[redbaron]

I've been getting on overheads by actually close mic'ing my cymbals with some beta57's, but frankly they're very nice mics and I have better things that I could be doing with them.

I am thinking that a set of inexpensive condensors would do the trick, the question is what. These came up in an email from musicians friend, and at $50 for 2 (buy one get one free) it's tempting to just pull the trigger...

Buy CAD CM217 Condenser Mic - Buy One, Get One Free | Condenser Microphones | Musician's Friend

At this point I'm using a Senn e602 for the kick, audix d2 for the toms, and SM57 for the snare, so it's decently well covered, other than the overhead. I'd like something that's at least decent (albeit cheap) since i'm going to start recording stuff.

[Gustin]

The problem with cheapo condensers on overheads is that they're known for attenuating the high end in a really fizzly, not pleasing way. IMO you're probably better off leaving the dynamics on them.. you'll probably get a sorta cool slight high-end roll off with those.

That said... for 50 bucks it's worth the shot... if they don't work on the overheads I'm sure you can find something they will work on somewhere.

[akaukal]

I'm with Gustin. I tried a few different cheaper condensors when my band was recording our album, but the cymbals frankly sounded like crap and were way to fizzly in the high end not matter what I did. I just used 57's, and the problem was solved.

[surferdude9375]

The cheapest, decent microphones I know to be usable for drum overheads are Audix f15s. Other than that, what the two post above have said.

[Maestro_dmc]

Oktava MK-012's sound really good. If you can get em used you might be set.

[redbaron]

surferdudenumbers, I'd been looking at the F15's and in the price bracket I'm looking at they're about the best I can afford. The oktava's were quite a bit over. I found a pair of F15's for $114 shipped (new) which seems pretty reasonable.

I figure I'll give 'em a shot, I've been using some of the Audix i5's and have been quite happy with them.

[Gustin]

Almost anything that's under 300-400 dollars is likely to sit in that cheap condenser range... it's very likely that they're gonna have that nasty high end spike. Audix makes some great stuff, but it's very likely that they'll end up there too. Just warning. (In fact it's very likely that the capsules for most of these were all made in the same factory).

There are some exceptions, but that's generally the rule. And it's not that that's a bad thing... it's just a characteristic of those mics and they just might not work in those situations... I've found they can sound killer on acoustic guitars and some vocals... where that hype is a good thing.

[ibanez_dude]

Good luck, I hope they work out. You've got the rest of the kit covered with some great stuff, but you may find that these overheads are not going to match up :/ ...

[nbfan]

I've got those mics. I use them for drum overheads, acoustic guitars, and once for voice-over. I definitely don't experience the high-end fizz. If anything there's too much low-mid.

[redbaron]

They just came in the mail, so I'll probably try a couple different things with 'em this week, I'd like to compare them to a few of my existing mics just in terms of clarity/warmth/freq. response.

I'm not going to measure it so it'll be subjective, but I figure i'll give 'em a chance back to back with a beta 57/58, audix i5 and AT-6100 in a variety of roles just to get a good feel for what they can do. Obviously I want to use 'em as drum overheads but I may try playing around a bit with 'em for some vocals as well.

[Gustin]

Sounds great. I'd love to hear your report on them.