If you like the Rode then get a pair of NT55's. You might want to consider a pair of LDC for your overheads too depending on your room.

I strongly recommend a pr of Rode NT5s. You've probably already been checking them out. And it sounds like you realize that you want condenser mics o h, since dynamics like the 57s tend to be duller esp when not close mic'd. And that condensers are more $ than dynamics. So $430 is actually a great price for a pr of good ones. Then there's the NT4, with the 2 fixed capsules. It's a cool idea but for me I'd rather have the flexibility of 2 separate mics.
A standard is the Shure SM81 but I don't like them as much as the cheaper Rodes.
My personal favorite small condensers are the Oktava Mk-012. They can be found for $100 or less each, new (!) & sound great. plus you can get diff capsules for them. just make sure you buy from a place that accepts returns, they are russian-made and QC can be dodgy. Plus I think these days you have to be a little more careful, since its a very popular mic which means there are probably fakes coming out of China. I know that all sounds bad, but these things will blow you away. My all-time pick for the best value condenser mics.

Earthworks QTC series or TC series...
Schoeps CMC Series
Royer SF12 or 24
Coles 4038

Those would be my choices

thanks for the replies , Ill check and see if these mics
in store here and check them out

I'm recording drums in a room with an 8' ceiling and I've had better luck with either NT5s of SM81s than with C414s (the only LDCs that I've tried). That's just one data point of course, but if you check out posts here and elsewhere there are a lot of similar reactions. Of course, there's nothing wrong with using a single overhead, so you should try out your NT1a and see if you like the sound.

As far as the Rode SDCs, a pair of NT55s is a really versatile mic pair for the price. If you want to pinch pennies you can start with a pair of NT5s and add an omni capsule or two later. This doesn't give you the high pass or the pad, though.

On the comparison of the Rode NT5 (or NT55 in cardioid) and the SM81 it really depends on the source. The Rode can sound brighter (good) or harsher (bad) the Shures can sound smoother (good) or duller (bad). I've been using the SM81s as overheads, an NT5 under snare and on high hats. Depending on the guitar and the player I usually start with an NT5 but if it sounds too harsh I go with an LDC (a C414 or a Rode K2 in my case). Might be because I'm too lazy to pull an SM81 off of the overhead stand, but it usually works out.

I would endorse the Rode NT5 and Shure SM81, recommended by Bob and Jack.

I also would add AKG C451 for your consideration as overheads.

If you can spare it for your drum tracks, your NT1 might give you the detail and definition you're looking for to capture the finesse of the brushes.

It would really depend on so many factors, it would be hard to recommend just one. So many variables, so little time....

Link555's list is all top-notch but beyond the reach of my wallet at the moment. I've seen lots of recommendations online for the Oktava, and Neumann KM184 - but I don't have them to compare against. The Neumann certainly has curb-appeal if you're trying to lure in other clients- as would anything from Link's list. Really I don't think any of them would be a bad investment. They should all retain a fair amount of their value if you use them for a few months and decide they don't suit you. Sound-wise they would all get the job done with their own special sauce. And assuming the rest of the recording chain is good, I think it's safe to say, all of them would be a noticeable upgrade. As great as SM57s are, they are not known for transparent crystal-clear highs.

Let us know what mics you try-out and what you end up buying.

thanks for the responce guys,
we are working musicians, with no clients and only
intersted in putting our own material, and friends who have
intersected our lives, songs down as best we can on our budget.
We get our 1 day off tomorrow and we will go to the
3 music shops here in Abu Dhabi and see if there is
a match to one of the above mentioned mics ,its
a hit and miss affair here, but strange things happen in this universe so fingers crossed , I ll let you know how we go ,
Ill definately try the nt1a close to the snare and see how it comes out too Hawk.
We dont have a studio here but we will take our 002 rack down and use the stage where we work 6nites a week,with everything in the same spot and do a trial and error process until some pleasing results happen , hmmmmm
Funny thing is I thought the tracks we put down last month
sounded alright until i had a refreshening listen again last
week,that was the inspiration to start trawling the forums here for decent pointers.
Its a gold mine here ,although im scratching at the surface
where I can see .......lol
theres a few months to kill here so time is not of the essence
although it keeps going faster ...damn
Theres a new rule here where musos cant drink on or after work in the same room , unheard of in my lifetime , oh well,
gonna save some more bucks for our recording projects , yepeeedee

.

I hope to be asking bout good places for mastering some day ....hehe

With your limited number of drums to cover I would think the Rode you already have would be a decent bet.

If you've tried already and it isnt what you're looking for then you cannot go wrong with any of the suggestions already put forth. Micing your L5 acoustically is going to take a mic with some decent gain before the noise floor and the SM81 is this.

Davedog wrote: .... Micing your L5 acoustically is going to take a mic with some decent gain before the noise floor and the SM81 is this.

I was thinking the same thing. An L5 is pretty quiet acoustically. I'd never heard of someone micing one, is it common? Interesting thing to try.