Shure PGADRUMKIT7 Drum Mic Kit Review:
What To Expect from This Mic Pack
Quality
These aren’t the best drum microphones in the world, but they’re a great option for drummers on a budget that still want something decent.
Each microphone in the set is optimized to work well for specific drums. The PGA56s are fantastic tom mics, as they bring out plenty of boom and resonance from the toms.
The PGA51s are also great overhead mics. They do a good job of getting shimmering tones from your cymbals, and they’re relatively easy to mix with.
The snare and bass drum mics are perhaps the weakest. The snare mic is okay, but most people who get this set replace it with an SM57 quite quickly.
The bass drum mic is the one that we question the most. While it brings out okay tones, we expected a bit more oomph from it. It requires a bit of work in the mix to get a solid thump from your kick drum.
Construction
All the microphones in this set are brilliantly built. We wouldn’t expect anything less from Shure. The sound quality of each mic may have mixed reviews, but everyone agrees that the build quality is top-notch.
You’ll be using these microphones for many years without them ever giving you any design issues.
Performance
These microphones tend to work best in live gigging situations. They bring out clear and accurate tones from your drums, and that can make your kit sound seriously lively.
They’re also good for drummers who want to record the drums in their practice rooms.
We just wouldn’t recommend using these in a professional recording studio. They don’t offer the same detail as higher-end mics, and it’s those details that can be missed.
Price Value Ratio
The price is perhaps the best part of this mic kit. You’re getting a full set of drum mics with XLR cables and clips for just over $500. That’s incredible value for the money you pay, and most casual drummers will be very happy with the quality that these mics offer.
You’ll just need to pay more if you work in a professional environment, as these microphones won’t cut it.
On the flip side, you could get this pack and then swap the snare and bass drum mics out for a Shure SM57 and Shure Beta 52A. The tom and overhead mics are great, so adding those mics in would give you a professional mix.