George Petersen 2018-11-13 22:24:10
Capturing a kick drum may appear fairly easy. However, this source is more complex than it seems, with a blend of essential frequencies — the low-end boom and the midrange attack of the beater, which adds snap and transient punch. Meanwhile, there are “flabby” sounding frequencies in the 250 Hz to 600 Hz range that detract from the desired sound. As the kick drum became the foundation of live mixing, a market opened for specialized mics for kick applications — plug-and-go models requiring little or no EQ to provide a solid kick sound. Today, there are dozens of such mics available — and even more, if you consider all the boundary- style mics suitable for the task. We found a huge selection of current market offerings to fit anyone’s taste or budget. So get kicking!
Audio-Technica AE2500
Type: Dynamic/Condenser
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 17k Hz
Weight: 13.8 ounces
Notes: Has dynamic and condenser capsules, each with separate output.
Street: $549
Avantone Pro MONDO
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 15k Hz
Weight: 16 ounces
Notes: Includes shock mount
Street: $125
CAD Audio D88
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 17k Hz
Weight: Not stated
Notes: Integral swivel mount
Street: $199
Earthworks SR2OLS
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20k Hz
Weight: 5.8 ounces
Notes: Durable stainless steel case
Street: $479
AKG D112 Mk II
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 17k Hz
Weight: 10.6 ounces
Notes: Integral swivel mount
Street: $149
Audix D6
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 15k Hz
Weight: 7.7 ounces
Notes: VLM diaphragm for improved transientresponse
Street: $199
Beyer M99
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Hypercardioid
Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 18k Hz
Weight: 18.5 ounces
Notes: Three onboard filter switches; includes shock mount.
Street: $479
north-america.beyerdynamic.com
Drum Workshop Moon Mic
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 15k Hz
Weight: 56 ounces (without stand)
Notes: Phase and HP fifilter switches; 8-inch diaphragm
Street: $399, including stand
E-V ND68
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 11k Hz
Weight: 13.2 ounces
Notes: Neodymium magnet structure
Street: $199
Lewitt DTP-640 REX
Type: Dynamic/Condenser (dual-element)
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20k Hz
Weight: 27 ounces
Notes: Onboard pad and filter switches; twin capsule design.
Street: $329
Milab BDM-01
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20k Hz
Weight: 7.4 ounces
Notes: Transformerless design
Street: $700
Heil PR-48
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 8.5k Hz
Weight: 20 ounces
Notes: 45-degree XLR jack
Street: $244
Miktek PM11
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 10k Hz
Weight: 10.4 ounces
Notes: Neodymium magnet; custom AMI transformer.
Street: $249
Morton Microphones KickTone
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 10k Hz
Weight: 1.7 pounds
Notes: Pickup combines 4” hemp cone with coaxial dynamic element
Street: $299, with stand or stand-less mount
MXL A-55 Kicker
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 15k Hz
Weight: 19 ounces
Notes: Integral swivel mount
Street: $79
Shure Beta 52A
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 10k Hz
Weight: 21 ounces
Notes: Neodymium magnet; integral swivel mount.
Street: $189
Sennheiser e902
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 16k Hz
Weight: 15.5 ounces
Notes: Integral swivel mount
Street: $199
Telefunken M-82
Type: Dynamic
Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 25 Hz to 18k Hz
Weight: 22.4 ounces
Notes: Onboard Kick EQ and High Boost switches
Street: $399
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