Oliver,
I'm considering the same options. Thanks for posting the questions. Hopefully there will be some goods replys to this???

My concerns about the HM-1 is that they seem warmer and rounder than you might want in an overhead? The acoustic guitar sample on the Kel website sure sound nice.

The other mic's I'm looking at are the MXL 603s and the ADK SC-1. Have you considered those? Price-wise they are closer to the HM-1's.

I'm in a similar boat too!

re: 603's. I've the MXL 991's which are quite similar. Fantasitc on acoustic guitar but not so goodon o'heads, and most reviews I've read point to the same behaviour for the 603's.

Seriously considering both the c4's, which seem more versatile, and HM1's...with the c4's leaning toward for OH's ..while the HM1's leaning toward for vocals, guitar, cab;s etc. But I can't fid much info re: oheads for the Kel's. Which is why we're here in this particular thread I guess :)

either way, I'm keeping the 991's for acoustic.

Warmer and rounder can be great for overheads Hitman, but I see your concern. Would quite depend on your style of music too. Nothing wrong with warm overheads as long as you have clarity and good transients and pickup IMO.

I'm in a similar boat too!

re: 603's. I've the MXL 991's which are quite similar. Fantasitc on acoustic guitar but not so goodon o'heads, and most reviews I've read point to the same behaviour for the 603's.

Seriously considering both the c4's, which seem more versatile, and HM1's...with the c4's leaning toward for OH's ..while the HM1's leaning toward for vocals, guitar, cab;s etc. But I can't fid much info re: oheads for the Kel's. Which is why we're here in this particular thread I guess :)

either way, I'm keeping the 991's for acoustic.

Warmer and rounder can be great for overheads Hitman, but I see your concern. Would quite depend on your style of music too. Nothing wrong with warm overheads as long as you have clarity and good transients and pickup IMO.

Kurt foster and some other reviewers gave the C4's favourable reviews...but I suppose you've already done the 'review hunt'

:)

I've checked all the reviews and stuff but not much mention about the HM-1s as OHs. I want to hear from people who actually used them if they work really well as OHs or if the C4 is a better choice for this application. Anyways, I think i'm still going to get a pair of Hm-1s.....for 200$, you cant go wrong.

Olivier,
For $218 Kel will match a pair for you and supply the frequency plots. And... they give you 21 days to return them if you don't like them! Almost no risk in trying them.

The risk for me is that I won't be using them for much but o/h's. Although I've read they can work for vocals also. I won't be micing up guitar cabinets and such.

I'm still up in the air on this one. I've been reading some other threads where people are using LDC's for overheads. Maybe a pair of those would be the way to go?

I've ordered 'matched triplets' of the Kel's to add to the kit.

Out of interest , In another thread Kurt Foster mentioned they are fantastic for overheads, in that they sound smooth, and pick up toms very well without too much cymbals (which is a common problem with ohead pickup & cheap mics) My memory of the sound grabs of the overhead demo's at Kel are good. Two Kels are considerably cheaper than two C4's to.

But this is all talk and not listening and 'sound' advice (pun intended)...so I'll really have to wait till they arrive for the facts.

LDC's can work great on o'heads. If you had two SP b1's, that could work, you'll get a brighter sound than the Kel's, but that could be a good thing for you!

I'm currently using 2 b1s as ohs...its pretty good but I heard the B1s were really good on toms, so i was looking to get a good pair of ohs and use the b1s as tom mics. Acoustic guitar is the other thing that would be improved with a pair of C4s....big dilemma....there's a 200$ difference.

By the way, where did u read kurt saying they sounded great as OHs.

Also, once you get them, tell us how you like them, it would certainly help others (me included) make a decision.

Will do...though It may be a while to recieve them 8-)

I read that they were appreciated as overheads in one of Kurts reviews right here...but I should have bookmakred the link! I can't find it now...but it will be here. Just try a search for Kel HM1 as I don't have enuff time.

I haven't done a full review on the HM-1's yet. I only have only made some remarks about them on the boards here. When the review is complete it will appear in the Reviews section of the RO E Mag ...

I like the HM-1s on ohds .... I used them in a 4 mic set up with good results but some might find them just a little too "round" or "warm" sounding for their taste ... if you like a bit of "edge" on on your cymbal sounds, then the C4's would likely serve you better.

Ah, now we're talking. Thanks Kurt!

You see, I will be doing a 4 mic set up, just as you're doing, and while I want an accurate cymbals reproduction, I also want as accurate a reproduction of the toms. I'm looking for a warmer rounder sound. I don't need the "edge" because I will not be playing at a full volume, or looking for a "crisp" rock/pop sound. I'm going after a warmer jazz/blues vibe.

I think the HM-1's may give me just what I'm looking for.

Thank you!!!

I too am waiting to get a pair of HM-1s for OHs on a minimal 4 mic setup. I got an email from Kelly (Kel audio - what a coincidence!) that kind of answers your question:

"The drums on that track feature the HM-1 on overheads as well as on rack and floor tom. Note: this particular clip is eq'd and compressed ... but it's representative of a "finished" drum sound."

From what I heard on that clip - if I can get anywhere near that sound with those mics - I'll be ecstatic!! I find it has really cool acoustic quality to it that doesn't sound overly processed or un-natural - which is just what I'm after.