Cheap kicks: AT Pro25 vs. Superlux FK-2

[NRS]

Now that I've decided against using the kick mic from one of those CAD or Nady kits I'm looking for better quality kick mic but still at the same bottom end budget (well under $100) . From my readings here I've narrowed it down to two contenders that should be better but which one? Anyone tryed em both?

1) Audio Technica Pro25

2) Superlux FK-2

Any other ultra cheapies I should check out?

Also, how does the Audio Technica Pro25 differ from the Pro 25ax and the ATM25. Do they sound even close?

 

[Tim Brown]

Now that I've decided against using the kick mic from one of those CAD or Nady kits I'm looking for better quality kick mic but still at the same bottom end budget (well under $100) . From my readings here I've narrowed it down to two contenders that should be better but which one? Anyone tryed em both?

1) Audio Technica Pro25

2) Superlux FK-2

Any other ultra cheapies I should check out?

Also, how does the Audio Technica Pro25 differ from the Pro 25ax and the ATM25. Do they sound even close?

The Pro25 is good, but you'll be buying used - Audio Technica discontinued them. They used to sell for anywhere between $50 (if you bought them in bulk you could get a dealers pack) to $100, and now they have been given a new model number - and a MFG. price raise to $179. I'm not sure what the street price on them is going to be, but I heard it was the exact same mic - it was outselling the regular ATM-25 kick mic, so they wanted to make more of a porfit off of it.

It's a great mic.


Tim

 

[dogbone]

caarvin d44

i use a carvin d44 kick mic and i got a pretty good result from it. similar to the d112. i use it for punk,rock and metal. i also use it on acoustic guitar with awesome results. direct from carvin was $80.

 

[Bdrum]

Why go cheap on the kick?
I would spend $100-$200 on a D112/B52.(used of course).
Or step up to the plate with a E/V...

Well maybe someday I'll get one
I prefer a good kick mic

 

[NRS]

Why go cheap on the kick?
I would spend $100-$200 on a D112/B52.(used of course).
Or step up to the plate with a E/V...

Well maybe someday I'll get one
I prefer a good kick mic

I know a good kick mic is important but that could just as easily be said about any mic for any application and with a lot of other gear and mics still left to buy, spending $100-$200 per mic is just not my financial reality at the moment. I know the D112 and B52 are some of the most poular but have you ever actually tried either of the other two mics I mentioned? I realize I cant expect the best in my price range but also know theres always plenty of good knock-offs and underrated budget gear out there to be had if you look hard enough (especially with mics). The mic will mainly be used for sound reinforcement anyway and see only occasional "non-pro" recording, so I dont really need top of the line, just something clearly above average for its meager price will due. Thanks

 

[1980Slingerland]

Now that I've decided against using the kick mic from one of those CAD or Nady kits I'm looking for better quality kick mic but still at the same bottom end budget (well under $100) . From my readings here I've narrowed it down to two contenders that should be better but which one? Anyone tryed em both?

1) Audio Technica Pro25

2) Superlux FK-2

Any other ultra cheapies I should check out?

Also, how does the Audio Technica Pro25 differ from the Pro 25ax and the ATM25. Do they sound even close?

I bought 2 Pro25's in 1995 for $119 ea thru Musician's Friend cause I had heard them used at a club I played at a couple times and they sounded great. For all the recordings I've done over the years I'm still not that good, but I feel that if you're limited to about 50 bucks you can get a good sound for price with this mic. I will tell you, though, that if after using your Pro25 for a while I put a Shure Beta52 in front of your Kick, you'd kick my @ss if I tried to take it back! LOL My guitarist setup his home studio with an onsale Shure mic kit at Guit Center and it's awesome! It includes clips which look like something I'd charge you 50 bucks each for if I made them. Highest quality I've seen. (I think rim clips are good enough for us amateurs, bro) We added 2 SM 94 condesors as overheads and it's one hell of a great sound for the basement. Some day you'll want a setup like this. Take your time. SM57's are bullet-proof for lots of applications. I'd start out with the Pro25, acquiring 57's one at a time and go from there. Really, a 57 on snare close, a Pro25 on kick and a 100 dollar used condensor as an overhead will give you a pretty damn good starting point if you experiment enough with mic placement. Anyone in agreement? I'm no pro!

 

[NRS]

I've already been thinking the on those same lines because Ive actually already purchaced several 57 knock offs (GLS ES-57's) that were dirt cheap (3 for $70) and sound great on toms and snare. Finding a decent budget kick is just an attempt to continue in that same affordable direction and hopefully assemble an overall better budget drum mic collection than what a NADY or CAD can offer at the same price. Condensers will be next on my list with the same criteria. Im thinking of taking a chance on that $50 Behringer C-2 pair to start with then upgrade later to something much better with interchangeble caps as I move to more critical applications. All that should about round out my $200 drum mic budget unless someone whose already tried the C-2's out there can tell me they're not even worth the 50 bucks, even as just overheads.

 

[PhilGood]

I know I'm late chiming in, but I use the Superlux FK-2 and I love it. I know I've touted it before, but I will again. I'm very impressed with how it sounds for very little money. It's in a much higher league than Nady or CAD. I would compare it more to a D112.

 

[NRS]

I know I'm late chiming in, but I use the Superlux FK-2 and I love it. I know I've touted it before, but I will again. I'm very impressed with how it sounds for very little money. It's in a much higher league than Nady or CAD. I would compare it more to a D112.

Thanks man, I trust that because you were dead on about the GLS mics in another thread a saw. Have you used the Superlux tom/snare mics well? If so, how would they compare with 57's or other brands you may have used. Something tells me at this low price I'm going to end up with both mics, maybe the PRO 25 for now just since its been discontinued and may not be available down the road, then later get the FK-2 as part of a Superlux drum mic set. It would be cool to have two flavors for kick anyway. Desicions, desicions.........

 

[PhilGood]

Thanks man, I trust that because you were dead on about the GLS mics in another thread a saw. Have you used the Superlux tom/snare mics well? If so, how would they compare with 57's or other brands you may have used. Something tells me at this low price I'm going to end up with both mics, maybe the PRO 25 for now just since its been discontinued and may not be available down the road, then later get the FK-2 as part of a Superlux drum mic set. It would be cool to have two flavors for kick anyway. Desicions, desicions.........

No, I've only used the FK-2. I do know that the FK-4 has less of a taylored response than the FK-2, so it is less rounded. Just what you want for snares and toms. It's graph looks much different than a 57, so I don't imagine thay would sound too similar.