Try pointing it directly at a drum kit from in front of the kit. Aim it directly at the trunk that connects the toms to the kick drum, and you’ll get a great ‘open sounding’ balanced drum kit with just 1 mic! Leave a comment and let me know how it goes!

From Amazon:
Behringer ECM8000 Omnidirectional Measurement Condenser Microphone

The Behringer Measurement Microphone ECM8000′s linear frequency response and omnidirectional polar pattern allows you to carry out measurement and alignment tasks with minimum hassle and maximum precision, making it a perfect complement for Behringer’s Ultra-Curve Pro DSP8024 or any other real-time analyzer. Its rugged construction ensures years of trouble-free use.

Phantom powered, +15 V to +48 V Delivered in a rugged hard case with microphone clip and stand adapter

Buy/More Info

• Cardioid polar pattern, ultra-thin diaphragm, transformerless preamplifier circuitry.
• Switchable pad (25dB, 15dB) for very high input SPL sources.
• Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely fast transient response, no crossover distortion, and minimal harmonic and intermodulation distortion
• Low self-noise and extended frequency response.
• Three-position switchable low-frequency filter reduces background noise and counteracts proximity effect
• Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely fast transient response, no crossover distortion
• Cardioid polar pattern, ultra-thin diaphragm, transformerless preamplifier circuitry
• Switchable pad (25dB, 15dB) for very high input SPL sources

Buy/More Info

The Shure Model Beta 87A is a premium quality supercardioid hand-held electret condenser vocal microphone with exceptionally smooth frequency response and high sound pressure level (SPL) capability. Used for professional sound reinforcement, broadcasting, and studio recording applications, the Beta 87A combines superb performance with the ruggedness needed for touring and field production.The Beta 87A features a controlled low-frequency roll-off that compensates for proximity effect and prevents the “boomy” sound often associated with close pick-up. The characteristic Shure presence rise brightens the upper midrange. The tight supercardioid pattern, with null points at approximately 125 degrees, provides maximum isolation from other vocalists or instruments while offering minimal off-axis coloration. The Beta 87A operates on phantom power.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Lives up to hype
Every positive comment about this microphone is right on. I finally have found a mic that captures every resonance, and clarity. I have used it to record and perform live. This is an amazing tech. that delivers real results. I bought it based on reviews without trying it out first, and it was the best mic purchase I have ever made. This mic has a quality that far exceeds the initial investment.

5 Stars S-M-O-O-T-H… “Audio Velvet”
Just look around at TV shows and see how speakers, singers, other personalities and performers use THIS microphone. The word has gotten out that if you want to sound your BEST use this baby! I do and I would NOT settle for any less now.

5 Stars The best
I bought this mic in a Hermes Music Store in Mcallen Tx, and its the best of mic’s. It takes your voice clarity and in long distance. It worth every peny.

5 Stars Wonderful for spoken word and podcasting…
After using countless large diaphragm condenser mics over the years, I’ve settled on the Beta 87a and the Beta 58a for my vocal work.

I’ve produced podcasts, spoken word pieces and voiceovers with both of these microphones with superb results with hardly any EQ needed. (You can listen to samples at blog.visitronix.com)

Neither one of these mics will let you down. I highly recommend them!

Buy/More Info

The versatility of the C 1000 S makes this an extremely popular model, and one ideally suited for all kinds of recording and live sound applications.If no phantom power is available, the mic can be powered by a standard 9 V battery, making it perfect for mobile use. With its battery monitoring electronics, the C 1000 S now features a reliable LED warning light. The red LED above the the microphone switch lights up when the remaining battery life falls below 45 minutes. The polar pattern can quickly be switched from cardioid to hypercardioid simply by attaching the PPC 1000 Polar Pattern Converter provided to the microphone capsule. The PB 1000 Presence Boost Adapter also supplied with the C 1000 S adds 3 to 5 dB of high-end enhancement between 5 and 9 kHz, improving clarity of speech and adding definition to instrument sounds.

Buy/More Info

Rugged metal body. Extended dynamic response with pronounced presence and vocal ‘punch’. Excellent feedback rejection. Very good rejection of handling noise. Very high sound pressure handling capability. Frequency response: 40Hz-20kHz. Wired Microphones: Pro Sound & Entertainment: Microphones

Buy/More Info

The C-1U is a digital home recording or podcasting enthusiast’s dream come true. This professional quality condenser microphone is identical to the acclaimed BEHRINGER C-1 mic with one awesome difference: it has a built-in USB interface so you can be ready to record faster than ever, and with minimal preparation and equipment. Just plug it into your computer and start recording!

Buy/More Info

The K6 powering module is the heart of this Sennheiser professional modular microphone system and can be powered either by its internal ‘AA’ size 1.5 V battery or by 12 – 48 V phantom power. The K6 can be combined with different condenser microphone heads to provide a wide variety of polar patterns. Matt black, anodised scratch-resistant finis

Buy/More Info

The Crown Sound Grabber II PZM Condenser Microphone is a Pressure Zone Microphone (also called a boundary mic) that makes the most of a unique behavior of sound waves when they meet a flat surface. Picks up sound from entire room with great accuracy and prevents phase cancellation. Back to back, 2 of them make a fantastic stereo rig.The Crown Sound Grabber II is ideal for applications such as conferences, group discussions, interviews, home video production, lectures, and recordings. The mic can be placed on a large surface such as a table, floor, wall, or lectern. Powered by AAA battery. Comes with mini phone plug and plug adapters.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good under the right circumstances
The PZM type microphones are specialized, and only work well when placed on a flat surface (preferably 4+ feet in radius) such as a floor or table. It is low, unobtrusive, and omni-directional — which means it is good for picking up sounds in all directions.

* The Sound Grabber II has a somewhat restricted frequency response, making it more suitable for voices than for instrumental recording.

* It has good clarity, and the PZM design helps it reject some types of unwanted ambient sounds.

* It is priced very cheaply compared to other PZM microphones, and it comes with it’s own power (unlike the more professional models which require “phantom-sound”).

I use it in stage applications, where it does a nice job of picking up the _too_ quiet voices of our elementary school actors.

—-

I to wanted comment on the review by “A. W. Teacher”, because it sounds like they had the microphone incorrectly placed (mounted on or near a video camera from what I can infer). If the kids were sitting around a table and the microphone had been placed in the middle of the table – than it would have worked great (guessing that was why it was recommended by the National Board Certification).

It is about the worst type of microphone to mount on (or near) a video camera for two reasons: (1) the need to be on a flat surface, and (2) the omni-directional pickup gets noises from behind the camera (something you rarely want). If you are looking for a video camera microphone, you will find the “cardioid” family of microphones works much better!

Crown actually has a nice reference site, with many suggestions on choosing the appropriate microphone for any particular situation: [...]

2 Stars Did you hear that? I didn’t!
I purchased this microphone to better record voices in my classroom as I was preparing video segments for National Board Certification. This microphone did not work effectively. I used it seven times, I guess, and then resorted to purchasing a different style from a local retailer. I was recording cooperative learning/small groups, so the focus group for the video was not the group physically near the camera (as the camera was “behind” another group).

This WAS the product recommended by the paperwork on National Board Certification, so I had high hopes. I did have to purchase an adapter to connect it to my 8mm camera. This could have been the problem. The sound recorded on the tape was from voices closer to the camera than the microphone.

If you are looking for this product to differentiate voices for quality sound, I wish you the best of luck. If you are pursuing National Board Certification in teaching, I wish you the best of luck. Don’t wait! Get started early with lots of practice videos so you can work out the problems with sound early!

I DID achieve, by the way, so I do not have any hard feelings against the process or paperwork.

1 Star Not good for conference or music
I’ve tried this mic under conditions in a small and large room for voice pickup, set on a table. It simply doesn’t have the range or sensitivity they’d lead you to believe. The components in this mic probably cost $2. They need to charge accordingly. I don’t see any benefit from what is purported to be cancellation of phase shifts or noise or whatever… it’s basically a dull pickup under most circumstances. I don’t care how big the table is.

Then, I tried recording a violin. I had to strap it to the violin to get good response/volume but the recording sounded like my ear was pressed to the violin. Right. So, pretty much an overpriced device that doesn’t perform well. Let’s hope they redesign it and discontinue this model.

Buy/More Info

The PG27USB side-address condenser microphone easily plugs into a computer USB port for the convenience of digital recording. Designed with a flat frequency response, the PG27USB naturally reproduces a wide variety of acoustic, amplified and vocal sound sources – with professional clarity and guaranteed ‘Plug and Play’ Shure quality. The PG27USB microphone includes a 9.8ft (3m) USB Cable, Stand Adapter and a Zippered Pouch

Buy/More Info

AV-JEFE TCM361-Ta4f is compact, miniature, broadcast quality condenser lavalier microphone. Detachable tie-clip allows easy mounting, offering flexibility, ease and comfort to the user. It provides flat, smooth frequency response and wide dynamic range.

Buy/More Info