ES57 on Kick?

[Eyessack]

I'm going to be micing my kit with 2 overheads and 1 bass mic. I just ordered the MSH-1s (I asked for high SPL handling circuitry so they will be like the MSH-1O's I've read so much about). I was going to get the sm57 for the bass drum, thinking I could move it onto the snare once I decided to purchase a nice bass mic. BUT...Since I would love to save as much money as I can, will the ES57s by GLS Audio work just as well on the kick? I've read a lot about how these mics perform just as well as the Shures for snares and cabs, but I've seen little about their use on kick drums. By the way, I'm not looking for amazingly high-quality recordings. I plan on using these mics to record drum tracks for demos and also to put my drum playing on youtube. That being said, I don't want my bass drum to sound terrible, and I want mics I will have use for in the future. So, will the clones cut it for the kick?

Thanks

 

[jonnyc]

Well it may not be tailored for a kick drum but if you know what you're doing you can make just about any mic work(obviously not ribbons). I just got stuck using a set of audix om2 vocal mics on toms last night and so far they're working out great.

 

[icarus73]

if you want mics you'll use in the future, get the sm57. I haven't used the GLS, but no matter what, you'll never stop using the 57.

 

[PhilGood]

I have 6 of the GLS 57's and I love them. They are right on par with the SM-57.

And I would never use an SM-57 for kick.

 

[RightOnMusic]

(obviously not ribbons)

i actually really like using a ribbon on a kick in addition to a specialized "kick mic". i angle it down at about 45 degrees so the null end is pointing at the rest of the kit and so that the ribbon doesn't get hit with serious air. it takes eq really well and helps my kick to sit really naturally in a mix.

 

[Eyessack]

I have 6 of the GLS 57's and I love them. They are right on par with the SM-57.

And I would never use an SM-57 for kick.

In my situation, I would be using the GLS 57's on the kick until I decide to buy an actual kick mic. Since the sm57's apparently do just fine for the bass drum (I read that Blood Sugar Sex Magik was recorded using an sm57 on the kick), I just want to know if the es57's would do just as well. Have you ever used them for micing a bass drum? If not, can you try it and tell me how it sounds? Thanks.

 

[PhilGood]

In my situation, I would be using the GLS 57's on the kick until I decide to buy an actual kick mic. Since the sm57's apparently do just fine for the bass drum (I read that Blood Sugar Sex Magik was recorded using an sm57 on the kick), I just want to know if the es57's would do just as well. Have you ever used them for micing a bass drum? If not, can you try it and tell me how it sounds? Thanks.

I suppose I could give it a shot. You'll have to wait a couple days though.

 

[Eyessack]

I suppose I could give it a shot. You'll have to wait a couple days though.

Thanks! That would be awesome? Take your time, no hurry.

Just wondering...do you own or have you used an sm57 to compare to the es57?

 

[chester]

I have 3 of the ES57's and they work nicely on my snare. I haven't compared them to the real SM57's however. I doubt there would be that much difference between the ES57 and the SM57 though. You could always buy a bass mic first, that might be easier, unless you want to use the 57 for something else now, but if you are serious then you would wait for a snare and bass mic most likely. I haven't tried the ES57 on a bass drum, but I bet it would compare to an SM57. With enough EQ, i bet it would work ok if you have good sounding bass drum.

 

[Eyessack]

I have 3 of the ES57's and they work nicely on my snare. I haven't compared them to the real SM57's however. I doubt there would be that much difference between the ES57 and the SM57 though. You could always buy a bass mic first, that might be easier, unless you want to use the 57 for something else now, but if you are serious then you would wait for a snare and bass mic most likely. I haven't tried the ES57 on a bass drum, but I bet it would compare to an SM57. With enough EQ, i bet it would work ok if you have good sounding bass drum.

Thanks for the response. I would buy a bass mic, but to get a good one that I wouldn't end up selling in the future, I would have to spend more money than I would like to right now. At the moment, I would rather have a good, versatile mic than spend a lot of money on a good kick mic. Do you find the es57 to be versatile and useful?

 

[giraffe]

it's been done many times in the past by better people then me (sm-57 on kick, and even bass git)

just remember, you won't really have any information worth speaking of below 80 hz.

it's not like you can't live without it, but it's nice to have.........

 

[omtayslick]

Here's an inexpensive suggestion. And please don't anyone blast this idea as unworkable until you've tried it.

Use any mic that will pass a decent signal. Either the '57 or the clone will work nicely. Get the PSP mixpack. Available here: http://www.pspaudioware.com/indexen.html

You can try the free demo first.

Put the Mixsaturator plug on your kick track. Choose the Contour 1 preset. You'll get plenty of low end. Tweak to taste.

 

[hairylarry]

Audio Technica ATM25

Hi,

The ATM25 is not as cheap as the ES57 but a used one can be had in the same price range as an SM57.

This is a versatile instrument mic. Not just good for kick. Great on cabs, horns, bass. Anything loud.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[PhilGood]

I have to add that if you're able to find a Superlux FK-2, this is an inexpensive kick mic that kicks SERIOUS butt!

I have been using it for 3 years. Damn good mic! Best "bang for the buck" kick mic ever!

 

[surfmaster]

the es-57 is extremely usefull and id say go for it. if your just putting up stuff on youtube, it wont make much of a difference, and you can tailor the mic to sound good with eq and compression afterwards.

 

[mshilarious]

it's been done many times in the past by better people then me (sm-57 on kick, and even bass git)

just remember, you won't really have any information worth speaking of below 80 hz.

In this case, the overheads will. It's almost the opposite of using cardioid overheads; instead of the kick mic as bass mic, it's more for definition. I might move the 57 to the beater side for that purpose.

 

[jonnyc]

i actually really like using a ribbon on a kick in addition to a specialized "kick mic". i angle it down at about 45 degrees so the null end is pointing at the rest of the kit and so that the ribbon doesn't get hit with serious air. it takes eq really well and helps my kick to sit really naturally in a mix.

My ribbon comment was just because if you're not extemely careful you can kill a ribbon with the blasts of air. So it's not extremely common to find one on a kick drum.

 

[kojdogg]

My ribbon comment was just because if you're not extemely careful you can kill a ribbon with the blasts of air. So it's not extremely common to find one on a kick drum.

you wouldn't want to put it right by a port hole for sure, but my understanding is that it's a fairly common technique-- especially if you don't have a front head on the drum or use it on the beater side.

http://emusician.com/tutorials/emusic_ribbon_mic_summit/index.html

that's a great article on using ribbon mics with tips from a bunch of heavy hitters (Chuck Ainlay, Joe Chiccarelli, Steve Churchyard, Wes Dooley, Ross Hogarth, Eddie Kramer, John Kurlander, Al Schmitt, Bruce Swedien, and Dusty Wakeman). on page 4 there's tips on using ribbons as front of kit mics for drums and on page 5 there's a couple methods for using ribbons on kick.

great read anyway-- some great tips i've used for miking guitar amps especially.

 

[giraffe]

any one using a ribbon on a kick would do good to put a wind sock on it. seriously.

 

[giraffe]

In this case, the overheads will. It's almost the opposite of using cardioid overheads; instead of the kick mic as bass mic, it's more for definition. I might move the 57 to the beater side for that purpose.

thought of that, but i'd still keep it in the drum.
you're putting more faith in the overheads then i would, not that your wrong.
guess i do too much metal, and record too many questionable kits.