Overhead Mics?

[suicidalsid]

I read that the Sonics recorded all their drums with one mic. I was wondering what type of mic might have been used to do this.

I also quite like the idea of using just two mics so I can get a lo-fi stereo sound. How much are decent over headmics? And who makes them?

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Tons of makers of overhead mics.

Just look into small diaphram condensor mics. They are the most common overheads

[suicidalsid]

I've had a bit of a look and seen some pretty cheap ones by Samson and the like. Though I'd rather spend a bit more and get something I can use even once I get a bit better at recording. That said I don't want to spend a fortune either.

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by suicidalsid

I read that the Sonics recorded all their drums with one mic. I was wondering what type of mic might have been used to do this.

I also quite like the idea of using just two mics so I can get a lo-fi stereo sound. How much are decent over headmics? And who makes them?

This kind of technique is quite commonly used, its quite fasionable at the moment to just use an overhead and a kick drum mic. Usually like a U47 and a royer or something though.

if you want to pull this off you'll need a really good room, well tuned drumkit, nice cymbals etc, don't expect to stick a mic over a badly tuned argos kit in someones flat and get anything usable, even from a 'lo-fi' point of view, unless you're incredibly lucky. It'll probably take alot of work with positioning tuning, room treatment etc. to get something that sounds good.

Small diaphragm mics are great for this sort of recording, they are generally less coloured, handle higher SPL's and transients better. AKG c451's are great for this. Neumann km184, shure ksm range are good too, ksm141.
I personally prefer using omni's for this kind of recording.

To pull this off you need to understand a little bit about stereo mic'ing, might be worth looking up some articles about various arrays on the net. It helps if you know what will change if you move the mic rather than guessing.

Ribbon mics are great for this kind of recording as well, beyer do an amazing selection, m160 and m260, i have a pair of m260's that i use all time, they make great overhead mics, although the bottom end seems to be rolled off, so if i were just using 2 mics i'd struggle a bit with the kick. You really need nice pre's to make ribbons sound nice though.

Rather than doing the stereo overhead approach, why not try the mono overhead and kick mic, less phase problems, easier to position.

If you're doing this on a budget and you can solder, look for the tape op archives on the net, there's an article about building your own condensor mic, can be done for about 30 quid and it's pretty straightforward.
I've made a couple of them and they sound brilliant, excellent for this sort of recording.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

ProSoundWeb | How to build a microphone pg. `

» Blog Archive » Episode 5 - DIY Microphone

Is that what you were talking about?

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by I_got_a_mohawk

ProSoundWeb | How to build a microphone pg. `

» Blog Archive » Episode 5 - DIY Microphone

Is that what you were talking about?

yep, although that capsule is discontinued, there are similar ones available on digi-key though.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Cool, i might have a bash at it

Ive seen a few places in the US selling capsules so i wasnt too worried about getting that, was originally looking at buying a cheaper oriental large diaphram tube condensor and swapping out the capsule, capacator and transformer, aswell as probably upgrading to better quality resistors.

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by I_got_a_mohawk

Cool, i might have a bash at it

Ive seen a few places in the US selling capsules so i wasnt too worried about getting that, was originally looking at buying a cheaper oriental large diaphram tube condensor and swapping out the capsule, capacator and transformer, aswell as probably upgrading to better quality resistors.

Theres actually a tape op article about this as well, how to convert one of those MXL mics into something comparable to a U47, sounds like bull but it was written by mr royer so there must be something in it. I'm gonna see if i can find the link. The capsules on these things are probably pretty good, swapping components for better ones would make a big difference i think, but are the designs of these circuits any good in the first place? If you're planning on doing something like this i'd be really into hearing the results.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Ive done alot of reading into it, and alot of the bigger mics are the exact same circuitry!

Other than replacing components, the only mod to the circuit itself would be to use a cathode follower circuit for the tube in place of what they usually do on the cheaper mics (which i cant remember what its called atm). A cathode follower should give a nicer sound, and much more headroom .

The only problem there could be would be any possibly resonances within the mic casing, but i think that may be more of a problem with ribbon mics?


Here is an example of the differences between a $200 and $1200 mic:

R-F-T Telefunken M16 and Apex 460 Bench Test

They stated further on that the mic that they sent out was a prototype, which, IMO they only did because they got caught out!

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by I_got_a_mohawk

Ive done alot of reading into it, and alot of the bigger mics are the exact same circuitry!

Other than replacing components, the only mod to the circuit itself would be to use a cathode follower circuit for the tube in place of what they usually do on the cheaper mics (which i cant remember what its called atm). A cathode follower should give a nicer sound, and much more headroom .

The only problem there could be would be any possibly resonances within the mic casing, but i think that may be more of a problem with ribbon mics?


Here is an example of the differences between a $200 and $1200 mic:

R-F-T Telefunken M16 and Apex 460 Bench Test

They stated further on that the mic that they sent out was a prototype, which, IMO they only did because they got caught out!

ProSoundWeb | One Tube Microphone from Berlin and One from Barstow

Thats the article i was on about.

Which design are you talking about, is it a particular microphone?

i'm gonna try and do something like this at some point, because 3 grand for a mic is not really an option.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Cheers for the link!

Its not any particular microphone I was looking at really, just wanting a good mic for little expense really. Not an option atm as im skint tho, but when i do get around to it, i'll let you know the results.

And i concur, some mics can be better, but not £3K better!

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by I_got_a_mohawk

Cheers for the link!

Its not any particular microphone I was looking at really, just wanting a good mic for little expense really. Not an option atm as im skint tho, but when i do get around to it, i'll let you know the results.

And i concur, some mics can be better, but not £3K better!

I dunno, these types of mics have something that others just don't, but that amount of money for something that'll probably only work really well on acoustic guitar or vocals. Nothing else will get you that vocal sound though, they are not worth 3 grand but they certainly sound expensive.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

They are probably a little different, this is true, but either way, there isnt any mysitc components or anything. So from having some good looking about the subject im sure its possible to come together with a good plan for making a mediocore mic sound pretty damned good