As a studio producer with years recording different artists and songs, I am always on the lookout for good mics, and today we are talking about the Best Kick Drum Mics.
I have purchased a lot of kick drums mics, with some costing thousands of dollars.
And most of them all sound like crap.
They simply are not able to capture the quality of the sound that I require.
Also if you are a drummer, then you know that setting up your mic can be a bit tedious at times.
There are a whole lot of mics to consider and depending on which head you want to capture, the frequency plays a huge role.
The kicks in your set give up the lowest frequency, this is why you need to pay special attention to the kind of microphone you get for this.
In this article, I will be reviewing the top 5 best kick drum mic for live sounds, points to consider before you make a purchase, and how to ensure that you get the best out of your recent purchase.
Our Top 5 Best Kick Drum Mics
Why you need a good mic for your kick drum
If you are like most people, you may be wondering why you need a special mic for your kick drum.
What happens if you just wing it with any “normal” condenser or dynamic mic that you lay your hands on.
The truth is that using any of these mics will work, but its all about the quality of your sound.
You want to always get the best quality, which makes you sound unique and different from all the other musicians and drummers out there.
The way you mix, record and setup your sounds is almost as important as the music itself.
So you want to make sure that you get a good and effective drum mic that conveys beautiful music to your audience and listeners.
Points to consider before you make a purchase
1. What is your budget?
This is obviously the most important factor if you want to get good quality mic.
The simple truth is that, the more money you have the better quality of mic you can get. However there are some low budget mics that will spank the hell out of some expensive mics.
In this review we give you the best with affordable prices.
2. What are the specs of the mic?
Also you want to check and make sure that the microphone you get has the right specifications
Basically you want to check and make sure that is has a high SPL (Sound Pressure Level) and a good frequency range.
This will ensure that your mic does not clip when recording at a high volume
3. How many mics do you need?
This is simply a matter of preference and what you are comfortable with.
Some people are okay using just one mic.
Others require more than one. If this is you then you can get a high end mic (which costs more than the average) and then a normal one.
4. What’s your brand preference?
Finally you want to make sure that you go with trusted brand name.
With a trusted brand, you are sure of years of dedicated research and experience going into the product that you choose to get
Our Top 5 Kick Drum Microphones
1. Shure BETA 52A Kick Drum Microphone
This is probably the most popular and best kick drum microphone for the money.
It has a high frequency response shape that is suited well for kick drums and bass instruments
It has a built in dynamic locking stand adapter with integral XLR connector which makes setting it up easy
It has a high studio quality performance and does not clip even at very high sound pressure
It has a unique supercardioid pattern which gives it a high gain and helps in the reduction of unwanted noise.
It has a very low sensitivity to varying load impedance which makes it ideal for use in recording kick drums
2. AKG D112 Large-Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone
This kick drum mic made by AKG is a very durable and high quality microphone.
It is a large diaphragm dynamic microphone that is ideal for kick drums and for bass instruments.
It has a very high Sound Pressure Level which makes it ideal for picking up your drum kicks and delivering awesome quality.
It has a built in windscreen and a stand in adapter for easy setup and prevention from wear and tear.
This is a classic microphones that is favoured by drummers and bassists around the world.
3. Shure PGA52-LC Cardioid Kick-Drum Microphone
This microphone made by the trusted brand Shure is also a very good choice for kick drums.
It has a unique cartridge that is specially designed for low frequency clarity making is an ideal choice for kick drums
It has a swivel joint with quick release latch for quick and easy positioning
It has a cardioid pattern that easily picks up audio pattern and also reduces unwanted background noise
It is designed with a sleek and unique black design that makes it pleasant and pleasing to the eye
It comes with a zipper pouch that helps in protecting it from wear and tear when transporting
4. Electro-Voice PL33 Kick Drum Microphone
This is one microphone that is specially designed for kick drums, bass instruments and low frequency instrument
It has a tight supercardioid polar pattern and high frequency voice pattern which makes it ideal for recording without clipping
This is one low budget mic drum that is sure to compete with so many high priced models out there.
It is designed for professional live sound and well as for use in the studio and home recordings.
5. The DM-80 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone
This is a budget friendly kick drum mic that delivers awesome sound quality when used.
It is a small mic that when used with a good preamp brings out good sound quality.
It is well built and very durable
With this mic you can be sure of getting awesome quality sound when used.
Kick Drum Mic Placement explained
When placing your mic, you want to make sure that it is properly positioned.
This will help reduces unwanted background noise and boominess
Here are some ways you can place your mic
- Near the inside head
- Halfway inside the drum
- Near the outside head
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