A very important thing in recording drums is the sound of the overheads and it heavily depends on the microphone.
If the mic doesn’t translate the sound well, then the whole drum track won’t sound as good as you wish.
So, you need to use good quality drum overhead mics to record professional-sounding drums in your home studio.
What’s The Best Drum Overhead Mic?
This list contains some of the best drum overhead mics you can find on the market today.
1. Neumann KM184
Amazing sounding and pro overhead mic.
The price tag on Neumann KM184 might be slightly high but it’s one of the best mics for overheads. The overall quality, sound, and other technical features make it a great solution to record drums. It’s a professional mic and might be too much for small home recording studios but if you want to record great overhead sounds, then you should get it.
2. Audio Technica AT5045
One of the best mics for drum overheads.
Another superb mic to record overheads is Audio Technica AT5045 which is the most expensive in this list. A large diaphragm condenser microphone with 149dB max SPL, 20Hz-20kHz frequency response, and excellent sound quality. This mic is more appropriate for professional recording studios but if you have extra money, you can get it for your studio.
3. Earthworks SR25
Superb microphone for pro studios and recording engineers.
Earthworks SR25 is one of the best drum overhead mics with a slick design and an expensive price tag. However, the sound quality it can capture is amazing. It’s a great microphone for drums and would be a great addition to any kind of recording studio. This mic sounds very natural and also can be used to record acoustic guitars.
4. Shure KSM141
Drum overheads microphone with great sound.
If you are searching for an affordable mic for drum overheads then Shure KSM141 might be the best choice. The price tag shouldn’t confuse you because it’s Shure and their products have very high quality. It’s a great overhead mic for home studios and can be used for other instruments such as acoustic guitars. It’s a dual-pattern condenser mic with a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and polar pattern switch.
5. Rode M5
A very affordable mic for drum overheads.
Rode M5 is the best drum overhead mic for those who seek a cheap solution. There are cheaper mics but this one has the best sound and quality. First of all, it has a slick design and compact size, secondly, the price is very affordable and it might be bought with cables and mic stands. Great overhead mic for beginner recording engineers.
Conclusion
As you can see, this list contains drum overhead mics for different types of studios regarding price but all of these mics have awesome sound. Depending on your budget and requirements, the choice is yours.