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Mic Choice: To achieve a strong kick sound, it is recommended to use a large diaphragm microphone. Examples of good kick drum mics include the AKG D112, the Sennheiser MD 421, and the Electro-Voice RE20. There are many mics designed for recording the kick drum, and each mic may have its own unique characteristics and frequency response. For instance, if you want to capture the “tick” sound of the kick drum pedal hitting the head, you would choose a mic that emphasizes the lower midrange and upper frequencies.
Mic Position: For a tight drum sound (using only one head): Remove the resonant head and place the mic inside the kick drum, angled towards the batter head. The exact distance from the batter head depends on the desired sound. The closer the mic is to the batter head, the more impact and less resonance you will capture.
Adding a blanket or foam pad inside the bottom of the kick drum can help reduce unwanted reflections. A good starting point for mic placement is around 5 inches inside the kick drum, slightly tilted towards the floor tom.
For a large and live kick drum sound (using both heads): To achieve a big and resonant kick drum sound with rich overtones, use both kick drum heads. You may want to place a strip of fabric across both heads to help soften overtones without sacrificing the depth of the kick drum. Try positioning the mic about 2 feet in front of the kick drum, pointing towards the center of the head. Make sure to engage the pad setting on the mic, if available, to avoid signal overload.
Some drummers have a hole in the front head of the kick drum. If that’s the case, you can angle the mic slightly into or towards the hole. However, note that having a hole in the resonant head may cause an unpleasant ringing sound. To address this issue, you can place a foam pad or blanket against a section of the front head to eliminate the unwanted ring while preserving the overall sound.
Signal Processing Tips: You can choose to compress the kick drum during the recording stage, but it is not necessary. All processing can be done after the recording using your preferred system. When applying signal processing during recording, it is common to use compression, equalization (EQ), and a noise gate. Start by setting the compressor with a threshold around -10dB below the highest peak, using a moderate to fast attack and moderate release, and a ratio of 2:1. Then, apply a boost around 100Hz to taste. Lastly, run the kick drum through a noise gate, setting it to close a few milliseconds after the kick sound. This will help define the kick drum and make it more pronounced in the mix.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
