AKG D112, Kick drum Microphones

AKG D112
 

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AKG D112

AKG D112

With its distinctive egg shape the AKG D112 has become one of the most popular kick drum microphones ever made. A descendent of the earlier D12 dynamic microphone, AKG set about engineering a tougher and more modern sounding kick drum mic with a specially engineered diaphragm to create a solid and powerful response below 100 Hz and a narrow band presence rise at 4 kHz to help the kick punch through dense mixes with little or no added EQ. It's a large diaphragm cardioid dynamic with a built in pop shield and can handle up to 160 dB SPL with no audible distortion making it good for other instruments such and the bass and brass instruments like the trombone.

Recording

The AKG D112 is really one of those mics that does what it says on the tin. It's a kick drum microphone that can take big SPLs and is really robust and well made. I invariably end up removing the front skin when I'm miking up the kick drum as even the skins with holes in are always too small or in the wrong position. I always start by putting the mic about 6 inches inside the shell and a little off centre and I'll work from that. Your perception of the sound will change as the other instruments come into the track and as I hear the song and if I think the kick needs some more definition I might move it closer to the skin or try a harder beater. I always record it through a TL Audio mic pre and what I like about the AKG D112 is that with a bit of EQ you can tailor the bottom end really accurately. You can either roll it off or start bringing stuff up at 50 or 60 cycles to get some weight into the kick and that’s always still there when you come to mix.
One of the odd things about the AKG D112 is that you get a very different but very usable sound from the mic if you use it the other way round with the mesh grill pointing away from the drum. Although it's a lower signal it still sounds like a kick drum mic with a slightly more open character even though it picks up a bit more spillage from the rest of the kit. All kicks get EQ'd, taking out some middle around 5/600hz and adding some top and bottom. I know there are a lot of mics with deliberately tailored curves on the market but I’m pretty happy with the AKG D112 as it gives me the options in the mix.
JS
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Hear the AKG D112
The Brew session: Kick Drum
Circus Envy session: Kick Drum
 
 
 
 
Microphones and recording 2008. AKG D112 Microphones