Overhead mics for drummers
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You’ll want them equidistant from the snare drum to avoid phase issues, angled slightly downward for ideal cymbal capture and balanced kit sound.
Should Overhead Mics Be Matched Pairs or Can Different Models Be Mixed?
I’d strongly recommend using matched pairs for overhead mics. Remember though, none of what you’ve learned will matter if you don’t know how to get your music out there and earn from it.
Its 0.5-inch true condenser transducer delivers exceptional clarity across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range, capturing every cymbal shimmer and stick attack with professional precision. They also require phantom power to work. Your drums will come out sounding great, and you’ll only need to do a few tweaks here and there to get them to sound even better.
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Max SPL: 156dB
Weight: 0.62 lbs.
Audio-Technica AT4041
The Audio-Technica AT4041 Microphones are my final suggestion, and these are another high-tier option to use in any kind of professional setting.
However, I’d definitely use shock mounts to isolate the mics from floor vibrations and stage rumble during recording.
On a final note
I’ve tested countless overhead mics throughout my drumming career, and these ten options represent the best value across different budgets and recording scenarios. The Beyerdynamic MC930 is a great example of a full frequency response.
If you don’t have a full frequency response, some of the sounds can go missing, or you can get a low-quality sound like an old-school telephone.
Impedance
Impedance is AC current resistance.
These cardioid microphones typically have frequency ranges of 20Hz to 20kHz, which is ideal for drum kits.
Drum mics need to have wide frequency ranges so that they can accurately pick up all the lows, mids, and highs from the drums and cymbals.
Supercardioid microphones tend to work quite well as overheads too, but every single mic I suggested above has a cardioid pickup pattern.
Learn more. By recording from above, these microphones inevitably get a bit of everything when they pick up the hi-hats. This is built into many mixers and interfaces as the manufacturers know that the mics will require this extra power in some situations.
The voltage rating will also be noted.
Weight
The weight is not the number one feature to consider when you are thinking about which overhead drum mics to buy but if you need a portable setup you might give it some consideration.
Two low cut filters effectively reduce stage noise, or if you want to reduce the capture of the kick drum on the overheads. The commonly found polar patterns with microphones are cardioid, supercardioid, omnidirectional, hypercardioid, ultradirectional, and figure eight.
When it comes to drum kit overhead mics, you’ll mostly want to look for ones that have a cardioid pickup pattern.
If you’re putting together a full drum recording setup, don’t miss our full roundup of The Best Drum Mic Kits as well.
The Best Overhead Drum Mics Under $500
Budget-friendly mic pair for overhead drum recording
Gearank Opinion
These mics capture a clear, balanced sound with impressive detail, making them a solid choice for home studios or small setups.
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I’ve only ever had issues in very small venues with low roofs.
The other thing to mention is that large-diaphragm mics are heavier, making them more challenging to transport around.
Those differences aren’t significant enough to make any difference, though, so you should choose the best mics for you, no matter their body shape.
Polar Pattern
The polar pattern refers to how microphones pick up sound waves.
Customer feedback consistently highlights its reliable performance in live settings, though some users recommend EQ adjustments to tame the high frequencies for ideal results.
Best For: Budget-conscious drummers and novice recording enthusiasts who need reliable overhead drum mic performance without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Wide 20,000 Hz frequency response captures the full spectrum of drum kit frequencies
- Super-cardioid polar pattern effectively rejects off-axis noise with solid 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio
- Sturdy metal housing provides durability for live performance settings
Cons:
- High frequencies may require EQ adjustments to achieve optimal sound balance
- At 14.4 ounces, it adds noticeable weight to drum setups
- Limited to corded electric power source, reducing portability options
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AKG Pro Audio Instrument Condenser Microphone, XLR, Black (P170)
The AKG P170’s switchable 20dB pad transforms this compact condenser into a remarkably versatile workhorse for drummers who need a microphone that won’t buckle under the intense sound pressure levels of cymbal crashes and snare hits.
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The Audio-Technica AT4041SP matched pair is a high-quality set of small-diaphragm condenser microphones designed to capture detailed and clear audio. You may expect it to feel quite heavy, but you’ll be surprised when you pick it up.
The Samson C02 has a noise level of 22dB. Condenser microphones require power, and if you do not use it then the signal will be almost imperceptibly low. The higher it is, the more likely long cables will cause some degradation of the sound, so the goal is to have a low impedance. These mics feature cardioid pickup patterns that effectively isolate your kit while rejecting unwanted feedback, plus they include a 4 dB boost in the 1-8 kHz range that’ll make your cymbals sparkle with enhanced brightness and clarity.
You’ll get consistent frequency response and stereo imaging across your kit. You’re getting what you pay for, though, and I’d say that the C-2 mics are a bargain considering the fact that you can get amazing drum sounds with a bit of work.
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Max SPL: 140dB
Weight: 0.2 lbs.
sE Electronics sE7
The sE Electronics sE7 Microphones (compare price on Sweetwater and Amazon) are amazing value mics that won’t set you back much, but they’ll give you amazing sound and build quality.
This is not likely for drums, but if you use your mics for other purposes, it can be a good added feature.
There are so many microphones on the market that each tries to create a separate, attractive offering with added extras.
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
While affordable drum mic kits can get the job done, they lack the spatial dimension that the best overhead drum mics can provide.
Compared to an affordable drum mic kit, which might rely on lower-end condensers, the best mics for drum overheads deliver a more spacious and balanced sound.
Dynamic mics tend to have a lower sensitivity, so this means they are good for high-volume recordings and will turn this into a much more stable level of sound, and the mic won’t get “overloaded” easily.