24" or 22" kick?

In the studio you don’t need to think about portability or footprint, so go big.

OTOH most studio kick is triggered samples these days, even in genres like country, so *shrug*
 
Do you ever play with a double pedal? If so, then I’d definitely say a 22”. Much more definition between quick strokes than a 24”. But if you’re single pedal only, then a 24” is the way to go as long as it doesn’t compromise your tom placement.
 
I would like to make switching between configurations easy. There are all kinds of possibilities. A "big" configuration and a "small" would suffice though. Big and small is referencing drum sizes, not drum counts necessarily. Going to the 24" usually moves the stands apart just enough to be a problem
 
AudioWonderland said:
I do use a double pedal but not a metal player. I use it with toms on fills etc but big 16th note runs are not my thing
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Even just with fills, I’d still recommend a 22. In my experience, any kind of double pedal work gets somewhat lost on bigger bass drums, unless you muffle the crap out of them. I personally keep my bass drums wide open, with only a 12”x12” acoustic panel inside (not touching either head) to absorb unwanted frequencies, along with PS3 heads as the only damping.
 
I have a 22" x 18" in my backyard, hillbilly, studio. It works just fine. I don't think bass drum size makes much difference in a studio/band practice setting. Most of the time I play un-miced. Whatever kick drum that can cut through the mix will work just fine It doesn't even have to be an expensive one. It just has to be loud and un-miced.
 
I use the Gibraltar unit that combines the snare stand and the vertical forvtoms and cymbals. It's perfect if you don't change your setup. I am hoping to in fact change occasionally so I think going more traditional here will simplify the process
 
I think if I were to have a studio I’d want two bass drums set up completely different, in the interest of saving time. One with a more open, resonant sound (full front head, minimal muffling), and the other with a ported (or no) front head with more robust muffling to achieve a tighter, punchier sound.

I don’t have my own studio, but I’m frequently in studios in my area. I bring two bass drums to sessions. My 24” is set up more open and resonant and my 22” is set up more tight and muffled. I’d guess that I end up using the tighter, muffled 22” approximately 75% of the time.
 
RVC said:
I think if I were to have a studio I’d want two bass drums set up completely different, in the interest of saving time. One with a more open, resonant sound (full front head, minimal muffling), and the other with a ported (or no) front head with more robust muffling to achieve a tighter, punchier sound.

I don’t have my own studio, but I’m frequently in studios in my area. I bring two bass drums to sessions. My 24” is set up more open and resonant and my 22” is set up more tight and muffled. I’d guess that I end up using the tighter, muffled 22” approximately 75% of the time.
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This is exactly what is have
 
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I always read that 24” (and some even 26”) is what they used on the records in the 80’s/90’s (J R Robinson, Tony Thompson, Paul Leim, Tony Williams, etc) and maybe even a bit in 00’s when programmed drums were more in fashion?

If you can play it with ease, that would be my choice.
 
24-inch all day long. Nothing against 22-inch or 20-inch (I have all three sizes: 24/22/20.). Just personal preference.
 
In your post you mention making switching between configurations easy and drum sizes. If choosing only one bass drum then I'd say 22" would work.

I love the low end my 24x14 has though, there's something about the way it plays and sounds.
 
AudioWonderland said:
I would like to make switching between configurations easy. There are all kinds of possibilities. A "big" configuration and a "small" would suffice though. Big and small is referencing drum sizes, not drum counts necessarily. Going to the 24" usually moves the stands apart just enough to be a problem
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That’s my big concern with 24 as well, along with the toms being either too high or too angled.
 
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