Ribbon Mic Drum Overhead Comparison – Vintage vs Modern

Today on Echo Shack, I’m checking out five different ribbon mics on drums to see how they stack up as overheads. If you caught my last video where I compared five dynamic mics, this is the ribbon edition — featuring some vintage legends and some surprisingly killer budget options.

In this shootout, I’m using:
• Coles 4038 (newer model based on the vintage classic)
• Vintage RCA KB2 from the 1950s
• Vintage RCA Varacoustic from the 1950s
• Cascade Victor (super affordable ribbon mic)
• Royer R121 (modern studio staple)

Everything you hear is raw — no EQ, no compression, no extra mics. Just pure overhead ribbon tone so you can really hear the character differences between vintage RCAs, the warm low-end of the Coles, the modern punch of the Royer, and even how well the cheap Cascade holds its own.

chapters:
00:00 - intro
01:23 - book a session or lesson
01:56 - Coles 4038
02:21 - RCA KB2
02:47 - RCA Varacoustic
03:13 - Cascade Victor
03:38 - Royer R121
04:13 - closing thoughts



If you want to connect for remote drum recording sessions, virtual lessons, or in-person sessions in Philadelphia, hit the link in the description. I’ve also got sample packs, free downloads, and more drum resources over there.

#drums #recording #ribbonmics

link to website - echoshack.info

playlist with other shootouts -    • Recording techniques  

playlist about 1970's drum sounds -    • 1970's drum sounds - mixing and recording  

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel — more drum mic shootouts and recording tips coming soon!