Microphones can be incredibly expensive. With drum kits having so many variables, you’re going to need several mics to get a full and complete sound. Luckily, companies sell drum microphone packages that allow you to get many mics at an affordable price.
Each drum mic kit has certain advantages. Some kits will have a fantastic microphone that will cost an arm and a leg on its own while other mic kits will have an array of good mics. We’re going to have a look at some of the best drum mic kits and see what they have to offer.
When I first laid my hands on the Earthworks DK7 Drum Kit System, I had this gut feeling that I was in for a treat. From the get-go, setting them up around my kit felt intuitive and super easy to place.
I gave the snare a solid hit, and it’s like the mics simply got it. Every detail, every little overtone. The rich tones of my kick drum? Picked up without any muddiness. The toms sounded full-bodied and my cymbals shimmered without being piercing. It felt like the mics weren’t just recording the sound but truly producing a professional grade drum sound.
The kit includes, 4 DM20’s condenser mics to place close to the toms and snare, 2 SR25 mics for overhead mics a SR20LS mic for the bass drum, 4 rim mounts, 3 mount clips and foan windscreens for the mics.
Recording in the studio with the DK7 felt like a dream. The playback was so transparent and clear that it felt like the drums were right there, live. It’s rare to find mics that truly capture the essence of your kit, but these did just that. I was especially impressed when I took them for a spin at a live gig. Amongst all the chaos of stage setups and soundchecks, the DK7 was a rock star. They’re sleek and discreet, never getting in the way of my drumming.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say they come with a price tag that might make a newbie drummer gulp. But trust me, as an investment in your sound, it’s worth every penny.
In a nutshell, the Earthworks DK7 isn’t just another mic kit. For me, it felt like a game-changer, pushing my sound to places I never thought it could go. Would I recommend it? In a heartbeat. If you’re serious about your sound and ready to level up, give this kit a try. You won’t regret it.
The sE Electronics V Pack Arena Drum Microphone Package is a solid choice for drummers aiming to bring out the very best in their kit’s sound. Inside the package, you’ll find a range of microphones, each designed with precision in mind.
The cornerstone of this pack has to be the kick drum mic, capturing the deep resonance and power of your bass drum. It translates each thud into a clear sound, making sure the heartbeat of your kit isn’t lost in the mix.
The microphones intended for the snares and toms do not disappoint either. While there isn’t a specific snare mic, the ones included nail that snappy, sharp sound every drummer seeks from their snare. The toms, on the other hand, come alive with a well-defined and robust sound, just as you’d want them to.
But the true gems in this package might be the overhead mics. They deal with high sound pressure like champs and catch every nuance of your cymbals, ensuring that shimmering highs and crisp hits cut through perfectly.
Price-wise, the sE Electronics V Pack Arena sits close to the $1000 mark, much like the Audix mic kit. Some might raise an eyebrow at the cost, but given the sonic quality and clarity it brings to your drumming, it’s a worthy investment for those serious about their sound.
Audix and Shure are the two most popular drum mic brands. We’ll get to Shure later, but for now, let’s focus on this Audix DP7 mic kit. Included in this package is an Audix i5 for the snare, D2s and a D4 for the toms, a D6 for the kick drum, and a pair of ADX51s to use as overheads.
The standout mic in this pack is the D6 kick drum mic. It’s a beloved mic from Audix that is used by so many professionals in the industry. It’s designed in a way that isn’t dependent on finding a sweet spot, meaning it’s easy to use.
The i5 snare mic is very versatile, allowing you to get a great sound in many different tunings. The D2s work wonderfully with rack toms, bringing out warm punchiness. The D4 floor tom mic caters more to low-end, making your floor tom sound beefy.
The ADX51 overheads are reliable and pull a fantastic overall sound from your kit. Every single one of these mics has fantastic build-quality and works well in situations separate from each other.
The mic pack costs a fair bit, but it will be a great investment in the long-run.
The Senheiser e600 mic kit is another top-tier package that will allow you to easily get studio-quality sound from your drums. Included in the kit is an e602, four e604s, and two e614. Each Senheiser mic has that classic Senheiser quality that many drummers have come to expect.
The Senheiser e604 is a fantastic kick drum mic, catering to low and boomy frequencies. It does a great job in amplifying the punch of your bass drum, letting you feel it as you play.
The e604 mics are intended for toms and snares. Although there is no dedicated snare mic included like other mic kits, the e604 does a perfectly good job in bringing out the tight crack and musical overtones from your snare drum. The toms sound punchy with these mics as well.
The e614s are the standout mics in this kit. They have extremely high sound pressure levels and they capture cymbals immaculately, giving you a handy set of overhead mics.
Similar to the Audix mic kit, the Senheiser e600 mic kit comes just under $1000. It’s a hefty price to pay, but well worth it for getting a great drum sound in the mix.
These Avantone Pro mics are immediately recognizable by their red and black color scheme. They have such a powerful appearance that makes you assume they have powerful performance. They’re actually not as well-known as the other brands on this list, but they definitely should be.
This is one of the few microphone kits on the market that includes an extra condenser for your hi-hats. Included with the package are 3 condensers and 5 dynamic mics for the snare, toms, and bass drum.
The overhead mics are cardioid condensers while the hi-hat mic is a hyper-cardioid condenser, allowing you to get that crisp hi-hat chick to come through.
These mics are extremely durable. They’re pretty heavy-duty as all the parts are made of metal, even the mounts. So, they won’t be getting damaged anytime soon. Along with the heavy-duty quality comes an extremely firm and solid case to protect them in.
When it comes to sound, these mics really make the drums shine no matter what style you’re trying to achieve. They’re fantastic mics to use for your drum kit. The fact that they’re mostly metal does make them slighter heavier than usual, which may be cumbersome when traveling.
We alluded to Shure earlier. Now, enter the Shure PGA 7-piece microphone kit. This is one of the most popular mic kits on the market as the mics provide great sound and the package is very affordable
The PGA52 is a classic microphone that many people use for bass drums. It does such a great job in accenting the thickness of your kick drum sound. The PG56 mics are the go-to mics for toms when you’re on a budget. Similar to the PGA52, they bring out a great thick tone.
The PGA57 snare mic takes a lot of influence from the industry-standard SM57 mic. It excels in bringing out a rich tone from the snare. The PGA81s are solid overhead mics that wonderfully capture the full tone of the kit.
Overall, you won’t find a better mic kit for the price. It has everything you need to get a great sounding drum mix.
If you are looking for something with a smaller budget the Shure DMK57-52 is great option.
If you’re on a strict tight budget, look no further than the Samson DK707 microphone kit. These Samson mics are well-known budget options in the industry. They often get recommended for people who are new to using drum mics and need something solid that won’t break the bank.
The kit includes a Q71 kick mic, four Q72 dynamic mics, and a pair of C02 pencil condensers. Each mic does a great job in picking up a clear drum tone. They’re easy to use and don’t take long to learn how to mix and EQ.
As they’re budget mics, you won’t have as much control over the sound as you would with higher-quality mics. However, someone on a tight budget may not be looking for that just yet.
A great drum mic kit will have all the mics you need to get a full sound from the drums. Although you can achieve this with some expensive overheads, a selection of dynamic and condenser mics will make it easier to achieve.
A great drum mic kit will have mics for the snare, toms, bass drums, and cymbals. Some mic kits may even have a dedicated microphone for the hi-hat. However many mics it has, a great mic kit is designed to get a fantastic sound from your drums.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. A lot depends on your specific needs and budget. However, if you’re asking for a top recommendation, I’d lean towards the Audix DP7 mic kit. It’s got a fantastic range of mics that cater to different parts of your kit, and they’re of stellar quality. But remember, the “best” mic can be subjective, so always consider what sound you’re going for!
Absolutely! Think of it this way: buying a drum mic kit is like getting a complete toolbox instead of hunting down individual tools. It’s super convenient and often more cost-effective. Plus, these kits are curated so that the mics complement each other, ensuring a balanced sound across your entire drum kit. Whether you’re gigging, recording, or just jamming out, a good drum mic kit can elevate your sound big time.
There’s a reason why the SM57 is a classic. It’s got a tight cardioid pattern which means it’s great at focusing on the snare and rejecting other nearby sounds. Plus, it handles high SPLs (Sound Pressure Levels) like a champ, so even if you’re giving that snare a good whack, the SM57 won’t distort. And let’s not forget its mid-range punch, it really brings out the crack and body of the snare. All in all, it’s reliable, durable, and just sounds awesome on snares.
Great question! At a minimum, for a basic setup, you’d need two overhead mics to capture the cymbals and the general ambiance of the kit. Then you can add a kick drum mic and a snare mic. But if you want to dive deeper and get a detailed sound, you can mic each drum individually: snare, kick, each tom, and maybe even the hi-hat. So, anywhere from 2 to 8 or more mics, depending on the size of your kit and the sound you’re aiming for. But remember, it’s not just about the number of mics but how you use them.
From the list above, the best mic kit would be the Audix DP7 microphone kit. Every mic in there has so much character and would be a great choice to buy individually. The fact that they all come together means it’s a wonderful deal. This consider the list ranges budget to more professional options but if you want the prieciest drum mic kit you can check the DPA DDK4000 kit.
Condenser microphones are used as overheads to pick up the whole drum kit sound while dynamic mics are placed near the drums to get more detail.
Any condenser mic with a high sound pressure level and good pickup pattern will work great as an overhead. From the list above, the Audix ADX51s would arguably be the best.
The amount of mics depends on the quality of the mics as well as the size of your kit. If you have some high-quality overheads, you won’t need extra dynamic mics to pick up the details of the drums. If they’re not immaculate quality, you may need to place a few more microphones on the toms and snare.
Before diving into the myriad of options, it’s essential to determine how much you’re willing to spend. Drum mic kits can range from budget-friendly to professional studio-grade, so it’s crucial to know where you stand.
Are you aiming for studio recordings, live performances, or both? Different mics excel in various settings. Some might have features optimized for the studio, while others are built to withstand the rigors of touring.
Consider the number and types of drums in your kit. If you have a more extensive set-up with multiple toms or unique percussion elements, you might need a more comprehensive mic kit.
Some mics are versatile and can be used on different drums, while others are specifically designed for one drum type. Determine whether you want specialized mics or more general ones that can be shifted around.
Some kits come with extra accessories like carry cases, mounts, or even cables. These can be handy and save you from additional purchases down the line.
Understand the difference between dynamic and condenser mics. Dynamic mics tend to be more rugged and can handle louder volumes, making them suitable for close-miking drums. Condenser mics are more sensitive and often used as overheads.
Especially in live settings, consider how well the mics manage feedback and sound bleed from other instruments. This can affect the clarity of your drum sound.
Check how the mics attach to your drums. Some come with clips that attach directly, while others might need stands. Make sure they’re adjustable to get the best sound positioning.
If you’re new to miking drums, you might want to start with a more straightforward kit. As you gain experience, you can upgrade to more advanced setups.
If you’re new to using microphones on drums, don’t worry about getting the most expensive ones around. It’s better to learn how to use them and mix and EQ with some affordable mics first. As your skills improve, you’ll find yourself needing some higher-quality options.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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