Audio Systems: Condenser Microphone, condenser mics, condenser microphones

Question
QUESTION: Robert,

Would a condenser mic with a top end frequency of 13K, do a good job picking up quality cymbals for a live performance?

Thank you.

Mike

ANSWER: It would be better if you told me the make & model number of the microphone. There are specific microphones to various instruments. Are you recording professionally or as a hobby?

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QUESTION: I wasn't referring to a specific microphone.
I have seen several condenser mics that had a top end of 13K.
I had told you that it was for use as a drum overhead--
I was using it to pick up cymbals in a live performance.
There was nothing about recording mentioned.

THank you.

Mike

ANSWER: Mike - I am a sound engineer with 30 odd years of experience with recording from jazz to disco. I have gold and platinum records and grammy nominations. I have worked with every kind of microphone you can think of. Asking me about a microphone with a frequency limitation of 13K indicates that you do not have a real understanding of that technology. Patterns and costs are as important as frequency response. Are you considering only fundamentals or harmonics. Do you want cardiod, super cardiod, omnidirectional, etc.

I can tell you that an AKG451E, B&K, Neumman or Scheeps microphones will do whatever you want. Can you spend $2,500 for one of those condenser microphones? Are you using the necessary processing to prevent feedback when using condenser microphones? Is your set up mono or stereo for overhead of the drums?

The best overall drum microphone for live gigs is the Shure Beta57A and it won't put you in the poor house. I don't recommend condenser microphones for live gigs thats why I even brought up recording. That is what condenser microphones were created for.

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QUESTION: TO put it more simply---

Do most cymbals have a frequency that is above 13K?

Don't you use condenser mics for drum overheads on live gigs to pick up all the cymbals?  

Answer
If you have powerful enough tools meaning lots of in-line and external processing besides a console that has exemplary mic pre-amps. Otherwise I recommend staying away from them. Cymbals fundamentally have frequencies in the 5K to 10K region. Harmonics can go above 18K. If you are recording hi definition audio with 24bit processing then it will be useful. Your speakers are part of the equation. How high do the high frequency drivers go in your speakers? Are they horns or tweeters? Who is listening? What are you expectations as far as quality? Is this frequency requirement self imposed or do you think that you will gain something. Try looking up the microphones that I listed and see what their capabilities are.

........and no I don't use condenser microphones for live gigs unless I'm mixing Sting or some major jazz cats.