Best Hi-Hat Mics

Updated: August 28th, 2022

As a drummer, you want your audience hooked and grooving to your performance. A hi-hat will help you achieve this feat. It is usually a combination of two cymbals and a pedal. They are all mounted on a metal stand and used when recording any music style, whether rock, pop, jazz, or blues.

The hi-hat is unarguably an essential part of your drum set, in addition to your bass and snare. However, many drummers think it is enough to rely on an ordinary overhead microphone when performing, expecting it to pick up sounds from the hi-hat, snare, tom, bass, and other equipment.

No doubt, their expectations are met sometimes. A good stereo microphone kept above the drum set will undoubtedly pick up sound equally from all kit components. However, the audience will not experience the full clarity and uniqueness of each drum.

Getting a microphone specifically for your hi-hat is paramount to guarantee more precise sounds. You get to reduce your snare sound frequency so it does not overlap with your hi-hat.

We have carefully reviewed the best hi-hat mics and some of the factors to consider before purchasing one. 

Our Top Picks:

• Best Overall: AKG Perception 170 Professional Instrumental Microphone
• Runner-Up: Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones
• Budget Option: Heimu Professional Condenser Microphone
• Best All-Purpose Model: Lewitt LCT-040-MATCH Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
• Best Luxury: MXL V67N Small Diaphragm Condenser Instrument Microphone

Overview of the Best Hi-Hat Mics

Top 5 Hi-Hat Mics: Reviews

 

AKG Perception 170 Professional Instrumental Microphone – Best Overall

It is worthy of note that the AKG microphone is as tough as Tardigrades. Its rugged all-metal body and robust design enable it to withstand hard day-to-day use. Aside from that, it is sleek and long-lasting.

However, despite its all-metal body, it is lightweight and ensures zero radio-frequency interference. It means that you can use the microphone near the transmitter station, wireless microphones, or other communications equipment without any frequency disruption. 

The AKG P170 can resist high temperatures and humidity. Its minimalist design makes it possible to reposition with ease while recording. 

The microphone can also handle sound pressure levels of up to 155dB without distortion. In addition to that, the mic features a switchable attenuation pad that allows you to increase the headroom by 20 decibels. This feature lets you enjoy a distortion-free close mic recording or performance.

As a drummer, owning a versatile microphone serves you a great deal. That is one of the benefits the AKG P170 is bringing to the table. You can use it while recording, in a live performance, or even broadcasting. It is perfect for use as a drum overhead and with acoustic instruments, including your hi-hat. 

The P170 has also received a nod from a lot of experienced sound engineers around the world. It is equally considered a better and affordable alternative to the well-known AKG C451 B.

Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones – Runner-Up

The C02 is a pencil style condenser microphone designed for use during live performances and studio recordings. Since it comes as a pair, the mic is perfect for situations where multiple mics are needed. You can decide to use one for your hi-hat and the other for your snare. One of the advantages of using various mics is that you will have clearer audio from particular instruments.

This condenser microphone comes with a low-mass capsule and cardioid polar patterns that help capture just the sound right in front of the microphone. The design also helps to reduce ambient room noises and other signals from nearby instruments. 

Users get a protective carry case and two shock-mounted mic holders for additional protection and noise reduction. With the two foam windscreens, tuning down wind noise plosives in vocal applications is possible. 

The linear frequency response of the mic guarantees top-quality reproduction while withstanding high sound pressure levels.

Heimu Professional Condenser Microphone – Budget Option

The Heimu professional condenser microphone is designed to capture sound from a signal source while tuning down background noise. The effect is that clean audio without interference from other drumming instruments is produced.

This mic has a built-in acoustic pop filter that ensures that you get a brilliant and transparent sound. It is a perfect pick for recording amplified instruments such as the hi-hats.

This microphone features high-quality metal for maximum reliability. The materials are robust and resistant to moisture; hence, it will last long for a long time, regardless of the frequency of use.

It is an all-purpose model that is usable for any component of your drum-kit, whether your hi-hat, snare, bass, or tom. Drummers tend to experience its power when used together with a hi-hat to minimize breath and pop noises.

Lewitt LCT-040-MATCH Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone – Best All-Purpose Model

The Heimu professional condenser microphone is designed to capture sound from a signal source while tuning down background noise. The effect is that clean audio without interference from other drumming instruments is produced.

This mic has a built-in acoustic pop filter that ensures that you get a brilliant and transparent sound. It is a perfect pick for recording amplified instruments such as the hi-hats.

This microphone features high-quality metal for maximum reliability. The materials are robust and resistant to moisture; hence, it will last long for a long time, regardless of the frequency of use.

It is an all-purpose model that is usable for any component of your drum-kit, whether your hi-hat, snare, bass, or tom. Drummers tend to experience its power when used together with a hi-hat to minimize breath and pop noises.

MXL V67N Small Diaphragm Condenser Instrument Microphone – Best Luxury

Also referred to as a “pencil mic,” this unit can provide the right amount of clarity and balance while performing on stage or recording in a studio. Aside from hi-hats and cymbals, it is also ideal for stringed instruments. 

Whether you are a professional drummer or beginner, nobody likes unwanted noise, hum, or buzz interfering with their performance. MXL V67N solves this problem. It is internally wired with the renowned Mogami cable, which helps deliver a clear and accurate sound. 

This microphone comes with two interchangeable capsules to suit all kinds of recording and performances. While one is for cardioids pick-up, the other is for Omni-Directional pick-up patterns. These capsules ensure that the mic is sensitive and can readily reveal even the subtlest noise. The downside is that the mic will likely pick up unwanted sounds if you are not careful. 

This affordable mic has received thumbs up from numerous artists, engineers, and professional sound producers.

Factors to consider when buying the best hi-hat mics

Sound quality

A hi-hat usually produces high-frequency sound most of the time. With this in mind, small diaphragm condenser microphones are the perfect choice for these instruments. 

It is worthy of note that the snare is so sharp even without a mic. Using a single mic may swallow your hi-hat sound, causing you to lose your performance tempo and rhythm quality. It is not usually an issue on a small stage, as described in a ModernDrummer article, but you cannot say the same for big concerts or studios.

Verify the sound quality of each product to make an informed decision during the purchase. 

Design

The material used in constructing a hi-hat microphone matters a lot. You would want to choose a lightweight option housed in a rugged metal body like aluminum. It ensures that the mic is easy to move around and would last for a long time. In addition to that, an aluminum-designed microphone will guarantee zero radio-frequency interference. Hence, you can use it near transmitter stations and wireless microphones without encountering any disruption. 

Size

Going for small-sized diaphragm condenser microphones is usually the best. No, just because they are small does not necessarily mean your recordings’ quality will get low. The goal is to ensure that they can fit into your drum kit carrier when traveling. 

Price

It is only reasonable that you consider your pocket’s size before making any purchase, even if it is a hi-hat mic. There are a lot of options in the market with different price ranges. Just make sure that the one you are buying does not leave you broke. 

Extra features

Some of the hi-hat mics come with extra features like microphone clips that help you adjust to any position of your choice when recording or performing. Some come with transport bags for easy movements. You should also check for other features like attenuation pads and air noise filters. 

Why you need a hi-hat mic

One of the significant advantages of purchasing a hi-hat mic as a drummer is more control over the tone, volume, and proximity during a performance or studio recordings. 

Regarding tone, a hi-hat mic will give you a more robust sound compared to an all-around overhead mic. Bear in mind that hi-hat sounds set the tempo of your performances. So, you will need it to stand out or end up running a boring concert.

Having a mic close to your hi-hat will bring the sound of your kit closer to your audience, assuming you are far from them. 

Conclusion

As a drummer, you can get creative with other drum parts, but the hi-hat helps maintain a specific tempo and rhythm. It adds a unique and natural touch to your performance or recordings. For some genres like reggae or jazz, the hi-hat is the life of the drums. But it would help if you had an amplifier for it, and that is where the need for a hi-hat mic comes in. 

We hope our review will help you make an excellent choice. Also, we hope you do not turn a blind eye to the factors you need to consider before making any purchase.