Need advice/input on drum overheads

Hello all! First of all, I'm leaning towards a pair of SDCs rather than LDCs, and I'm stuck between Austrian Audio CC8s and the Gen 2 Earthworks SR25. My five piece band is mostly playing smaller venues, but many are outside. Currently using Earthworks DM17s on my toms, an Earthworks Gen 1 SR25 on snare, and a May internal mic on my bass drum. Needless to say, I'm an Earthworks guy, but ever since I stumbled upon them, I just can't get the AA CC8s outta my head. Anyone here have any experience with these? Recommendations? Reasons why I should consider LDCs rather than SDCs?

My cymbals are Sabian HHX and Legacy if that helps.

I love that the CC8s come with a stereo bar and nice hard case, they also have a switchable pad and a switchable highpass filter. Earthworks is $239 more and doesn't have any of those things to offer... Then again, the singular review on Sweetwater for the SR25s says "As good as it gets!" Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!

Posted Jul 11, 2026, 8:51 PM UTC

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