This is a good question. Hopefully all of the troops will respond. Heres my take.

Its simply a matter of taste and the one other factor which comes into play frequently in untreated rooms.

An LDC mic generally has a much wider pattern than an SDC mic and is subject to many anomolies in the environment its being used in. The SDC mic with its tighter pattern will not be so sensitive to this.

Choice comes down to where your recording and what the sound is like in that immediate area.

So basically in a room that is a basement with minimal soundproofing you would probably recomend the sdc??
Cement walls as well.

You're gonna have less problems with the reflections and standing waves with the SDC's but you should still do all you can to get some sort of control in such a space. Packing blankets hung on office dividers will provide some sort of trap for the first reflections from the floor and ceiling. Its not ideal but anything is better than nothing.

Thanks for your help.

I would definitely use the small diaphragm condensers. That is of course unless I were using the large diaphragm condensers...

Either will work fine. Heed DD's advice about size and room, but otherwise, either is fair game.

Sometimes, I like a little "flavor" from my drums which usually comes from larger diaphragm mics (I can get a lot of tom punch with LDCs) where other times, I just want smooth and accurate (SDCs).

Try both and see.

Cucco wrote: Try both and see.

BEST ADVICE EVER!!!!

I wish more people would stop asking and just experiment...

I would use the SDC's and if you happen to have a piece of old carpet set the drum kit on top, it will help a little. I've use it many times and works OK.

Zoro
http://www.produccionestecate.com

I would use the SDC's and if you happen to have a piece of old carpet set the drum kit on top, it will help a little. I've use it many times and works OK.

Zoro
http://www.produccionestecate.com

I would use the SDC's and if you happen to have a piece of old carpet set the drum kit on top, it will help a little. I've use it many times and works OK.

Zoro
http://www.produccionestecate.com

I would use the SDC's and if you happen to have a piece of old carpet set the drum kit on top, it will help a little. I've use it many times and works OK.

Zoro
http://www.produccionestecate.com

jasondirckze wrote: [quote=Cucco]Try both and see.

BEST ADVICE EVER!!!!

I wish more people would stop asking and just experiment...

Well consider the fact that you are looking to buy a mic for a certain application and you don't own them already. Yeah it makes sense to buy a shit load and find out you dont need a peticular kind for what your doing.

What happened to there are no dumb questions.

Here's the idea...

Don't BUY all the mics then take them back...or get stuck with them.

I have worked up a positive and trusting relationship with several pro-audio sales guys and other recording studios. As such, if I'm planning on buying a mic, I usually try it by borrowing it from another studio, using one in their studio, or using a CC# to secure on that is being sent to me on trial.

It takes a little bit to build those kind of trust relationships, but in lieu of that kind of relationship, cash talks. Offer to allow a company to hold your credit card info or even leave a sizable deposit.

Cheers -

J

Cucco,
I get what your saying and it makes good sense but I am just looking to buy 2 good condensers for home use. I am not even building a home studio the bass player provides a 24 track digital recorder and vocal mics. I just need what I need for the drums and was looking for what would work best in my case without spending a fortune. So I figured I'd ask the pro's. I'm just not really interested in trying 20 mics to find what works best for a home rock recording.
This project is actually just a favor to a friend anyway so I am not looking to go bankrupt.

I just wanted to make my situation clear.
Thanks for all the input I really do appreciate it and will probably go with the SDC for several of the reasons listed.