Miking closed head kick

[nolit]

Does anyone here have any experience in miking closed head kick drums?

I heard the technique is to put additional mic on the batter head for attack and punch. What mike do you use for that?
I also seen a technique of putting in a mic inside the shell mounted on one side with a shock mount. Pointing at the batter head to eliminate phase as compared to placing another mic on the outside pointing at the batter head.  Hmmmm....

[skunkyfunk]

Triggers or subkick.


Bonham miked his kick using a Sennheiser MD421 on the batter side (which picked up his Speed King pedal squeaks too) and used an EV RE-20 on the reso skin, miked dead center.

Internal mics also do wonders.

[nolit]

Triggers defeat the purpose of setting up a closed head kick drum. If I were to use trigger then I would have used any other kick available. But I wanted the sound of the closed head kick drum.

[mikep]

Put mic, say an SM57 on the center of front skin about 1 to 2 inches if you want to get the fundamental sound of the kick.  If you want a little harmonics, move the mic towards the side inch by inch until you get the sound you want.  Another mic, even a condenser, small diaphragm, can be placed on the batter side, towards the edge of the kick to get that high frequency thud effect can be used. You can cut on the LF so you would have more HF energy from the second mic.  I suggest you separate the tracks for each so you can properly mix for the sound you want later on.

[nolit]

Hello mike. I am surprised your choice of mic for the kick is an SM57. I wouldnt be surprise if it was on the batter side. Would an Beta52 work better on the reso side in that position you suggested?

[yekoz]

Beta 52 on the reso, and SM58 on the batter side. Add compressor in the mix

[mikep]

I am surprised your choice of mic for the kick is an SM57. I wouldnt be surprise if it was on the batter side. Would an Beta52 work better on the reso side in that position you suggested?

Depends on what kind of sound you are after.  We've recorded a lot of kicks with SM57 and they sound good.  I've seen set ups and done mic ing with AKG 414s or Neumann U87s on either side of the kick and they work well also.  It depends on how the instrument sounds and mic positioning.  For me, EV RE20 or 27 are my favorites, but that just me.  SM57 or 58 because they are the most ubiquitous mics in the business, easily available and an all around instrument.  My opinion is any mic will do as long as you position it well in the source, to get either the fundamental or harmonic tones of the instrument.  But if you have additional mics in your arsenal, well and good.  A Beta 52 will work as well.  As I mentioned earlier, it really depends what sound you are after.

[trixter_pit]

Does anyone here have any experience in miking closed head kick drums?

I heard the technique is to put additional mic on the batter head for attack and punch. What mike do you use for that?
I also seen a technique of putting in a mic inside the shell mounted on one side with a shock mount. Pointing at the batter head to eliminate phase as compared to placing another mic on the outside pointing at the batter head.  Hmmmm....

putting in a mic inside the shell mounted on one side with a shock mount. Pointing at the batter head to eliminate phase as compared to placing another mic on the outside pointing at the batter head is the best position to achieve a good result in aquiring the best sound from a bass drum / kick drum. which can be done in live and studio applications

[nolit]

Thanks. I will try this.
I think I can run the mic cables thru the holes somewhere in the tom mounts. The challenge is how to suspend the mic inside the kick drum. Will figure out how to make a shock mount.

Do you have any references I could probably use?

[peeves24]

here's mine. the mic is still in my kick drum since 2009. never budged



bungee cord bought from ace. yellow mic holder was cut from from 4 inch pvc pipe bolted directly

[nolit]

Nice one. Did you bore a hole for the mic cord on the side? Looks like you installed a jack?

[KitC]

putting in a mic inside the shell mounted on one side with a shock mount. Pointing at the batter head to eliminate phase as compared to placing another mic on the outside pointing at the batter head is the best position to achieve a good result in aquiring the best sound from a bass drum / kick drum. which can be done in live and studio applications

so how do you wire a mic inside a closed head? looks like peeves method is one way of doing it. the only problem I can see with peeves' method is mic positioning.

[jefisipbata]

here's a commercial product for those who don't have peeves24's DIY skills



bought one from music source ali mall

you can run the cable through one of the kick's vents (you'll need a thin cable though)

[peeves24]

so how do you wire a mic inside a closed head? looks like peeves method is one way of doing it. the only problem I can see with peeves' method is mic positioning.

i can vary the mic position with GREAT EFFORT hehehe by changing the length of the cords

[peeves24]

Nice one. Did you bore a hole for the mic cord on the side? Looks like you installed a jack?

yup binutasan ko yung shell. i never intended to remove the mic anyway.

[nolit]

This is my crude version. I cant find a large PVC so I used an old tabo. Also I didnt bore any holes on the shell so as to remain it intact. I simple slid the mic cable thru one tom stand. I'll be racking the toms 2 thru a stand nalang.

Havent tested its sound yet. Just excited to post the images. hehehehe