Audix D6 Vs. Shure Beta 52 Poll

[Lectric_Lab]

I voted for the Beta52 mainly because I own one. Hell...I've used a MXL900 on the bass drum and got decent recordings, and it cost $40...there's always a dispute over the Beta52 being used for soft music, I use it for hard rock and it sounds great...what are you recording the microphone through would be a good question....a Berihnger mixer, straight digital mic pre, things make a difference also, not just the mic selection. I use the I5 on floor tom, why? because it has a crisper top end, and adds to the bottom. Also double mic the bass drum using a SM57 in combo w/Beta52...I'd like to have a D6 for bass cabs and heavy metal click sounding bass drum (that's what I am reading)...if you can get a decent sound 90degrees off axis any mic will work

 

[bubbagump]

I'd like to have a D6 for bass cabs and heavy metal click sounding bass drum (that's what I am reading)...

I never found it to be particularly clicky. I just did a session yesterday on a kick I thought was at least relatively slappy (such quantifiable terms we use) and it needed a little tweaking to get the slap through. All that to say, I don't know how much I would buy into the D6 being clicky. Red playground ball being bounced hard is more like it.

 

[Freudian Slip]

Id like to know who else has used both. I know how sometimes in polls like this, people just vote for what they own. If you own a D6 and have never used a Beta 52...then I dont think you should vote. I have never used a D6, but I am quite happy with my Beta 52....

I will go with you on this. I will also say that given the description of how it doesn't matter where you point the D6 may sound nice to some but given a good kit tuned well and proper time for set-up I think I would rather have a mic where it does change the sound depending on where you point it.

I own a 52 and yes if the kit sucks you will have a hard time of it, but I can eq the kick almost completly with mic placement. It does sound though as if I might want to pick up a D6 for doing outside work and for use on the occasional not so stellar kit.

With a good kit and the 52 inside the resonant head I find it very easy to go from a nice round kick for softer music etc. to a punchy clicky kick for harder rock and metal using mostly mic placement.

F.S.

 

[charger]

What I was trying to say is that if 95% of people use the D6 then there must be something to it. Maybe the question should be what to you use or what do you own, not what is best, since honestly most people would never own both.

That's a point, but not a great one... like saying that 95% of recordists have used an SM57, and only 5% a C12, therefore the 57 is the better mic...

I haven't used a D6, and I seriously doubt 95% of people use them -- the one I see get the most use of the 5 or 6 major kick mics is the D112. Personally, I've used most of the usual suspects including the D112, the ATM25, the Beta52, the Senn E602, and the EV RE20.

I settled on the Beta52 (though to be fair to the RE20, it was out of my price range). But that doesn't mean I think everyone should use a Beta52. I also don't muffle my kick drum, and I use a felt beater... and most people think that's wacky too.

 

[Le Chat Noir]

I'm really happy with my D6 - huge kick sound, very powerful and full, great 'click', and also works fantastically on bass cabinet.

 

[Sloan]

Generally:
D6 - punchy & tight

b52 - big and loose



if you anticipate needing different kick sounds often, get both.

 

[goretastrophy]

I purchased a D6 4 months ago and it is versitile to any response your trying to capture, from a big warm sound for funk to a tight thud for death metal. Awesome Mic!

 

[snellular5]

D6

No doubt, the d6 wins in my books, gives you everything you need from lots of click attack to a nice full warm resonant sound. I've had a great experience with audix mics so buy the d6

 

[nubsy]

I use them both, often at the same time: D6 up, in, and close, 52 just poking in the sound hole. Also 52 on bass cab, yet to try d6 on it. So...either or both.

 

[soundchaser59]

I've never met an Audix that I like yet......but I have not tried the D6. I really like large diaphragm dynamics a lot, I need to try this one.

However, I have not yet met a Shure Beta that I like either......

I guess we do have a D6 at church, and the kick there sounds ok, a lot better than the sound of the AKG D112.

 

[rockerdude]

Hmm, well I can name quite a few people on this board who either have experience with both or actually own both. Although most do not, since most here are new looking for help, there are those who can give an honest opinion. So how about the ones who can't, just don't.

Ben

I own em both.....The beta is a rounder full bodied flavor and d6 is a clickey midrange tone. I put the D6 on the beater side and the beta in the kik and a yamaha subkik in front of the kik.WOW kablam!www.sterlingsoundstudios.com

 

[lollygagger8]

IMO (having used both extensively)

D6 = Beef, lots of low end and enough click to not get lost in the mix, this is all w/o EQ, which you don't need much of. If you don't need the click, roll off the highs.

Beta 52 = need alot of EQ to get a decent sound out of it. Semi-finnicky of placement (not D112 bad) but it's kind of boxy sounding for my tastes.

I had the Beta for kick drum first, and replaced it with the D6 if that says anything. Now I sometimes use the Beta for floor toms.