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I'm running a Pro Tools rock'n roll studio which is about 60m2 and 4m high...

The problem for me is that in the instrument playing room there is also a water pump that generates some noise... (aaaaaaaargh)

It isn't such a problem when for example the base amplifier is also on, (fan noise will be greater than the pumps noise)... But when playing only the drums some problems can occur...

My question is what would be good overhead mics for me? I am willing to put some cash in getting a decent pair that would stay with me till the day I die...

thaxxx

Jere Garcia the Pope of Helsinki

Comments

Doublehelix Wed, 02/11/2004 - 06:10

Personally, I love the AKG 414's. They are my first choice, followed by my Rode NT5's. I mainly record Rock/Punk/Blues stuff, and get great results with either pair.

There are many, many choices however as AG points out. I know that the Neumann KM184's are popular choices as well.

As far as the water pump sound, I can't help help you there!

e-cue Wed, 02/11/2004 - 06:59

The Royer 122's have been my staple OH's since I got them. The Coles are great for a darker sound. But if your place has low ceilings, they might not work very good. The 414TLII's work great for me too, the ULS not so much (although great on toms).

All of that stuff is trivial if your live room isn't sound isolated IMO. HPF can only do so much.

Doublehelix Fri, 02/13/2004 - 04:04

Originally posted by Raised Under Reagan:
this may have just been a combination of having a good tape machine to track to with a great board but i got fantastic results with a pair of Rode NT-2's on a session. HUGE sound. was so great we only slightly mixed in a few of the isolated mics. just a thought for ya.

Funny you bring this up, because I just used an NT2 (omni) as a drum room mic, and it was really amazing! I bought this mic a few years ago, and really don't use it much any more for vocals due to its high tendancy towards silibance, but as a second distance guitar amp mic, and as a drum room mic, it works a treat! I was ready to sell it about 2 years ago...glad I didn't!

e-cue Fri, 02/13/2004 - 09:57

Originally posted by Ron.G:
What about SM-81's? I'm suprised no one mentioned them. Am I missing something? Am I behind the curve?

SM81's are kickass mic's. I see them used live all the time as OH's. For me, I use one as my hi hat mic. If you are totally against mic'ing your hat, they'll probably work real good. I just like the way the 81 on hat's blend with the other stuff I use on OH's. I also mic my ride cymbals with a 451 (which I've used as OH's before and loved for that app) but I usually only use it when doing a ballad or something ride dependant. Forest, not the tree's. Yah dig?

henryrobinett Fri, 02/13/2004 - 10:07

For what I do my favs so far are the Royer 121s. I've liked the VP-88 EV Stereo mic. Used that a lot. I just used the Okava MK012, but they were way too bright. Pretty good, but just unusually/unnaturally bright. I record jazz almost exclusively so the cymblas are crucial. They're the main drive from the kit. So in many ways the OHs are the most important element for jazz drums.

I've also had good luck with ther 414s. Next I'm going to try out a pair of AT4050s. Then, just for yuks, a pair of MXLV69s.

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