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I haven't used those Blue Hummingbirds, but my go-to tom SDCs are Oktava MK-012s. They can be had for about the same price.

Nate Dort wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:52 am I haven't used those Blue Hummingbirds, but my go-to tom SDCs are Oktava MK-012s. They can be had for about the same price.

I picked up another used 012 during shutdown for $50. Cheapest I've seen. Couldn't pass it by. Kinda a "can go on anything" mic. I have 3 now, and almost never reach for the SM81's anymore if not for the smaller size alone. Anyone have experience with the LDC capsule for these? I only have cardioid SDC and am thinking about picking up 2 omni caps and maybe one of the LDC.

Not to derail this thread, but do most folks feel like condenser mics are the way to go for toms? That's what I am using (Audio Technica ATM-450 presently, MC-012s before that) and they sound good, but I sometimes wonder, "this is a pretty dumb instrument, with not a huge frequency range or detail, etc - can I just get away with a couple decent dynamics? Do they really merit a class of mic known for its sensitivity and detail?"

twelvepoint wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 3:26 pm Not to derail this thread, but do most folks feel like condenser mics are the way to go for toms? That's what I am using (Audio Technica ATM-450 presently, MC-012s before that) and they sound good, but I sometimes wonder, "this is a pretty dumb instrument, with not a huge frequency range or detail, etc - can I just get away with a couple decent dynamics? Do they really merit a class of mic known for its sensitivity and detail?"

I'm kinda with you there. Granted a guy I just recorded with top and bottom mic'd both toms with SDCs, and though I have fairly good cymbal restraint I wonder how often those bright, detailed mics contribute to cymbal bleed and stereo swooshiness. And I'd bet you I'd be just as satisfied with the sound of Sennheiser 421s..

twelvepoint wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 3:26 pm Not to derail this thread, but do most folks feel like condenser mics are the way to go for toms? That's what I am using (Audio Technica ATM-450 presently, MC-012s before that) and they sound good, but I sometimes wonder, "this is a pretty dumb instrument, with not a huge frequency range or detail, etc - can I just get away with a couple decent dynamics? Do they really merit a class of mic known for its sensitivity and detail?"

Toms is the main thing I use MK-012 for. Also I like them on snare. I will often use MK-012 on top of toms and a Beta 52, D112, or a AT Pro25 on the bottom if I'm feeling like running more cables, but 90% of the time I only mic the tops.

penningtron wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 3:44 pm

twelvepoint wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 3:26 pm Not to derail this thread, but do most folks feel like condenser mics are the way to go for toms? That's what I am using (Audio Technica ATM-450 presently, MC-012s before that) and they sound good, but I sometimes wonder, "this is a pretty dumb instrument, with not a huge frequency range or detail, etc - can I just get away with a couple decent dynamics? Do they really merit a class of mic known for its sensitivity and detail?"

I'm kinda with you there. Granted a guy I just recorded with top and bottom mic'd both toms with SDCs, and though I have fairly good cymbal restraint I wonder how often those bright, detailed mics contribute to cymbal bleed and stereo swooshiness. And I'd bet you I'd be just as satisfied with the sound of Sennheiser 421s..

Totally, dynamics work. 421s are fine. Their bleed is a little weird sounding, and they're just solid enough on the job for me not to totally understand their legendary status on toms. You can get the standard 'live sound engineer' Sennhesier e604's for a song, and they're just as good if not better than the 421. That said, I am saving for Josephson e22s but I've been doing this so long I'm chasing a unicorn.

Thanks for the input! Probably gonna leave my ATM450s up because they’re side address and sound fine, but am curious about what you all thought.

There are 421s on my toms right now and they're fine. I was thinking about a condenser because I built the mic-parts "snare mic" last year and love it. Going from a dynamic to a condenser on snare made a big difference to me, so I was curious about doing the same for toms. As I'm typing this out, I realize I haven't tried the snare mic on toms yet. Should probably do that.

(The "snare mic" is, as their website describes it: "...a high-SPL modification of our very popular SDC-84. Both are modern recreations of the famous Neumann KM84.")

I've been using some older Audio Technica ATM31a mics on toms for a bit after reading about them somewhere. Condenser/cardioid vocal mics that perform pretty well if you're looking for something different, and they are still affordable.

Alright, I know one amp's watts do not equal another, but here's a funny idea I've just stumbled on.

I used to play with a 100 watt (or more) head through a 2x12, or a 4x12.

Suddenly I've got a 50 watt head (Traynor Reverb Master). Still plenty of volume there. Then I end up with a 30 watt combo amp as well (Dr. Z Jetta, shut up, I'm old). Then cause I'm a dumb electric guitarist I decide I should run both. At rehearsal with both of their dials set a little left of noon and it sounds godly, but is totally too loud for reasonable humans.

So is a 50 watt, and a 30 watt used in combination, more powerful than a single 100 watt amp?