Twelve Samples Of Mics On Kik

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:26 pm

OK, here goes.
You asked, I listened.

The low down (get it?):

Drum: 22" Yamaha (Cherry color, don't recall exact model).
Evans Muffler stuffed inside.
Pedal: Drum Workshop DW5000 (Like that matters).
Mixer: Yamaha 01V96
Recorder: Tascam CDRW2000 (It was either that or an Instant Replay, so I chose the removable media).

All mics recorded at same basic angle - inside, about 6 inches from beater, off to right and aimed at center (except for Beta 91, it was just lying around, lazy thing).

Mics:
EV N/D 868
AKG D112
AKG D12E
Senn MD421 - M setting
Audix D2
Shure Beta52A
EV PL-20 - Flat
EV RE27 - All settings flat
Shure Beta91

All were recorded with the 91 inside, mics on stand sent to L, 91 sent to R.
Samples were split with Sound Forge and bounced in Vegas.

No EQ, Compression, Gates, etc.
All samples are totally dry.
The samples which contain both a particular mic mixed with a 91 were time / phase corrected in Vegas prior to posting.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=769948

Enjoy.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:50 pm

NICE!

Okay, I'm now an EV RE27 fan.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:04 pm

Nice, will see what I can do with my new md421.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:16 pm

I loved the EV 868, gotta have it, I already have two re27´s and they rock!, but position with those guys is vital.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:51 pm

Thanks for your work, Bent. We all appreciate it.

Of the samples you posted, my favorites were the RE27, which has a "squeak" that's invaluable in a kick mic, and the 868, which has guts without pushing (rather than allowing) low end through it.

These are both abstract qualities, I know, but they're imperative to my interpretation of a good rock kick drum sound. I'd love to hear these 2 together.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:10 pm

I'm glad you guys liked it.

I'm with you all on the RE27, that was a shock to me.
I was very happy with it's results. I expected it to sound more like the PL, but it came out more like the D2.
I really like the D2, it and the RE sounded great off the 01V through phones.

I think this about wraps up the kik drum as far as my mic selection goes.

Anyone have any requests for other parts of the drum kit?
Snare's next, I suppose.
I'm hoping within the next month to have covered each piece and the kit as a whole...

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:29 pm

unreal. bent thank you so much. this is such a great thread and could be very useful to a very large number of people. including me!

thanks a ton!!

that re27 is my new fav
the i was disheartened by the beta91 itself though... it seemed to lack "balls" and low end.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:41 am

The Audix D4 is even 'bigger' in the kik.

Wait till you hear the D2 on the snare. Kinda like an i5 on steroids witha 10" maple shell drum.

I also liked the 868.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:04 am

I hate you, Bent!!!!
What, I gotta go out and buy ANOTHER mic?!?!?!? LOL!!!
I've used RE-20s for sooo many years it ain't funny. It's been so bad, I would get really ticked when somebody here would dis the RE20 for the D112 on kick. Amateurs, eh?
Now I have the hots for the 27. It has that little added presence('squeak') that Patrick mentioned that I don't get with the 20. I will certainly not be selling my RE20s ANY time, but now I have to get the 27. I was going to buy a Heil PR40, but now I'm gonna pop the added dough on the EV. At least they're on sale at BSW, where they're including the shock mount for $450.00. Ooops...

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:14 am

Yeah snare would be nice, over under every mic... I am sure there will be sm 57 and md 421 Thumbs Up

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:37 am

Great demo. The RE27 was great. I didn't think the 868 was anything special.

That being said, I wouldn't run out and get an RE27 until someone A/B'ed it with an RE20. At first, I just assumed the 27 was a more betterer 20, with increased sensitivity. Actually, its performance chart is competely different than the 20. The output on the 27 is way boosted above 2kHz, while the 20 is flat. That range probably doesn't matter for a kik drum, so for that use, an RE20 may sound just as good.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:49 am

What I meant was, I wouldn't run out and buy an RE27, if I had an RE20. Sure wish you tested an AKG 414.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:29 pm

Quote:

I am sure there will be sm 57 and md 421

Yes, of course.
And 57 / 441.
And now, D2 top and RE27 bottom, and vice-versa...
Thumbs Up

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:54 pm

This is really great thanks so much for all your work!

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:48 pm

This was a really great test. Another vote of thanks for all the hard work.

The only one of these that I own is the D112. Yep - that's what it sounds like raw. I got it cheap and until the last month just used it for live music. I've been recording some country and jazz drums in the last month and have been a little frustrated by its limitations. So it was interesting to hear it in comparison to this group. I like the D112 in comparison to most since I'd rather cut the boominess than boost the thump and I don't go for as much beater punch. Just my prejudice. Could probably end up in about the same place with most of them.

I definitely liked both EV mics better than the D112. Is the PL20 just an RE20 with different cosmetics? I keep going back and forth between the 20 and 27 trying to decide which I like best.

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