So I've started to do a little more recording, and I've decided that just having a bunch of shitty SM58-style dynamic mics is not going to be cutting it anymore, and so I'm going to be adding something to the collection. I've been checking out our one real local store, and I've narrowed it down to two things for the moment. So here is my little audio Thunderdome:

Beyer 7-piece drum mic set vs. Apex PZM mic (used)!!

Here's the rundown, as I see it, for each.

APEX
+ it's only $110, so it's cheaper than the Beyer set
+ PZMs are very cool/hard to find around these parts
+ liable to be snapped up soon, so I may have to buy it quickly if I want it at all
- used (though it seems in god condition)
- I don't know if PZMs have THAT wide of a range of use (though I could be wrong)

BEYER
+ drum mics are important for any studio
+ this set was apparently voted the best drum mic set in its price range, or something
+ cost per mic works out to be lower than that of the Apex
+ seven mics in one shot!
- drum mics can be bought anywhere at any time
- guaranteed use at every session, whereas that might not be the case with the PZM (though again, I could be wrong)
- three and a half times the price of the Apex (though that doesn't worry me too much)

Which should I go for??

Forced to make a choice I would stick with the Germans. Go Beyer.

An apex was something I tried to perfect as a bike racer, not a microphone company. Beyer 100%

I love those wacky Germans. Beyer. And I've regretted most of my Apex purchases.

If you dont have much in the way of mics, then there really isnt any question in this choice -- get the drum mics.

If you had to choose between the Beyers and say an AKG 414 or something, then the decision would be a little tougher, but a PZM is just too limited in possible applications to really be a contender.

I don't even know why I'm posting. I'm in agreement with all previous responses. Regard this purely as a vanity post.

Beyer.

What mics are you getting in the Beyer set? I'd tend to stick with a smaller number of known-good mics, although Beyer haven't really made much crap stuff apart from the mics they made for the domestic markey a while back.

i guess they are the opus series, 88, 99 and 53