In Search Of OverHeads Help!

[@?,*???&?]

The spikey top of the MXL603 may not be the best match to brass. Personal preference on this one. An AKG 414 is my favorite mic. Something sort of chalky tonally about this mic that works well when mic'ing cymbals. In having used the Oktava MK012 on hi/hat and passing on them as overheads, I find them sort of raspy- certainly not as smooth as a Neumann KM85 or KM84 and it's due to what the capsule element is made out of. Cheap mic=cheap capsule. Believe it or not, this will color your sound. I also have encountered weirdness when attempting to record something with a strong spread with small diaphragm condensors. Things seem to drop out of the spread more quickly with a small diaphragm condensor. A convincing, full stereo spread is easier to obtain quickly with a large diaphragm mic.

[joeysimms]

I'd be worried alot more about what room you want to use the overheads in, rather than what mics. Even the expensive neuman's jeff is recommending aren't going to help much in a shitty sounding room with 8 ft. ceilings.

[wayne kerr]

I'd be worried alot more about what room you want to use the overheads in, rather than what mics. Even the expensive neuman's jeff is recommending aren't going to help much in a shitty sounding room with 8 ft. ceilings.

Well, DUH Joey! Jeff is used to working at Ocean Way and Track Record, so of COURSE we're assuming you're already working in a million dollar room. If you can't afford that then don't even bother showing up. You must be on crack!

Sis

[joeysimms]

What's up with the "you must be on crack" thing jeff?

Even tho you, jeff, have access to the finest gear ever made, and claim to have arranging and pop-hit-honing skills, everything i've seen and or heard on your resume does nothing for me. The truth is, yer heads so far up your ass that you clearly wouldn't know what to do with true talent, and so you come here and try to impress the youngins with your "insights" in the big showbiz world.

color me unimpressed.

[wayne kerr]

Even tho you, jeff, have access to the finest gear ever made, and claim to have arranging and pop-hit-honing skills, everything i've seen and or heard on your resume does nothing for me. The truth is, yer heads so far up your ass that you clearly wouldn't know what to do with true talent, and so you come here and try to impress the youngins with your "insights" in the big showbiz world.

Z-I-N-G-!


No pussyfooting here!

[LeedyGuy]

UTFSF!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

the 012's are great, but theyre super directional and not anything like an LDC like the mxl2001. i just used those on a session and they sounded great. the top end curve really gives the sound of the stick hitting stuff good definition.

[Professor]

A dangerous thing to ask the opinion of what to buy next from a bunch of gear sluts - and terrible to see it decline into name calling.

This isn't politics guys.

As for the microphones, I for one would rather see you get a pair of the Audio Technica 30-series mics. They are not as cheap as the others, but they among the best price/performance ratio available. They are reliable, consistent from mic to mic and day to day, warranteed, sonically fairly neutral, and the company has great service and support from real, live Americans. Better to INVEST in a good pair of mics that will be a nice foundation to a well-stocked cabinet. If you really, really must have four mics right now, then you don't have many options, but if you can swing getting a pair of mics to use for the next few months I think you'll learn how best to use those mics in many situations, and have a better sense of what direction to go in 6 months time, when you've saved enough for the next pair.

-Jeremy

[JES]

This isn't politics guys.

Apparently it is.

-*-

But you're right that a good rule for buying is to get stuff you can grow with, rather than grow out of.

As for UTFSF, sure, but it's okay if some beginner threads repeat. Part of what makes a BBS great is being a good resouce for beginners.

--JES

[wayne kerr]

and terrible to see it decline into name calling

Jeremy, I'm afraid it started long before this thread...

Sis

[Chris_Avakian]

once again...those akg c 430 overheads are on sale in musicians friend for 200 dollars. a pair. a matched pair im guessing since they both come in the same box.

ive owned the oktavas in question,and i think these things blow them away.

with the sale price its somthing you should get on right now.

do it!

[LeedyGuy]

once again...those akg c 430 overheads are on sale in musicians friend for 200 dollars. a pair. a matched pair im guessing since they both come in the same box.

ive owned the oktavas in question,and i think these things blow them away.

with the sale price its somthing you should get on right now.

do it!

Hm....everything i read about these mics says theyre more tailored for live than studio. since youve used them, care to elaborate on the "blowing away" aspects?

[b3groover]

and the company has great service and support from real, live Americans.

Not to be an ass, but isn't Audio Technica a Japanese company?

[Professor]

Service and support has always been through Stow, OH and/or their reps locally, but you may be right on the parent front - I can't recall.

Those little AKG 430s do look interesting, so I'd be interestedin your opinions on them as well. At first I was thinking of the C-460 and couldn't imagine those going so cheaply, but those little 430s could be useful for the odd difficult placement situation.

As for what overheads to buy, someone paraphrased me very nicely up there, and I'll go a little further on that - get mics that will grow with you, not ones that you'll grow out of.

-Jeremy

[MusicMan]

KM-84's - these mics are sick! They can really capture all the lows mids and highs and somehow they all sound clear. I got an amazing drum kit sound using just one of these mics about 4 feet out in front and off to the right. 1 mic on a kit and it got everything - you can't beat that.

[Chris_Avakian]

well for one.they are better matched.i didnt have to spend a whole day at gc fiddling around with ever one they have to pic two that were simmilar. im not an expert on discribing sound,or anything,but they seem a bit brighter to me,and they pic up my toms better at the same time? i dont know. im only using 4 mics on a 4 peice kit with 2 cymbals,and they seem to pick everything up better as a whole than the oktavas.they feel better in my hand,and hell...ive got a big p.a. sitting here with me,so that they are better suited for live sound helps me out too,doesnt it?

im not so worried about dropping the c430s as i was the oktavas(thats how i lost my other one)

ive only had them so far for a few days,and havent done much other than just track myself,but if you'd like i'll elaborate more once i put them in a mix,and give you some vauge ass engineer terms on how they sound...how bout that?

dick