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

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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!

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The CAD GXL2200 Condenser Microphone is a fantastic way to upgrade your studio or add to your mic locker.The GXL2200 is a large diameter, fixed cardioid pattern, condenser microphone designed to deliver a high level of performance. High sensitivity and low distortion make the GLX2200 an ideal candidate for recording, broadcast, or vocal and instrument sound reinforcement applications. The capsule in the GXL2200 features a 1 inch gold vapor deposited diaphragm for consistent sound quality, year after year. The GXL2200 comes with a shock mount that will fit any standard 5/8inch x 27 threaded microphone stand. The GXL2200 is audio tested and inspected under the direction of CAD Professional Microphones, offering an exceptional level of value. Requires 48-volt phantom power.Suggested ApplicationsStudio VocalsVoice-overChoirAcoustic InstrumentStrings, PianoCymbals/OverheadsCAD QualityThe GXL2200 microphones are audio tested and inspected under the direction of CAD Professional Microphones, offering an exceptional level of value.

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The Samson C01UCW is a cost effective USB recording microphone for plug-and-play operation with Windows and Mac based computers. The C01UCW utilizes a condenser element for pristine, detailed sound quality. The USB port provides audio directly to computers without additional hardware and power is supplied from the computer USB port. The Windows SoftPre applet software provides added features that include remote operation over volume control, high-pass filter and phase switch. Its hypercardioid polar pattern greatly reduces signal at the off-axis (indirect) sections of the capsule, reducing ambient noise and providing high gain before feed back. The C01UCW is an ideal solution for desktop producers, musicians and Podcasters. +Plus+ Samson Mike Stand BL3 – Microphone Pop Filter – Samson SP01 Shock Mount for the C01 and C03 Condenser Microphones – Cable 10 ft. USB 2.0 Extension. Beige

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A rugged and versatile large-diaphragm, side-address cardioid microphone, with low self-noise and extended frequency response, theShure SM27 Condenser Microphonepicks up vocal and instrument nuances with clarity. Durable Shure construction features three separate mesh layers that reduce wind and breath noise. The SM27 is equally comfortable on stage or in the studio and works just as hard as you do.Shure SM27 Condenser Microphone FeaturesUniform cardioid pattern for superior off axis rejectionSuperior transient response from a low-mass large Mylar diaphragmFlat, neutral frequency response for natural reproduction on stage or in the studio3-position switchable low-frequency filter helps reduce unwanted background noise or counteract proximity effect for consistent, extended low-endDurable metal constructionThree separate mesh layers reduces wind and breath noise15dB pad for performance consistency across a wider range of high SPL sources

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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!

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Ideal for the traveling musician or the project studio, the G-Track ships with a desktop mic stand, swivel stand mount, USB cable and all the cables needed to connect any musical instrument with a standard 1/4″ or RCA output. The G-Track ships with Cakewalk’s Sonar LE and works brilliantly with Apple’s GarageBand.

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USB Desktop Recording Kit

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars good value for the discounted price
I has better gain than I thought a usb mic would. Headphone jack on the front is misleading, it’s not a live monitor. (still handy for short headphone cords)

1 Star Disappointing
I’m disappointed. I’d read good editorial reviews about it on other sites, but neglected to read the user reviews here on Amazon — the latency issue with the headphone jack would have been a deal-breaker for me. The sound quality of the mic itself is nice for the price, but I found there was a background hiss possibly due to the inexpensive USB interface; I’ve noticed the same problem with other sub-$100 USB interfaces, and suspect they all use the same chip/circuitry. Acceptable for podcasting, interviews, etc. in the field where the built-in USB interface is less cumbersome, but not for serious voice work in a home studio. You will definitely want a shock mount if using a floor mic stand, as it’s very susceptible to picking up stand thumps.

1 Star Waste of my money and time!
I can’t return it because it’s not broken, it just sucks. On the other hand I found it unnecessary to buy anything for modulating the voice even though I did and it has not arrived yet. It’s expensive but the workmanship is cheap as hell. I wish I could take back that fateful click, oh well. That’s what I think at least. Others liked it for some abstruse reason and made believe it was worth the buy.

3 Stars Good but not great
If you’re looking for a good sounding microphone that is far superior to any standard PC microphone, this is a good choice. However, the most unique feature that set’s this microphone apart – the headphone jack – is a real disappointment. It is *NOT* a realtime feed from the mic. Rather, the headphone jack is the output of a USB sound card that is integrated into the Microphone. There is significant latency between the microphone input and the audio output, so much that it really is useless as a recording monitor. This feature doesn’t allow this microphone to be distinguished from any other USB condenser mic that lacks an audio output.

The headphone jack is possibly useful for setting levels, etc., when you’re working with a PC that lacks a sound card, or need to have the microphone a significant distance from your p.c. or laptop. If you have a long USB cable and need to roam, maybe the headphone jack is useful.

There are many good points about this mic – recording is warm and full sounding; you do get that ‘NPR’ sound. While the mount is light, it’s adequate. The 10′ USB cable is quite generous, and the hard plastic case has pre-cut foam and is a nice touch.

Overall, I am satisfied with the product, but I am disappointed that the promising feature – the headphone jack for real-time monitoring, is not what it is implied to be. It is a USB sound card and suffers all of the latency of your internal sound card.

3 Stars its good t sounds great
the mic is good for recording studio quality music only problem with mine was after i plugged it in and i used it. than tryed to plug it back in the computer wouldent find the device no matter what i tryed

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The MXL USB.009 24/96 is a digital gold diaphragm USB condenser microphone is one of the solutions for the professional broadcast and music industries. It features a large diaphragm, 32mm capsule similar to what’s found on the world’s best analog microphones. This mic delivers zero latency monitoring, and provides analog rotary knobs to dial in the perfect mix. When its time to listen back to the tracks you’ve recorded, the MXL USB.009 24/96 will impress with its amazing detail and punch. It is a simple, feature-rich, elegant all-in-one recording solution that is completely professional.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Career builder
I have been in the voice-over business for 20 years and FINALLY, with the purchase of this microphone, am able to record from home, which opens up a whole new “other” world for me. I already have people clammering for work for me. AND … I’m glad I waited as long as I did because this MXL USB.009 microphone only came out in spring ’08 and has some great reviews so I knew this was the one for me. Several people have already asked about it because they are seriously considering getting one for their own home studios. Am most anxious to begin the next leg of my career journey with this mike onboard to help. UPDATE: I LOVE this instrument and it sounds terrific. Have gotten wonderful comments about the quality of the recording capabilities. I am most pleased with this purchase. Most pleased indeed.

5 Stars Expensive but excellent!
I have worked in radio for a lot of years and used many excellent microphones in various studios, some costing thousands of dollars. With this microphone, I am able to get very close to that level of quality in my home using my personal computer. I bought the mic from Amazon.com when I started producing a new show where I needed to do the introduction and close to each episode. Dynamic range is outstanding, great deep bass response, and very clean and clear. If you are shopping for a USB microphone and hoping to get pro-level results, this is a good choice.

Here’s a warning, though. When you plug the mic into your computer, it wants to take over as the sound card for output also. It has a headphone jack for monitoring your voice during recording, but I was very surprised when I started playback in Adobe Audition, and I heard those headphones fire up. So that’s a little weird. I’ve adopted the practice of plugging in the mic when I want to record, starting Audition, recording, then saving the file, closing Audition, UNPLUGGING the mic, before restarting Audition and moving on to the edit phase. Clunky? Yes, a bit. But I’ll still use this mic for its quality over some others that I’ve tried. I do hope that hearing about the sound card part in advance helps at least one person avoid the head-scratching I faced for a few minutes.

5 Stars Wow! – that about covers it.
I upgraded to this MXL from a Samson USB microphone which was a great microphone, but I guess you don’t realize what you were missing until you have it. This is truly the queen mother of USB microphones in my opinion. It delivers clear, crisp clean audio. I was finding that the Sampson gave me enough background noise that I had to sound a filter in post which led to some small artifact, not much but enough that it probably cost me a couple of auditions being reviewed by audiophiles. With the MXL everything is so clean I never have to filter in post, true clear sound reproduction in all spectrums. If you are doing pro audio and want the convenience of USB technology, this is the way to go. My prediction is that this is the trendsetter that will a wider scale swing away from analog, preamps, a to d mic mixers and the like. A wonderful piece of equipment.

5 Stars Studio quality at home
This microphone is worth every penny. Studio quality sound, at home through your USB.

If you’re simply doing voice overs to your computer, this USB mic is the one. Great sounding, easy to set up, and very flexible. The controls and audio monitor on the mic give this USB microphone the real time monitoring and controls you don’t get with other USB microphones. And I appreciated the carrying case this came in.

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