Overheads

Let's talk about kits and mics, new and old. What are you using? What do you want? What's the difference?

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Overheads

Postby AussieJR » Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:11 pm

I am looking to get new mics that I will use predominantly as overheads but if possible have them good at something else as well. I have heard Rode NT5's are ok but fairly harsh, mxl 603's keep getting good comments, oktava o12's are hard to come by but well worth it I'm told.

I was looking for some suggestions obviously this is not high end but something reasonable would be great.

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Re: Overheads

Postby mylesgm » Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:05 pm

Oktavas are an excellent choice and are not hard to come by at all. Ebay USA has several sellers that sell the entire oktava range and they are well priced. haven't liked the nt5 when compared to more expensive mics but they are a solid performer at a very reasonable price.

Other options are c451 or c460, which can sometimes be had second hand quite cheaply. I have a pair of JZ BT201 with interchangeable caps and they are quite nice too. of course there are lots of options that aren't small diaphragm condensors and people often forget that many of the classic recordings were done with u87, u67 etc as overheads so dont be shy to try your LD too.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Ausrock » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:07 pm

Yep, gotta agree with Oktava 012's. The 603's are IMHO too bright, like them on some acoustics but not o/head duties.

B-)
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Re: Overheads

Postby Chris H » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:27 pm

The AKG C451EB is a great suggestion and a very versatile mic. Another great option is the Carillion Axis 90 dual ribbon mic. I love these when you want the whole kit in the overheads. I find they need a bit of a cut around 350 to increase gain before feedback for live work and a bit of a boost of a high shelf and the whole kit is there.
http://www.carillonaudio.com/products/m ... es/ribbon/
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Re: Overheads

Postby NathS101 » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:01 am

I've heard nothing but great reports on the BeesNeez Lulu, will hopefully be buying a pair soon for OH/acoustics/live ambience.
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Re: Overheads

Postby GlennS » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:49 am

I agree that Oktava MC012's are pretty good for overheads. They're good for other things too, even vocals sometimes.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:59 am

I'm using a pair of Rode NT1s and am happy with them ;-)
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Re: Overheads

Postby AussieJR » Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:58 pm

Has anyone tried sE Electronics sE1A's? I'm thinking of the Advanced Audio CM54's. Has anyone tried these in Australia?
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Re: Overheads

Postby chribble » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:39 pm

ive been using little blondies when i record but theyre omni
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Re: Overheads

Postby mylesgm » Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:17 pm

I dont have the "AA CM54" but I did buy a pair of chinese pencils from the factory that makes those and I also have enough experience with Dave Thomas to read his lines and know that they are exactly the same minus the AA badge. His statement "The CM-54 with the OMNI capsule fitted is becoming an industry favorite on acoustic guitar." is referring to an industry that I know nothing of. Having heard (and used) the chinese pencils on several sources I can categorically state I never use them on anything but when I wont risk damaging any other pencil condenser but still need a SDC or when I loan them out when my clients need something to do a specific job. Do they sound like a SDC? yes as all mics of a similar design sound more like each other than they do mics of a completely different design. Will you love them? not if you also listen to my 451 pair, JZ pair, km85 pair etc. And at 225us each you can probably get a used pair of 451b for not much more and they will last you the rest of your recording career. In fact I saw a mint secondhand pair of 451e for 325 each BIN and no one bid. I'm not discouraging you from exploring other options but there are reasons why certain mics have stood the test of time...
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Re: Overheads

Postby The Tasmanian » Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:59 am

I'm with Myles - after having many great mics to do overheads with - now all I generally want to use is old 451's
And they are amazing on acoustics, snare and so many other apps
Some amazing orchestra recordings have been done on them in the past too.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Damien » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:13 am

bright 451's. faat mojave m200's. clean dpa's. yuk se's..
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:21 pm

chribble wrote:ive been using little blondies when i record but theyre omni


I just got a Little Blondie from Ben and it is a fantastic mic - rich and warm sounding - unbelievable for the size and price. Just set it up in MS pattern with a STM5000 (tube) and am astounded at the sound.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Ben M » Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:49 pm

Drumstruck wrote:
chribble wrote:ive been using little blondies when i record but theyre omni


I just got a Little Blondie from Ben and it is a fantastic mic - rich and warm sounding - unbelievable for the size and price. Just set it up in MS pattern with a STM5000 (tube) and am astounded at the sound.



Glad you like the blondie Ian. Nice to see you using omni in the MS config. Most go for figure 8/cardioid but omni can be broader/pickup more space when positioned well and from my experience produce very good results. Love MS!!
I've found that a little notch out around 600hz makes those little mics sound great.
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Re: Overheads

Postby dave01.cooper » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:01 am

another +1 for LuLu's on OHs, seem to just 'fit' everything in where they should be - tonality they're 2nd to none. Certainly taken my preference over our 451s but these were purchased new in the last 4 years so not the older capsule which tend to take preference when choosing these mics.

The Cascade fatheads either as a mono over the drummers head or spaced pair are also sweet for a warmer/richer tone. Be careful you've got sturdy stands though as they're heavy buggers!

Beez Neez Arabella's also work a treat too. Different sound yet again though...

Cheers
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Re: Overheads

Postby waitup » Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:42 pm

At work we have these AKG C28Bs which seem to do good things for overheads, but I don't think they're overly obtainable...
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Re: Overheads

Postby Hookemeister » Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:24 pm

I've got a pair of MXL 603's that I modified and they sound pretty good, certainly not too bright, but if you can afford them, I'd get a pair of AKG 451EB's or go crazy and get a pair of Neumann KM84's.
The 451's and the KM84's are very versatile mics.

Ribbons are good too, a little dark maybe, just depends on what you're recording and what kind of sound you're after... it's personal.
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Re: Overheads

Postby ChrisW » Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:14 pm

I prefer the darker overheads.
I find 451's a bit too bright - or maybe it's my 451, or my cymbals.
The thing about the darker ribbon mics is that they usually take eq'ing well. I know guys who usually crank the top end on a Coles and it often sounds wonderful.

I love km84's. Not cheap though.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Chris H » Sun Oct 16, 2011 3:34 pm

ChrisW wrote:I prefer the darker overheads.
I find 451's a bit too bright - or maybe it's my 451, or my cymbals.
The thing about the darker ribbon mics is that they usually take eq'ing well. I know guys who usually crank the top end on a Coles and it often sounds wonderful.

I love km84's. Not cheap though.


Re the 451's sounding a bit bright, I found when moving from mostly recording to tape to recording to digital, that where I would have formally used the AKG 451's I would often select something a bit softer sounding for overheads and I think it has as much to do with the transient response of the mic as the eq. Stav covered this concept when referring to matching the hardness factor of mic and sound source. The km 84 is definitely a softer sounding mic than the 451, and the ribbon's transient response is just the ticket when recording a harder signal to digital. I think it also relates to the difference to recording to tape and digital mediums. I initially found digital really hard sounding until i learnt to change mic selection and preamp gain settings etc. Another factor is I think preamps with transformers rather than electronically balanced are a better match for recording to digital when recording drums.
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Re: Overheads

Postby ChrisW » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:18 am

Yes, I think the tape vs digital thing might be the issue.
Still, back in the tape days the Coles 4038 was a popular overhead.
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:32 pm

resurrecting an older thread for some more thoughts on this topic...

currently experimenting with a modified Decca Tree - using a pair of little blondies (woodies that is) as the wides and a pair of NT1s (XY) as the centre... more to come :ympray:
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Re: Overheads

Postby Chinagraf » Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:35 pm

Jebus.....how big is your kit? :P
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Re: Overheads

Postby Chinagraf » Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:37 pm

It's okay I found a pic of it..
terry_bozzio_kit.jpg
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:55 pm

Chinagraf wrote:Jebus.....how big is your kit? :P


Terry wins - by the length of the straight.... (but I've still got a BD, a snare, a ride and hats being made)
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Re: Overheads

Postby Chinagraf » Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:58 pm

You need more cymbals! I see space on the left hand side..
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Fri Aug 16, 2013 5:11 pm

I must apologise Andy - you are right - but you may see the 4 empty boom arms where 4 x chinas are normally mounted - I have them down atm whilst I get the Decca Tree setup :ymhug:
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Re: Overheads

Postby Wiz » Fri Aug 16, 2013 5:53 pm

Drumstruck wrote:
Chinagraf wrote:Jebus.....how big is your kit? :


Terry wins - by the length of the straight.... (but I've still got a BD, a snare, a ride and hats being made)


I would kill, to be in the room when you turn up for an audition...

;)
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Sat Aug 17, 2013 11:11 am

Wiz wrote:
Drumstruck wrote:
Chinagraf wrote:Jebus.....how big is your kit? :


Terry wins - by the length of the straight.... (but I've still got a BD, a snare, a ride and hats being made)


I would kill, to be in the room when you turn up for an audition...

;)


Oh..... You're assuming I can actually play them? Oh dear....
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Re: Overheads

Postby Wiz » Sat Aug 17, 2013 11:45 am

Oh..... You're assuming I can actually play them? Oh dear...



I meant more from the perspective of watching everyone elses faces, as you make 72 trips to the car =))
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Re: Overheads

Postby Drumstruck » Sat Aug 17, 2013 2:11 pm

:)) and there you have it in 1 why I don't gig....

the pic doesn't show it but the rack is on casters so it can hinge in the middle and roll away with all cymbals and hanging toms in place (then there's everything else of course)...

whilst I love talking about my drums I'll divert back to topic on overheads - any love for the Decca Tree anyone?
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