not a tube mic. 
 
This is a lot to buy, but the point is to find the best matched mics you can for overheads. Even your best vocal mics may be worth a try. If you have a semi-good stereo pair of mics and one really good vocal mic, use the vocal mic in the center. Nothing wrong with 3 overheads if phase is easy to manage for you. The rest of the kit is typically to bring out only what the overheads don't reveal in the kit (or the drummer), so those mics may be more "utility" than used for character.
 
Sidenote: More experienced drummers hit the cymbals less and with a lighter hand, hitting the toms harder.  "Cymbals are your friends. The toms are the ENEMY!" - I forget who said that!  Great drummers also know how different a kit may be tuned for studio vs. stage, what heads to use, what sticks, and how to play. This will make more difference in the overheads than anything else you'll work with.
2014/03/22 14:18:24
bapu
My best recording of overheads was with two AKG C414's
2014/03/22 15:07:25
Cactus Music
A little off the topic..
I wonder if those Tascam mikes  are close to the same as what are built into the portable recorders. 
I use the DR40 for recording the local choir 3 times a year.  It has 2 XLR inputs so the first year I used it I also set a matched set of these AKG condensers up on stands further out. I'm sorry can't remember the model, I borrowed them but he said they were worth around $400 for the pair. 
Anyhow, back at the studio, the Tascam's built in mikes had the clearest recording. So now I just use it by itself. I used to drag my laptop, interface etc. For $150 forget the mikes, buy the whole thing. 
http://tascam.com/product/dr-40/
 
 
 
2014/03/22 15:17:11
Dave Modisette
I've got a pair of AKG C1000S.  People like to talk down about them but they've worked for me and they're built tough.
2014/03/22 17:06:25
rumleymusic
The C414 is the most popular I have seen in the studio world.  It is a good multi purpose LDC and tend to be the nicest non-valve mic in most studios.  I feel there are better sounding options though.  The Sennheiser MKH8040 is the best I have ever heard.  With two of those and a large diaphragm dynamic on the kick you can call it a day.  
 
For a budget though.  Look up "Little Blondie" mics.  
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