Six mics will add up quick, even budget ones. Honestly, you can get a great mix out of just a kick mic and 2 overhead mics that are well placed.
I'm in the market for drum mics. I have a six piece kit I need to mic, plus cymbals.
What would you guys suggest? I cant afford top of the line, but dont want dirt cheap either.
Six Piece Mapex Saturn V, Five Piece DW Performance Series, NOS Slingerland Snares, Centent Ardor and Emperor Cymbals
Six mics will add up quick, even budget ones. Honestly, you can get a great mix out of just a kick mic and 2 overhead mics that are well placed.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
I looked at that as well. Almost bought it, but I already have a kick mic, a ton of Sure 57 and 58’s, 2 good condenser mics and plenty of extra inputs on our board. Typically, I just put a mic in the kick and hang one Sure 58 about 24” off my right eye. It’s quick, and seems to work well enough for most places we play.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
The only problem with the sabian sound kit from the looks of it is you have no real way of upgrading and adding on in the future...
I agree. But I guess that’s the point of it (or the marketing strategy behind it). It’s a simple, compact and effective system that takes the guesswork out. I assume for guys like me that have limited experience and knowledge of setting up and mixing a complex system. I could see it working well for the 4pc band touring the country from the back of an Oldsmobile station wagon, LOL.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
I have used Shure, Nady, Cad and a host of others.
Finally landed on an all around great mic for individual micing.
Sennheiser e604. Quality and convenience.
e604.jpg
Signature here
I would recommend the T series drum mics from Miktek. Great quality and sound for a very reasonable price.
Acoustic Kits:
Ludwig Maple 3ply White Cortex 4 pc
Rukus Mod Orange Club 4 pc
DW Design 6 pc
Tama Silverstar Limited Edition Mirage 5 pc
Tama Superstar 5 pc
Tama Rockstar 4 pc
Gretsch Catalina Ash 4 pc
Slingerland 7 pc
Electronic Kits:
Yamaha DTX532k
Roland TD-27, Roland PD-85 (x4), PD-125, KD9, CY-8 (x2) VH-10, Lemon 15 and 18 cymbals
Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad
Snares:
Tama SLP Black Brass
Tama SLP G Maple
Rukus Santos/Bubinga/Poplar/Wenge
Rukus Avodire/Maple/Mahogany
1972 Ludwig Supraphonic
Hardware:
Tama, DW, Yamaha and Sonor
Cymbals:
Zildjian A Series, A Custom and K Custom
Microphones:
Miktek, Audix and Shure
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
is this for live work?
Get a decent snare and kick mic to start with. get a set of mid-low range over heads (you can get away with one if you need) and don't worry about toms for now that can come later , the overheads pick up the toms and cymbals ..make sure you understand the mic position this is very important.
Snare - shure sm57 is the go to for snare, they sound great on just about anything so they are handy to have regardless , e604 is a good mic but make sure you get the plastic body version
Kick - Audix D6 - great kick mic super easy to get a phat sound out of . works great on floor tom and bass cab too, well worth the extra price for the resale value and size/sound ratio .
overheads - (cheap) matched pair Behringer c2, (decent) Rode nt5 matched pair,
I am using an audix d6 bass mic and 2 cad overheads at an outdoor party today.. I am bring my cad snare mic in case it is needed but I doubt it will be.
Ludwig Classic Maple 22x16,10x8,12x9,16x16
7" Moon Gel Practice Pad
Sabian HHX Legacy
Decide whether this is love for the craft or simply an ego thing
http://www.redskymary.com/ NOT MY BAND, JUST A GREAT LOCAL BAND WHO SHOULD BE SOOO MUCH BIGGER IMO
I second the SM-57 snare suggestion. These mics are readily available on the used market and just work on the snare. If you like Shure, then also check out the Shure Beta 52 for kick - great mic if you like a "feel it in your chest" punchy kick.
As for the rest, you can start low end and move up as funds allow. I also agree that the e604/904 mics are perfect for gigging. They sound great and are super small and lightweight.
I've been using Shure SM-94 condensers for overheads for years but there are lower priced alternatives out there as mentioned above. However, I find that I rarely need overheads, even in larger venues, although I do find myself micing the hats from time to time ...
Last edited by dangermoney; 07-14-2018 at 02:25 PM.
Played an outdoor gig yesterday, brought all my mics and over head stands and just used the Bass drum mic...
Ludwig Classic Maple 22x16,10x8,12x9,16x16
7" Moon Gel Practice Pad
Sabian HHX Legacy
Decide whether this is love for the craft or simply an ego thing
http://www.redskymary.com/ NOT MY BAND, JUST A GREAT LOCAL BAND WHO SHOULD BE SOOO MUCH BIGGER IMO
that's a fairly common story
Mark, I have the Sennheiser headset and I have been very very pleased with it. Great sound and not too over the top expensive.
Take care and seeya!
Jim
This is what I am using for live drums right now. I really don't think you need to spend a fortune to get a good sound, especially in small to mid size venues. Most of my gigs are outside and I am not going to bring my expensive studio mics to a sandy, salty, outdoor environment. I am in Florida and play a lot of tiki type places. I use a SM57 on snare, found this NADY DM90 Bass Mic I forgot I had and been using it on my Bass drum. The NADY sounds pretty darn close to my AKG D112 I use in my studio. And sometimes a couple Beringer C10 Condenser Overheads. The number on those might be different. I rarely use the overheads. I sing so I can just raise my vocal mic over my head in front as a sort of overhead. So basically , snare and bass drum with a little enhancement from my vocal mic. been doing that for months at my outdoor tiki jazz gig for almost a year and get a lot of compliments on the sound, plus not a lot extra to set up. The layman listening to the group are never going to hear the difference in a expensive mic and a less expensive mic. If you know how to EQ. I am running my mics into a old Mackie 1204VLZ and into a Harbinger MS800 tower Bose type system, and it sounds great. If I get a pickup gig I have a carry on type bag I keep the mics, holders, cords in that I have in case I need a little extra reinforcement.
Ludwig Classic Maple vintage 1980 Silver Sparkle
Ludwig Classic Maple vintage 1960 Gold Sparkle
Ludwig Classic Maple vintage 1968 Champagne Sparkle
Premier Resonators vintage 70's Polychromatic Red
Slingerland 60's Vintage. Vintage Sky Blue Pearl
Slingerland 1972 "Avante" Red
Camco Chanute vintage. 1973 Silver Sparkle
Gretsch Catalina Jazz. Blue Pearl
Sonor Safari. Black Galaxy
Rogers Londoner V vintage. 1977 Silver Mist
Rogers Script Badge 9/72 1972 Black Nitro
Beverley of England 4 piece vintage. Red
Stewart 1966 Black Diamond Pearl MIJ
Vintage Paiste 2002
Vintage Avedis Zildjian
I ordered a Sabian Sound Kit this morning so I can do some in house recording and maybe use it for smaller gigs. Cant wait to get it in so I can see how it works/sounds.
http://sabiansoundkit.com/
Six Piece Mapex Saturn V, Five Piece DW Performance Series, NOS Slingerland Snares, Centent Ardor and Emperor Cymbals
Guess I need to hook this thing up and see how well it works!
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Six Piece Mapex Saturn V, Five Piece DW Performance Series, NOS Slingerland Snares, Centent Ardor and Emperor Cymbals
I'm curious if they explain the best mic placement location based on your reso head preference.
Looks neat. I just hope it doesn't give you gas to mic the entire kit. You'll easily double what you have there.
Please post some samples when you get them dialed in. If you need any help recording ask here for sure!!
Signature here
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