When it comes to micing your drum kit, a lot of things go into consideration. The main idea is to find microphones that capture that natural sound.
It’s always advisable to consider the brand as one of the main pillars of decision-making. And in this case, Shure is one of the most trusted mic manufacturers in the world.
Also, it’s hard putting together a mic set for all your drums. You might not get the right balance.
Luckily, Shure offers a solution with a wide range of specifically designed drum mics. That means you get every piece required to set up your drum set.
Let us look at some of these solutions.
How Many Mics are in a drum kit?
There are many types of drum mic kits based on the quality of the mic and their number.
An ideal mic kit comes with eight microphones; it’s easy to use to fill up your sounding capturing needs.
The package will have mics for the kick, the snare, each tom, cymbals, hi-hat, and overhead mics. With such, you get excellent control of the whole kit. It allows you to get an emphasis on every part of your drum kit accessories.
Some drum mic kits have few mics, though, with the least carrying four mics. It all depends on your needs.
How much do drum mics cost?
Mic prices vary from a few pennies to thousands. This is because they vary in size, built quality, and other factors that make a microphone good.
There are tiny consumer electrets mics that cost less than a dollar and high-quality studio-sound ribbon and condenser mics that are highly-priced. Caveats, for instance, go for a few thousand dollars.
Besides, there is a wide range of mic models on the market. They provide manufacturer-specified retail prices for their products.
You need to have a specified budget before investing in mics. Besides, it’s the most popular solution on the market today.
What is the best drum mic kit?
For serious-sounding drums with definition and cohesion, consider a modern-sounding 8-mic set. And there is no better choice than the Audix DP7 Plus.
I have used this kit a lot of times, and it has never disappointed me.
Another good choice is the 7-piece Shure PGADRUMKIT7. It includes their PG Alta series, which has been the market standard for many years.
Shure DMK57-52 Drum Microphone Kit, Black
Not so long ago, the Shure DMK57-52 was the highest-rated 4-Piece mic kit for drums. And there is a good reason for this.
Shure is one of the most reliable mic manufacturers in the world. They have been in the business for more than three decades, making them highly experienced.
Their DMK57-52 delivers the best quality you can expect in a drum kit. It is extensively acclaimed as the ‘do-all’ mic. It comes with three SM57 dynamic mics and one Beta 52A mic for the kick.
This kit allows one to mic their drum kit effectively and with the ability to expand their setup. You have an excellent starting point for your mic collection, and that should count for every aspect of your drumming needs.
What microphones are included in the Shure drum kit pack?
The Shure DMK57-52 is configured with one Beta 52A and three in SM57. The package also includes three SM57 mounts and a carrying case.
The Beta 52A is known for its great frequency that can lift at 4khz. With that, you can bring out the best from any modern bass drum.
This set is not only for drums, though. It’s quite versatile and can be used for other instruments, including electric guitars and an electric bass drum.
Pros
• The best starter pack on the market
• Include studio-grade mics
• A versatile kit
Cons
• Not condenser mics mean you can use them as overheads
Verdict
An excellent package for micing your shells. It will be a good fit for those who need a ‘foundation mic set.‘
Shure PGADRUMKIT7 7-Piece Drum Microphone Kit
Shure does not joke when it comes to offering quality products. Every producer knows they make plenty of microphones.
There PGADRUMKIT 7 comes as a bundle of seven high-end mics. It makes a full package of all the mics you would need to record your drums.
Mics
Here are the mics you will get from this kit.
• One PGA52 cardioid kick drum mic. This piece captures those low sounds naturally.
• 3 PGA56 cardioid dynamic mic. These are designed for snare and toms. They can handle the highest SPL.
• One PGA57 cardioid dynamic instrument mic.
• Two PGA81 Cardioid condenser mics. There is no better way to record your instruments than with these pieces. They are excellent overheads, promising a wonderful response.
Apart from the mics, the set also features:
• One break-resistant mic clip
• Three AP56DM drum mounts
• Seven C15J 15-foot XLR-XLR cables
• One zippered carrying case.
These professional quality microphones are versatile enough to handle a wide range of drums and percussion use. They are what every drummer will love to have in their collection.
They come with the legendary Shure quality and durable construction. With that, you can be sure of an exceptional performance no matter how you use them.
Pros
• The built quality is a market standard acknowledged by many drummers
• Excellent sound quality, especially on the snare drum
• Delivers great noise rejection, with a surety of many positive comments.
Cons
• Some users have felt they sound too flat
Verdict
The consistently high ratings and the quality of Shure products should be enough reason to recommend this kit.
Shure BETA 98AMP/C Miniature Cardioid Condenser Drum Microphone with Integrated Preamplifier
The Shure BETA 98AAMP/C Miniature Cardioid Condenser drum microphone is designed to handle a wide range of applications.
I had read many reviews about this kit, but I was not sure if it really was that good. It’s Shure’s quality and promise of perfection that made me want to try it out.
The first thing I noticed from the box is its excellent build quality. There are very few mics that will stand out to this level.
On the road, the kit performed exemplarily. Its uniform cardioid polar pattern in each mic delivers maximum gain-before-feedback and rejection of off-axis sound. That means you get a smooth high-end response and control.
Another great aspect of this is precision-engineered design. It features an integrated preamp and XLR connector for efficiency and easy setup.
The mics offer a frequency response specific for drums and percussion instruments. You can use the drums for high SLP environments, and they will hold ground.
Still, on the design, the mics come with flexible gooseneck for precision and easy adjustment. Its enamel-coated metal construction and stainless-steel inner grill ensure longevity.
It’s designed for live performance as well as studio recording with precision and excellence. Consider its Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability for any use.
I also love its precision-designed low-profile construction with an integrated amp. It has a two-position contour switch to set the right attack and clarity.
Pros
• Shure ruggedness, quality, and reliability
• Excellent construction
• Easy to use
Cons
• Expensive
Verdict
You can always rely on Shure for studio-quality sound. And the Beta 98AMP/C is a perfect example of what they stand for. Invest in this mic, and you will get good results.
Shure BETA 91A Half-Cardioid Condenser Kick-Drum Microphone (Includes Integrated Preamplifier and Male XLR Output)
Recording or amplifying the bass drum is never easy. There are so many mics, but most of them are not very useful.
However, Shure is one of those brands you can always count on. The BETA 91A Cardioid Condenser mic is precision-engineered with a low-profile design for easy attachment to the bass drum. It’s integrated with preamp and XLR connectors to maximum setup and efficiency.
Its frequency response is tailored explicitly for the kick drum and other low-frequency applications. The mic comes with a wide dynamic range and performs well under high SLP setups.
Another excellent feature is the two-position contour switch that helps maximize attack and clarity as per user needs. A natural response is achieved when you select the flat response setting. Or choose the “low-mid” scoop to get a strong frequency with an extended attack.
You will need to buy external mounting gear or accessories for easy use storage. A furnished zipper pouch is included for storage and use.
Features:
• Half-cardioid polar pattern for a strong low-end response and maximum gain-before-feedback
• Features preamp and XLR connector
• Two-position contour mic
• Precision-engineered low-profile design
Pros
• Durable construction
• High-quality performance
• Shure ruggedness and quality
Cons
• Expensive
Verdict
Go for this mic if you want to get the best sound from your bass drum. Its frequency response and Shure quality promise excellent performance.
