Ten of the Best Mics for Recording Kick Drums
by The Press Desk

An excellent list which highlights some new models based on old classics, such as the D12... the D12VR is now on my 'buy list' thanks to this thread

M 88 for me

The Audio Technica ATM25 is one I would add. It just sounds right on kick drum.
Apart from that I agree, it's an excellent list.

The D12VR is an nice kick-mic, but it should be mentioned that it's not only no 1:1 replacement for the classic D12, to me it's a completely different mic soundwise, even with the filters set to neutral and used passive. But again, it's really nice in the "modern kick-mic"-department, and the two switchable filter curves add a lot more flexibility to get a good sound quick, without grabbing the eq immediately.

My honourable mentions would be the EV ND 868, that I prefer about a lot of the other modern "tailored" kick-mics like the Sennheiser or the Audix (and I never get along well with the D112 except for live usage), maybe because I have the feeling the frequency curve it's not as tailored as a lot of other are these days, giving it a little more classic and neutral approach.

Oh yes, and an unusual but great choice if one want to go the condenser-route would be the AKG C5600 (hard to find these days, wasn't a big success the time it was build, I guess). Build like a tank, takes lots of SPL, and just sounds right if you want to capture the natural tone of the kick, plus tracks recorded with it takes EQ very well.

The Electro Voice ND 68 should be included. I've used the EV ND 868 for years on rock, roots and blues kick drums for several decades now. It's my "go to" kick mic. I also have a ATM 25 I like when the EV doesn't work for whatever reason. The AT is also a great floor tom mic. On jazz gigs with closed kicks, I've been using a Karma Mics K-Micro Silver Bullet on the beater side, phase inverted.

I'm sure that these are all great choices and none better that the other as these things are always subjective. Although these are all decent mics the larger question is what is the best mic that matches well with your specific overhead mics/room mic(s) as we almost never record just a kick drum alone unless your doing some sampling. I have several of the listed mics and it depends on style of music, kit, playing and ultimately what overheads I use that determines the "best mic". Always try before you buy if possible.

The U47 FET is a good mic for high SPL LF applications. But it is not the Mic which we hear on Frank Sinatra Recordings. Those are generally U47 or 48 Tube Mics. These earlier Valve or Tube mics are very very different to this FET/Transistor model. Just as the U67 is very very different to a U87.
DD

Shure SM91

Heil PR40 should be on this list as well. :-)

I've got 6 out 10... not bad

My very tongue in cheek 2 cents:

If you can't get a good sound out of a Beta 52 and call it a day, then you should call it a day as an engineer.

Nice list. If not remote, I tend to go with M88 inside and Rode Tube Classic outside. Jazz gigs, maybe a D12. ATM 25's should also be considered for toms, as I find them to be the most 'musical.'
Thank you for your consideration.

Don't forget ElectrVoice RE20! Good for kick drum

Telefunken M82.. newer.. but what detail and depth.. my new Fave..

The best sound I've heard from a kick drum mic is the Lewitt DTP 640 REX. This thing is kind of expensive, but sounds amazing. Th two mic options are just brilliant. I highly recommend it.

Yes...I think the M82 will gain a reputation as one of the greats. Very versatile with the EQ switches as well.

Just inside the resonant head's hole...tons of low end, and plenty of tack, particularly with the high switch engaged.

where's the original D-12 ?

Agreed. Absolutely one of the best and my personal favorite for kick.

I own most all of these mics and have used them on kick drum. for me, A SM91 inside the kick, a Beta 52 at the sound hole and a Sub kick about 3 ft out front of the kick drum is The Business. I use a Royer 121 on guitars but honestly am too scared to put it near a kick drum..

The majority are probably sitting unused due to a completely trashed capsule. I went through 3 looking for a decent one with no luck...

Motorhead used an AKG D12vr! Aside from that, another mic I'm looking into is the Lewitt DTP 640 Rex(Dual Capsule Dynamic/Condenser) And you can record both the Dynamic and the Condenser to seperate tracks which is way cool! Anyone else tried this mic or interested in it?

J

I have a Shure Beta 52. It's perfect for my needs.

The 52 only works at the sound hole. perfect for live, sucks for recording.

inside ATM25, RE20, D12E, ND868
outside Coles 4038, CM47ve, Lawson 47, Velo8T
Custom sub kick.

I pick 3 to track depending

My favorite is the Beyer M99 !

Avantone Mondo grates the cheese around here most of the time

Plus 1 for the Heil PR40. Beats the hell outta the D6 I used previously, both setup partially inside the sound hole.

My vote is for the PR40 as well.

If you have one, try the PR30 on kick. I did a little kick drum mic shootout recently and through the PR30 in just for the heck of it and was really surprised to find that I liked it more than the 40!

1) Crowley and Tripp El Diablo
[..or the current iteration, the Shure KSM353]

The end