Hi

I'm looking to replace a rather cheap n crap Thomann Kick Drum Mic. I've been looking at the Audix D6, AKG D112 and Shure PG52, but am wondering what people on BR think and what mics do you like using for Kick Drums in Live Sound?

Jonathan

I have used the D112 in the studio sounded great positioned close to the front skin gives a nice clicky sound that I quite liked. I also used a Shure Beta52 and a Beta91 inside the kick it sounded sweet just have to watch the phase's. Haven't heard the Audix, from that list I would choose the D112. Shure others will input their thoughts.

Alex

D112 for me, had one to start with then went with others now im back with the 112, love the clicky noise, can get a nice jazz sound from it too.

dan

I'd be interested to hear audio samples to compare some of the mics/combo's, if anyone's done it in controlled conditions?

Must admit I tend to use the D112 either because it's available, or because the client knows it. I can usually get a more-than-workable sound but I'm never sure I really "like" it.

As for alternatives, I recall having fun with an Electrovoice RE20 on kick for one gig a fair few years back that I rather liked, but that whole rig was so different to my usual stuff that it wasn't really a fair comparison.

I've fairly recently started using the D6 and love it to bits. I used to use the D112 or an ageing D202 but the Audix seems to give me both the "gut thump" and the "click" I want all at once. A very nice mic!

Bob

I have 2 D6's and love them and use them whenever I can. I try and never use the D112 I have used them when there is nothing else left in the mic box, but I have used the old AKG D12 which is quite nice and in my opinion much better than the D112.

I've heard plenty of good things about the Audix D6, our drummer uses as Sennheiser E809 which I think is a very good drum mic.

I was pleasureably surprised with how good the Beta 52 sounds on kick, and would recommend that you give it an audition.

I used to use a D112 quite a lot and I do like it - though recently I tried the D6 and like above posters was very impressed!

D6 all the way for me. Best of both worlds if you only have 1 channel. But a D6 and a Beta91 is a fantastic combination. IMO Much better than a Beta52 / 91 combo.


LF Driver from a NS10M anyone?

the D112 gets my vote!!!

D6 every time - also great on cajon.

Can I throw a spanner in here. What about the EV RE20. Put it close to the skin pointing off axis and you get an awsome sound.

my college has a RE27, its good, but I don't have £450 lying around

you can pick up second hand RE20s wll over the place. They are very popular in broadcasting studios for vocal mics so you see them pop up on ebay and stuff quite a lot.

+1 for the RE20 if you can afford it. sounds great.

can I stick another mic into the equation? if you want a gutsy kick, the yamaha SKRM-100 is brilliant at picking up that low end, though you'd want a 57 or something to get the click.

however, I find myself using just a 57 most of the time, as it sounds far far better than the thomann kick mic in the set I bought (the BD200). I've not yet tried a D6, but I want to. I dont like the D112 though.

the cheapy thomann kick mic I have is the BD100, and its pathetic.

I've got a BD300 kicking around and didn't think it was bad for the money.

Another vote for the Audix D6. I usually have it poking just into the hole in the front skin. One of my most cherished mics! Reviews of mics on Harmony Central are well worth a read.

Harmony Central Reviews

They tend to be written by keen, knowledeable users rather than people that have "seen one once at a gig".

Pete.

Poked just inside the hole is ideal usually for a D6, of course, every drum is different, and every style of band is different but generally speaking this works fairly well.

The D6 is also IMO the best kick drum mic to use for a full skin. Ie NO HOLE. Ok, so it's not as good as having a hole, but it's IMO better than the sound most mics give you.

slight OT question here: is there such thing as a "piezo pickup" for drum skins? ie for sound enforcement, not triggering. I know its physically possible, but I just wondered if it achieved satisfactory results.

Yes have seen this with a lot with touring bands. Putting a small 4/6 inch studio driver up very close to the skin.

Not a great fan of the D6, have used it a few times and find it way too boomy and rumbley. Saying that I’m not a great fan of Audix in general for some reason.

But yes it does depend on whatyou are doing. Another mic no-one has said is the good old SM58 beside the beater on the outside and a 91 inside. Great for a Jazz/swing sound.

Out of curiosity, what's the rest of the system you tried the D6 with? The only reason I ask is that I've always found exactly the opposite: the big strength of the D6 is it's ability to deliver a "big" low end but still give you a tight, controlled sound.

Bob

quite a few systems. An EV T251 + PD180As. EV XLC, Nexo Alpha and A Martin one. I do want to like it. The specs seem good but it never gives the sound I want. Saying that I am quite picky about my kick drums. Im not a great fan of a big big low end that you seem to get with the D6 I like it tighter. A quick tight punch.

I always favour the D6 but outside of my bass drum. Any mic sounds awful inside a bass drum and having a dirty great wire going into the drum looks awful too.

PS: the appropiate word for the 'kick' drum is bass drum.

As a drummer I agree it's a 'bass drum'.

As a SE I appreciate the differentiation from the bass guitar, that 'kick drum' gives.

In a mix I'm still happy with my Beta 52, even if solo'd it doesn't sound the best IMO.

thanks for all the advice n info, I've just bought a Audix D6

Jonathan

from a desk point of view, its imo easier to tell a 'kick' drum apart from a bass guitar than a 'bass' drum, especially when in abbreviated/acronymous form.

when labelling a mixer, I tend to call the bass guitar 'Bass' and the Bass Drum 'Kick'

I love the EV RE20 and would love to have one for Jazz kick but go for the D6 for rock.

For me, there really is not contest, The Beta 91 is an amazing mic, and also, if you need at somepoint to pick up the low end on a grand piano, it works amazingly for that as well. such an incredibly microphone, and it doesnt break the bank either!!!

M88, RE20, B91

I use a D6 at the mouth of the kick and a Beta 91 up close to the beater.

Straying OT a little from SoLiEn's post. Beta91 on piano low end is fantastic. Added to a pair of C414's makes the perfect combination for most pianos. (from the POV of both and engineer and a pianist)