Shure Beta 52 or Audix D6

[Agent_drew]

I want to buy a Kick mic but i don't really know which one is best, can you help me?

Thanks

[IDDrummer]

Audix D-6! The Beta 52 isn't bad either (a friend of mine uses that one) but I prefer the D6 - needs hardly any EQ, very forgiving in placement and drum tuning, and sounds the way I want. It also seems a bit better at rejecting off-axis sound than the Shure, but I've never taken any kind of quantitative measurement.

Hope this helps!

[Deathmetalconga]

The Audio Technica PRO-25 is the best one for the money. It doesn't cost nearly as much as a Beta 52 but sounds nearly as good.

[Jay.B.]

just to throw another element in to the equasion...

how about the egg? AKG D112

[xush]

D6 seems to be getting good press lately, and the D112 is pretty much a standard, but I prefer and use the Shure Beta-52. Just something about the punchiness- I dig.
Good for bass guitar cab too.

[Agent_drew]

Or even Beyer Dynamic Opus 99??

[Skitch]

just to throw another element in to the equasion...

how about the egg? AKG D112


I use these exclusively and you also need to remember that there are mics out there which are fantastic but soundmen don't know how to work with. I am thinking of a dual Diaphram mic which will also pick up the front head. This reminds me of one soundman who prefered the Dua Diaphram and then a drummer showed up with one of the Retroscreens. Talk about a nightmare application!

Mike

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[Pearl Player]

Beta 52... All the way... Have used the D6 and just dont like it... Its great for heavy metal but I just dont like it for mellower stuff. And for the record. Im a sound guy by trade. Every kick mic I have ever used needs EQ. Matter of fact every mic I have ever used requires some kinda EQ. The 52 is really smooth and has great transient response. The D6 gets a bit clicky for my taste. And to add another twist to this. I also like the Beta 91... We use that one a lot. If your kit has a hole in the front head just pop it in the drum... No stand.

But ya know, Mic preference is like I like chevy you hate ford kinda thing. More important is proper mic placement, EQ, and FX settings. There is a reason that the big guys have racks of compressors, gates, FX processors in thier rigs or in studios...

My 2 cents
Mike

[Drumowner]

I'll be a jerk and toss my $0.02...the EV N/D868.
I have a Beta52, Beta 91, senn 421 and the EV for a single source signal ( I do recording work) my personal fav for years now has been the EV.
People will request the Senn or the Shure's based on name and I give it to them, but I'll always solo the EV and about 2/3 of them go for the EV.
In reality, I like a mic combo the best, that being a Beta 91 inside the drum and the Senn 421 about 8 inches from the reso head. Distance/placement for the Senn changes obviously with drum/drummers dynamics/room and other stuff but 8" is a good starting point.


I guess that might have been about $0.03...LOL

[rmandelbaum]

Last night we spent about 4 hours micing the drums and have a D6 in the kick, that is what the studio we are in has. I am not sure the kick has the low end I like. I am trying my Beta 52 tonight for a side by side. I know at this point it is personal preference. I will chime in tomorrow with my take on it ;-)