Best Mics for Kick Drum

What makes a great kick drum mic? Sweetwater‘s Nick D'Virgilio covers the gear that will get the best possible recorded sound out of your kick. It all starts with great sounding drums, but once you have that covered, Nick has 20 standout picks that are up to the rigorous demands of today‘s drummers and studio pros. Picks range from absolute classics to new contenders with something for every style and budget. Drumroll, please — check it out! Playing starts at 0:07:50.

#Sweetwater #KickMics

[tomsiemerink]

Kickout time code: 8:03 Beta 52a 8:35 E602 8:51 Audix D6 9:12 EV ND68 9:32 Beyer TG D70 9:53 PGA52 10:14 ATM 250 10:35 Kick Tone 10:55 M82 11:14 DPA 4055 12:02 SE V Kick 12:22 AKG D12VR 12:44 SR20LS 13:05 AKG D112

[snotnosedpunk]

You can tell its been mixed once the snare and overheads start playing, but the dry sounds are vastly different.
VERY impressed by the low-end thump from the dry Sennheiser E602

[mechanismstudios]

The E-602-ll is my favorite, it's my main kick mic

[stuperprohero]

I'm also running the Sennheiser e602-II on both kick ins and 18" floor tom. That floor tom sound I'm getting is INCREDIBLE!!

[the_rummer]

i've been using sennheiser e902 for years after trying various brands and models. none of them can come close to the punch and clarity of sennheiser. it's an amazing mic that every bass drum needs. 🤘

[bnjmnwst]

It's the D6 for me. I was amazed at how great it sounded all by itself. So nice.

[mlhbrx]

That Morton Kicktone is huge in sound!!

[waterwoodguitars]

This was a fun one to watch. I’ve been doing the Beta 52 as kick in and the Warm Audio Fet 47 for kick out and couldn’t be happier. Fantastic video!

[moxxichannel]

If you have one, try the AKG D-112 sideways as well as backwards (green trim at the back) inside the kick, about 3" away from the batter, and 2" off centre for best results (I think). You might be surprised how it sounds.

[ryanshook]

When the 3 mics popped in, immediately the phase of the blended snare track started to sound off to me. Sometimes simple is better.

[Espresso]

I am 100% for Sweetwater doing a kick mic shootout/comparison video every few years. Even if it's largely the same mics, it would be cool if the same ones that continue to stand out will do so each time or if changes because of different drums, player, room, interface, etc.

[jeffbridges]

I use a Senheiser 602 ii with a 10 inch sub kick mic I made. But that sound from the Kicktone mic was really great.

[chrisf]

Thank you SW / ND - playing the kick solo then with the rest of the kit for overall chemistry is genius - cheers!

[analogkid]

There were some good ones in here but my favorite is the Sennheiser e602. That is what I use on my kick for stage and studio. As a side note I use the e902 on my 16 and 18 floor toms.

[eaf]

I see the D6, D112, and beta 52 the most at concerts and studios in the mid-west. Had the earthworks used once on the drummers kick at a Reggae fest and I really liked it.

[d-rock]

For live use, i like the Sennheiser e902 and the e602ii. Moon mic/e902 and a beta 91a work nice for outdoors or bigger venues. Many other good options as well. It’s all preference.

[BluegillGreg]

Years ago I got a Beta 52 in the kit that Shure bundles with 3 SM57s, 3 drum mount clips and a case. All of those mics have been used a lot, sound great, and have stayed in great shape. I don't really know about other kick drum mics because the 52 worked so well right away.

[CrashnServers]

Nick out of anyone else in any field I feel is out for my best interest. Ty so very much my friend

[jeremy]

Audix D6. Beta 52A and Royer for me. I did like the DPAs as well.

[joshrichensproducer]

Great tip for anyone who has a mic that sits in the kick like the e901. Run the cable underneath one of the lugs on the top of your kick to hold the cable off the edge of the port hole on the resonant head (you'd be surprised how much it can actually dampen the resonant head)