Kick Drum Mic

[keving]

to everyone,

what is your kick drum mic preference, position, and why do you like it over the other mics?

some of the typical's I've seen are

shure beta 52
AKG d112
Sennheiser e902
Yamaha Subkick (either used in conjunction or on it's own)
Sennheiser MD 421

I've also seen an example of someone using an Earthworks Omni pattern on a jazz kick which sounded pretty good

(Recording Drums at Home)


Thanks,
Kevin

[Jroye82]

sup homie.

i use a shure beta52

If im recording with sampling in mind i get the mic as close to the beater head as i can. if not then i will usually stick about half of the mic into the port hole.

sometimes I'll stick another 57 or 58 about 5 - 7 inches infront of the kick drum to get some "air" in the sound.

hope it helps! experiment till you get sounds you like.

[Irish614]

I've heard alot of good stuff about Audix D-6 kick drum mic, as well as the Shure Beta 52A mic. Everyone raves about the audix for its low sub punch, I will be buying it soon and see if it stands up to the reviews. The Audix is 199.99$ and the Shure is 189.99$

[ldevaney]

I have used the Beta 52, Beta 91, AKG D112, AKG D12 (if you can get one grab it), MD88, and the Audix D6. I find the Audix works for me. It has a response that gives you a ready made kick sound for rock. I might be more inclined to go with a different mic for a more natural sound. For live use I find the D112 to sensitive to feedback from floor vibrations. The Beta 91 has a killer click to it. Using it in combination with a more round sounding mic and mixing the two makes for an nice kick sound.

[In10city]

Previously I used an Audio Technica AT-25 kick/floor tom mic with decent results. After some eBay shopping last year I got a great deal on a brand new Audio Technica AE2500 Dual Element Kick mic. I've found the best results for my taste is to position the kick mic elements about 2" outside the resonant head port. I don't stuff any pillows in my kick drum as I don't plan on taking any naps in there. I use an Aquarian resonant head with a built in dampening ring and an Evans batter side head. I've been very happy with the results.

For live shows, I just use the AT-25 so if it gets broken or stolen it won't hurt the wallet as bad.

I've heard nothing but great things about the Sure Beta 52 but never tried one.

[KeyserSoze]

I have used the D112 many times in the studio and on stage with great results. The only other one from the list that I've tried was the Beta 52. It sounded good but didn't have as much bottom as the D112. I can't comment on the others.

I also move the mic around a little to make sure it's where it sounds best for that drum. Most of the time it was in front of my Tama birch 22" with a 6" hole. Right in front of the port usually sounded best. Good response and bass.

[Baron]

For rock and depending on the room I'm recording in, I usually take the front skin off. I then get down low and get the drummer to start hitting. Starting at about 2 feet out, with one ear pointed at the kick, I move back till I find the spot where the kick sounds the tightest. I put a soft mic like the d112 here and then I put a hard mic like the 91 inside the head sitting on a pillow. Sometimes I will substitute an RE20 for the d112.

For live rock I just use a beta 52 and a 91 but I put both inside the head.

Baron

[Irish614]

Originally Posted by Baron

For rock and depending on the room I'm recording in, I usually take the front skin off. I then get down low and get the drummer to start hitting. Starting at about 2 feet out, with one ear pointed at the kick, I move back till I find the spot where the kick sounds the tightest. I put a soft mic like the d112 here and then I put a hard mic like the 91 inside the head sitting on a pillow. Sometimes I will substitute an RE20 for the d112.

For live rock I just use a beta 52 and a 91 but I put both inside the head.

Baron

You take the front skin of the kick drum off!? Please say it ain't so! If anything have the drummer tune it nice and low or else you lose valuable resonance and punch!!

[Baron]

Originally Posted by Irish614

You take the front skin of the kick drum off!? Please say it ain't so! If anything have the drummer tune it nice and low or else you lose valuable resonance and punch!!

Have you actually done this?............No?
Next time you have a kick, that just won't co-operate, give it a go and see for yourself.
Remember, I did say

For rock and depending on the room I'm recording in

In recording situations we usually tune several times during the session. The snare gets re-tuned for every track, if the song key changes.

I don't seem to lose any resonance or punch from a ported kick. The mic, outside the head, sometimes ends up 6 or more feet away. The current term for this is 'chasing the flame'. If I don't have the 'nice room' then I just do the standard 91 inside, on a pillow, and a SM52, D112, EV868 or RE20 in the hole, and sometimes something on the back. Usually just a 57 or 421.

Fully closed heads are a different story and usually require a mic inside (pull off the skin, place the mic and re-assemble) as well as a front and rear. Luckily, I don't do too many Jazz bands

Baron

[brandondrury]

You take the front skin of the kick drum off!? Please say it ain't so! If anything have the drummer tune it nice and low or else you lose valuable resonance and punch!!

I find this usually works much better on slower or mid tempo songs. A lot of drummers have complained that it changes the way the beater bounces off the head on faster tunes.

For some songs it's perfect. For other songs, it's terrible. It just depends on a billion factors.

Brandon