The kick drum is quite a unique part of the drum kit, and a real challenge for both recording and live sound. In this article, we look at the best kick drum mics (also known as bass drum mics) and what makes them suitable for accurately picking up the low, boomy sound of a kick drum.
There is one specific microphone famous for use with kick drums. Some would call it “industry standard”. The AKG D112 has been made for handling bass frequencies and volumes.
Check out the recommended AKG D112
How to Choose a Kick Drum Mic
Every instrument you mic up will need some thought regarding which microphone you use, but not many have such a unique set of criteria as the kick drum. So what are we looking for?
- High SPL – the microphone needs to be able to handle a lot of volume as the bass drum is one of the louder instruments you will come across. Mics without the capacity to handle this volume are likely to distort and sound unpleasant, or worse, break.
- Bass frequency response. The microphones we mention below are great at picking up the low frequencies that the kick drum creates.
- Durability – all drum microphones are likely to take a beating at some point in their life. This is no different, and all of the mics reviewed below are designed to be durable and hard-wearing.
Best Kick Drum Mics for Live and Recording
Certain microphones have become renowned for their ability on bass drums. Some of the best kick drum mics mentioned are also on our list of the best bass guitar mics. They handle the same frequencies. Many of the products on our list have been specifically designed for bass drums.
You may recognize the brand names on the list. Some top mic manufacturers such as AKG, Sennheiser and Shure have made great microphones for kick drums.
AKG D112
You can buy either the D112 or the D112 mark 2, a more updated version of the same product. It has been designed specifically for bass instruments, and the kick drum falls into that category.
Designed as a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, it fits the bill due to the fact it can handle an incredible 160 dB SPL so even the loudest drummers aren’t likely to experience distortion when recording. The diaphragm has been made with a frequency response which picks up sounds even below 100 Hz, and a little boost at 4 kHz can help the sound to punch through your final mix.
See the current price of the D112
The D112 is suitable for both live and studio/recording applications. Reviews are generally very positive and decades of being used in the studio have established this microphone’s legendary status. The ‘mark 2’ product even has a bass resonance chamber and a built-n hum-compensation coil which basically lowers the likelihood of any noise while recording.
This microphone is unlikely to fail you even in the most challenging audio recording settings, and as well as being the best for bass drums it is also a wonderful choice for bass guitar and even some brass instruments.
Sennheiser e901 – Best Kick Drum Mic for Detail
This is a condenser microphone. This means it can pick up more nuanced sounds. A lot of the time, condensers can’t handle high sound pressure levels, but the e901 can. This makes it a good choice for kick drums.
Also, this microphone doesn’t need to be used with a stand. It is designed to be laid down on the floor, or a damper within the kick drum. If you are using the duvet trick for a better sound, you can lay this mic on top of it.
You don’t need to worry about the build quality. There’s a 10-year warranty included as standard. This shows the confidence the brand has in its product.
This is a bit on the expensive side, but the extra features make up for it. For a detailed kick drum sound, the e901 could be a great choice.
Shure BETA 52A Supercardioid Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone
This high output mic is designed to give a punchy sound and functions well at even extremely high volumes due to its high SPL.
The 52a as you may imagine was preceded by the Beta 52, the main difference being a redesigned tightening mechanism on the mount so you can fit it on just about any mic stand out there.
The super-cardioid pickup pattern is designed to ensure that you can get high gain without any feedback and that all ambient sound is rejected. This is vital in a drum kit, as there are a lot of sounds going on.
Check out this microphone here
The adaptor is designed to keep the mic in the same place even with all the movement that occurs when playing drums. The 52A is an extremely durable product. It can take a hammering both live and in the recording studio without breaking.
Other features include:
- Frequency response that works brilliantly for bass drums and other bass instruments
- Stand adapter designed to fit with most mic stands and boom stands.
- Performs at sound pressure levels up to 174 dB.
- Hardened steel grille to deal with the inevitable abuse.
- Shock-mounted system to avoid mechanical noise and vibration noise being picked up on the mic.
All of these features add up to a brilliant choice for recording and live performances. This isn’t the cheapest microphone, but the fact that it is so well built means it should last a long time and not succumb to wear and tear. Due to the many years of use you should get out of the Shure Beta 52A, it actually offers great value.
Shure BETA 91A Kick Drum Microphone
The 91A is a low profile microphone that can sit easily inside your kick drum. It has a half-cardioid polar pattern. This is a little bit unusual, but it is designed to reject sound from other angles and pick up the maximum of the attack of the sound.
It integrates a preamp, boosting the signal before it is sent via an XLR connection. Naturally, this has a frequency response designed for bass. On top of this, there is a contour switch. This can change the type of recording made. The “Low/Mid Scoop” setting gives the richest low end and bass, whereas the “Punch” setting picks up a strong attack.
This microphone doesn’t require any sort of stand, and the extra sound options are a big bonus. It costs a little more, but the quality is excellent.
Check out the current price here
MXL A-55 Kicker
We’ve found ourselves mentioning MXL mics more and more in recent months here on the website. The manufacturer is a division of Marshall, famous for decades of making the top amplifiers for guitars. MXL is a relatively new venture, but we’ve already recommended their 770 and 990 mics for both rapping and podcasting.
The A-55 Kicker has been designed specifically for kick drums (hence the name). It is good for low-frequency instruments including floor toms, bass amps and even brass instruments like tubas. Just like many of its competitors, this is a hard-wearing and durable microphone which operates well at high decibel volumes. It uses a cardioid pattern to avoid picking up unwanted sounds.
The reviews of the kicker microphone have generally been very positive. Most of the products we’ve used from MXL are very high quality, and very reasonable in terms of price. At the time of writing, this is a cheaper option than most of the other bass drum microphones we’ve looked at, and with so many five star reviews, this is clearly great for home recording or building a studio on a budget.
In truth, the D112 and Beta 52A probably just have the edge in terms of recording clarity, but if you are looking to save money without compromising too much, the MXL could be your answer.
Cheap Kick Drum Mic: Nady DM-80 Drum Microphone
Realistically, this microphone is better for garage bands and small gig venues. It won’t be recording a number one album, but considering the low price and surprisingly great reviews, we recommend the Nady for those on a tight budget.
FAQS – Your Kick Drum Microphone Questions, Answered
Do I Need to Mic The Kick Drum?
Short answer: Yes.
Kick drums are always microphoned in the studio, even in setups that only use three, four or five mics. Although some drums are picked up by overhead mics, the kick drum is so unique and plays such a vital role that you should always record it.
In certain live scenarios, you may not need to mic up the kick drum. They are very loud, and if you are in a small club or gig venue or using a PA at your band practice, you might not need to run your bass drum through a mic, it could simply be overkill. Big venues, outdoor gigs and recordings will always require a mic.
How to Use a Drum Mic Kit?
Many people starting to record drums will opt for a drum mic kit. This is a way to get the basic microphones for drums including kick, snares and overheads all in one pack. We have a full list of the top drum mic kits here. Purchasing one of these can be a good way to save money if you need a full drum set to mic up.
Are these Mics Good for Live Use?
Microphones for some uses (vocals, guitar etc.) can sometimes be designed to be used primarily either live or in the studio. Dynamic mics are often used live, condenser mics are more detailed and are often used for studio recordings.
Microphones for kick drums tend to be more versatile. All of the options on our list are just as suited to live use as they are studio use. Using a microphone on your kick drum live can give a big, booming sound.
Can Kick Drum Mics Be Used For Other Things?
Just because they’re great for kick drum, these mics can be used for other things. The fact they pick up bass well makes them a good choice for recording bass guitars.
Kick drum mics can be a good way to add depth to a sound and record the low frequencies other mics might miss. You can then blend this with other mic sources. For instance, you could use a kick drum mic along with a Shure SM57 on an instrument before blending the two recorded tracks.
Kick Drum Frequency Response
Frequency response relates to the frequencies that the mic can faithfully record. This article may help you to understand a bit more about frequency response.
Human hearing, in theory, starts at 20 HZ. Realistically, very few humans can hear frequencies this low. Our hearing also gets damaged as we age. Ideally, you should look for a kick drum mic that has a frequency response starting as low as possible. 20 HZ is ideal. Anything lower is overkill.
The higher frequencies still need to be recorded to pick up the nuance of the sound. However, the important thing is that the mic can record the punchy lows of the kick.
Kick Drum Mic Placement
It doesn’t matter how good your microphone is if you mic things up wrong. If you put it in the wrong place it will sound terrible.
There are multiple ways to set up, either inside (there is a hole cut in most kick drum heads) or outside the mic. For a full guide, check out this dummies.com article or the video below – generally, we recommend a slightly off-centre positioning for your kick drum microphone for more punch and a less ‘boomy’ sound.
There are always multiple ways of doing things, and some people even swear by using two microphones on your kick. One internal and one external can give you a choice. A blend of two different microphone sounds may be what eventually makes its way into your final mix.
Conclusion
There is always a matter of preference. You might prefer one type of mic. Generally, we recommend either the Shure Beta 52A or the “Egg Mic”, the D112 as the very best bass drum microphones.
The decision you ultimately make is likely to be dictated not just by the best, but by your budget also. Luckily, there are some very good dynamic mics out there that don’t cost a fortune. Whatever you do, opt for a product which has been designed with the kick in mind.
If you have any questions, or your own experiences with the microphones reviewed above, feel free to leave a comment below.
(Featured image credit: Adam Bartlett)
