When it comes to recording drums, you need microphones that capture the sound with the best accuracy. The mic or mics must capture the depth and nuances of the drums. Otherwise, you lose the best parts of the performance. A good pair of overhead drum mics catch all the hits and rolls as the drummer performs. When you listen to the recording, it should be true to the original performance.
We don’t have to tell you that drum gear and accessories can be expensive. After all that investment, not to mention the time you spend honing your skills, why waste a killer performance on the wrong mic?
One of the best investments you can make is to invest in a quality pair of overhead drum mics. Luckily, you can do that without breaking your budget. You can get a good pair of paired mics for under $200. If you are going for professional-grade equipment, expect to pay more. However, small-diaphragm paired mics are the way to go if you are a beginner.
If you are looking for the best overhead mic for drums, take a look at our top five picks. We have reviewed paired mics only, as matched microphones enable you to record the best stereo sound. Whether you are shopping for your first pair of mics or want a backup pair for your studio, any of the five models reviewed are smart choices.
We have also included a buyer’s guide at the end of this article to help you determine which features to look for, depending on your intended use.
1. Behringer C-2 Matched Pair
The C-2 microphones by Behringer fall into the category of budget studio gear, especially because you get two mics for this price. They are plain and practical mics. Though, they are constructed well and perform well also. When used as drum overheads, they demonstrate a broad frequency response and create a very natural sound. For these reasons, many happy customers have chosen this model as the best overhead mic for drums.
Behringer C-2 Features
Even though these are compact mics, the C-2 pair hold their own. Even though it’s a compact device, the Behringer’s C-2 boast some quality hardware. Within, there is a low-mass diaphragm, which has a diameter of only 0.63” and has a frequency range from 20Hz-20kHz. They can handle a maximum SPL of 140dB. Behringer added a low-frequency roll-off switch, which has -10dB attenuation.
The C-2s are designed with FET circuitry, which keeps the noise low during use. These mics come with some welcome accessories, which are a padded hard-shell case, two wind shields, and two sets of mounts. They also come with gold-plated XLR connectors. So, to benefit from this feature, be sure you have a set of XLR cables and an audio interface with phantom power.
Sonic Characteristics
The C-2 condenser mics perform well. Because you have both mics working in tandem, they are ideal for studio work such as stereo, instrument, and live recording. They handle vocals well, though most users state that they work better with instruments.
You can easily record acoustic instruments, from guitars to drums. The C-2s provide excellent clarity and brightness for a realistic recording.
Advantages
The most significant advantage to the C-2 is that you receive two microphones for a single price. For an even better value, they come with a hard-shell case and windshields, to boot.
What’s more, they are as versatile as they are affordable. The frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz is generous as well. When used as drum overheads, users report that the mics record accurate raw drum sounds with as much clarity as the higher-priced models. Any mic requires proper mic technique. Provided you’re applying that, you’ll get a consistently clear sound out of the C-2s.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage we see with the C-2’s is that they don’t do as well with vocal recording as they do for acoustic instruments. The vocals can sometimes sound a bit thin.
2. Samson C02 Pencil Condensers
The Samson C02 is an inexpensive pair of microphones that perform well when it comes to stereo recording dialogue and other applications. These are a great option if you need a pair of backup mics or if you’re just getting started and need an affordable pair. The C02s make great overhead mics for drums because they capture the nuances and unique characteristics of your performances.
The C02 Pencil Condensers have a super-cardioid pickup pattern. They also have gold-plated XLR connectors. The mics come in a case with shock-mounted microphone clips.
Samson C02 Features
Small-diaphragm models like the Samson C02 have advantages over their larger counterparts. For example, they have a better off-axis response. That, along with a small acoustic shadow, makes them the go-to for various instrument recordings. The C02 is a classic “stick” style and measures 20 x 150mm.
They have a fixed cardioid pattern that comes close to the hyper-cardioid. They have a plated brass housing with gold-plated XLR pins that connect to the mic cable. These pencil mics come with small foam windshields as well as stand-mounting clips, which hold the mics within rubber sleeves.
The mics are reasonably sensitive at -40dBV/Pa and have a noise level of 22dBA. While these aren’t higher-end microphones, they are quiet enough for close-mic applications. As the product description indicates, these are adequate for drums overheads, acoustic guitar, and piano.
The max SPL is a 134dB, so the mics do well with guitar amps, drum kits, and instruments at similar sound levels.
Sonic Characteristics
The C02s provide detailed, well-rounded sound for acoustic guitars and percussion. When used as a drum overhead, the C02 works well also. Some users feel they got better results when rolling off some of the low-end.
They have a presence peak that brings out the cymbals while keeping the overall percussion sound smooth. They do fine with vocals as well when you use them with pop shields. Finally, the shock-mounts reduce the mid- and higher-frequency vibrations that make it to the mic.
Advantages
The C02s are inexpensive and provide a well-balanced sound just about all instruments. That’s the most considerable advantage here. Overall, they have a balanced, neutral sound. And they EQ well also, thus adding to their versatility.
Also, for such an attractive price, you can add a pair of these basic, small-diaphragm mics to your home studio.
Disadvantages
One downside is that there is somewhat of an indifferent noise performance. Some users have stated that vocals end up sounding flat and empty. With wind instruments, they tend to sound better when capturing loud sounds, as they reflected noise with the quieter sounds. Higher-end microphones produce less noise and have more focused sound.
3. SE Electronics SE7
The sE7 is a small-diaphragm condenser mic that is designed for acoustic instruments. The mic has class-A circuitry, a transformer-less output, attenuation, and low-cut switches. The mics come as a set and were matched at the factory to give you the best stereo imaging possible.
The sE7 is well-suited for many instruments, in particular, pianos, guitars, and drums. These mics have such balanced sound quality that they perfectly capture the drums, making your recording completely transparent and natural.
sE7 Features
The sE7 pair also comes with microphone clips, foam pop filters, and windscreens for added value. The mics have an all-metal chassis, which adds to their durability.
You’ll find a 20dB attenuation pad in each mic that you can switch out when needed. The pads enable you to use the mics with louder instruments. In doing so, you get a better signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, the mics have 80Hz, low-cut filters that reduce muddiness and rumbling in your sound.
Sonic Characteristics
The sE7 is incredibly quiet, especially considering this is a budget model. The design includes a short signal path, a transformer-less design, and high-quality electronics. The design comes together to create precise sound quality. The mic reproduces instruments with incredible depth and clarity.
Advantages
One advantage of the sE7 pair is that they have super-low noise. Further, the gold-plated XLR connector gives you a reliable connection with a strong signal.
Disadvantages
One downside to these microphones is that you cannot interchange the capsules, which makes them far less versatile. You can’t change the cardioid pattern, which means you’re out of luck if you need a different one. And, if a capsule breaks, you have to replace the entire mic.
4. Rode M5 Matched Pair
Rode manufactures the M5 in Australia and touts it as being a low-noise pair of microphones with a wide frequency response. These small-diaphragm mics have a half-inch capsule and a fixed cardioid pattern.
Small-diaphragm microphones, which are best for recording ensembles, choirs, or acoustic instruments, should be used in stereo pairs. This pair doesn’t vary any more than 1dB in sensitivity.
The M5 is highly receptive to nuances unique to drums. They record a complete frequency range with precision, which results in quality sound.
Rode M5 Features
Rode has a reputation for quality and affordability, and the M5s are no exception. The Rode M5 employs a 1/2″ pre-polarized, electret condenser capsule. It also has a permanently-charged backplate.
The mic body is all metal and covered with a durable, black ceramic coating, giving it a professional yet rugged look. The pair comes with RM5 stand adapters, which have 5/8″ threads as well as inserts for stands that have 3/8″ threads. There’s a side lever that allows you to adjust the angle. The M5s also come with windscreens and pop filters as an added value.
Design-wise, the M5s are transformer-less and use a JFET impedance converter, which is designed with a bipolar output buffer. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Sonic Characteristics
The Rode M5s are end-address mics with a cardioid polar pattern, which picks up sound from the front of the mic. At the same time, it’s less sensitive to any sound coming from behind it. In addition, the off-axis response keeps the timbre consistent as the level attenuates. This makes the M5s great for stereo recording.
Some users have reported that the sound is a bit flat and too forward in the upper mids. Though, they do avoid the heavy boost for high frequencies as well as too-large a presence peak as other small-diaphragm mics often do.
The M5s make excellent drum overhead microphones and do well with handheld and other percussion instruments also. The same can be said for acoustic guitar. And, while they weren’t designed to capture vocals specifically, they handle those reasonably well.
Advantages
For the price, you get a well-designed, small-diaphragm, matched pair of microphones that perform as intended. The mics have an outstanding sound quality and clean sound, whether they are your primary microphones or serving you as extra spot mics. They create quality sound recordings.
Disadvantages
One disappointment is that you cannot remove the capsules, which means you can’t swap the cardioid capsule for, say, an omni one when you need it. Likewise, you can’t replace the capsule should it break. You must buy another microphone.
5. AKG C 214 Matched Stereo Pair
The AKG C 214 comes as a matched pair of professional mics that are matched at the factory for optimal sound capture. These mics use the same one-inch, dual-capsule as AKG’s renowned C 414. Though, the C 214 is a cardioid-only and single-diaphragm design. What you get is an incredibly detailed sound for both the studio and live performances.
When you use them as drum overhead mics, you will be pleasantly surprised with the clean, crisp sound that comes from a perfectly balanced pair of microphones.
AKG C 214 Features
The C 214 comes in a custom case, a shock mount for each mic, and a foam pop filter for each as well. The shock mount screws onto a boom stand or mic stand. It tightens and holds the mic in place.
As we mentioned, the C 214 features a cardioid polar pattern. Thus, it captures sound from the front of the mic and minimizes any sounds that come from behind.
You will find a bass-cut filter switch on these mics. Use this feature to reduce lower frequencies during recording. For example, it will smooth out any pops that make it through the pop filter. The bass cut filter also reduces the proximity effect so that the sound isn’t too deep when the source is too close to the microphone.
Sonic Characteristics
The C 214s are super-sensitive microphones. For the best results, use these mics in a controlled environment like a studio to eliminate unwanted noise from the surrounding environment. Other than that, the sound capture is phenomenal. You won’t hear the typical underlying hiss that you get with most raw recordings, especially if you’re using a good preamp.
These mics do a professional job of capturing percussion, vocals, and acoustic instruments.
Advantages
The C 214 model is a premium, professional-grade condenser microphone. If your goal is to capture the best quality vocal or instrument, you can’t go wrong here.
Another definite advantage is that your recordings will be free of undesirable background noise, including noise outside the recording area that finds its way in.
As we mentioned above, the C 214 minimizes the background hiss, or noise floor, that’s often present in raw recordings when using lesser-quality microphones.
Disadvantages
While the price matches the quality level, the high price tag on the AKG C 214 is a tough pill to swallow for the amateur musician. If you are a beginner, you may not be ready to invest this kind of money into a pair of studio mics. A small-diaphragm mic may be a better option for the novice. For the professional, however, this may be the best overhead mic for drums over other brands in this price range.
Choosing the Best Overhead Mic for Drums
If you are going to purchase an overhead mic for drums, there are a few things to consider. First, it’s essential to use a matched pair, whether you are using them for studio recording or live performance.
After you have invested in quality instruments, not to mention the time and work of honing your skills, you’re wise to select the correct recording equipment, especially a good pair of microphones. Below are some factors to consider when choosing the best overhead mic for drums.
Why Use Matched Pair Mics for Drums?
Microphones all have different frequency responses as well as differing polar pickup patterns. To add another layer of complexity, the way that two mics’ polar responses vary with the frequency is also different.
If you use two different mics for what’s called X-Y coincident stereo recording, you won’t be satisfied with the outcome. The result will be a badly-defined stereo image that is wandering and unstable. Each instrument you record will be affected differently. We aren’t talking about minor differences or subtle effects. Your entire recording project can be derailed by competing mics.
To avoid this, microphone manufacturers adhere to tight tolerances as they produce matched pairs, selling them together as sets. The happy result for you is affordable mics that are already packaged together in perfectly matched pairs. Matched microphones perform alike, thus creating a stereo pair capable of extremely accurate stereo recording.
Sensitivity
The best overhead mic for drums is a condenser microphone. The technology makes them ideal for recording both medium field as well as far-field drum sounds from above. A pair of condenser mics capture the nuance of cymbals and drums due to their sensitivity. Condenser mics are much more sensitive than dynamic ones. They pick up more subtle details.
SPL (Sound Pressure Level) Rating
The sound pressure level is essentially the measurement of how much input volume the mic can support before it begins to distort the sound. In short, it’s one way to rate sound. When looking for a quality pair of mics, this is not a quality to brush off.
SPL is a mechanical measure of air pressure changes that happen because of noise. What about decibels? That’s a similar measurement because it rates sound volume. Though, volume is more a function of the relative increase in voltage. In other words, more power creates more gain, which creates more volume.
SPL, on the other hand, is an indicator of how well the microphone stays true to the music despite the increased volume. When you’re recording loud instruments like drums, you don’t want the mic to distort just as the drummer is ramping up. So, the higher the SPL, the better.
dB Pads
When we talk about dB (otherwise known as “decibel”) pads, understand that dB pads are actually a button that you use to either raise or lower the volume of a given input signal.
Why would you need a feature like this? Say you are miking something that’s super loud, like a cymbal, for instance. Here, you want a less sensitive microphone to capture the cymbals without distorting the sound.
Remember, overhead drum mics are sensitive by design, so a dB pad can make your super-sensitive mic less sensitive when you need it to be. A mic with built-in dB pads makes your mics all the more versatile.
Sonic Characteristics of Condenser Microphones
Condenser mics also have a much broader frequency range that enables them to better reproduce drum sounds with clarity and accuracy. The general frequency range is between 20 Hz and 20000 Hz. More than likely, you don’t need a broader range than that.
In addition, overhead drum mics have a cardioid pickup pattern that is ideal for drums. It picks up the drums while rejecting the off-axis sounds that make their way into the recording with other types of microphones. Thus, whatever mics, you should have the cardioid pattern to ensure the best capture of your performance.
Conclusion
Four out of the five overhead drum mics we reviewed are perfect budget mics for the beginner with a home studio. If you’re just starting out, then any of these small-diaphragm paired mics are suitable for your needs. They are all extremely affordable and come with windscreens, pop filters, and stand adapters. They also make economical purchases for a second or backup pair of mics.
The last microphone we reviewed, the AKG C 214, was a large-diaphragm microphone. While it has a hefty price tag, it is geared toward the professional rather than the novice.