Mic Pre for Drums

[Elmo]

What are the top three pre amps for mic'ing drums?

[michaelhoddy]

Well, that'll depend on which drums or overheads and which mics you are talking about, but in general pop/rock practice, it usually ends up as follows:

1. Neve (1272/1073/1081/etc)
2. Neve (1272/1073/1081/etc)
3. API

There's lots of other fun stuff out there, two of my personal favorites being the Great River MP-2NV (similar to the Neves, but more flexible, with tighter bottom, and cleaner) and the Daking 52270 (nice compliment to the Neves, very fast, and great EQ section). I also have a Buzz Audio MA 2.2 that's much less colored sounding than the above, but is magic on kick and snare or overheads.

[Elmo]

I am looking for pres for the whole kit. I am writting getting ready to start recording a progressive rock project.Double bass and lots of toms.
I do not have great mics but here's the list.
1. Kiks-Sen.421's
2. Snare-Sure 57
3. H.H. & X-hat- Sure BG4.1's
4. Toms Sure Beta 98'S
5. Overheads Audio Tech Pro 37R
Is their a mic that is a must have for something?
Anyway Thanks for your time.
Elmer

[BradLyons]

Well, there ar e lots of options to choose from.... one product that gives you an incredible bang for the buck and is just PERFECT for drums is the True Systems Precision 8. This is an 8-ch preamp that has a very fast response and takes a lot of SPL. It also has a nice analog kind of warmth to it when the signal is cranked through it. I do have a bit of experience in recording drums for ProgRock... The kit I used to record had (10) Toms, (2) Kicks, (2) Snares, and (9) Cymbals. EVERYTHING was individually miked plus some room microphones...and the snares each had (2) microphones. Easy? NO! Affordable? NO! Worth it?? ABSOLUTELY.... now, you don't need to go that overboard, but what I would recommend is to put those MD421's on the Toms, get a BeyerDynamic Opus 65 for the Kick, leave the SM57's on the Snare, and get some nice condensers for the cymbals.... An AKG C451B would be perfect for close-miking the Hat and Ride, even a pair of them as overheads as well....

[michaelhoddy]

Mic-wise, you seem to be in decent shape. A couple comments:

-It's interesting that you picked MD421's for the kick drums. Good choice! They're also my favorite, and I prefer them significantly over the more usual AKG D112 or Shure Beta 52. You can get a great sound with these inside the bass drums and an LD condenser like a Soundelux U195 or even a ribbon mic (Royer R121) outside.

-Your overhead condensers and hi-hat mics could use an upgrade. I'd do this before sinking too much into preamps.

-If you get some Vintech 1272 channels for kick and snare, it'll be a great start. They're not too expensive, are right in line with the "authentic" Neve sound, and Sweetwater has 'em.

[Elmo]

Thanks, you guys for info. I already figured on buying new condensors. I use a Mackie Pro1604 with 8 outs so I like to sub the toms and close mic the rest.(except overheads of course) However I just finished writting a drum method book titled "Rock Drumming John Bonham Style" so I plan to use a three or four (distant) mic'ing technique for the accompany CD for this book. Do you still use condensors overhead when you have good pre's? Is there a great mic that will mic close H.H. and/or overhead?
I am checking into all your suggestions.
Thanks
Elmer

[Ted]

If you're looking at distant microphones, try one of the Royers. They make great room microphones, and they'll wow you on kick as well.

Also, have you looked at the Earthworks microphones for overheads? They're very clean, accurate microphones, and would also make good room microphones. Right now I've got a Royer out a few feet from my kick and a pair of Earthworks overhead, and even though I have microphones on the kick and toms as well, sometimes I like the sound more without 'em (although for progressive stuff, close microphones are almost a necessity for every drum...but Brad, did you mike each of those nine cymbals individually? Yikes!).

One other suggestion is try asking these questions on the "Beat Box" forum. You may find some people over there who dont' frequent this forum.

Best of luck...

-Ted

[BradLyons]

I heavily agree with Ted on the Royer's, they are amazing. I was shocked that a ribbon would not only work on a kick, but sound so amazing on one. Not cheap, but the best investment you could ever make in microphones....

[Elmo]

I know of a couple of studios here in Cincinnati that are using Earthworks and like them. I need to check them out. Right now I have enough bucks to buy two overheads and a H.H. mic that I'll never want to upgrade. All your input is helpful. I am also going to look into the Royers.
Thanks
Elmer