I've heard good things about the Shinybox mics, and you may want to check out the Cascade Fathead, but personally, the cheapest ribbon mics I'd shell out the bucks for are the Beyerdynamic M130 and M160.

Beyer M160 HyperCardioid and its M130 figure of 8 brother are not only fabulous sounding would give you the ability to create MS stereo.

While ribbon microphones may sound quite nice on drums, even nicer for jazz, you might find them not bright enough for rock-and-roll? After all, they are generally much more mellow sounding.

Love my ribbons
Ms. Remy Ann David

There are some samples of the Fat Head in[[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"] this thread.[/]="http://recording.or…"] this thread.[/] I would not think they would work that well for rock drum overheads. I've found enough places where I like them that I'm glad I got them. But sometimes I wish I had waited until I could get the Beyers or Royers. Then I look at the budget for the next few years and realize that the Fat Heads were the right choice for now.

For rock overheads I'd go for a pair of SM81s or a pair of Rode NT5s if you are putting a kid through college.

It's for rock drums. My buddy has this weird obsession with them so he wants to try them out and I wasn't quite sure on what's good. Would a pair of Large Diaphragm microphones be better then?

From what I've seen LDC vs. SDC really depends on the room (and maybe other things - including the operator). In my basement with 8' ceilings and my midline Mapex drum set and ambassador heads and Zildjian A and Z cymbals and me setting everything up I have preferred my Rode NT5s to my AKG C414s. Go figure. (Not recording any heavy rock right now. Jazz, folk, country, blues) No question that all around the LDC 414s are the "better" mic.

In the long run you probably want to have a reasonable pair each of LDCs, SDCs, and Ribbons. I invested more in the LDCs since they make such good vocal mics, but you really have to think long term strategy here.

As I go I wish to build a collection of all of the above...to start thought, recording mostly hardcore/metal should I go large? If so what's an affordable set.

Affordable, huh?? I dunno... it's perspective of budget.

I love my Royer SF12.

A pair of RCA 44's might be nice... and cheaper to boot.

M160's are another good choice.

Then too, a pair of C12's would prolly be kickin'.

The Peluso 2247's could be real schweet, depending on what you have for room, kick-in and kick-out.

I think of mic's from the perspective of what's a worthy investment, not just how much it's gonna cost... Think of it this way...

What's it potentially gonna' cost you to keep using junk mic's, cheap mic's, or mic's that just don't ever get the job done?

Just a coupla' sheckle's worth...

A great point I keep seeming to overlook. I'm rather new to the equipment end of things, I'm used to using my pals stuff and just going from there. I read a lot of reviews on equipment, and a few drum miking tutorials. I comprised some lists. Then went back and looked into those mics on here, some of them seem like they aren't as they appear.

A great point I keep seeming to overlook. I'm rather new to the equipment end of things, I'm used to using my pals stuff and just going from there. I read a lot of reviews on equipment, and a few drum miking tutorials. I comprised some lists. Then went back and looked into those mics on here, some of them seem like they aren't as they appear.