opinion on akg drum mics?

[haydenstudios1985]

hi guys,
been recording drums from home for a little while and want to upgrade my mics, ive been looking at the akg c1000s condensor mics for overheads as they seem realistically priced for my budget but ive heard mixed opinions about them. some say they are great for overheads if your not micing the toms and some say they have a real harsh tone on the cymbals etc.. i like to mic the toms so im wandering if they have phase issues thats why people say they are no so good, does anyone have a more detailed opinion? i primarily record metal and hardcore drums so the need for clean crisp cymbals isnt as much of an importance but still obviously desired. any help would be great-
also- i have a c2000b condensor that i was planning on trying out as a room mic, am i wasting my time or is it worth giving it a go?

and finally i am tossing up between an akg d112 kick mic and a beyer m88, obviously akg is cheaper and an industry standard, but metal and hardcore rely on a good strong thumping kick drum so any thoughts on that?

i know there are a million different opinions on this one but with the mics i am looking at getting- what would be the most practical tom mics to get? i was looking at the sehnheiser e604 or the akg d220.
any help, advise or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Hayden

[ferguson66]

The AKG d112 kick mic is the same price as a Shure Beta 52a or an Audix D6. You probably can't go wrong with either of these 3.

I've never used an AKG mic so I can't really help you out here. I wish I had access to a wide range of mics to do side by side comparisons on, it sure would help me make the right mic decisions on recordings.

[haydenstudios1985]

thanks fergusson, i will probably go with the d112 because ive used one before and quite liked it, and ill probably do more research before i go ahead and buy the overheads, at the moment ive got a cheap shitty drum mic set and a couple of sm57s. the kit came with 2 plastic little pencil overheads that take a AA battery and really dont cut it haha!
what i do have is an old vintage sehnheiser MD421 that ive been using as a kick mic and it actually sounded better than alot of mics ive used on the kick, but still not the best. so for that i just went and bought drumagog n patched it up with that, i want to put up a sample of drums and guide guitar i did last week for you guys to have a listen see what yous think. how do i go about doing that?
then maybe i could get some pointers on my mix and maybe mic placement etc?

[ferguson66]

Make an MP3 and you just attach it to your forum post just like you would attach a file to your e-mail.

There is a recording review forum section where people post recording and everyone gives their opinions.

[thesilentdrummer]

A lot of the big boys I have read about use the d112, for what its worth. The old-timers are keen for the MD421 on the kick. You are certainly not far off by your current use. I hear that the MD421's are badass on toms, if you can get 1 or 2 more of those (somewhat pricey) mics. Either of your other choices is acceptable on the toms. I am even pleased with my $60 (retail price, I got them for $30) Shure PG57's.

[haydenstudios1985]

cool, thanks for your advise, like i said i reckon i will definately go the d112 and yeah i might move the MD to the floor tom and get a couple of e604s for rack toms. yeah wont be buyin anymore MDs they are way outta my price range! the one i have was given to me by my dad who used to do live sound for bands, its an old timer (about 20years old) so its a bit worn but still sounds ok. i put a track i recently mixed up on the recording review forum if you would like to check it out?
thanks again mate-
Hayden

[brandondrury]

i like to mic the toms so im wandering if they have phase issues thats why people say they are no so good

All microphones are equally susceptible to phase issues. (I guess certain polar patterns would reduce the effect though). So there is nothing about the AKG C1000 microphones that would be any different than X condenser mic in cardiod.

and finally i am tossing up between an akg d112 kick mic and a beyer m88, obviously akg is cheaper and an industry standard, but metal and hardcore rely on a good strong thumping kick drum so any thoughts on that?

By far, I'd recommend the Shure Beta 91 for recording kick drum in metal. It's been the best mic for this application by far in my experience. The D112 is much better suited for an AC/DC back in black kind of sound.

The old-timers are keen for the MD421 on the kick.

With lots of EQ the MD 421 can work for metal, but it would not be my first choice. The 421 in the kick is kind of an old school sound like you hear on Dire Straits and Men At Work recordings. It's not nearly as meaty as the D112.

what would be the most practical tom mics to get?

I don't know what practical means, but I love my Oktava MK012s on toms.

[sergio]

This avatar is keeping me from posting! Hahaha!
Scares the shit out of me!

I like the d112 myself....

[brandondrury]

If you think that avatar is scary you should see me real picture!

Brandon

[sergio]

Hehehe!

I've seeing it and you are right! Hehe!

Just joking!

Man, congrats!

This is the coolest forum for audio related shit out there.

Thanks for helping, Brandon and also to the other people that makes this happen!