Not really ... it depends on the drum, the mic placement, the player, the drum shell treatment, etc.

But basically anything below 110 SPL or so should probably be avoided.

thanx arrowfan.
the mic in question is a large diaphragm condenser that can handle up to 130 SPL. However most kick mics I've read about are built to handle upwards of 150. So I think I'll save myself a blown capsule and use the LDC as a room mic.
Can anyone suggest a good economical bass drum mic (dynamic or condenser)?

I'd stick with dynamic mics. Some standard answers for dynamics are probably an akg d 112 (about $200), Sennheiser e902 or e 602, audix d4, shure beta 52, sennheiser 421, EV RE-20 etc..

only condensors I have used on kicks have been either a Neumann fet47, or a shure ksm something-or-another, and some tube condensors like a Neumann u67 or a microtec gefel um-92s but ONLY out side the kick and about 3"-12" away. The pads would always be engaged whenever possible

I have seen people use an akg 414 inside a kick and Neumann u87's on toms, but not in the past 10 years.....mostly used a dynamic of sorts.

First go to radio shack and by an SPL meter. See what your kick drum is putting out. The LDC will probably work just fine.

As for an 'economical' mic, the SM57 will work just fine on a kick drum, especially when combined with the LDC.

johnwy wrote: only condensors I have used on kicks have been either a Neumann fet47.

I heard do can do wonders with a kick drum and that mic. What were your thoughts Johnwy?

just to clarify...I have used fet47's and ksm's inside and outside of the shell of a kick...the u67 and um92 I have used outside the kick 3"-12" away from etc etc.....

sushifish wrote: I heard do can do wonders with a kick drum and that mic. What were your thoughts Johnwy?

fet47's are great mics in general.....great on vocals, bass cabs, gtr cabs, percussion...can be used on just about anything, definitely can sound good on a kick...