Kick Drum Mic
September 13th, 2010How To Record Drums – The Best Tips For Home Studios
If only we lived in a world where every kick drum, snare and toms were tuned to perfection! Where rooms not only sounded good, but actually enhanced the sound of the instruments which occupied them. Not to mention having the perfect tools to capture such instruments from the microphone itself; to a quality lead, mic preamp, compressor, EQ and A Grade Conversion.
So when it comes time to record a band in your home studio and you want to utilise the best bits of equipment you can muster, what happens when you simply don’t have enough quality gear to record every instrument within the band? And what if the band you are recording simply doesn’t have good-sounding gear to record with in the first place? In times that have passed, this would have proved to be a serious dilemma however today’s recording tools can serve up an entirely new method. Every audio producer says, “Get the sound right from the beginning” – and I for one agree with them – but, in some instances where time and gear get in the way, other techniques may be necessary.
Recording a drum kit is one of the hardest things to do in the studio. Does the following sound familiar?: You’ve just finished tracking all the drums and later returned to realise some parts of the kit don’t sound as good as you had hoped!? Maybe you were tired during the session? Or maybe the rest of the band wouldn’t stop making noise while you were busy checking that everything was in place. The actual performance from the drummer was fantastic but, in hindsight, you wished you had taken more time to get the microphone in the correct position, or even tried a different microphone altogether. You’ve tried all the EQ’ing and various processing tools your DAW has to offer, but none of this makes the drums sound as good as you had hoped! If one particular piece of the instrument doesn’t sound right, replacing or “adding” to the sample could be the answer.
So what is ‘replacing a sample’, you ask? Well, the idea is to replace, or double, a below par sample with something of a much higher quality. Plugin’s such as Drumagog, Soundreplacer and Logic Pro 9′s Drum Replacer are some of many programmes that do just that: Replace drums! Whilst this seems to be a terrific and simple cure to all of your “below par’ recordings, care and attention must be exercised when doing so.
In theory, replacing a kick or snare drum should be just that…only it’s not. If you’ve ever listened to a soloed kick drum recording, you’ll notice how different each individual hit is played. Obviously dynamics play a massive part in getting a “replaced” kick drum to sound “right”. If each kick sounded exactly the same, the track would begin to sound lifeless and unnatural. In the programme of your choice, pay particular attention to the threshold or sensitivity control as this adjusts how hard the sample is to be triggered. Cross check the “sample” sounds to the original and try to match the dynamics to the original, recorded sound. Simple drum replacement programmes only vary the dynamics of one sample. This is not nearly as good as the more thorough programmes which actually change the sample for each level of dynamic trigger. This not only sounds better, but gives the drum recording a more organic sound. Some programmes also convert the original drum track into a MIDI file, which enables the engineer to completely adjust the dynamics and send midi signals to a vast array of devices.
One more thing to remember when using drum replacement programmes, is to make sure your DAW has delay compensation on as latency can become an issue. This is when the programme triggers a sample which isn’t aligned with the original recording causing the sample to be out of time. Some replacement programmes have a Latency Compensation component and some don’t.
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CharterOak e700 Kick Drum Microphone Demo Video
AKG D112 Kick Drum Microphone, Stand and Mogami Cable $218.90
This specially priced package for the AKG D112 kick drum microphone includes a stand and Mogami cable so will be ready to hook this up to your existing mixer right away….
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Blue Microphones Mouse Microphone Kc $999.00
Description:Blue Microphones Mouse MicrophoneThe Blue Mouse Microphone is one of the most versatile and snazzy-looking mics you’ll ever lay eyes on. With a unique rotating capsule, the Mouse mic is a cardioid condenser which employs a hand-built single-membrane, large diaphragm capsule. Enclosed within a rotating spherical grille, the capsule can be positioned and adjusted in the smallest of space…
Click here to learn more about Blue Microphones Mouse Microphone Kc
Sennheiser e600 Drum Microphone System with Stands, Cables, and Headphones $1,069.33
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Click here to learn more about Sennheiser e600 Drum Microphone System with Stands, Cables, and Headphones
Xbox 360 Rock Band Drum Set $29.99
Rock Band Drum Set X360…
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Guitar Hero Smash Hits $10.99
Guitar Hero Smash Hits…
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Gear One MK1000 Kick Drum Mic Black $69.99
The highly affordable MK1000 is a dynamic mic designed for low frequencies. Its supercardioid polar pattern provides maximum isolation onstage for greater gain-before-feedback. Its 30Hz-10kHz frequency response is tailored for kick drum with a slight boost at 80Hz (where kick drum lives) and a presence peak at 3kHz and 9kHz for clear and articulated attack. Max SPL: 146dB
Click here to learn more about Gear One MK1000 Kick Drum Mic Black
Used Shure Beta 52A Kick Drum Mic $171.99
The Shure Beta 52A Kick Drum Mic is a high-output, dynamic microphone with a frequency response tailored specifically for kick drums and other bass instruments. It provides superb attack and punch, and delivers studio-quality sound even at extremely high SPLs. Its modified supercardioid pattern ensures high gain-before-feedback and excellent rejection of unwanted sound.Channel Strips of the Stars: Ronan Chris MurphyWorld-class producer/engineer/mixer Ronan Chris Murphy’s credits include King Crimson, Steve Morse, Terry Bozzio, Victor Bisetti, Gregg Bissonette, Tony Levin, and projects with members of Tool, Ministry, Weezer, Dishwalla, and Yes. A huge fan of A Designs Audio, Ronan was kind enough to share some of his drum-recording signal chains: “Well all of the drums for Terry Bozzio’s Jazz trio were recorded with all A Designs Audio solid state preamps. For drum overheads I used Shure KSM32 condenser mics (#270141) into a Pacifica (#189903); for kick drums, I prefer the Shure Beta 52. Actually I have used the Shure KSM32 into Pacifica combo on tons of great drummers, including Terry Bozzio, Victor Bisetti (Los Lobos), Gregg Bissonette (Santana, David Lee Roth), and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mister Mister, The Rembrandts).”Note: for more information about individual units in the signal chain, enter the Item ID# into our search box.Frequency response shaped specifically for kick drums and bass instrumentsBuilt-in dynamic locking stand adapter with integral XLR connector simplifies setup, especially inside a kick drumStudio-quality performance, even at extremely high sound-pressure levelsSupercardioid pattern for high gain-before-feedback and superior rejection of unwanted noiseHardened steel mesh grille resists wear and abuseAdvanced pneumatic shockmount system minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibrationNeodymium magnet for high signal-to-noise ratio outputLow sensitivity to varying load impedanceLegendary Shure quality and reliability
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B-Band UKKO-K Single Kick Drum Contact Mic $99.99
The B-Band UKKO-K kick drum contact mic system is a remarkable way to capture the true tonality of your kick drum consistently, conveniently, and with extreme isolation. This system consists of two important components: the UKKO DMK preamp, built with high-quality class-A electronics, and the UKKO DST1 Contact mic for superb tone. This system will work with any size kick drum, and gives you high-resolution sound, and easy setup!This mic system was designed to be able to blend-in visually with the drum kit. That is why B-Band designed the DMK preamp to be chrome colored to match most drum hardware. It is an extremely lightweight system that does not add any noticeable weight to the drum, or get in the way while performing like most other drum mic systems. It also very robust and durable, and will endure rigorous touring.Setting up and tearing down have never been this easy. The DST1 has an adhesive back that mounts easily and discreetly on the inside of the drum shell near the batter head. The DST1 lead wire is fed through the drum air hole to the DMK preamp. The preamp mounts in the air hole outside of the drum, and was specially designed to not interrupt the flow of air as the drum breathes. Being as the DMK preamp is so small in size, there is no need to remove it to put the drum in its case, leave it on and be ready for the next gig or studio session. To better capture the low frequencies of the kick drum there are two mini switches inside the DMK preamp that contour the sound for a choice of tone. One switch controls a -6dB mid cut at 330 Hz and the other is for a +6dB high boost at 5 kHz.If you have a hole cut on your resonant head or if there is no resonant head on your kick drum, this will make the UKKO-K sound thinner. It is recommended to have a solid resonant head for maximum tonal quality.
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JS-KD50 Kick-Drum/Amp Mic Stand $51.93
Manufacturer: Ultimate Support Systems, Inc Manufacturer Part Number: 17231 Manufacturer Website Address: www.ultimatesupport.com Brand Name: Ultimate Support Systems Product Model: JS-KD50 Product Name: JS-KD50 Kick-Drum/Amp Mic Stand Product Type: Microphone Stand
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Nady DMK-5 Drum Mic Package $119.99
The Nady DMK-5 Drum Mic Package includes 4 DM70 tom/snare mics, one DM80 kick drum mic, and a case. DM70s are perfect for miking snares, toms, and percussion with no bleed through from other pieces. With neodymium element for max output and super-high SPL handling capacity. The DM80 is specifically designed for kick drum with extended low-end response.
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Nady DMK-7 Drum Mic Package $189.99
The Nady DMK-7 Drum Mic Package includes 4 DM70s, one DM80, and 2 CM88 mics in a fitted case. DM70 mics are perfect for miking snares, toms, and percussion with no bleed-through from other pieces, neodymium element for max output, and super-high SPL handling capacity. The DM80 microphone’s specifically designed for kick drum with extended low-end response. The CM88 cymbal mics feature an extremely uniform and tight cardioid polar pattern for easy mixing.
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Blue Drum Mic Kit $2747
Inspired by some of the most important recordings in music history, Blue Microphones has created the Blue Drum Kit Kit for an easy solution to replicate the fabled ’3-mic’ drum miking technique that professional engineers have used for years. The Blue Drum Kit Kit consists of the award-winning Mouse and a stereo matched pair of Dragonfly microphones. These three microphones complete the sonic spectrum needed in producing a full-bodied, live recording session for the most discerning drummer and engineer.Mouse MicrophoneThe Mouse’s hand-tuned capsule is specifically designed to capture the thundering lows of bass and baritone vocals and low-end instrument sources. Enclosed within a rotating spherical grille, the capsule can also be positioned and adjusted into the smallest of spaces for applications where versatility is paramount. The Mouse is perfectly suited for kick drums, acoustic bass, electric bass amplifiers, snare drums, broadcast and voiceover work, and any other sources where accurate reproduction of low frequency transients is paramount.Dragonfly MicrophonesThe Dragonfly generates a silky extended top-end, contoured midrange and a bump at the upper end of the lower frequencies that thickens thin signal sources. With an integrated elastic shockmount and rotating head, the Dragonfly utilizes its innovative industrial design to enable quick and precise mic placement on the fly. The Dragonfly is ideally suited for high-frequency sources like alto and soprano vocals, percussion, electric guitar, drum overheads, and “difficult” sources such as stringed instruments.All three mics and their schockmounts come in a protective metal case with a plush interior that had cutouts to keep your mics safe between uses.
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Gear One Mk1000 Kick Drum Microphone Black $49.99
The highly affordable MK1000 is a dynamic mic designed for low frequencies. Its supercardioid polar pattern provides maximum isolation onstage for greater gain-before-feedback. Its 30Hz-10kHz frequency response is tailored for kick drum with a slight boost at 80Hz (where kick drum lives) and a presence peak at 3kHz and 9kHz for clear and articulated attack. Max SPL: 146dB
Click here to learn more about Gear One Mk1000 Kick Drum Microphone Black
Shure PG52 Performance Gear Kick Drum Microphone $119
The PG52 Kick Drum Microphone is a high-performance microphone tuned to capture low-end punch of a kick drum or bass amp.
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Shure PGDMK4 Performance Gear Drum Mic Kit $249
The PGDMK4 Drum Mic Kit is an essential drum kit mic selection for snare drums, rack/floor toms, and percussion.
Click here to learn more about Shure PGDMK4 Performance Gear Drum Mic Kit
Audix DP5a 5 Drum Microphone Package $659
Included in the DP5a drum mic package is the D6, Audix’s flagship kick drum mic, two- D2′s for rack toms, one D4 for floor tom, and the i5 for snare. Also included are four D-Vice rim mount clips for every mic except the D6 kick drum mic, which comes with a heavy duty tension fit mic clip. Everything is conveniently packaged in a foam-lined aluminum carrying case road case for safe keeping when the mics are not in use.
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Audix F6 Kick Drum & Bass Frequencies Microphone $139
The Audix f6 Fusion Series bass frequency microphone is purpose-built for kick drum and other low-frequency instruments, including large toms, and bass cabinets. The Audix f6 drum mic is lightweight, compact, and easy to position. With a wide frequency response of 40Hz-16kHz and the ability to handle sound pressure levels of 140dB, the f6 is an excellent choice for miking instruments requiring extended low frequency reproduction.Featuring the same depth and “no-EQ-necessary” performance as the Audix D6, the f6 boasts a little more midrange punch, also making it suitable for more aggressive styles of music, such as hard rock and punk. Another great benefit of Audix’ purpose-built mics is the ease of placementthey sound great no matter where you place them (within reason), so a “walking” kick drum, or active performers bumping the mic is rarely a problem. The Audix f6 has a hypercardioid pickup pattern for isolation and feedback control, and an LM (Low Mass) Type A diaphragm for natural, accurate sound reproduction. It employs a transformerless design for transparent reproduction, while its low-impedance, balanced output provides interference-free performanceeven with long cable runs. It’s roadworthy construction includes a precision cast zinc alloy body, black coat finish, laser etched model and serial number, steel mesh grill, gold XLR connector and a tension-fit heavy duty nylon mic clip. User tips:The f6 is designed with low output in order to compensate for instruments having very high sound pressure levels. For kick drums, start with the mic inside the middle of the drum positioned slightly off-center, pointed towards the beater. For more attack, and less bass boom, move the mic closer to the beater. For less attack and more bass, move the mic further away from the beater. For kick drums without hole in front head, place the f6 a few inches from the head for a large dynamic sound. For toms, position the mic 2 inches from the head and point towards the center of the drum. For bass cabinets, position the mic 90 to the grill cloth and 1 – 2 inches inside the edge of the speaker.Compact, lightweightCast zinc-alloy bodyLM (low mass) type A diaphragmStudio-quality soundExcellent mid-bass punchHandles high SPL without distortionGreat for both studio and stage Roadworthy constructionDesigned, assembled, and tested by Audix in the USA. 3-year warranty Applications for stage and studio:Kick drumKettle drumFloor tomBass cabinetsLeslie bottom
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Audix FUSION FPQUAD Drum Microphone Pack $399
The Audix FPQUAD features Audix Fusion series mics for fast and easy drum kit micing. Requiring only 4 mixer channels, the FPQUAD features a F6 kick drum mic, F5 snare drum mic, and 2 F9 condenser overheads for complete drumset coverage.
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Digital Reference DRDK7 7-Piece Drum Mic Kit $181.99
The Digital Reference DRDK7 7-Piece Drum Microphone Set contains microphones optimized for every type of drum and cymbal. Proper recording means that each drum in your kit requires a specific miking approach, and the DRDK7 microphone set delivers. Included are a DR-K100 kick drum mic with clip, 4 DR-ST100 snare/tom mics with clips, and 2 DR-C100 condenser overhead mics. The 7-piece microphone set provides the ideal punch, detail, and clarity for stage performance or studio recording. The low-profile mics mean minimum visibility, while the resilient microphone mounts reduce stage clutter with secure rim-mounting and versatile positioning. The Digital Reference mic set even includes a hardshell carrying case with die-cut foam compartments and an integrated handle.
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Nady DM-90 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone $39.99
The Nady DM-90 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone was specially designed for the most accurate reproduction of extended low-frequency instruments and amps. The Nady DM-90 mic features a dynamic element and large diaphragm for capturing the attack, punch, and high SPL of bass drums. Supercardioid pattern for ultimate feedback rejection, and a rugged die-cast body with internal shockmount and hardened steel grille.
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Sennheiser Evolution E902 Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone $199.95
Winner of the TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement (2005) and the m.i.p.a award for Best Drum Microphone (2005), the Sennheiser e902 is a dynamic mic designed to reproduce the lowest bass sources and handle extremely high sound pressure levels. It is ideal for kick drums, bass guitar amps, tubas, and any other bass instruments. Exceptionally clean and clear reproduction of the deepest bass signals. Cardioid pickup pattern. Frequency response: 20Hz – 18kHz. Rugged construction for touring stage applications.Frequency response optimized for kick drumVery fast attackExceptionally clean and clear reproduction of the deepest bass signalsIntegral stand mountHum-compensating coilShock-mounted capsuleRugged metal body
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