What do you guys do with YOUR AKG D112?

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endserenading81

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I just bought an AKG D112 kick mic because of some research I did, and quite frankly, needed a kick mic. It was due. So I just want some suggestions from D112 owners on how to get a FAT kick in their mixes. My music mostly calls for the best of both worlds, good click AND low end. But I would like to know ANY techniques to use on this mic, as I understand it is a mic that needs some moving around.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Inside the kick about 5 to 6 inches off the head for starters and add a 57 to where the beat strikes the head as close as possible. Right now Im working on building a speaker mic for kick drums.

SoMm
 
Thanks

yeah I have a very small kick drum, 18". But it's still cool how big a sound you can get out of such a small kick. I just did some kick tests today with the D112. Didn't sound big enough. Very "thudISH". Should I take the pillow out? I want to know how to get the biggest sound out of this lil kick. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated; drum placement, tuning, mic placement, kind of mics, ANYTHING! I've been thinking about going condenser for the kick.
Thanks,
Rob
 
If the kick doesn't rattle when the pillow is out then take the pillow out. You need to find out where the kick sound less thuddy :) just move the mic around until it sounds good. You might have to add LDC farther back if you want a less tight sound. The D112 was developed in an era when kicks were more clicky than thumpy. Another thing is that preamps can sometimes strip you of a decent sounding kick regardless of the mic your using. What kinda preamps are you using?


SoMm
 
The D112 is very picky about placement. The best spot I've found is a few inches outside the hole on the resonant side. Pointed at the place where the pedal hits the drum.

You have to just keep moving the mic around. Eventually you'll find that PERFECT spot and the drum will sound really good. But, if you're like me, you'll find the perfect spot only to bump into the stand and have to start over. :D
 
thanks guys

I think my kick is alittle too rattlelY when I take the pillow out. Haven't tried to record like that yet, will do. I heard the D112 takes a lot of EQ to make it sound good. Some say the Audix D6 doesn't need EQ, I should look into it. My preamps are the M-Audio Omni box and the Art TPS Tube Unit. I just made a pretty decent recording of the kick today, loud but not that boomy. I placed the D112 right outside the 5" hole on my kick, and had more boom, but not that big rock boom I want, with a little "click", of course. Keep those tips comming!
Thanks,
Rob
 
endserenading81 said:
yeah I have a very small kick drum, 18". But it's still cool how big a sound you can get out of such a small kick. I just did some kick tests today with the D112. Didn't sound big enough. Very "thudISH". Should I take the pillow out? I want to know how to get the biggest sound out of this lil kick. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated; drum placement, tuning, mic placement, kind of mics, ANYTHING! I've been thinking about going condenser for the kick.
Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...


I hate to be the one to tell you this, but You're not going to get that "big rock boom" out of an 18" diameter kick drum. To get that big kick sound, you have to use a big kick.

You're only real option, is to loose the batter head so it's slack, leave the pillow in the drum. Record it. Then gate it very tightly so that you only allow the mallet slap to pass through, then put a small room reverb on it to simulate a larger kick drum.

There is a reason I use a pair of 28" kick drums - and this is it! :D

Tim
 
thanks

I know I know, I'm looking to get a huge kick next time, like a 24 to 26". So I can have variety with the 18" and 26". I was just wondering how to get the biggest sound out of this thing. I'll try what you said. So people use gates not just to filter out unwanted sounds, but to process a sound too? I'm also planning on gettting some mixers to use more mics for the kick and snare. I only have 4 inputs right now.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Do not use the Audix! Well, you can try it, but you won't like it. I have the audix mic pack which is great on the toms, and overheads. I use a 57 on snare now, and the D112 for bass drum. Try putting the mic about 3-4 inches away from the beater head, aimed where the beaters hit, and moved about 2 inches over from the beater itself. then eq out the mid frequencies. I got the kick sound I wanted with this thing. Crank the gain, just make sure you don't clip. I love that mic.
 
Try compressing it a bit as well. You don't always need a huge kick to get that huge sound either. I have a 22 and I have to highpass it because it has too much low end. The heads and tuning will make all the diffrence too. What do you have on yours?
 
Remo babY!

I have a remo Clear Powerstroke 3 on the 18" er! I wonder if getting a drumhead that is MADE to sound big would do the trick. I'm guessing the Powerstroke 3 is a great natural head. Just plain.
Thanks,
Rob
 
You could always tape the D112 to the back end of the mic stand as a counterweight to keep it from tipping over while you try some different mics on your kick :) . That's what I would do.

It's a great mic but sometimes you just gotta switch to get a different sound. All the other posters gave great advice about placement, and the D112 is really finicky. Befriend someone with a different mic and maybe they will let you check it out.
My faves:
A/T ATM25 (not pro25- who knows why they call them pro)
E/V N/D 868
 
I pair a D112 up with either a RE20 or MD421 (or any combination of those three) for kick drums. D112 are popular for bass cabinets as well.
 
Pillow?

I haven't used a pillow in the kick for a long time.
It takes up to much room!I would try a foam wedge
that touches both heads and 1/2 -3/4 of the shell.
I'm wondering why not the D6,I was looking into one.
I've used the E/V and it's got the low end punch.
B
 
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