Need a great priced and sounding EQ ..Click here Buzz Audio MPE1.1 EQ

Drum Recording Microphone help:

Recording Drums: Choosing Microphones

Last feature, we discussed the importance of a good sounding drum kit and a room in which to record it. We're now ready to talk about the microphones we'll need to get the job done. Every engineer has his/her own favorite mics that have gotten the job done. I'm going to give you a number of options that I have tried and that have worked for me.

Kick drum:

You need a mic that will handle high SPL (Sound Pressure Level) and also cover the low end as far as frequency response goes. Some choices are:

AKG D-112, D12
Sony C-500
U-47 FET
CAD E-100
ElectroVoice RE-20
Sennheiser 421
ATM-25
Audix D4 (haven't tried this one personally but heard good things)
DPA 4011 (Morten Stove from DPA turned me onto this one, the Stones are using it again for kick (and snare) duties on their 2002 tour)

Snare drum:

Shure SM-57
Shure Beta 57
I've tried a number of others but still keep coming back to this simple, inexpensive mic. I love it. Another option is to use a second mic on the underside of the snare drum. This can be another 57 or perhaps another dynamic mic like the Beta 57. If you have a condenser that can take the SPL then by all means try it. The idea of this mic is to accentuate the sound of the snares on the underside of the drum. Mixed with the top mic it can give you the snap that you need if you aren't getting it from the top of the drum.

Hi-Hat:

ATM 4041
Shure 57

Audix (excellent)

Toms:

AKG 414 (only if you've got a drummer you can trust!)
ElectroVoice RE-20
Sennheiser 421
Sennheiser 504 (a light, low profile mic, very nice for live too)
DPA

Overheads and room mics:

AKG C-12
ATM 4050
Blue Dragonfly
AKG 414
Shure SM81
AEA R84
Basically any matched pair of condensers will work here if you're stuck. For the most part you'll want a cardioid pattern for the overheads and you can experiment with the room mics.

These mic choices are just guidelines. You may have your own favorites or want to try others. The important thing is to get the killer sound that you need to make your track a standout. Next feature, we will be covering microphone placement for all the different drums.

7 Magnificent Condenser Microphones


Carrying on with our top microphone picks, this week we put the spotlight on seven high-quality condensers. These mics are the top of the heap, and would improve the quality of any project they're used on.

1) Soundelux U95S
Although this brand is not as common as AKG or Neumann, Soundelux microphones have a solid reputation among audio professionals. The U95S is a multi-pattern tube mic that can deftly record vocals, percussion, piano and more. It retails for $2999. Manufacturer's Website



2) Sennheiser MKH800
I had the opportunity to use this mic for several projects and was very impressed. This ground-breaking mic has an LED under the capsule for precise placement, is multi-pattern, offers a double-axis swivel mount and boasts a frequency response up to 50kHz. It retails for $2950. Manufacturer's Website



3) AKG C414B/ULS
The 414 has been around for some time now and has become a favorite mic for percussion, drum, acoustic guitar and wind instrument recording. It retails for $1258. Manufacturer's Website



4) AEA R84
If you are new to ribbons, you are in for a treat! Experienced users have discovered the R84 is an outstanding general-purpose microphone, ideally suited for solo and accent work. It is hard to find an application where this mic does not shine. It is a fine example of the natural sound and figure-8 directional sensitivity a quality ribbon mic delivers.

Pure natural sound, just as you hear it when you're placing your mic in the studio.
Quick smooth transients that capture the feeling of being there without sounding like a recording.
Extended bass and treble that captures the details without shoving anything in your face.
A figure-eight pattern that focuses your recording on the sound you want. $999.00

5) Shure KSM 32/SL
In the last few years, Shure has come out with a number of solid contenders in the condenser mic category. The KSM 32 excels as a drum overhead mic and also for many instrumental applications. It is the most reasonably priced mic on our list at $1029. Manufacturer's Website



6)FLEA F-47

The F-47 tube microphone from FLEA incorporates the finest quality tubes, premier capsules, and hand assembly resulting in unprecedented construction and legendary sound quality.

The F-47 has selectable cardioid and omni patterns and is available in various tube configurations including UF14, EF14, and EF14 Wermacht. Other options include M7 or KK47 capsule, and long or short body.



7) Sony C-800G
The most expensive mic on our list is the C-800G. It is the favorite vocal mic of a number of recording artists and scoring engineers because of its natural tone and reliability. This is one of those mics that will rock your world – that is if you can afford it! It retails for $6800.