Kick mic

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omtayslick

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I have been using a garden variety dynamic (EV 257A) to mic kick drum. Am I missing something significant by not having a dedicated kick mic such as a Beta 52, AKG 112, etc.?
 
A D112 is a safe bet. You can use it for most types of music. The Beta52 is more of the boom and click kick drum sound.

You can get an OK sound from a 57 or whatever, but they won't have the low end of a real kick mic.
 
A dynamic mic meant for vox/guitar just isn't going to capture the low-end detail of a good sounding kick. You really need a larger diaphragm.

I personally prefer the EV RE20, but the D112 is quite popular. For years I used a Beyerdynamic TGX-50 with great results, but they don't make those anymore.
 
can't recommend the beta 52 enough. works wonders on floor toms too.
 
MadAudio said:
A dynamic mic meant for vox/guitar just isn't going to capture the low-end detail of a good sounding kick. You really need a larger diaphragm.

I personally prefer the EV RE20, but the D112 is quite popular. For years I used a Beyerdynamic TGX-50 with great results, but they don't make those anymore.
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What did you find worked best in terms of positioning and placement with your TGX-50, if you don't mind me asking?
 
Or you could use a drum replacement tool like drumagog, and it wont matter for the most part what you use to mic it. Drumagog is great for beginners to build confidence, and make good recordings. The drums can be a very frustrating thing to learn to record.

While I am at it I will throw my hat in the ring for the Audix D6, cant say enough good things about that mic.
 
aidan_m said:
I too recommend the Beta 52, find the D112 is a bit limited if you want any variety (with the scooped mids) but great for metal.
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Are you sure you don't have that backwards? The beta 52 is the one with no mids and is excessivly boomy and clicky. The D112 is the one that you have to take out a ton of 400hz to make it sound more "metal".
 
Farview said:
The D112 is the one that you have to take out a ton of 400hz to make it sound more "metal".
Click to expand...

To be quite frank... if metal is the sound you are after... forget getting a good kick sound. You could use a Nady $3 dynamic in that case then use sample replacement. Like it or not, that is more often than not how it is done in metal.
 
I have owned the Beta and the d112. I had to place them both just inside the res. head to get a good sound. I was looking for a punchy tight sound. In addition to the dynamic mic I and others have also blended a LDC a foot or two away in front of the res head. Make sure the LDC has a decent SPL rating. Keep in mind I am into rock music. i have no clients. It's just me and some people I play music with.
 
....

If you are going the dynamic route only, the Beta 52 and the d112 are pretty good, "standard" if you like.

The B.L.U.E. Kickball is cool too, the D6 is kind of uninspiring, but easy to use live.

Plus a B.L.U.E. 8ball works well outside the drum, and on floor toms, and it's pretty good as a amp mic.
 
bubbagump said:
To be quite frank... if metal is the sound you are after... forget getting a good kick sound. You could use a Nady $3 dynamic in that case then use sample replacement. Like it or not, that is more often than not how it is done in metal.
Click to expand...
I'm one of the guys that makes those samples...where do you think they come from? I also do a lot of metal. I use the samples when the drummer is:
A. Playing too fast to get the kick drum to 'speak'
B. Is too inconsistant dynamically
C. Doesn't have the right head/drum combination to get the right sound
D. The band wants that drum machine sound (normally because of A, B, or C)
 
Well then, get yourself a Yamaha subkick. It will get you that low end thunder.
 
Farview said:
I'm one of the guys that makes those samples...where do you think they come from? I also do a lot of metal. I use the samples when the drummer is:
A. Playing too fast to get the kick drum to 'speak'
B. Is too inconsistant dynamically
C. Doesn't have the right head/drum combination to get the right sound
D. The band wants that drum machine sound (normally because of A, B, or C)
Click to expand...

I know, I was speaking to the original poster so he didn't agonize over a kick mic for metal if his money was better spent on Drumagog. The funny thing is 98% of metal bands I have played with want that sound but have B and C as the usual problem.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. BTW, music styles are rock, country/rock and blues.
 
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