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TonyB · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I've not used the D112 or Beta 52 hundreds of times like I have my trusty Beta 91 (my favorite by far), but I'll give this a go.

While I know people have gottent he D112 to work, it doesn't fit my idea of what a kick drum should sound like. It never has. When I pull up the fader to the kick drum, it's there, but it's like it is not there. I don't know how to describe it. It's not necessarily an attack thing because it seems that no amount of EQ seem to fix it (although I'm a bit hesitant to write that). That's just how it feels.

I remember the Beta 52 being in a similar ballpark, but maybe a bit more meaty sounding. It's been a while and I've only used the Beta 52 once or twice.

It's really hard to describe this in text. When I switch from a D112 to a Beta 91, I immediately say "Ahhhhh. There it is!". I still may end up EQing the shit out of it, but it's always a good sound right off the bat. The 91 has a way of highlighting all the good things in a kick drum mic.

The SM7 is not the Beta 91. It's different. It's more like what I would imagine a D112 is supposed to be. So far it's been dramatically punchier sounding in the 100-200Hz department without getting as cloudy. When I EQ the SM7 I feel like I'm able to get what I want. Regardless of the drum, I always seem to lean towards sample replacement when I use a D112.

So that's the short version.

In a pinch I can definitely use a D112 and it won't be the end of the world. It's like getting burgers when I'm really in the mood for pizza. In the scope of things it's not a huge deal.

However, to anyone who needs a kick ass workhorse mic that works on a variety of sources, the SM7 is very hard to beat. It makes sense to buy it as the main kick drum mic and main vocal mic.

Brandon

Thanks. I've been using samples to supplement the 112 on the attack side as well. You're right, it wasn't the sound I was expecting; almost like using a coat hanger to beat on a tissue box. Glad to see it's not just me. I may try the 7b in place of the 112.