Drum Microphone Test
Microphones Tested
Audix i5
Audix D1
Audix D2
Audix D4
Audix D6
Audix MicroD
Audix SCX1
Audix ADX51
Audix HT2
Sennheiser 421
Shure SM57
Shure Beta 98 and 91
AKG C391
Tests and Evaluation Methods
I put several Audix microphones to the test by putting them up against the most popular studio drum mics.
As you listen to the individual instruments, you will hear 3 hits per mic. Since all the mic's were recorded at the same time, you will hear the exact same 3 hits on the next mic. i.e. It is the same physical performance. For example, the snare sample has 9 hits total. 3 57's, 3D1's, and 3 I5's. This way you can hear the differences back to back.
Signal Chain
2 x Digimax for 16 similar microphone pre's connected via light pipe to Alesis HD24. From there the files were extracted into Nuendo and edited for the final MP3's.
For drums, we used a DW Collector Series Fast Sizes: 18 x 22, 11 x 14, 8 x 10, and Craviatto 5 x 13 solid shell snare.
For Cymbals we used all Paiste Signature Series 17" Full Crash, 16" Full Crash, 20" Full Ride, 9 Inch Traditional Splash, 14" Power Hi Hats.
Heads were Attack Single Ply Clear heads on toms, Coated on snare, & Evans Eq 3 Series on kick drum batter with smaller dampener and DW Pillow followed by a DW Logo head with 5" hole.
Snare Mic Evaluation
As you can hear from the MP3 Snare -57-D1-I5, the 57 has a full overall sound. The D1 adds much more bite in the 4k presence range, and the I5 adds more high end air presence without the bite.
I most cases during recording or live performances EQing more high end on the snare is a given. If you select a D1 or I5, there is no need to EQ, just setup and go.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Tom Mic Evaluation
The tom-421-Micro-D-98-D2 MP3, the Micro D adds more low and high end attack compared to the 421. The 98 and 421 are pretty similar, and the D2 add a more warmer tone.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Floor Tom Mic Evaluation
On the floor tom sample floor-421-d2-d4-98, we really start to see some differences. The 421 is balanced but more mid rangy. The D2 adds more low and less mid. The D4 adds even more lows and the same less mids, the 98 is thin and mid rangy.
I find the 421 is a great mic, but I often have to use some equalization to make it sound the way I want. The D2 and D4 adds the right eq where I need it.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Kick Drum Mic Evaluation
This was the coolest one of all. On sample kick-91-421-d6 the Beta 91 has a balanced sound with extra highs. The 421 has mid punch, but no lows and highs - usually the opposite of what you want. The D6 has a very radical "V" curve that is just awesome. Especially for rock. The Lows are huge, midrange gone, and the highs are cranked.
Most of the time there is radical eq added to the kick drum mic to make it perform the way you want. Two thing happen in this situation. A lot of phase is introduced into your mix and cranking up the high end adds a lot more noise. This mic combats both problems with having the sound you already need.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Hi Hat & Overhead Mic Evaluation
The hi-hat-391-scxhc and the SCX - 4050 MP3's, really show off Audix's level of performance. First the Hi Hat demonstration with the 391 and the SCX-HC. Again the SCX comes pre equalized exactly how the Hi Hat needs to be adjusted in the mix. Nice presence compared to the 391.
For the SCX-C and the AT4050, the SCX-C sounded almost exactly the same with a little less low end. This is to be expected since it is a small diaphragm mic. Most people roll off the low end on the overheads anyway's.
I also did comparison between the F15, ADX51, and SCX1C all at the same time. What you notice is the F15 is a bit brittle. The ADX51 sounds great and has more low end than the F15. The SCX1C even takes it to the next level with a full spectrum sound.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Fusion 6 Drum Mic Sets
I took a whole Fusion 6 Drum Mic Kit and set it up on the DW kit. I mad a few sample with and without reverb. There was no EQ added to sweeten this mix, just volume changes and pans.
Audio Samples (MP3)
DP Elite Drum Mic Sets
I took a whole DP Elite Drum Mic Kit and set it up on the DW kit. I mad a few sample with and without reverb. Another sample adds in the overheads. There was no EQ added to sweeten this mix, just volume changes and pans.
Audio Samples (MP3)
Headset Mic Evaluation
For this sample I sang into the headset mic's while playing the drums to really hear the quality of the mic and it's rejection. The first sample you hear is the Audix HT2-P. This mic had little drums in it and a high end boost for clarity. The second sample you hear is an AKG 420. The amount of bleed from the drums is unbearable and because of proximity I had the mic at least 1 inch away and it still was muddy sounding.
I recently did a live recording of a rock band and the drummers vocal performance on the AKG 420 was unusable from all the bleed. Hmmm, I think I will bring the HT2-P next time.
Audio Samples (MP3)