.

Exactly why they are my go tos for many things including overheads. :D

BretB


I record all of my drums using an electronic kit via MIDI into Steven Slate vst.  I would like to improve my recordings by using a real high hat so I will be needing a close and overhead mics.  I am considering a Shure SM81 for close and have an Audio Technica 4033 that I might could use for an overhead.  Any suggestions?

Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best?

Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best?

Hum, if I understand correctly you're augmenting trigger pads with real cymbals? If so, you gotta be careful cause a condenser mic will surely pick up a lot of the unattractive pad noises! Perhaps a hypercardoid dynamic mic would be best?

 
I am not sure about how my new drum recording work flow will go.  I am thinking I might lay down the multi tracks as I do now and replace the hi hat track with the acoustic recording.  Not sure how bad the bleed will be but I don't have to play all of the other parts while doing the HH thing.  This is the way I see it in my head.  If I must play the snare or other parts to feel natural, maybe I can cover the pads with towels or such.

What I do is lower the snare so I miss it! It is hard sometimes to play one part without your whole body getting in the groove. So I "air drum" the other parts. I put my kick foot on the floor next to the pedal etc. Careful, you can hurt yourself. 
But it is a good point and might be that a good old 57 is the right mike after all.  After all the other background hits will hopefully be in Time! 

Yup. Go dynamic. I far prefer them to most condensers in the studio.

Below is the result of a Sabian HHX 14" Evolution hi hat mixed with e-drum sample.  Recorded using an Audio Technica AT4033a placed about 12" over the hi hat and the rest of the kit is a Steven Slate sample.  A tad of Breverb "small drum room" added to the HH to blend with the kit atmosphere.
 
Convincing?
 
http://soundcloud.com/bret575b/bretb-drum-solo-1-060213

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Revised result:
http://soundcloud.com/bret575b/bretb-drum-solo-1-060913

I love my AT-3031, which I'm sad to say AT no longer produces. It's smooth, and can handle a loud hi-hat. Also, for a loud drummer, I mic on the outer edge, not where the sticks contact the hats. It's smoother there than where the stick hits, unless you really need to catch the most pristine taps on the hats during quiet parts.