Shure Beta 52 vs. AKG D112

[SweetDrums1234]

which one do you prefer? which is more durable? which gives better sound? discuss please, i am looking to buy one and i am stuck.

[Gary Z]

I have tried both.I have a friend who has the Beta 52 and he brought them to a show and lt me use them.Very nice mic.At the present time I own 2 D112's and they work quite well.I would say that the 52 is more of a go to mic than the D112.I think it is a personal preference.See if you can find someone who has them and see if you can try them out.Either way you go you will be getting a quality mic.

[DemonKnight5150]

Are you only limiting yourself to those 2 choices?

I will always and forever recommend the Sennheiser E902 bass drum mic. Hands down the best mic investment I've ever made.

[Oryon_Drummer]

This debate is totally subjective. One isn't better than the other, they're just different. Mics are to sound engineers as paintbrushes are to painters, they all do something different and where one isn't working that great another is perfect. Most professional places have many mics they use regularly on kick drums. You're not going to go wrong with either of them if you can only afford one or the other; go for whichever you can find a better deal on.

Now when it really gets down to it on subjectivity I'd prefer to use a Beta 91 and U47fet. Or perhaps an RE-20. But my kicks come out just fine with a Beta 52 for now. ;)

[Funky Animal]

Some great sounding kick mics.
AKG D112, Sennheiser E902, Shure Beta 52, Shure Beta 91, Audix D6 (at the moment my favorite...don't own one tho :( )...and the list can go on and on with great kick mics.
Don't limit yourself to only 2 options...

[ETdrummer318]

I have a Beta 52 and i absolutley love the sound that I get out of it, however it's all about preference, so pick the one you like better

[SweetDrums1234]

how is the beta 91? how is it compared to the 52?

[Oryon_Drummer]

I wouldn't use the Beta 91 without another mic to pick up the low end. Usually people use a Beta 91 to pick out the beater slap and something else near the reso head to pick up the low end boom (beta 52, d112, subkick etc.)

[SweetDrums1234]

oh, so a Beta 91 is not a kick mic?

[Oryon_Drummer]

Beta 91's are definetly used very often in kick drums. Just not by themselves, they're commonly used to accentuate the beater slap. I've neever personally seen someone use only a Beta 91 but I suppose it could be done. They're commonly used in board rooms and meetings placed on a table in the middle of a group of people to pick up the conversation.

Most mic's can be used on almost any source provided the SPL rating is high enough, it's just that some work better than others at different jobs. Sometimes I use the same Large Diaphram condensor that I use for vocals in front of the kick drum.

[SweetDrums1234]

so anyways, i dont think im going to get the Beta 91. how about the 52 and AKG D112?

[SweetDrums1234]

bump.

[MattF]

Can someone give a small review of the individual qualities of the 3 or 4 different choices for a basic kick drum mic? I need some help deciding, since I'll be purchasing one within the week. I play mainly alternative music.

[Clairvoyant]

Are you serious about the Beta 91? I've really been looking at that one to purchase. I like the design and ability to just lay inside the kick drum without putting a huge hole in the front reso. But, if it won't pick up the deep end resonance I want then what?

Can anyone recommend one with a similar design? It doesn't have to be Shure.