AKG D-112 bass drum mic

brentworthy · 6th March 2007

My drummer has an AKG D-112 bass drum mic and I'm having clipping problems... With the master level on the board at zero, I turn the gain on the kick drum channel to about 3 and the red lights show clipping.... I have a peavey RQ 2318 16 channel board and have the option of decreasing the input of channels 13 and 14 by -20 db... I've tried different mic placements inside the kick drum and nothing works.... It sounds like a big clipping fart before I get any volume out of it.... I run the bass guitar direct.... I have no problems with anything else besides the kick drum...... Do you think a sure-57 would be better in this case?????? HELP!!!!!!!!

bobwarren · 6th March 2007

A lot of my peers are actually getting away from the D112 (attack, click). Try an MD 421 or RE-20. I don't think this solves your problem, just presents other solutions. The mic may be damaged?.

chetatkinsdiet · 6th March 2007

or put a pad inline. I think they run about $20ea. I've had a pair of Shure's that I've used for years.

later,

m

daryllh · 6th March 2007

Try different channel?

I wouldn't think that the signal would be clipping if the mic was closer to the front head (away from batter).

I run my D112 through an MP2NV and I usually float around 25-30 for a decent mic level. I don't use an inline pad.

IF you were to get a pad, you would be padding -20 from your desk along with -10 to -20 with an extra pad? Sounds like a lot of padding. I would susspect something is wrong with the mic.

BlueRadio · 6th March 2007

I used to have the same problems when micing toms on my old Yamaha mixer...there was no pad in the circuit, and it was clip city, even at zero gain.

I wouldn't sweat getting a new mic...despite the bashing that the d112 gets around here, it has stood the test of time, and certainly has its place in certain kick drums.

I would invest in some inline pads, as suggested above. Or, if you're looking for a big upgrade, differet preamps / mixer.

jamesosullivan1 · 7th March 2007

D 112 is a great mic for kick and have used my for years - but a decent pad is a must really!! No need to get a new mic - D112 will do the job fine with a pad.

shaharv · 8th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentworthy

I turn the gain on the kick drum channel to about 3 and the red lights show clipping....

have you tried turning down the gain!?
u leave it at the 3 o'clock position? that's too much IMO, i never had to turn it over the 12 o'clock myself, both at live situations and in the studio.

bobwarren · 8th March 2007

I'm not neccesarily bashing the D112. I use it on kick about 95% of the time. It's just some bands are looking for something different. Peace.

shaharv · 8th March 2007

it's hardly a solution to a clipping mic.....
it's amazing the lengths ppl will go to fix the simplest problem

liquidorange · 27th April 2007

i just seen a thread about using this mic backwards. try turning it around at the source hole. the clips i herd were good!

flail19 · 27th April 2007

I have been using this mic for 15 years and never had 1 problem and never ever used a pad. It's gotta be something else.

jigsawlogic · 27th April 2007

The solution to a crying baby is not a garbage chute.

Likewise, it should be pretty easy to isolate the causes of the problem, and take action as necessary. Only if the problem is traced back to the mic, should you consider replacing it. You will find many lovers and haters of the D112, but the bottom line is that is a standard, and given that for every ubiquitous piece of gear, there is a reason for the ubiquity, you should at least hear it properly before you choose between assigning it a place in your mic locker or a place on the chopping block.

I run into overs all the time when tracking drums, and have found inline pads to be indispensible in taming levels (and I'm talking about with the gain on my pres at zero). Considering their low expense and frequency of use, they represent an excellent although unglamorous investment, a hidden piece of duct-tape holding together the pedestal upon which "Glorious Preamp x" stands while being kowtowed to by the people who have chosen your studio partially based on your ownership of...."Glorious Preamp x".

Give 'em a whirl and see if that solves the problem...$20 versus $200 or more...it's your choice.

6th March 2007	#1
brentworthy Gear interested Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	AKG D-112 bass drum mic My drummer has an AKG D-112 bass drum mic and I'm having clipping problems... With the master level on the board at zero, I turn the gain on the kick drum channel to about 3 and the red lights show clipping.... I have a peavey RQ 2318 16 channel board and have the option of decreasing the input of channels 13 and 14 by -20 db... I've tried different mic placements inside the kick drum and nothing works.... It sounds like a big clipping fart before I get any volume out of it.... I run the bass guitar direct.... I have no problems with anything else besides the kick drum...... Do you think a sure-57 would be better in this case?????? HELP!!!!!!!!

6th March 2007	#4
daryllh Gear addict Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 334	Try different channel? I wouldn't think that the signal would be clipping if the mic was closer to the front head (away from batter). I run my D112 through an MP2NV and I usually float around 25-30 for a decent mic level. I don't use an inline pad. IF you were to get a pad, you would be padding -20 from your desk along with -10 to -20 with an extra pad? Sounds like a lot of padding. I would susspect something is wrong with the mic. __________________ View my myspace.com page. Rock

6th March 2007	#5
BlueRadio Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 584	I used to have the same problems when micing toms on my old Yamaha mixer...there was no pad in the circuit, and it was clip city, even at zero gain. I wouldn't sweat getting a new mic...despite the bashing that the d112 gets around here, it has stood the test of time, and certainly has its place in certain kick drums. I would invest in some inline pads, as suggested above. Or, if you're looking for a big upgrade, differet preamps / mixer. __________________ - blueradio

27th April 2007	#11
flail19 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 760	I have been using this mic for 15 years and never had 1 problem and never ever used a pad. It's gotta be something else. __________________ Singer, Songwriter, Musician.............Dad. "You're so money and you don't even know it!"

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6th March 2007	#2
bobwarren Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 903	A lot of my peers are actually getting away from the D112 (attack, click). Try an MD 421 or RE-20. I don't think this solves your problem, just presents other solutions. The mic may be damaged?.

6th March 2007	#3
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,493	or put a pad inline. I think they run about $20ea. I've had a pair of Shure's that I've used for years. later, m

7th March 2007	#6
jamesosullivan1 Gear nut Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 110	D 112 is a great mic for kick and have used my for years - but a decent pad is a must really!! No need to get a new mic - D112 will do the job fine with a pad.

8th March 2007	#8
bobwarren Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 903	I'm not neccesarily bashing the D112. I use it on kick about 95% of the time. It's just some bands are looking for something different. Peace.

8th March 2007	#9
shaharv Gear interested Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 6	it's hardly a solution to a clipping mic..... it's amazing the lengths ppl will go to fix the simplest problem

27th April 2007	#10
liquidorange Gear addict Joined: Jul 2003 Location: tri state Posts: 395	i just seen a thread about using this mic backwards. try turning it around at the source hole. the clips i herd were good!

27th April 2007	#12
jigsawlogic Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 450	The solution to a crying baby is not a garbage chute. Likewise, it should be pretty easy to isolate the causes of the problem, and take action as necessary. Only if the problem is traced back to the mic, should you consider replacing it. You will find many lovers and haters of the D112, but the bottom line is that is a standard, and given that for every ubiquitous piece of gear, there is a reason for the ubiquity, you should at least hear it properly before you choose between assigning it a place in your mic locker or a place on the chopping block. I run into overs all the time when tracking drums, and have found inline pads to be indispensible in taming levels (and I'm talking about with the gain on my pres at zero). Considering their low expense and frequency of use, they represent an excellent although unglamorous investment, a hidden piece of duct-tape holding together the pedestal upon which "Glorious Preamp x" stands while being kowtowed to by the people who have chosen your studio partially based on your ownership of...."Glorious Preamp x". Give 'em a whirl and see if that solves the problem...$20 versus $200 or more...it's your choice.