If you want to improve the overall sound quality of your drum recordings, one of the best things you can do is invest in a high-end set of overhead mics.
While there are plenty of good options available, one of our go-to suggestions for drummers is a pair of Telefunken M60 FET microphones.
In this review, we’ll explain why these mics are so good, and we’ll help you decide whether you should get them.
When buying this package, you get two pairs of Telefunken M60 microphones. Each one has a size of 15mm, and they have a frequency range of 20Hz to 31.5kHz.
You also get XLR cables to go with the mics, along with foam windscreens, shock mounts, and a neat little carry case.
You need to use the XLR cables that come with the mics, as the inputs are slightly different, requiring a 16.9’ connection.
The last feature to mention is that each mic has a cardioid polar pattern.
Every time you use these mics to record drums, the end result is always incredible, as these microphones do a lot of the work for you.
The main thing about them is that they sit very nicely in the high frequencies. So, you get strong cymbal sounds that are glossy and powerful.
You also get a bit of that from the crack from your snare drum when you play rimshots.
When you mix these overheads with an array of close mics on your drums, you get a top-tier drum mix.
With these being high-end microphones, the structural quality is second to none. The casing looks fantastic, with the gold tips giving the mics a luxurious appearance.
The 16.9’ connection is a bit different from normal, but Telefunken provides you with appropriate XLR cables so that you don’t need to buy those separately to make the microphones work.
In terms of durability, these mics will undoubtedly last you a lifetime if you take good care of them.
The sparkling high-end is the noticeable aspect of how these microphones perform. Other than that, you just get solid recordings that bring your drums and cymbals to life.
The best thing about using high-end microphones is that they’re very easy to work with. Once you get suitable placements, you’ll already have fantastic sound quality without needing to work too much with your EQ.
You’ll get the best possible sounds out of your kit if you pair these mics with some close mics for your snare, toms, and bass drum.
This matched pair costs over $1000, which is a lot of money for just two microphones. A price tag like that will scare most newer drummers away, so these are only viable options for experienced players that know a lot about audio production.
While these microphones sound incredible, we know that you could get similar recording quality from more affordable mics. So, we wouldn’t say the price-to-value ratio is noteworthy.
However, the selling point of the Telefunken M60s is the glossy high-end that they bring out of your cymbals. If that’s what you’re looking for, then we’d say it’s worth paying the high price for them.
These microphones are perfectly suited for studio recordings. There are plenty of studio producers that have them in their microphone lockers, and they’re great for using when you want brighter sounds from your cymbals.
The mics work just as well for live gigs as they do in the studio. You get lively sounds from the drums, which makes them impactful on stage.
If you’re happy to spend more than $1000 on a set of overhead microphones, you’ll likely love the Telefunken M60 FET mics. We strongly suggest getting these if you use bright cymbals. They’ll take the brightness and boost it a fair bit.
If the price tag is too high, there are plenty of other good options to consider that cost a bit less.
Drum Teacher
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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