Earthworks QTC50. They are truely amazing.

I think it really depends on your budget and what you're looking for.

I'd also say it depends on the rest of your drum setup... and even the room...

Also (this doesn't always apply to overhead mics but) try and grab something you can use elsewhere ... so they aren't only being used in one situation and you're really getting bang for buck.

yeah definitely depends on the budget. I don't know what yours is , but a pair of u87s always do the trick. on a little tighter budget however try a pair of mojavi audio MA-100s they run like 1500 per pair. I've been really impressed with the mojavi line(props to david royer) and the MA-100s are no different. SD condensers with military grade tubes and interchangable cardioid and omni capsules.....Yeah!

Use the search engine on this site and you will likely find other comments on this subject.

While any pair of mics can be used for overheads, the Earthworks as great mics for overheads and in general for many other sources.

Earthworks QTC50 is an awesome overhead mic. very open and detailed.
clarity of the cymbals really comes through.

Ive been using AKG C414's with good results.

414's are ok of course. if you have some money, get mkh40's (sennheiser). if you don't have that much money Neumann km184's will sound great, too. dpa 4011's come to mind, too. there's a lot of choices, really...!

I use a pair of EV RE200s (SDC) or TLM193s (LDC)for stereo, and a KSM44 in omni for mono overhead. I have also used a pair of SM57s (stereo) and an EV RE27 (mono) as overheads in a pinch. The RE27 sounded as good as many condensers too!

I've been wanting a matched pair of Oktava MC012s with the extra capsules for a long time, and only wish I could afford a matched pair of Schoeps pencil mics...

AT4050/AT4047 reasonably priced and does a nice job as well.

Audix studio overhead mics or the live show mics both are outstanding

For a budget you can't beat two $59 MXL condensors. They work well, they're cheap, they reproduce nicely and give you just enough sizzle and just enough body to be wonderful

ive used akg c 1000's and they work pretty nicely.

If you really have no budget, hell even if you have a huge budget, the Kel HM-1's are really sweet on overheads. I've been using mine for a few years now and have felt no need to change. They add meat to the kit and do great things for the cymbals because they lack the top end boost so many mics have

TheArchitect wrote: Kel HM-1's are really sweet on overheads.

Truth. If you position them carefully around a kit, you may not need many other mic's.

I agree with this. Kel mics sound really good as a sort of intermediate room mic as well as a close mic. I used mine on the room not long ago and have found ANOTHER use for this thing.

I see no reason why you couldnt close mic the snare and kick and use a pair of HM1's on the overheads and get everything you could ever want from a drum kit.

GT44s are freakin' killer on OHs.