We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dedicated kick drum mics. We check out some of the best.
With a decent selection of general‑purpose mics to hand you’ll be well equipped for just about any recording task, but there are some situations where a dedicated model can be a safer bet. For example, you’ll often see all sorts of mics used outside of a kick drum, but when it comes to placing something inside the shell, extreme SPLs and strong blasts of air mean that a little more care and attention is required. So, a dedicated kick‑drum mic can be a worthwhile addition to your collection, and thankfully, there are plenty around! An added benefit of such designs is that their low‑end response and overall voicing often means that they can deliver great results on sources such as bass amps and cabinets or large brass instruments.
Left to right: AKG D112 MkII, Audix F6, Audix D6, Avantone Mondo
AKG D112 MkII
The latest version of AKG’s D112 retains all of the features that made the original so popular, but is far easier to position thanks to a new integrated flexible mount. A large diaphragm delivers a powerful low‑end response, and a 4kHz presence boost helps to provide a punchy sound that’s capable of cutting through a busy mix with minimal EQ. An integrated hum‑compensation coil keeps noise to a minimum, and it’s capable of withstanding SPLs over 160dB without distorting.
$229
us.akg.com/outlet/D112MkII.html
£138 including VAT.
uk.akg.com/outlet/D112MkII.html
Audix D6 & F6
Housed in a one‑piece machined aluminium body, the Audix D6 boasts a solid and compact design that’s both hard‑wearing and manoeuvrable. It’s equipped with the company’s VLM diaphragm, which promises to deliver a natural, accurate sound and features a cardioid polar pattern to maximise isolation and avoid feedback. The Audix range also includes the F6, a lower‑cost alternative that employs a hypercardioid capsule and has a slightly lower maximum SPL figure of 140dB (compared to 144dB for the D6).
D6 $199, F6 $119
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/audix‑dp7
D6 £199, F6 £119. Prices include VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/audix‑dp7
Avantone Mondo
Avantone say that the latest version of their Mondo kick‑drum mic boasts a focused voicing and fast response that will punch through even the busiest mix with little to no EQ, and it’ll stand up to high volumes thanks to an SPL handling of 145dB. An all‑metal construction helps it to stand up to life on the road as well as in the studio, and a pair of machined inserts on the body help to keep it held firmly in place using the included shockmount.
$149
avantonepro.com/en/products/mondo
£125 including VAT.
avantonepro.com/en/products/mondo
Left to right: beyerdynamic TG D70, DPA 4055, Earthworks DM6, E-V ND68
beyerdynamic TG D70
Built around a refined version of their renowned M88 capsule, beyerdynamic say that the TG D70 is a must‑have for every drummer. A hypercardioid polar pattern provides excellent isolation and feedback resistance, while an elastic suspension system helps to prevent mechanical vibrations from reaching the capsule. Along with its clear, natural sound, the mic boasts a compact and hard‑wearing design that makes it easy to position and ensures it’ll cope with serious gigging and session work.
$229.99
£198 including VAT.
DPA 4055
DPA mics are renowned for their clear and natural sound, and the 4055 is no exception. It offers a full‑range frequency response with a 6dB boost at 10kHz, allowing users to craft the exact sound they want through a combination of positioning and EQ, and maintains a <1% THD figure at an SPL of 156dB. Its internal shockmount design helps to prevent vibrations reaching the capsule, and an asymmetrical body design makes it easy to position either in front of or inside a kick drum.
$780
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/dpa‑4055
www.dpamicrophones.com/instrument/4055‑kick‑drum‑microphone
£672 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/dpa‑4055
www.dpamicrophones.com/instrument/4055‑kick‑drum‑microphone
Earthworks DM6
The latest addition to Earthworks’ drum range, the DM6, is a capacitor mic designed specifically for kick drum duties. It boasts a supercardioid polar pattern that remains consistent across the mic’s frequency range, and promises to deliver a great sound straight out of the box while still responding well to EQ where necessary. It comes fitted with a Triad‑Orbit M2‑R Ball Mount that makes it easy to adjust and fix its position, and is capable of standing up to SPLs of 150dB.
$399
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/earthworks‑dm6
earthworksaudio.com/drum‑microphones/dm6‑best‑kick‑drum‑ bass‑amp‑microphone
£399 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/earthworks‑dm6
earthworksaudio.com/drum‑microphones/dm6‑best‑kick‑drum‑ bass‑amp‑microphone
E‑V ND68
The E‑V ND68 is a supercardioid dynamic mic that promises excellent isolation from nearby instruments, with a voicing that aims to deliver a deep low end while extending high enough to capture a kick drum’s attack. Sturdy housing and a tight‑mesh grille help it to stand up to hard use, and it’ll be more than comfortable being put to work up close thanks to an SPL handling of 144dB.
$199
products.electrovoice.com/na/en/nd68
£238.68 including VAT.
products.electrovoice.com/na/en/nd68
Left to right: Heil Sound PR 48, Lewitt Audio DTP640 REX, Milab BDM-01, sE Electronics V Kick
Heil Sound PR 48
Designed specifically for kick drums and low‑frequency instruments, the Heil PR 48’s frequency response is said to enhance a drum’s low end while preserving the midrange and high‑frequency content that can be lost with other mics. An integrated adjustable mount means it can be fitted directly onto a stand, while its compact design makes it easy to position.
$249
£314.99 including VAT.
Lewitt Audio DTP640 REX
Lewitt’s DTP640 REX is essentially two microphones in one, combining a dynamic capsule that focuses on the drum’s attack and a capacitor element that takes care of the low end. Three selectable voicing options provide some onboard tonal shaping, and independent outputs for each capsule allow users to mix their respective levels to taste. Everything is housed in a solid die‑cast body with a steel grille, and the mic will withstand SPLs of 150dB.
$369
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/lewitt‑audio‑dtp640‑rex
www.lewitt‑audio.com/microphones/dtp‑percussion/dtp‑640‑rex
£309 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/lewitt‑audio‑dtp640‑rex
www.lewitt‑audio.com/microphones/dtp‑percussion/dtp‑640‑rex
Milab BDM‑01
As you’d expect from Milab, the BDM‑01 boasts a no‑compromise design, and is built around their own hand‑crafted 21mm capacitor capsule. Its frequency response has been shaped to deliver a perfect kick‑drum sound that combines low‑end power with a detailed attack and high‑frequency reproduction. They’ve also optimised the dynamic range, sensitivity and internal pop filter, which help the mic to handle SPLs up to 155dB.
$1196
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/milab‑bdm01
£898.80 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/milab‑bdm01
sE Electronics V Kick
sE’s V Kick is based on the same capsule technology used in their popular V7 and V7 X, and boasts a compact, solid housing that features a patented capsule suspension method. Four tonal options are on offer courtesy of a pair of Classic and Modern switches — the first alters the mic’s overall voicing and the second adjusts its high‑frequency response — allowing it to cover everything from well‑rounded sounds to more aggressive modern rock and metal tones.
$219
seelectronics.com/products/v‑kick
£177 including VAT.
seelectronics.com/products/v‑kick
Left to right: Sennheiser E602-II, Shure Beta 52A, Sontronics DM-1B, Telefunken M82
Sennheiser E602‑II
With a solid and lightweight design, the Sennheiser E602 is equally at home on stage or in the studio. Although it’s a dynamic design, the mic uses a lightweight voice coil that helps to deliver a fast transient response, while generous low‑frequency extension helps to capture the all‑important low‑end weight of a kick drum. It also offers good isolation from nearby instruments thanks to a cardioid pattern that remains consistent throughout its frequency range.
$149.95
www.sennheiser.com/en‑us/catalog/products/microphones/e‑602‑ii
£154.80 including VAT.
www.sennheiser.com/en‑gb/catalog/products/microphones/e‑602‑ii
Shure Beta 52A
Shure’s offering comes in the form of the Beta 52A, a supercardioid dynamic with a frequency response that has been tailored specifically for kick drums and bass instruments. A pneumatic shockmount system minimises the transmission of vibration and mechanical noise, while a hard‑wearing body design and steel‑mesh grille help to provide the long‑term reliability Shure are renowned for.
$199
www.shure.com/en‑GB/products/microphones/beta_52a
£205 including VAT.
www.shure.com/en‑GB/products/microphones/beta_52a
Sontronics DM‑1B
Developed alongside top producers, engineers and drummers, the Sontronics DM‑1B is described as a must‑have tool for anyone looking to capture a perfect drum sound on stage or in the studio. It’s an end‑fire, large‑diaphragm capacitor design that promises to excel at capturing the attack, resonance and energy of a kick drum, and with its ‑15dB pad engaged it’s capable of handling levels of up to 155dB.
$529
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sontronics‑dm1b‑dm1s‑dm1t
sontronics.com/products/dm‑1b‑condenser‑microphone
£369 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sontronics‑dm1b‑dm1s‑dm1t
sontronics.com/products/dm‑1b‑condenser‑microphone
Telefunken M82
With a large‑diaphragm dynamic capsule, Telefunken’s M82 promises to deliver impressive low‑frequency definition, but with a response that extends high enough to maintain clarity at the high end. A pair of EQ switches provide a midrange cut and high‑frequency boost that allow users to adjust the voicing to suit their source, and a maximum SPL of 146dB means that it can be used up close with even the most enthusiastic drummers.
$399
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/telefunken‑m82
www.telefunken‑elektroakustik.com/product/m82‑kick
£379 including VAT.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/telefunken‑m82
www.telefunken‑elektroakustik.com/product/m82‑kick
When you purchase via links on our site, SOS may earn an affiliate commission. More info...
When you purchase via links on our site, SOS may earn an affiliate commission. More info...
