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Post by robo on Sept 8, 2024 16:02:59 GMT -6
Looking for suggestions for a fet LDC to leave hanging over my house kit indefinitely to use for demos or any session where I need to dial up a drum sound quick. I’d like something that will capture the toms decently without a close mics.
For many projects I’ll put up stereo mics, or a tube/ribbon mic for a specific vibe. I guess I’m looking for something in the “boring but works” category. The closest thing I have is a Serrano 87, but I think I’d prefer something with more of a mellow midrange in that spot.
This might be a long winded way to ask what the best modern 414-style mic is, but I’m also curious about the Chandler Type L, Vanguard V4, and anything else folks have had success with over a kit. Thanks for any advice!
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Post by timcampbell on Sept 8, 2024 17:07:39 GMT -6
Why not try to find a used AKG 414EB P48 or ULS? They are usually pretty cheap or buy any of the decent chinese mics and drop a good aftermarket capsule in it? I have made plenty of recordings with a single overhead mic that sounded brilliant.
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Post by doubledog on Sept 8, 2024 17:19:07 GMT -6
if you want cheap, an AKG 214 ($200-250 used) will be much cheaper new or used (even if it doesn't really sound like a 414) and you probably only need cardioid? or the WA14 (also $200-250 used)?
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Post by doubledog on Sept 8, 2024 17:20:19 GMT -6
I think the Lauten Audio LA220v2 is pretty good sounding over the drums too (I have a pair of them) and fairly inexpensive (they also have b-stock -- $289 -- on their website or at some dealers)
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Post by ragan on Sept 8, 2024 17:25:06 GMT -6
I like the ADK Cremona for OH. I keep a pair over my kit, but they work just as well for mono. Regularly go on sale for ~$500-600. I get better results with them than I did with the pair of 414b-ULS I used on OH for years.
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 8, 2024 17:47:22 GMT -6
The Heiserman type 19 is worth checking out. I don’t have any direct experience with them but I’ve been wanting a pair since they came out.
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Post by drumsound on Sept 8, 2024 18:07:58 GMT -6
What are you wanting to spend? $750 for the Beesneez C12a solid state would be super cool. A used 4050 would do a good job. The Lauten Mike mentioned, an sE T2 or 4400 would probably be great. An inexpensive ribbon, maybe sE X1r is a cool OH.
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Post by robo on Sept 8, 2024 19:19:38 GMT -6
What are you wanting to spend? $750 for the Beesneez C12a solid state would be super cool. A used 4050 would do a good job. The Lauten Mike mentioned, an sE T2 or 4400 would probably be great. An inexpensive ribbon, maybe sE X1r is a cool OH. I have a BU67 that I love so I’m curious about the C12a. I wish I could find some audio as I understand it is quite a bit brighter than the tube version (which sounds great). The Austrian Audio OC18 is probably in a similar ballpark. That ADK Cremona likely too. I haven’t used a 4050 but will look into that and the Lauten/SE recommendations. Thanks, fellas. |
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Post by eyebytwomuchgeer on Sept 8, 2024 20:48:31 GMT -6
I’ve had far better success with a cheap condenser and well-balanced playing than with any “decent” mic and average playing. That mono OH position really benefits from solid playing. For a house kit, that’s not always the reality since you’re looking
at a lot of potential players.
That being said, I like the stereo Vanguard mic OH, so, I’d think a V4 would be quite nice.
But yea, for an up-all-the-time mic, I’d just use a cheap but dependable mic. Even a 57 in that mono OH position can be really cool. Aaron Sterling was running a 57 there for a while and he always got great tones (at least to my ear)
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Post by the other mark williams on Sept 8, 2024 23:33:55 GMT -6
I fully realize they're not mono, and hence exactly what you're NOT asking for in this thread, but I personally like blumlein ribbons over a kit - they can often collapse to mono very well, but can also be spread out just a bit to get a liiiiiiiiiiiittle more width if needed. Totally a taste thing, obviously. And sorry for mentioning something outside the scope of what you were asking.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Sept 8, 2024 23:53:17 GMT -6
You could do much worse than a Vanguard V4... I have a pair, and it's a lovely mic. It doesn't sound 'larger than life' to me- but sounds really nice!
I've had good luck with my Warbler Mk Vs on drum OH as well.
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Post by niklas1073 on Sept 9, 2024 0:10:41 GMT -6
I fully realize they're not mono, and hence exactly what you're NOT asking for in this thread, but I personally like blumlein ribbons over a kit - they can often collapse to mono very well, but can also be spread out just a bit to get a liiiiiiiiiiiittle more width if needed. Totally a taste thing, obviously. And sorry for mentioning something outside the scope of what you were asking. I agree here fully. Mono overhead is great and can be just the way to go many times. But a ribbon blumlein already serves as a pretty standard setup. Quick and dirty. That and a kick and you are way beyond demo drums. But I understand if the main purpose was to get a quick demo drum setup the a blumlein ribbon will set you back a little more. |
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Post by ragan on Sept 9, 2024 1:19:08 GMT -6
I think I’m in the minority on the Beezneez C12a but I found it way too bright for me (this was on vocals and acoustic guitar). And I’ve heard the clips that suggest the FET version is even brighter still. I dunno, I didn’t love the mic when I had it. Noise floor was higher than I was used to and it was just too bright for me. Which is a bummer because I like what Ben is doing in general. That’s ok though. Not every mic is meant for every person/aesthetic.
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 9, 2024 3:53:51 GMT -6
I have a drummer friend who used the Audio Technica 4030 as a mono overhead. It’s a great mic. Medium diaphragm so similar to the ksm32 which I have and use over drums pretty often.
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Post by jaba on Sept 9, 2024 6:55:39 GMT -6
Not a LCD, but the Sennheiser MKH40 is a fantastic OH mic and definitely works well as a single. Slightly softening and toms sound big.
I'll often choose these over 414EBs if I'm really leaning on the OH(s) for the overall drum sound.
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Post by kbsmoove on Sept 9, 2024 8:33:12 GMT -6
if i wanted something more neutral i'd get a sony c38b. something with more color heiserman type 19.
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Post by robo on Sept 9, 2024 8:38:02 GMT -6
I fully realize they're not mono, and hence exactly what you're NOT asking for in this thread, but I personally like blumlein ribbons over a kit - they can often collapse to mono very well, but can also be spread out just a bit to get a liiiiiiiiiiiittle more width if needed. Totally a taste thing, obviously. And sorry for mentioning something outside the scope of what you were asking. I agree here fully. Mono overhead is great and can be just the way to go many times. But a ribbon blumlein already serves as a pretty standard setup. Quick and dirty. That and a kick and you are way beyond demo drums. But I understand if the main purpose was to get a quick demo drum setup the a blumlein ribbon will set you back a little more. I have a decent stereo ribbon, and an R84 which I like over the kit. I’m not leaving a ribbon hanging sideways on a stand indefinitely, and this is a room where I want a cardioid mic. Thanks though! |
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Post by mcirish on Sept 9, 2024 8:38:28 GMT -6
Lately, what I have used for a mono overhead is an Alder Audio H44 ribbon. It's fairly small, fairly light, and sounds really great. At $500, I haven't found anything I liked better for mono overhead.
For stereo overheads, I have a pair of AT4050. They are nice sounding and pretty nuetral. I actually prefer the Alder ribbon.
Also not a ribbon, but a Beyerdynamic MC930 is very nice on overheads as well.
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Post by robo on Sept 9, 2024 8:46:40 GMT -6
The Heiserman type 19 is worth checking out. I don’t have any direct experience with them but I’ve been wanting a pair since they came out. I forgot about that mic. I like my Pearlman 47 over the kit, so if it is roughly in the same ballpark it might work. My other fet47 style mic (ADK tfet Berlin) is a bit dark and honky in that spot. I’ll add it to the list to investigate. A bit more spendy than others, but if it lives up to the hype… |
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Post by phdamage on Sept 9, 2024 8:53:21 GMT -6
As a drummer who usually sticks 15 mics on a kit for a proper session, Glyn Johns method works pretty damn well for me. For a quick practice recording, I usually just stick my usual tom mics (Oktava 012s) up top and leave my kick mic in there and I'm good to go. I get a lot of detail out of it.
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Post by robo on Sept 9, 2024 8:53:41 GMT -6
Lately, what I have used for a mono overhead is an Alder Audio H44 ribbon. It's fairly small, fairly light, and sounds really great. At $500, I haven't found anything I liked better for mono overhead. For stereo overheads, I have a pair of AT4050. They are nice sounding and pretty nuetral. I actually prefer the Alder ribbon. Also not a ribbon, but a Beyerdynamic MC930 is very nice on overheads as well. The MC930 has been what I’ve used in the past, and once it passes through my RND 542 it is workable. I find my pair too useful doing other things to leave there, and my other SDC’s don’t pick up enough toms. I’m pretty sure I want a single LDC. The AT is on my list, thanks! |
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Post by phdamage on Sept 9, 2024 8:57:02 GMT -6
low end on 4050s was always really lacking for me. by contrast, the 414ULS have a ton of low end. I did sell my ULS pair and all 3 of my 4050s, though. still have a pair of Serrano 87s
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Post by theshea on Sept 9, 2024 9:38:07 GMT -6
violet design amethyst vintage can be had for 5-600€ as it seems to be always on sale (its called jz microphones now). sounds in the 67 ballpark. very nice mic.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083 
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Post by ericn on Sept 9, 2024 17:47:08 GMT -6
It’s not mono, it’s not an LDC but as far as just putting up one mic for OH, there are a lot who love the Shure Vp88!
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Post by the other mark williams on Sept 9, 2024 21:56:55 GMT -6
I agree here fully. Mono overhead is great and can be just the way to go many times. But a ribbon blumlein already serves as a pretty standard setup. Quick and dirty. That and a kick and you are way beyond demo drums. But I understand if the main purpose was to get a quick demo drum setup the a blumlein ribbon will set you back a little more. I have a decent stereo ribbon, and an R84 which I like over the kit. I’m not leaving a ribbon hanging sideways on a stand indefinitely, and this is a room where I want a cardioid mic. Thanks though! Totally understood! 👍 The Soyuz 023 could be an interesting candidate up there. I have a 019FET, which is a bit too spendy of a mic for me personally to leave up all the time, but the 023 could be super interesting in that spot. And the Chandler Type L also comes to mind, of course. |
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