Need help finding overheads

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:54 pm

I'm trying to find a pair of small condensers that are suited for studio use as overheads and the like, but also have practical use as live sound overheads.

a few to note:

NT-5: seem like great studio mics, but how do they fare in a live setting?
Sennheiser e609: so i've been reading that these are pretty much considered junk. are there any others worth noting from the sennheiser line (small diaphragm-wise)?

i also recently purchased the DP-5a mic kit from Audix, which sounds amazing. i didn't bother getting the 7 mic kit because i wasn't sure about the overheads - can anyone put their 2 cents on the audix overhead mics (worthwhile?)

anyone have other preferences for small condensers (up to the 300$ range) that might find use in live and studio?

Thank you in advance!

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:57 pm

my bad.. i meant the Sennheiser e614 condenser mics

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:47 pm

The NT-5s and the NT-55s are the only SDCs that I've owned (though I've used several others running live sound). So I can't help with comparisons. The NT-5s were a big step up for my recordings of acoustic guitars and drum overheads. I use them live for guitar and mandolin. No unusual feedback problems. They have a good rugged feel to them, but I wouldn't treat them like an SM57. The matched pair comes in a pretty nice plastic case. I'm just taking them to church every week, so it's not exactly the rigors of touring, but no problems so far.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:05 am

In the $300 range i don't think you can go wrong with a pair of AKG C1000s. I use these a lot for studio, live sound and live recording. The great thing about them is the interchangeable capsule that changes the mic from cardiod to supercardiod which can be good for feedback in live situations.

These mics are also built like a tank, I've seen really old ones totally beat to heck that still work fine.

MarkG

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:47 am

MarkG wrote:

In the $300 range i don't think you can go wrong with a pair of AKG C1000s. I use these a lot for studio, live sound and live recording. The great thing about them is the interchangeable capsule that changes the mic from cardiod to supercardiod which can be good for feedback in live situations.

These mics are also built like a tank, I've seen really old ones totally beat to heck that still work fine.

MarkG

the c1000s is a super versitile mic. it's good at a lot of things, but not great for anything.

i've used it as an OH and it's ok... the high end is kind of brittle and not as smooth as i like.
i've used it as a backup vocal mic and it's ok.
i've used it as a room mic when tracking a guitar and it's ok.

i think they're like $200 each.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:52 am

from all the reviews i've pulled up on the c1000. i think it's best said to stay away from it. Quality overweighs me wanting to save money.

Thanks for the input. Good stuff!

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:20 pm

Sorry, I thought you were in the $300 for the pair range (the c1000's are $350) If I had $600 to blow, I would have a new pair of overheads myself!

MarkG

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:48 pm

Used Shure SM81s.
Used Shure VP88. I don't normally do stereo mics as overheads because I have yet to meet a non-big-name drummer who arranges his kit so that the snare is dead on center, has cymbals that balance well, etc. But I have been asked to do it.
Used AKG C460s.
Used Neumann KM184s.
Used Beyer M201s.

Heck, there are a bunch of used alternatives.

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:54 pm

+1 for what Sheet said.

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:40 am

Someone should do a OH mic comparison thread with audio samples. I'd absolutely love to hear some! Smile

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:18 am

I'm gonna have to cast my vote for the rode nt5s. those things are amazing. i just recorded a jazz combo recital at my school about a week ago and used them for drum overheads...i didn't need anything else on the kit other than a kick mic, and even that wasn't really used all that much. i've used the neumann km 184s before and the rodes are right up there. you can find them cheap too...i picked mine up for $350 new.

-dave

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:24 pm

My NT5s are great. For live use they are probably a better bet than the NT55s as you would rarely use the omni capsules, and the modular design provides an extra potential failure point.*

The pad and HP filter might be useful however. But a lot more expensive. Get the NT5s is my advice.

* I have known AKG CK91 capsules to start to wobble on SE300B bodies, causing buzzes and sometimes cut-outs, so I am now wary of such mics for live use. Maybe the NT55s are better built; I don't know.

Rode hired an AKG engineer, so that is something to watch. Maybe that AKG guy had something to do with the Rode design. Maybe he has insight on how tp correct the issue. Something to watch.

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:45 pm

Used Shure SM81s.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NICE-2-Shure-SM81-MIC-Condenser-Probe-Microphones_W0QQitemZ270227371718QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41464QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:10 pm

We use Beyerdynamic Opus 83s in one room and Audix ADX51s in another. Both sound pretty stinking good. The Opus 83s do a good job of picking up the cymbals and I am able to control how much of the rest of the kit they get. The Audix sound fantastic but tend to pick up a bit more of the overall kit. That can be good or bad depending on your taste.

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:12 am

dtpuga wrote:

We use Beyerdynamic Opus 83s in one room and Audix ADX51s in another. Both sound pretty stinking good. The Opus 83s do a good job of picking up the cymbals and I am able to control how much of the rest of the kit they get. The Audix sound fantastic but tend to pick up a bit more of the overall kit. That can be good or bad depending on your taste.

Darn it. I forgot to give props to the Audix SCX-1. Haven't heard the new Beyers. I will try to find a dealer.

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