Is a condenser mic good for bass drum?
The basis of a good kick sound is a large dynamic microphone like the ATM250. We recommend that you position the mic inside the bass drum. This will capture the snap of the beat around the batter head while isolating the rest of the kit. Your best bet is a large diaphragm condenser microphone like an AT4047/SV.
Where do you mic a bass drum?
Place the mic 2 to 3 inches away from the inside head and a couple of inches off center. This is the standard way to mic a kick drum if you have the outside head off or if a hole is cut in it. This placement gives you a sharp attack from the beater hitting the head.
Should you put a pillow in your bass drum?
The bass drum will eventually sound dead and flat – not what you want. The trick is to put a small amount of muffling in there. Try placing one pillow or blanket resting on the bottom of the drum. This way you get bit more control of the air flow, as well as the resonance on the drum head without killing the sound.
Can you use a vocal mic for bass drum?
Boundary Mics – Also known as PZMs (for Pressure Zone Microphones), boundary mics offer wide polar coverage and clean pickup of transients. Large-diaphragm Condensers – Your best vocal condenser probably sounds great on bass drums, too.
What mic should you use for a kick drum?
AKG D112
Just about any mic with attention to detail in the low end and mid range will do the trick, but some great choices for an inside microphone are the AKG D112, Shure Beta 52A, Shure Beta 91A, Sennheiser 421, EV RE20 and Audix D6.
Where do you place a kick microphone?
Place a dynamic mic inside the kick drum, about halfway in the shell between the beater and the hole, pointed at the beater. For more attack from the beater, move the mic closer to the beater. For more boom and bass, move the mic farther from the beater.
Do I need a kick drum mic?
When you are playing in the studio and need to record a few quick demos or a professional track, you will need to have a mic attached to all of your acoustic drums (bass, snares and cymbals) so that you can get a full range of all the drum kit sounds that you are making, and that includes the kick drum!
Why do you put a towel in a bass drum?
There are a few different types of pads or rings you can get for your bass drum that help control the “thump” of your drum. So go out to your local music store and see if you can find one that fits your budget.
Why do drummers put blankets in their bass drum?
Drummers put pillows or blankets in their bass drums because it removes the sustained sound certain bass drums have. In genres like rock or metal, the preferred bass drum sound is one that is staccato, or “punchy,” and putting a pillow in the bass drum is a cheap method of achieving such a sound.
How do you mix two mics to make a kick drum?
Mix the two mics together to taste to get a sound as big or as pointy as you like. NOTE: If using a ribbon mic on kick drum, stay away from the hole where there’s a huge rush of air forced out when the drum is played. NOTE: For the outside mic you can alternately use the DW The Moon Mic in front of the kick as a low-frequency pickup source too.
What is the best overhead miking setup for a drum kit?
The most common overhead miking setup is probably two spaced cardioids above the drums over the left and right sides of the kit. I’ve tried using mic pairs in XY or even in M-S (mid-side) over the drums, but I generally go back to a spaced pair.
What is the best mic placement for a drum kit?
A pair of LDCs, spaced 90 degrees apart from the drum center, works well. Or if you’re in a smaller room, you can put dynamic mics in the corners, pointing away from the kit, or figure-8 mics in the corners with the drum kit sitting in the nulls (90 degrees off-axis) to create a bigger room sound.
What is the best microphone for recording snare drums?
Microphone choice has a huge impact on the sound of a snare drum. Popular options for live or recording uses are the Shure SM57, Telefunken M80, and Audix i5. To find out about other great snare mics and even hear what they sound like, check out my article “Best Mics for Recording Snare Drums”.