Kickdrum microphone

[mindglow]

I spent last night trying to get a decent sound out of my bass drum, but without much luck, so now I'm asking you what your favourite kick mics are. I've been using a Shure Beta52A but i feel it lacks a lot of high end and it is hard to get that kick in the groins metal hit that fits nice in a mixed filled with downtuned guitars. When I compare my recorded kick with some samples from sample libraries like Drumkit from Hell they sound nothing alike. My kick sounds more boxy and boomy and that wet high end that makes it fit in the mix is just not there. Of course this also has to do alot with tuning of the drum, it sounds pretty good when listening to it in the room, but if you have any tuning tips that is also welcome.

I know that Andy usually don't mic the kick but what about the rest of you, please gimme som nice suggestions!

 

[Andy Sneap]

Try a shure sm91. I' ve just ordered an Audix D6 so I'll let you know what thats like.

 

[mxlinus]

couldn't agree with you more. sm91 it is.

 

[Impy]

What's everyone's opinion on using multiple mics on the kick? Like having a D112 in the kick and a 57 or a condenser on the drummers side, aiming at the pedal beater.

 

[mindglow]

We actually tried that yesterday, didn't have time to mix it with the Beta52 though but I will try it tonight.

I've heard good things about the SM91 before so I will try to get hold of one and do some testing.

Andy, please do report on the D6 when you get a chance!

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

What's everyone's opinion on using multiple mics on the kick? Like having a D112 in the kick and a 57 or a condenser on the drummers side, aiming at the pedal beater.

I wouldn't do that (especially put a 57 on the drummer side), but if you want a condenser & a dynamic to mic the kick, watch out for the phase (as always...). Audio Technica does a mic especialy for that, so no phase problems, it's the AE2500... Hope this helps.

 

[Impy]

I've done it with both D112 & 57 and condensers, as long as you watch the phase there's not really a problem, getting a good mix of it can be tricky though and it doesn't always work with the sound...

 

[Frank'nfurter]

Deep tuned bassdrum skin, Shure Beta91 and the pure "klick" of a ddrum triggermic!

 

[mindglow]

Deep tuned bassdrum skin, Shure Beta91 and the pure "klick" of a ddrum triggermic!

You mean using the actual sound from the ddrum mic in the mix?

 

[Frank'nfurter]

yep! But well EQed and mixed. You take the bottom end and the midds and not so much hights from the SM or Beta 91 and add some well EQed portions from the trigger mic. Sounds much more decend than only the Beta or SM or what ever you take.

 

[mindglow]

Oh cool I will definitely check that out. I have never thought of using a trigger mic that way.

 

[Frank'nfurter]

It's not my invention. Andy gave me the inspiration, and it fucking works!

 

[Frank'nfurter]

Best way is to record both signals mic and trigger separately and "fix it in the mix". Gives you full control over the bassdrum.

 

[Exsanguis]

I've never used only one mic on the kick, as I was trained by someone who always used at least two. I put a D112 or a D6 inside the drum or right at the hole, and a condenser 3 feet or so back from it(in front of the kit), in a tunnel. This combination has always worked for me, although we do have to worry about the phase relationships(but thats not a problem with the Little Labs IBP! This is AMAZING for this purpose). As far as the D6 is concerned, it sounds great, especially for metal, as it seems to already have a pretty useable mid cut in it's design. It has that great punch from around 60-80 or 90HZ, along with the hi end click. If the abovementioned combo of mics doesn't work for some reason, we'll just mix a heavily eq'd sample in with it to provide extra hi end. That trick with mixing in the trigger signal sounds cool, I'll definitely have to try it on my next metal session(i don't do much metal at the studio I work at, so this may be a while from now ).

 

[black sugar]

Have any of you tried an EV RE20 for double kick? Too "old school" sounding, maybe?

Or just too damn expensive for two of 'em? I really like it for single kick, bass, and even some guitar stuff, but I couldn't justify the cost of adding another one when there's so much other crap I "need".

The Beta 91 looks interesting, especially since it's so highly recommended here. Not a bad price either, and probably a great alternative to the standard Beta 52 or D112 for not a whole lot more money.

I've heard some people get great results with the Beta 52 and D112 on kick, but in my hands they always end up making the kick sound like a four-suqare ball bouncing on the gym floor. Really, the resemblance is uncanny. Haha. So is my crappy audio engineering, too, I guess!

 

[Frank'nfurter]

I realy like the RE20, but "old school" sounding? I don't think so. And yeah, it's expensive, even on ebay.

 

[black sugar]

Yeah, I love my "old school" RE20. Haha.

I just called it old school because it's not very clicky sounding to me. More like a slap than a click, if you will.

Lots of people seem to like their kick drums to sound like a couple of quarters being smacked together for some reason. In fact, does anyone still tape quarters to their beaters and heads?

Vinnie Paul, please speak up if you're reading this.

 

[Frank'nfurter]

If I need a "clicky" sound sometimes I tape some hard plastic pads on the beater point and use wooden beaters. Sounds VERY "clicky".

 

[Grave Desire]

If I need a "clicky" sound sometimes I tape some hard plastic pads on the beater point and use wooden beaters. Sounds VERY "clicky".

A Grind drummer I recorded a while ago used Metal Washers taped to his kick drum and had wooden beaters. I used a D112 and kept it pretty far away from the Beater since it was too clicky in my opinion. The further back I placed the mic the more of the bottom end I got. With some EQing and Post production I got a really nice sound out of it.

On a side note. Anyone hear use the D12E ever??? Never got to use it but I heard it got discontinued. Any paticular reason for this??

 

[mindglow]

I put a D112 or a D6 inside the drum or right at the hole, and a condenser 3 feet or so back from it(in front of the kit), in a tunnel.

I have tried that "tunnel" technique before but never got any satisfying results. Look a this picture http://www.darkane.com/pictures/studio2004/DSC00547.JPG , thats is some big tunnel built in front of the bass drum. Now that I come to think about it, i may have forgot to use a condenser while testing that stuff.