G'day Paul,
I agree about dynamics - in my setup they are the best option - condensors generally pick up too much ambient noise (the ocean, the tractor across the road etc).
Dynamics I have and where they're set currently:
2 x Heil PR40s - one on hats / one testing in different positions as OH
2 x MD441s - one on snare / one on ride
2 x RE320s - BDs outside but moving to BD inside tonight
2 x SM57s - these are for sale to help fund a pair of M88s
The 2 x Little Blondies (omni) and last night's tests deserve a little story of their own....
test 1/ through a ferrograph tube pre (series 4 / 2-channel / C1964) and the sound is very close to what I'm after
- a little crystally and overall really warm - very happy with this as a room sound
test 2/ through an Elcom germanium pre (2-channel / C1960) - the result was totally unexpected
- I was searching for "the cymbal sound" and found "the tom sound"
- the best way I can describe it is "round, warm and mellow" - I was astounded and am still grinning
So tonight's plan is to repeat the tests using a pair of NT1s for OH in XY and AB positions - hopefully I'll get time to try the AWA BAR pres also (germanium / late '50s)....
Perhaps I should do some recording, but then you guys would get to hear me playing.....