Using what you have now and your budget I'd focus on getting a solid kick mic, then a solid snare mic and finally a decent pair of over heads last as you can use your Rode as a mono over head for the time being and the Behringer dynamic as a snare mic in a pinch. The good thing is if you go with any of the mics I listed earlier they are useful on guitars, vocals, horns, percussion, bass and more. Jack of all trade mics.

I think I will go this route and take my time gathering what I need.  I feel I have tolook for a pre-amp as well and people wonder why we charge what we charge to do a project for them, they have no idea how money is invested in to quality equipment 

IK Obi


Using what you have now and your budget I'd focus on getting a solid kick mic, then a solid snare mic and finally a decent pair of over heads last as you can use your Rode as a mono over head for the time being and the Behringer dynamic as a snare mic in a pinch. The good thing is if you go with any of the mics I listed earlier they are useful on guitars, vocals, horns, percussion, bass and more. Jack of all trade mics.

What interface are ya using to come into your computer with (How many inputs?)

As IK suggested Id shoot for the I5 or SM57 for a good all around mic but as for the drums, snare and toms.

A decent kick mic Id also look at a D6 or AKG d112.  Can usually get them for around $100 off eBay-Just watch who your buying from.

The D112 and a SM57 would only set ya back 200 and then maybe get a set of Samson C02's for you overheads.  All in all a good little setup for a small project studio (Just the 4 will do ya good.  


Was going to also suggest running all mics to your mackie if you have direct outs, use that then go to your interface from there.  I do it through a mackie 1604 VLZ Pro

quantumeffect


SDC – small diaphragm condenser (e.g., sm81)
LDC – large diaphragm condenser (e.g., AKG 414)


What is your budget?

Is there an advantage to either size?

digi2ns


What interface are ya using to come into your computer with (How many inputs?)

As IK suggested Id shoot for the I5 or SM57 for a good all around mic but as for the drums, snare and toms.

A decent kick mic Id also look at a D6 or AKG d112.  Can usually get them for around $100 off eBay-Just watch who your buying from.

The D112 and a SM57 would only set ya back 200 and then maybe get a set of Samson C02's for you overheads.  All in all a good little setup for a small project studio (Just the 4 will do ya good.  


Was going to also suggest running all mics to your mackie if you have direct outs, use that then go to your interface from there.  I do it through a mackie 1604 VLZ Pro

I am using Moto Ultralite MK3

 a bit more money but: Sennheiser 421's toms EV RE20 Bass Shure SM57 snare AKG 451s High Hats and Overheads ....oh and John Bonham on the seat

Both large and small diaphragm mic’s are in common use for overheard drum mic’ing.

For many years I used two Shure SM81’s over my drum kit and if I had to make a recommendation for a pair of reasonable priced, well respected condensers (for this application) … I would say get two SM81’s but at about $350 each, I think you are already over budget.

I don’t have any personal experience recording with two overhead large diaphragm condensers but a model that will often come up in discussion is the AKG 414 (in its various forms). But now you are in the ballpark of 2 grand for a pair.

When comparing SDC and LDC mic’s, engineers with a lot more experience than me (I am not an engineer just a hobbyist) ... will talk about transient response and frequency response.  A review for a SMC might discuss how well it captures cymbal detail (transient response) and a review of a LDC might discuss how nicely the toms and bass drum are presented.

Currently, and just to convolute matters even more, I am using a pair of Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon mics.

Using what you have now and your budget I'd focus on getting a solid kick mic, then a solid snare mic and finally a decent pair of over heads last as you can use your Rode as a mono over head for the time being and the Behringer dynamic as a snare mic in a pinch.

This is really good advice.

If it was me and I was on a $300 budget, I would get an AKG D112 for the bass drum, a Shure SM57 for the snare and use the RODE NT1A as a mono overhead (with the eventual goal of upgrading to a pair of nice SDC overheads).

LDC/SDC are really all about what sound your after. Another great sleeper mic for overheads and toms are the CAD M179s. Can be had relatively cheap at 150ish each and are workhorses in the studio.