Looking for versatile kick drum mic

Any of the mics you mentioned should do the job- the D112 works for me, I like the sound best-

I use the D6 you mentioned. I like it. But the condensor at about 2 or 3 feet away is really the sh*t. IMO
Or even up close is sweet too.

yep, a condenser in adition to a kick mic gives you a lot more options at mixdown- and you might just get 'the sound'

check out a Sennheiser e602. A D112 by comparison sounds like someone tapping on a shoebox (no offense to any fans of the 112, I know people love them, but I've made several converts).

Beyer M88

Also try an SM7...not only is it a KILLER kick mic, its a KILLER vocal mic...

I've used the SM7 on every conceivable sized kick drum (and oddly enough, the 15 ft drum used in Native American ceremonies...) with great results.

the beta 52 is a good mic but it is really lacking in the high end, a good condencer is always good, but i would get a EV RE20, its a good bass, kick, guitar, vocal mic. ive even heard some one use it for accustic guitar with great results.

different mics for different folks.. that's why we have variety, people buy different things- otherwise we'd have one world, one kick mic - I still like the D112 :D

Audix D6 8-)

sproll wrote: Audix D6 8-)

hey sproll, finally we like different things... I thought we were twins for a while :D

AKG D112 8-) 8-)

maintiger wrote: [quote=sproll]Audix D6 8-)

hey sproll, finally we like different things... I thought we were twins for a while :D

AKG D112 8-) 8-)

LOL :D Yeah, well I guess we're not exactly the same. I honestly think the D112 is a great mic, hell, it's a standard to which all are judged... but I like the more natural, rounder sound of the D6. Just my personal preference for what kind of music I like. Of course if I was a real engineer with a real studio I'd have both in my mic locker. 8)

I just want to add again...
My only kick mic is a D6, but the best sound I get, is from any of my condensor mic's. I really mean it!!!! :!:
Fuck...I like the D6, but if I don't or can't find the damn condensor mic's we might as well not record until I can find them type of impact on your recordings.
I really feel if you want something to write home about (or beat your chest like Tarzan when your recordings are done) look at getting a LDC.
LDC=BIG SOUND
I think this is the only way to go

rudedogg wrote: its not the mic, it's how you use it

Well it does matter when you put 48Volts on it. You can use sayings like that, but the truth is a different reality. A condensor mic anywhere on the drums (OH, kick, or wherever) will make them sound much more open and BIGGER than they ever will without one. Unless you are going for a live recording and then you can't always to as you might like to do.
Reguardless, If "it's not the mic" why would have Hitman asked "which mic"?

hey guy,

what condencer mic would you recomend?

I have 3 Avlex. I bought them about 3 years ago. They were cheap. ($199 a piece) But the salesmen were all my best friends and they were tryin to get the name out about these guys (so I got em REAL cheap) But they sound really good! And I'm picky.
But you could spend more money and get something real sweet. Like maybe a Shure KSM or an AT4033 (or 4050 whatever it is)Start a new post on recording.org and see what everyone else has to say as far as which condensor mic they like most.

I use the 10 inch woofer out of my daddy's old pioneer speaker. It works geee-rate :-?

Yeah, well anyway - there are as many ways to record a bass/kick drum as there are to record the piano. The fact is, any mic with good spl handling and a decent response in the LF will get you a bass/kick sound that's reasonable. After that, it's a matter of figuring out exactly what you like or don't like about the sound you're getting. Then you have to figure out if you can fix the sound with EQ or compression.

One of the funniest things to listen to is a dry recording of a kick drum. I was just listening to some of the stuff that Kurt put up on the review site and it's recordings of a kick drum. It doesn't sound anything like a kick out of a recording, but it's not supposed to. You gotta make it work.

J.

i really love my d112!
great mic! gives me that punchy sound on the kick! for bass amp i prefer my audix d4
between the d6 and d112 you'll be fine

Hitman wrote: Kswiss - I found that the Shure, AKG and Audix are all similarly priced. I did find a couple of D6's on ebay for $135ish, which is the lowest I had found so far.

I have to say that my experience as a player (drummer) with the D112 have not been positive. We ususally try it, but opt for something else. That is my experience with several different bass drums and studios. I don't know? But for that reason I'm shying away from the D112 and opting to try the D6.

Sproll - I do like what you said about the D6 sounding more natural and rounder to you. That is more along the lines of my personal taste at this time. I'm not looking for that through your chest thud. I want a more organic sound.

Thanks for the input.

Yeah, the D6 should work well for you then... or like the other guy said, a LDC will work great too. The reason I got the D6 is because I'm a gigging drummer, and it makes much more sense to me to get something I can use both live and in the studio.

As a drummer who's not into the heavy metal tick tick tick bass drum sound, I can tell you the D6 is a great mic with some great body and enough tick to cut through the mix - all without eq'ing it.