Behind the Kit with Dango Cellan: Why sE Electronics Is His Go-To for miking Drums

Whether he’s in the studio or out on tour, drummer Dango Cellan relies on gear that can handle the intensity of live performance and deliver studio-quality sound. We caught up with Dango to talk about how he first discovered sE Electronics, why they’ve become staples in his setup, and the moment one mic in particular completely changed his perspective.

What first drew you to sE Electronics—was it a particular mic, a recommendation, or just curiosity?
“I was really excited to try sE because there were so many options specifically for drums. While I was touring with Scott Stapp, our FOH engineer, Kyle, was the first one to introduce me to anything from sE. The first mic I heard was the V Kick, and I instantly thought, ‘That’s a fantastic microphone.’ Since then, I’ve gotten to know and use most of the sE lineup over the past few years in my studio.”

As a touring drummer, how do sE mics hold up in the dynamics of live shows?
“They hold up really well. I’ve been touring with sE gear for about four years now, and they’ve been amazing when it comes to reliability. Honestly, they probably have the best clips for tom mics of any brand I’ve used. That alone makes setup and teardown way easier.”

Can you remember a moment—on stage or in the studio—where sE gear made a noticeable difference in your sound?
“Oh, for sure. Like I said, the V Kick really sold me—it just sounded incredible right away. In the studio, I use it on all my toms and kick.

Another moment was when I tried out the 4400a mics. I’m not a big fan of pencil condensers for overheads, so we set up the 4400s instead. I was blown away by how much they brought out the snare while keeping the overheads sounding full and balanced.

Later, I got a pair of the VR1 ribbons to test out, and that was another game-changer. I had no idea ribbons could work that well for drum overheads. They really tame any cymbal harshness, which is huge for me. Now I switch between the 4400s and VR1s depending on the style of music I’m recording.”

Where can people see you next?
“I’m currently on tour with Hawthorne Heights and will be on the road with them all year. Check my social media for tour dates—
@dangoempire”