Senn E602 Kick Mic... WOW!

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TexRoadkill

TexRoadkill

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I've never been happy with my kick sound. I've been mainly using an ATM125 and it always just sounded floppy. I've done the bass tunnel trick and stuck a LD at the other end and that helped fill it out but I still wasn't excited. I had pretty much resolved myself to triggering kick samples.

Until I tried the Sennheiser E602 last night. The drummer brought his over and I started with my own mics and as usual didn't like the kick sound. I stuck his E602 in the kick and pointed at the beater and BOOM. It was big, defined, nice attack. Obviously you need a good kit and drummer but, damn.

They are $200 at MF and it's going to the top of my must have list. Anyone else used one or liked something else better?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...0202479662/g=home/search/detail/base_id/43000
 
I have one, like it a lot, but I think I like an RE20 better sometimes.
It can actually be quite decent on vocals, too, depending on what you want.
Full Compass will do you better than $200... mine was used at the Grammys and got it from Full COmpass for like $140.
 
you got one of those tubedude?

i saw them listed in the Full Compass mailer I got and by the time i hopped on their website, they were all gone. i really wanted one of those at that $140 price mark, b/c this is the kick mic i really want. i've heard them used in a number of live situations (as well as beta 52s and D-112's) and the senns just blow the akgs and shures (and AT's) away.

FWIW, the $199 pricetag at MF gets you a low-profile boom stand and 20ft mic cable, too, if i'm not mistaken.

but anyway, yeah, i really dig the e602. i've been watching all of the usual used places (ebay, musicgoround) and have yet to find one (or find one for a reasonable price on ebay).

to be honest, i've liked just about ever sennheiser mic (or headphones) i've used or heard......


wade
 
Cool, my local music store has a used one for $120.00. I think I will take your sudgestion and grab it while it is still there!
 
>

TexRoadkill:

See my posting in the "what is this mic?" thread by lookingforcool.

Paj
8^)
 
TexRoadkill said:
I've never been happy with my kick sound. I've been mainly using an ATM125 and it always just sounded floppy. I've done the bass tunnel trick and stuck a LD at the other end and that helped fill it out but I still wasn't excited. I had pretty much resolved myself to triggering kick samples.

I know what you mean Tex, I've tried Beta 52's and d112's, and wasn't real impressed, but I'd be willing to gamble on a e602 on a recomendation as strong as yours.:)
 
Re: Re: Senn E602 Kick Mic... WOW!

maestro_dmc said:
I know what you mean Tex, I've tried Beta 52's and d112's, and wasn't real impressed, but I'd be willing to gamble on a e602 on a recomendation as strong as yours.:)
Ever try a 421 on kick? Just wondering, I haven't.
 
I've been using thr 602 since last October. I'm very happy with the results. My studio has down for reconstruction about 5 months now. I've been buying equipment and I just got a 421. I should be back up and running in another month or so. Can't wait to try the 421. I'll be taking it tp a live gig on Friday. Let's see how it does live.
 
You know, I hate to say this, but if you REALLY want to get a killer kick sound all the time, every time, you might want to consider this route. If you plan on doing live work, then go the standard route, but for recording, this is crazy great.
There is a Nady Starpower1 mic on sale at musicians friend for $7.99. Get that and stick it in the kick. Its just there to grab the transient.
Get Drumagog @ $149.00
You are at less than $160 at that point, cheaper than the Sennheiser.
Dig up a couple kick samples from Drumkit From Hell or someplace, really good sounding samples. Purrrfect Drums, something like that.
Record the kick hits with the cheap mic, use drumagog to kick its ass. There is a demo available too.
Almost unbeatable, and its fast as hell.
Try it.
 
Yeah, Drumagog is very awesome, for snare too, it's on my wish list.

I'm not ready to give up on the mic thing yet though, I need to be able to get the sound live too.

Also, I've tried a 421 on kick, but it was live, not for recording, and we had no subs that time, so I don't know if all the low end was really there or not. The response curve for that mic shows the low end to be either tapered down, or flat, not hyped at all.

Look at it below

http://buy.sennheiserusa.com/ASP/Sennheiser/pdf/md421ii.pdf
 
tubedude said:
You know, I hate to say this, but if you REALLY want to get a killer kick sound all the time, every time, you might want to consider this route. If you plan on doing live work, then go the standard route, but for recording, this is crazy great.
There is a Nady Starpower1 mic on sale at musicians friend for $7.99. Get that and stick it in the kick. Its just there to grab the transient.
Get Drumagog @ $149.00
You are at less than $160 at that point, cheaper than the Sennheiser.
Dig up a couple kick samples from Drumkit From Hell or someplace, really good sounding samples. Purrrfect Drums, something like that.
Record the kick hits with the cheap mic, use drumagog to kick its ass. There is a demo available too.
Almost unbeatable, and its fast as hell.
Try it.

That's a copout. I thought that might be neccessary for home studio drums but it's not. The drum sound we got over the weekend is slamming. I was going for the STP Plush sound and we got pretty damn close. I also used the E602 on the bass cab and the low end is PHAAAAAAAAT.

The low end is so detailed in the sub bass that I'm having trouble getting a good mix of it on my NS10s. As soon as I have something that translates well I'll post it. Right now it's either way too overpowering or I end up compressing the punch out of it. What is amazing me is that all this low end from the kick and bass is just E602-Ghost-Radar. I'm mixing in some of the RNC compressed drums and bass with the raw tracks and the groove is awesome.

I brought the band into my office to listen on my Klipsch system with the sub and they were blown away.
 
Drumagog? Eeewwww. I'll take the real deal baby! I have to check out a 602.
 
got it, lllllllloooovvvvve it!!!! hurrah for the e602!!! fortunately, this is the first bass drum mic i have ever owned. i have borrowed others and got sick of farting around with them to try and duplicate what i was getting with my 602. this sucker is great live too!!!!
 
I'll second the recommendation of the 602 the are awesome on a kik, i have'nt looked back. :)
 
ahh tex! why did you blow the big secret?

ive always thought this mic was far superior to the shure and akg and ive tried to make it a trade mark sound in my studio competing with the other locals. ive recommended it a couple times in these forums but people dont seem to listen to me much (could it be my post number is too low?).

You can also EQ the heck out of them without getting too loose with the sound.

I wasnt however too impressed with them on a bass cab but ive had it work a few times on upright bass.

I guess since the secrets out i would share my thoughts on it.

Danny
 
I was just finished reading some more of the threads and i thought of more things to add.

Tex, i had the same problem on bass cab when i miced it. The low end was just too deep and fat for a cab and it was hard to get it to fit in the mix. But it can work pretty good actually on a DI/mic combo.

I have used these live numerous times and they are just as incredible. The only problem i found with lvie but this is problem saying the same for any kick mic. It doesnt work without getting the mic directly inside the kick. It can really feed back.

Although im a little saddened that this mic is probably finally gonna hit main stream and i wont have a little bit a uniqueness to my kick sound anymore, im glad this mic is finally getting the attention it deserves. Too me its always been one of those mics that everyone has been too afraid to try because they want to get the "standard".

Ive also used this a little on vocal. Definately not a number one choice but can be a cool color for some voices.
 
My simple service won't allow me to download the audio sample, so may I have a description please?

I have never heard the e602 in action, but I am a big fan of Sennheiser mics, I own a few.
I'm always looking for different and better kick sound.
Here's what I've used and how I feel abouit them:

Beta 52: harsh click-boom (suited best for heavy metal)

AKG D112- a chameleon that sounds real different depending on placement, but good all round.(bouncing basketball sound when placed inside the kick,not good for me)

ATM25- nice round mellow tone with good highs and lows (best suited for a jazz kick)

Audix D6- I wish I owned one. Real good kick mic without placement problems. Fat and round without that hollow sound.

CAD KBM412- ($49.99) and it's the kick mic that the Beta 52 wants to be. Character mic.

PG52- Good for hammering in nails and swatting flies.

Which of the above would the e602 be most like? (I'm sure not anything like the PG52 :))
 
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