Best Hi Hat Mics

Ultimate Buying Guide

Introduction:

Think about it, when you listen to or play any song, one of the sounds that you hear the most is the Hi-hat!

From electronic to rock or jazz, the hi-hat is constantly there to keep the beat and is probably the most important part of your drum kit. Well, along with you bass and snare!

Here’s the thing. Many people think it is enough to just mic the snare since the hi-hat is close by. The problem is that the snare is so sharp that much of the clarity of the hi-hat sound gets lost if you solely rely on a snare mic.

For these reasons, you need to seriously consider getting a microphone specifically for your hi-hat. The benefit of this is that you can pick up the full range of sound.

Not only will your hi-hat sounds come out clearer, but you can limit the range on the snare mic as well so everything sounds sharper.

Quick Rundown:

These are my Top Picks for
the Best Hi Hat Mics:

Image
Product
Features
  • Great Precision Mic for Professional Recording
  • Long History on Quality Mics
  • Designed for studio recording
  • 20Hz-20kHz frequency response
  • Extended frequency response
  • 100 ohms impedance
  • Durable and affordable
  • Bucks hum and rejects bleed
  • Neutral response
  • Optimum isolation
  • Professional performance for studio recording
  • Low-profile design
  • AKG sound quality
  • Switchable 20dB preattenuation pad

FEATURED ON

The 7 Best Hi Hat Mics

This is honestly the best of the best. The price alone costs more than a lot of complete kits! The Neumann is the very top of microphone design.

These microphones have the best sound range quality out of anything of the market. It definitely is an investment, but one that will pay for itself down the road with its functionality and durability.

The Neumann KM 184  features everything I mention in what to look for in a great hi hat microphone.

  • Cardioid Polar Pattern Transformerless circuitry Trouble-free operation even with unbalanced equipment Balanced output phantom powered (48V)
  • The Neumann KM 184 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone has become the classic high-quality miniature microphone
  • The pressure gradient transducer used in the KM 184 features very smooth frequency response not only for the 0 axis, but also for lateral (off-axis) sound incidence
  • In typical usage, there is no coloration of sound over a wide pickup angle
  • Although the KM 184 has the same capsule as the KM 84, the microphone differs slightly on the 0 frequency response: The KM 184 has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz (which brings out the sizzle in cymbals), a characteristic that was introduced very successfully with the KM 140

    For more about Neumann KM 184, check out my full review.

Build Quality
99%
Performance
97%
Price to Value Ratio
95%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Truly professional recording. Get precision sound to clearly hear every note
  • Built on a long history of high quality microphones from Neumann so long history of reliable products
  • Can be used for a huge range uses not just for the high hat
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Price: There are plenty of other microphones out there that can do nearly as good a job on sound recording
The Shure SM81 is a solid overall microphone. It is well within the budget for most people who are starting to get serious about recording.
 
It is also quite versatile and can be used for a range of things not just the hi hat. One of the best things about is its sensitivity. It can pick up some seriously low volumes while not suffering from graininess.
 

Although it isn’t particularly great for picking up your deep notes, it is fantastic at getting the high ones which is why it is well-suited as hi hat mic.

  • 0 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
  • Selectable low-frequency response: flat, 6 or 18 dB/octave rolloff
  • Low noise and high output clipping level
  • Cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symmetric about axis, providing maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sounds
  • Phantom powering (DIN 45 596 voltages of 12 to 48 Vdc)

 

Build Quality
92%
Performance
94%
Price to Value Ratio
90%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Great for capturing high-end frequencies
  • Best in the price range
  • Neutral mic with low distortion rates
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Lower resolution in the middle, but still good
  • Requires more specific positioning for best audio recording

(Best Hi Hat Mic Under $300)

This is another very solid microphone and definitely better suited to the midrange buyer. The dynamic range and intelligibility of this microphone is truly out of this world.

Not only this, it performs well in a range of environments, not just the studio but even out and about. This microphone records high fidelity audio and is useful for a range of uses as well.

Audio Technica has a great reputation and although it doesn’t have quite as many features, most users will barely notice the difference!

  • Specially engineered to meet the most critical acoustic requirements of professional recording, broadcast and sound reinforcement
  • Hypercardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
  • Direct-coupled, balanced output results in a clean signal even under high-output conditions
  • Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low-frequency distortion and provides superior correlation of high-speed transients
 
Build Quality
94%
Performance
96%
Price to Value Ratio
91%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • More precise sound compared to large diaphragm mics
  • Can match most high-end mics on sound quality
  • Durable and highly portable
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Can be overly sensitive to really small sounds when you are recording

Considered a universal mic, it can get a host of jobs done. It also has a “hum-buck” cable that blocks out interference quite well. It also has really small dimensions which makes it great for positioning.

For a small range microphone, it has some exceptional smooth pick up of low frequencies. But it really shines with dynamics and this is what sets it apart from even higher priced microphones.

This mic is also one of my pick for the best mics for toms.

  • Universal microphone with hypercardioid polar pattern and wide range of applications
  • Integrated hum-buck coil; low-mass moving coil transducer
  • Small dimensions for unobtrusive positioning
  • Offers clarity, neutrality and superior intelligibility
  • Rugged construction; includes microphone clamp and storage bag
Build Quality
88%
Performance
90%
Price to Value Ratio
92%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • All-around workhorse ready for some heavy use
  • Seriously durable and ready to withstand some abuse
  • Nice crisp, neutral sound
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Medium level sound quality and pickup
Seinheiser has a reputation for building quality affordable microphones. This microphone delivers consistent results up and down the sound spectrum. But it really is a great cymbal mic.
 
It has fantastic pickup for bright sounds and though a small spectrum mic, does a great job of getting the “3d” or full dimesion of the notes you are playing.
 

Best of all, it is part of a series of microphones that fit a whole range of uses so you can create packages that your whole band can use!

  • Small diaphragm design perfectly suits overhead drum applications
  • Designed for demanding applications where extended frequency range, high SPL handling, fast transient response and small size are required
  • Nearly flat response from 40 Hz to 20 kHz and a super cardioid pattern
  • Includes clip and protective pouch
Build Quality
92%
Performance
90%
Price to Value Ratio
94%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Includes an industry-leading 10 year warranty
  • Small dimensions and weight for great portability
  • Overall good sound for good price
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Fairly durable, but not ready for too much road/gig use

You can’t beat this one on price. This is the best sound you can get for the best value.

Although not quite as crisp as the other microphones on this list, it’s value it pretty unbeatable. Coming from Audio-Technica, you also know that you are getting a solid product even if it is in the lower price spectrum.

Good for a range of uses from guitar to drums,  Audio-Technica delivered a very good product capable of producing a very decent sound.. It actually hard to find bad reviews of this mic.

It doesn’t quite have the sound quality of other high-end mics, but other than that it delivers on size, durability and overall quality.

So if you’re on a budget or just setting up your this home studio this is a no brainer.

  • Ideal for interviews, group vocals, strings, cymbal overheads, acoustic guitar and piano
  • RoHS compliant free from all substances specified in the EU directive on hazardous substances
  • Omni-directional so can be used for total sound recording
 
Build Quality
90%
Performance
88%
Price to Value Ratio
95%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Excellent ambient pickup so good for recording total sound
  • Good for interviews or for recording whole band
  • Battery powered make is pretty flexible where you position
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Omnidirectional mic so less precise sound recording
This is clearly the budget option out there. This is really suited for new musicians or high school bands trying to get something a little more precise than just line-in recording.
 
It offers a pretty good sound range and still offers cardioid pattern recording. The mic is designed for acoustic instrument recording so it fits perfectly in line with our list.
 
The only real issue you will face is that it isn’t great on the lower end of the spectrum so you will want to play around with your equalizer to get a more balanced sound.
 

Other than that, it is by far the best budget mic on the market!

  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Diaphragm Size: 0.5″ (12.7mm)
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 75dB
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms.
Build Quality
90%
Performance
88%
Price to Value Ratio
94%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Surprisingly ready for the road. Can hold up to some travel abuse
  • Considering the price has very good sound quality
  • Well suited to record overhead all parts of your drum set
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Sound quality is not quite as dynamic and clear

What To Look For in a Hi-Hat Mic

Not all mics are created the same. You can’t just put a microphone next your cymbal and expect to get good results. What you need is a small-diaphragm condenser mic. This sounds complicated, but it is not too hard.

There are just a few things that you need to look for.

Basically microphones are all about size. Smaller-diaphragm means it hones in a smaller area so that the sound is more targeted. Along with this you want to look for the phrase, “cardioid pickup pattern”.

Again another complicated word but it just means the way the microphone pickups up sound.

Think about the sound a cymbal makes, it radiates outward and these sound waves are what this type of microphone can pick up.

Things To Consider:

How to set up a Hi Hat Mic

YouTube is going to be most helpful here. There are some great videos on how to place and set up your hi hat mic, but here are some quick tips so that you can follow along with any of these tutorials that you might watch.

  1. Place your microphone so that it is between five and ten centimeters from the top of the high hat. You want to angle it so that you are unable to see the snare. This is so you can reduce as much possible any other sounds from the snare or other parts of the drum kit.
  2. You also want to make sure it is along the outer edge of the cymbal
  3. Make sure it is high enough so it does not interfere with your playing
  4. Experiment based on your style and sound. Different players use their high hat differently so play around with it to find the sound that you like best.
  5. Try to use a good hi hat stand to avoid unwanted noises. 

 

What Makes a Good Hi Hat Mic

Now that you know what to look for in a hi hat mic and how to position, now you need to make sure you know what makes a good mic. Just like any other microphone, sound quality is determined a lot by its components and style.

As mentioned you are looking for a small-diaphragm microphone.

The other thing you have to consider is the sound a hi hat makes. It is really designed for a mid to high range frequency so you need to make sure you have a microphone that is well calibrated for this.

Different mics are going to “hear” things differently so you need to watch some different videos and play around in your local shop to find the one that suits you best.

FAQ

Can you use an SM57 for hi-hat?

Yes, you can use a Shure SM57 to mic a hi-hat, although it may not be the first choice for many engineers for this specific purpose. The SM57 is a dynamic microphone that is highly versatile and is commonly used for snare drums and guitar amplifiers. It has a cardioid pattern, which helps isolate the source it’s pointed at, and it can handle high sound pressure levels (SPL).

However, hi-hats often benefit from condenser microphones, which offer a more detailed frequency response. That said, the SM57 can work for a hi-hat if you are on a budget or if you’re looking for a slightly “darker” sound profile. Adjust the microphone positioning to tailor the sound to your liking.

What type of microphone should you use to record cymbals or a hi-hat?

The most commonly recommended type of microphone for recording cymbals or a hi-hat is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone. These mics are known for their ability to capture the full range of frequencies that cymbals and hi-hats produce, from the “sizzle” to the “ping” and the “wash.” They are also sensitive to transients, which makes them ideal for capturing the nuanced performances often required with hi-hats and cymbals.

Brands like Neumann, Shure, AKG, and Audio-Technica offer specialized small-diaphragm condenser mics that are well-suited for hi-hats. Some popular options include the Neumann KM 184 and Shure SM81.

Do you need a hi-hat mic?

The need for a dedicated hi-hat mic depends on the specific needs of your recording or live sound setup. In many professional recording settings, a dedicated hi-hat mic is used to capture the hi-hat sound with precision. This allows for more control during mixing, letting you dial in just the right amount of hi-hat presence in relation to other instruments.

However, in simpler setups or live situations, the hi-hat might be adequately captured by overhead mics or even a snare mic. This can work well if the acoustics of the room are good and the performance is balanced.

If you’re looking to create professional-grade recordings and have the budget for additional microphones, a dedicated hi-hat mic can be a valuable addition to your microphone arsenal.

Conclusion

Here are seven great hi-hat mics that can work for any price point. Overall, we have to choose Beyerdyanmic as the best combination of price and quality, but all of the mics on the list can do the job of getting your Hi-Hat crisp and clear with good brightnes.

Off course when you go down in price the overall quality tends to decline, but we’ve just covered some decent affordable options that will definetly get the job done. Just don’t expect to use the Audix on a high end professional recording studio.

If you enjoyed this buying guide please share it with your friends!

Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London  has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.

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