Best way to double mic the kick drum

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skiz

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Hey guys, been trying to toy abound with double micin my kick drum but havnt really had great results. My method was to put my beta52 inside the kick about 10 inches frm the batter and use one of my audix i5's to mic the batter head of the kick from the outside, pointed right at the point where the beaters hit. Been making sure phase issues arnt a problem but still the i5 isnt really sounding great. Wat are some good kick micing techniques for inside/outside micing? oh and ill beat every1 to it and say... Mayb i should doubling up the kick?;-)
 
I'd try experimenting with with tones out font of the kick before heading to the batter side. Near the hole, or up just below the top of the shell and back a bit for a 'kick hot' kit sound with more shell tones.
Haven't tried the i5 in this spot but it has a decent top lift and mid scoop that could be interesting.
 
I am not an expert, but when I mic a kick I do it like this:

Beta 52 on gooseneck through the cutout and right up to the back of where the beater hits. I try to angle it off a bit to the side so it is off center, pointing in at an angle to the point of impact.

Then either my D112 or an RE20 right outside of the cut out on the resonant head.

I have had great results like that.

Before I had my 112 and RE20 I would use an SM57 inside and the B52 at the position outside.
 
I'm disappointed in you RAMI, you've been beaten already :rolleyes:

Skiz, can you describe what it sounds like and what you want it to sound like? Might help a little...
 
Elton Bear said:
I'm disappointed in you RAMI, you've been beaten already :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Damn!!! Took me a while to figure out what you were talking about. I didn't read the whole first post....OBVIOUSLY. :eek:

Well, It's still a damn good joke. :D
 
Here's a little secret: Try doubling up the kick!
Surprised nobody thought of that.
 
well with the beta52 i get a nice low end sound so its got some power behind it but im hoping to get a bit more attack or 'clickyness' from the i5

i find when i mic the batter side where the beaters hit im not really getting that slap im looking for.. its got a bit more actual tone than i want. really trying to get more definition and slap with regards to the attack

the batter head is an aquarian super kick II and its definitely not tuned too high, its pretty damn loose actually. just beyond finger tight.

but yeah, just trying to get a really big powerful kick sound with a lot of slap and attack!
 
Is doubling the kick into two tracks really a common technique? :confused:
 
skiz said:
well with the beta52 i get a nice low end sound so its got some power behind it but im hoping to get a bit more attack or 'clickyness' from the i5

i find when i mic the batter side where the beaters hit im not really getting that slap im looking for.. its got a bit more actual tone than i want. really trying to get more definition and slap with regards to the attack

the batter head is an aquarian super kick II and its definitely not tuned too high, its pretty damn loose actually. just beyond finger tight.

but yeah, just trying to get a really big powerful kick sound with a lot of slap and attack!
Click to expand...

What kind of beater are you using?
 
I was just gonna bring up about the beater. I use a 52 just inside the hole at an angle to the beater using an Iron Cobra double kick with plastic beaters. Sounds great.
 
Using dw7000 double kick pedals with plastic beater. Hmm.. If i cant find that slap would you reckon mayb time for a new batter head?
 
Tried one of those PDKP thingies?

Metal disk in a rubber pad, gives the sound you're looking for (I think)... But all the time. If you play metal one day & jazz the next, not a good option. Felt beater will tame it a bit.
 
I use a beta 52 inside the hole about a foot from the beater and I made a subkick mic out of a 8-inch speaker that I use right up a few inches off the resonant head. I try to get the clicky, higher end sound off the beta and then just bring the low end up in the mix with the subkick mic. Works well for me. Might be something to think about if your a bit handy and can find a speaker laying around. You'd be surprised how good they sound on a kick drum. Maybe even try the metal washer taped to the batter head - depends what type of music and what you're going for.
 

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Oh yeah, the washer thing. I've also tried a credit card taped to where the beater hits.
Dave, nice sub...:) I'm building one right now. All I had was a 6" sittin around that I'm tryin. Do you use an inline pad?
 
Hehe no worries. Id actually be really interested in learning to make a sub to get some thumping low end. How on earth do you make a mic from a speaker? Sorry.. Not handy at all! I do have 2 6x9 speakers lyin around tho but dont think they'd b ideal
 
Yeah, you're gonna need a pad if you don't have one on your pre. I didn't realize how much gain these things have so be careful when first testing it.
 
Or.......just tune the drum correctly, use the correct beater, and move the mic until you get the sound you want without all this extra stuff. :)
 
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