AKG C430

been making music semi-professionally (don't quit your day job) for about 20 years. I have done everything from off-the-board recording to demo production for bands I have played in, into all kinds of media.

This is a small diameter condenser from AKG. They are designed as drum overheads. With the Recorderman placement (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=davidkakon), you can get excellent results. I've had people comment on the sound I got with just two of these mics and a kick mic. The frequency response is pretty much ideal, to my ear, across the range, for overhead miking. I do very little tweaking on the EQ, depending on the location and whether I am looking for a specific sound for the gig.

I have tried all kinds of configurations, from a single condenser to a Shure dynamic mic - as well as other brands- on each piece in the kit. From my perspective, these AKG mics deliver a solid response that sounds much better than their price. People can argue for days (or years) about Oktavas, Rodes and others, but these small, solid, roadworthy, high quality mics are a great addition to any mic locker. I'm surprised they don't get more comment on the forums.

Have been recording for over 10 years, and currently record live bands into a mobile rig consisting of a Mackie HDR, Focusrite Octopre( for the kit) A TLA EQ1 for keys, TLA C1 , AMEK 9098EQ for electric guitar miked from a SE Tube Z5600A and Avalon U5 for Bass of course!! : ) Because this is a mobile rig, I then Monitor back through a mackie CR1604Vlz,I use The AKG C430's as overheads.

As I said I use these mics as overheads and I will admit that they were mainly bought as a cost option over anything else. But I have been really pleased with the results.
Apart from their sound, I will say that the C430's are so small and unimposing looking that Your average drummer may naturally feel less intimidated by them, and who knows, may relax more giving a better performance!! maybee, just something to consider. apart from that, the results I have had Have been excellent, Dare I say it,more focussed than a pair of NT2's that I have also tried, but this is probably one of those subjective things, but I did find that using the NT2's as overheads meant that I was neeeding to Roll off 500hz and below. again possibly a subjective thing.
The bottom line, If your looking for a cheap pair of drum overheads, I would recommend these.

Professional Musician for over 10 Years. Project-Studio recording lots of piano and vocals mainly. I`m recording everything into Cubase.

Small condensor cardioid mic. constructed mainly as small live overhead and hihat-mic.

These are really small mic, less then 8cm long (shorter then my index-finger. They seem to be very rugged and have a full metal body.
Since I'm not a drummer I tried them on somme acoustic instruments e.g. on my baby-grand and they performed really well. They have a little treible boost from 5 to 15 kHz that sounds a little too present or harsh easily on acoustic instuments (certainly great for cymbals & hihat) I usually take out with an eq afterwards. This way they sound really nice and neutral and are almost comparable to my beloved pair of Rode NT5s.

The C430 comes with a foam wind/pop-killer and with this it even is usable as a vocal mic! This looks very stylish because the thing is so mall and you have to hold it with 2 fingers therefore.

I got the pair for a really good price and would therefore buy it again.