Todd,
I think some of your decisions will be dictated by what you and the band envision for the placement of the steel drums within the mix. If you have good isolation, a stereo pair is probably the way to go. The best thing to do is try a couple different mic selections and placement to see what sounds best to you… the AKG or Marshalls are probably the way to go.

single pan, or double tenor??
when i am recording doubles, I use one mic over each pan two feet above the center of each and pointing straight down - then use another mic underneath each pan trying to aim in the center of the pan - set these mics out of phase with the mics on the top side. Pan the mix of the two pans to suit the overal mix. Single pan would be similar.
Of your mic selection i have used the AGK 1000's with good results - watch out as it's really easy for the high freqs to get away from you - definately use limiters - pans really spike fast!
email me directly if you want to talk more (mcguin@globalfronti…) - i record pans in some fasion at least a couple of times a month and have released 2 cd's in the past two months with pans featured very prominently
good luck
dan

Thank you guys for your responses, should help out greatly. I have one more question. I have a 40'X60' "live" room, and a 8'X12' "dead" isolation booth. Which room would give me the best results??

Thanks Again,
Todd Eidson

hi Todd
if they are good quality pans, they can ring like crazy - try both - depending on the player and playing style, the ringing may add to the recording - or you may want to reduce the ringing in a dead room
good luck
let me know hhow it turns out
Dan