Recording Bass Pans With A New Used $40 SM81 Microphone

I recorded bass pans for lots of songs yesterday.

These steel drums sound a little floppy/sloppy. I play lots of whole notes and half notes while using the heavier mallets. Minimalist mindset and simple patterns sound good.

Keeping it simple.

I don’t feel like moving the pans. Gonna have a groovy corner reverb vibe. 😅

Inspired a meme.

I liked the sound I was getting.

The two microphones work well together. The SM81 seems to be more sensitive than my regular C1000… I have two C1000. I should try the other C1000 in a second comparison with the SM81.


I liked the sound so much that I decided to double some previously recorded steel drum parts. Doubles for steel drum parts on several of the songs that will appear on the follow up album to Cumbia Transmission.

LOL, $400!?!?

I paid $40 at a yard sale.

Maybe I should sell the SM81? I like it, but I don’t really need it. I get a kick out of saying I did everything with two C1000s.

##Thanks for reading.

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