The standout to me is the KSM137. Such a clear and present sound. All the others seemed colored in this or that way. Each seems to have a strength on its own sound. My least favorites are probably the Oktava and MXL, those could stand to be modified, possibly would perform better.
I found the price point is apparent with the MXL 603s for headroom, sounded like they were struggling on certain peaks of dynamics. but over all sound was solid, Oktava was my favorite, it was the most musical in my opinion.
Great shootout! You placed all the mics well and got good sounds out of all of them. Something kinda warm and pretty about the Oktavas, I’m gonna go with those on this shootout. Even the cheap MXLs did a good job with your precise placement and good recording work. Thanks for the video!!
Oktavas sound good, andso does the SM81. The MXLs 603S still sound pretty good, for a cheap Mic and I would have to say, nearly identical to the more expensive KSM 137s. I've used some MXL 993s for a few years, and they are great microphones, but they haven't held up so well over time. They've developed some issues where they are very finicky about cable connections and generate some nasty background buzz if not seated "just so". They also produce sympathetic distortion with my guitar speaker (which I quite like, actually, though it's also a defect of the equipment). That said, they've served well for a few years. (and other models may be more durable; MXL stopped making the 993s, perhaps because of durability issues)
Thank you for the video. You have a really cool sound for raw samples, congrats! To me the Shure KSM137 is the best. Interestingly with the Shure SM81 the hits themselves are punchier, tighter, although overall the stereo space seems wider, while with the Shure KSM137 the hits are smoother, more detailed, but the overall stereo width seems narrower, tighter. What's nice about the Shure SM81 is the snare wire sound, it's a little bit more present than with the KSM137. The Oktava M012 is too punchy, sometimes aggressive or harsh. The MXL603s is the brightest, has the most presence, attacks are sometimes sharp, but overall nicely airy and wide. For a single pair I would get the KSM137 (or preferably the more versatile KSM141) and in the case of two pairs I would add the MXL to have a significantly different sound if needed. What do you think? Also, do you happen to still have the raw audio? It would be awesome to listen to those. Thanks!
For this particular setup it seemed to me the Oktava were the better choice. Very tight and clear sounding mics. I was surprised that the Sm81 and MXL were so similar sounding.
@@BobbyJamescomposer how do you like the oktava and how do you think they compare to the rest? They have a "finished" or polished sound to me on all the demos I heard....they're not going to need as much tampering in post I feel like. not overly harsh or boomy but pretty good thoughts?
I thought the octivas did really well. Warm yet clear, mxls a bit brittle but for the price point they certainly held their own.?.? Interesting thanks much for the shoot out!! I hardly buy anything anymore without checking for a review.
The volumes were not matched, with the MXLs being louder than the rest which is bad for A/B testing. The SM81 has more low mids, which sound nice in this kit. The KSM137 is the most accurate in treble and transient response by far, although maybe a bit thin, and drier due to the tighter pattern. The Oktavas are very warm and pleasant. The MXLs have more presence, but not more detail, and are less balanced. Overall I'd use the KSM137 for accuracy, or the Oktava for a bit more depth.
I think the performance in the demo does not do the KSM137 justice, the drummer plays for a shorter duration of time, there's no ride, it's a less exciting performance than the other 3 clips for some reason
I haven't yet founded a really bad sounding SDC mic. Even the 29€ Tbone EM700 ( Rode NT5 clone) sounds great to me. Maybe I should get some Neumanns to really hear the difference in overheads.
SM81 sounds a little washie and monoish and close, KSM 137 ist very open, smooth, shiny and 3d. Octava is a little thin and loose. The MXL sounds crappy with cheap heights. The KSM rocks all these mics.
I really think you shouldn't use a flawed testing method. You need to use the same performance to get a correct comparison. Otherwise, you're not judging apples and apples. And the levels need to be matched more closely. Basically, this comparison is useless.
what are you talking about? the no fx was all there was for the mics by themselves! the other ones were the overheads in a full mix with all the other drum mics!
Bobby James haha steve albini use that for ambience mic. My neighboor can kill me if i play drum in the room in my house that has the nice ambience vibe. I always imagine my self have a house in the edge of population so only control room would be treated. Even dave ghrol tracked the drums in kitchen for in utero album.
1:12 SM81
1:53 KSM 137
2:24 Octava
3:01 MXL
Processed:
3:39 SM81
4:19 KSM 137
4:51 Oktava
5:28 MXL's
I'm encouraged by how great even the cheap mxl's sound. what a time to be living in, my friends!
The standout to me is the KSM137. Such a clear and present sound. All the others seemed colored in this or that way. Each seems to have a strength on its own sound. My least favorites are probably the Oktava and MXL, those could stand to be modified, possibly would perform better.
bullshit you cant even tell the diff. nothing that 40 seconds of EQ'ing couldnt fix if anything
I found the price point is apparent with the MXL 603s for headroom, sounded like they were struggling on certain peaks of dynamics. but over all sound was solid, Oktava was my favorite, it was the most musical in my opinion.
I have two sm81s, got them years ago for my birthday and Im always gonna go with those, great for acoustic guitar :)
Great shootout! You placed all the mics well and got good sounds out of all of them. Something kinda warm and pretty about the Oktavas, I’m gonna go with those on this shootout. Even the cheap MXLs did a good job with your precise placement and good recording work. Thanks for the video!!
My taste - the SM81s and the MXL 603S had the best OH sound. Good job !!
Thanks Malcolm! I tend to prefer the 81's too.
KSM 137's by far...not even close
Oktavas sound good, andso does the SM81. The MXLs 603S still sound pretty good, for a cheap Mic and I would have to say, nearly identical to the more expensive KSM 137s.
I've used some MXL 993s for a few years, and they are great microphones, but they haven't held up so well over time. They've developed some issues where they are very finicky about cable connections and generate some nasty background buzz if not seated "just so". They also produce sympathetic distortion with my guitar speaker (which I quite like, actually, though it's also a defect of the equipment). That said, they've served well for a few years. (and other models may be more durable; MXL stopped making the 993s, perhaps because of durability issues)
Thank you for the video. You have a really cool sound for raw samples, congrats! To me the Shure KSM137 is the best. Interestingly with the Shure SM81 the hits themselves are punchier, tighter, although overall the stereo space seems wider, while with the Shure KSM137 the hits are smoother, more detailed, but the overall stereo width seems narrower, tighter. What's nice about the Shure SM81 is the snare wire sound, it's a little bit more present than with the KSM137. The Oktava M012 is too punchy, sometimes aggressive or harsh. The MXL603s is the brightest, has the most presence, attacks are sometimes sharp, but overall nicely airy and wide. For a single pair I would get the KSM137 (or preferably the more versatile KSM141) and in the case of two pairs I would add the MXL to have a significantly different sound if needed. What do you think? Also, do you happen to still have the raw audio? It would be awesome to listen to those. Thanks!
Bounced em out for you drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EtVMsgmNnggJl6JCITLaSrctYHB-ta1a?usp=sharing
@@BobbyJamescomposer Hey, thank you so much, that's very kind of you! Just downloaded them.
Love my mxl 603s and actually liked them 2nd best to the sm81's !!
mics aside, the kit sounds really nice!
I liked all of the mics. sm81 may be my favorite. Hard to choose though.
For this particular setup it seemed to me the Oktava were the better choice. Very tight and clear sounding mics. I was surprised that the Sm81 and MXL were so similar sounding.
Time codes for Overhead only...
SM81 - 1:13
KSM 137 - 1:54
MK012 - 2:25
603S - 3:02
Thanks!
@@BobbyJamescomposer how do you like the oktava and how do you think they compare to the rest?
They have a "finished" or polished sound to me on all the demos I heard....they're not going to need as much tampering in post I feel like. not overly harsh or boomy but pretty good
thoughts?
@@levijessegonzalez3629 I ended up buying SM81s. They’re a bit dark but I feel like they take eq nicely
I thought the octivas did really well. Warm yet clear, mxls a bit brittle but for the price point they certainly held their own.?.? Interesting thanks much for the shoot out!! I hardly buy anything anymore without checking for a review.
Thanks for doing this. I have a pair of Oktava's though I generally don't use them for O/H ... I might give it a try.
The volumes were not matched, with the MXLs being louder than the rest which is bad for A/B testing.
The SM81 has more low mids, which sound nice in this kit. The KSM137 is the most accurate in treble and transient response by far, although maybe a bit thin, and drier due to the tighter pattern. The Oktavas are very warm and pleasant. The MXLs have more presence, but not more detail, and are less balanced.
Overall I'd use the KSM137 for accuracy, or the Oktava for a bit more depth.
I really like the Shures.
I love the way that in both OVHD-ONLY and OVHD-W/MIX there is NO ride on either example of the KSM137. Epic shootout FAIL!
Get bent
I think the performance in the demo does not do the KSM137 justice, the drummer plays for a shorter duration of time, there's no ride, it's a less exciting performance than the other 3 clips for some reason
I haven't yet founded a really bad sounding SDC mic. Even the 29€ Tbone EM700 ( Rode NT5 clone) sounds great to me. Maybe I should get some Neumanns to really hear the difference in overheads.
The KM184's really opened up my drum mixes years ago. I had Studio Projects C4's when I started out.
I have to go 81's again. Man I had no idea how good they sound. Thanks for posting this.
That's what I ended up buying too!! Love em
lovely sound man.
Excellent !!
What overhead micing technique did you use? Spaced pair? ORTF?
SM81 sounds a little washie and monoish and close, KSM 137 ist very open, smooth, shiny and 3d. Octava is a little thin and loose. The MXL sounds crappy with cheap heights. The KSM rocks all these mics.
Don't be fooled oh i heard the rest and now the 81 sound dull no high end, all shure mics do this its normal for the more natural sound.
I really think you shouldn't use a flawed testing method. You need to use the same performance to get a correct comparison. Otherwise, you're not judging apples and apples. And the levels need to be matched more closely. Basically, this comparison is useless.
can you review some audio technica small diaphragm mics?
If I had any I would!
MXLs gave a fun, trashy sound.
sounds better with no fx
Depends what for but just on their own I think so too!
what are you talking about? the no fx was all there was for the mics by themselves! the other ones were the overheads in a full mix with all the other drum mics!
why were the mxl's so much louder?
different impedance maybe?
Octava sound louder. Why?
Idk, maybe a slightly different impedance?
Bobby James haha steve albini use that for ambience mic. My neighboor can kill me if i play drum in the room in my house that has the nice ambience vibe. I always imagine my self have a house in the edge of population so only control room would be treated. Even dave ghrol tracked the drums in kitchen for in utero album.
mxl 603 and ksm137 huge price diference smal sound quality diference! ksm not worthy of so many dollars
SM81 > KSM137 > Oktava > MXL
I agree
@@BobbyJamescomposer The SM81 and KSM137 are close tho, hard to tell on youtube.
How different do you find them and which one do you prefer?
Was this recorded in a pro recording studio or a home studio? This is the best unprocessed drum sound that I have ever heard.
Todd Allred just recorded in my basement. Glad you like the sound!
@@BobbyJamescomposer what are you doing with the CLA the close mics sound incredible