Best Mic Kit for 2013?

[Kenster]

So, all you A kit players out there, what's the best bang for my buck, mic kit wise? I need a full set of mics for 6 piece A kit, including stands and two overheads. I see the Audix brand doing well and has some decent priced kits, and I'm also a fan of Shure. What's everyone using these days? I also saw a Hosa brand sub-snake on sale for arounf $80 that will work nicely I'm sure.

K ;-)

[hairmetal-81]

May I, Ken?


Cross-brand mic kit!

[Bassdrum] AKG D-12 VR:
The successor to the regular D-112 (the one shaped like an egg!) Now it has a black finish, and built-in filter with three presets. It can be used with or without phantom power.










[Snare] Audix i-5:
Think of the characteristics of a Shure SM-57, although with a much better build-quality and professionalism.






[Toms] Sennheiser Evolution e604:
A bit older already, but still a benchmark IMO. They are compact in size, have good adjustments, and a very nice clamping mechanism.







[Overhead] DPA 4090
DPA's (ex-'Bruel & Kjaer') more affordable ones, I think. They are an omni-pattern condenser, so they'll cover the whole room.




OR


[Overhead] AKG C-414 XL
A large diaphragm studio-condenser, with switchable patterns. An long-running, well established classic, now in updated form. If 'bright' is what you want with overheads, these have almost 'built-in aural exciter'-quality top-end. Works well for acoustic guitar and vocals, too!







OR



[Overheads] Neumann KM-184:
A small-diaphragm condenser, and a good one ..... if you've got the money!










HTH

[Greg The Groove]

Even while in school for audio engineering and any gig I've done, I've used Shure SM57s on every tom and snare since forever and I love them. They are so versatile. I used the Shure kick drum mic that's a studio standard also. You might want to consider using a kick drum mic on a floor tom that's larger than a 16" tom to produce rich low end frequencies. The most expensive options will be for overhead mics. These tend to be expensive for nice ones. Any of the ones mentioned above would be great.

[perceval]

Are you on a budget?

If so, MF is having a sale on a 7-piece set of mics and there was a thread about them in here not so long ago.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...7-piece?pfm=sp

http://www.vdrums.com/forum/forum/ac...ap-budget-mics

[Kenster]

Great suggestions so far guys. I have to add up the cost of a multi brand kit. My budget is less than $1000, rather keep it closer to $500. So far the Audix kits seem to be the all in one solutions including cases, clips, stands, etc. Anyone have any bad experiences with them?

K ;-)

[Greg The Groove]

Check out this Shure package complete even with overhead mic stands and cables. Kinda cool, good price too for a package. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...package?pfm=sp

[allanjohn]

Not sure of your needs - recording, live performance, etc, but on the Audix website, Mike Synder does a great demo with just a kick, snare and two overhead mics. Given his results, I wonder if we really need these big seven-piece rigs?

[Greg The Groove]

Yea I've seen videos on YouTube of AMAZING results even using just one mic right in the middle of the kit above the toms. I'm sure for recording albums in studios I'd have the whole shebang. Live, you might very well be able to get away with kick, snare and OH mics. Great point indeed!

[hairmetal-81]

Not sure of your needs - recording, live performance, etc, but on the Audix website, Mike Synder does a great demo with just a kick, snare and two overhead mics. Given his results, I wonder if we really need these big seven-piece rigs?

That's a very justified question....

[Greg The Groove]

I found this video really useful as the drummer speaks about several OH micing techniques as well as kick and snare micing techniques and why you do them to achieve the different sounds. Cool thing is, I was very familiar with most as this is exactly how we were taught in school to mic the drum kit in studio and live situations

[Greg The Groove]

http://vimeo.com/26243304

[allanjohn]

Greg, you're a mind-reader. That's exactly the video I had in mind - he achieves some very impressive stuff with four "inexpensive" mics.

[Greg The Groove]

Yea that was pretty amazing stuff there.

[hairmetal-81]

....and then, there is of course:

The famous 'Glyn Johns miking technique', using 3 Neumann U67 (...and Bonham's magic!)
http://therecordingrevolution.com/20...ording-method/

[Intruder]

Kenster, If you wait awhile you will probably win a set the way things are going for you! LOL

[Greg The Groove]

HAHAHAHA that was awesome

[Kenster]

Well..haven't been able to find any contests to win a mic kit...yet! FYI, the mic kit is for playing live, not necessarily recording.


What do you guys think of the CAD brand?


K ;-)

[hairmetal-81]

For 'budget mics' they seem nice.

That said: I've read 'Best' and 'Current' (2013), and was under the impression you'd like to search for "The Best Microphones available Today" ....something like that!

[hairmetal-81]

And lo and behold, my posts are going through....

This has become something like watching a Roulette ball.... :-/

[Peter Warren]

The cheap Audio Technica mics are much better than CAD mics, especially the 2021 condenser. I would strongly suggest getting a good kick mic like an Audix D6 or Shure beta 52. Then add a 57 or audix I5. next you could add tom mics if needed.

I rarely bring anything other than a kick mic. If the venues are big enough for full micing, they usually already have them. What type of gigs are you doing? Do you bring your own PA?

Vocal mics will pick up a lot of drum bleed. I have only needed an overhead at outdoor festivals or large venues.

I always say to people, nobody tells me at the end of the gig that they wished it was louder!

Peter