AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Microphones for Bass Drum 2026
The top pick is Shure BETA 52A Supercardioid Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone ($233). AKG D112 MKII Cardioid Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone gives you the most for the money at $184. AKG D12 VR Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 27 models across 18 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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All Microphones for Bass DrumTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Shure BETA 52A Supercardioid Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone
Beta 52A · Shure
87 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
You get a dynamic mic made for bass drum and other low-frequency instruments. Its supercardioid pattern and excellent feedback resistance help it focus on the source and cut down on stray noise. The adapter with an XLR socket fits inside a bass drum, so it suits you if you want a sturdy kick mic that is easy to set up.
Pros
- Neodymium magnet delivers very high output levels
- Mesh head made of hardened steel to reduce wear and tear
- Pneumatic shock mount system reduces handling noise and vibrations
Cons
- Weighs 605 g, which is heavy for a drum mic
69AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$233 now$233€209 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
sE Electronics V KICK Supercardioid Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone
V Kick · sE Electronics
40 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
The sE Electronics V Kick is a dynamic mic made for bass drum and other bass instruments. Its super-cardioid pattern focuses on the sound in front of it, and its shockmount helps keep vibration away from the capsule. If you play bass drum and want a solid all-metal mic with four sound adjustments to work with, this one is worth a look.
Pros
- Super-cardioid pattern picks up mainly the sound directly in front of the mic
- Integrated shockmount decouples the capsule from vibrations and shocks
- Solid all-metal housing with an integrated windshield
68AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$256 now$256€229 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
AKG D112 MKII Cardioid Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone
D 112 MKII · AKG
37 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
You get a dynamic mic made for bass drums, and it also works on electric bass and tubas. Its cardioid pattern picks up mostly from the front, so it aims at the source you point it at. If you play bass drum, electric bass, or tuba and want one mic for those sources, this is a good fit.
Pros
- Dynamic design, which is the type of mic built to handle loud drum hits
- Cardioid polar pattern, which picks up mostly from the front
- Rated for bass drums, electric bass, and tubas, so one mic covers several sources
64AudioFu
Index↓ 5.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$195 · Aug 17$184 now$184€165 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
You get a dynamic mic made for kick drum that also works on electric bass. Its cardioid pattern is built to pick up mostly from the front, which helps you aim it at the source. It suits you if you want one dedicated mic for a bass drum and a bass that you can use in more than one place.
Pros
- Built as a specialised microphone for kick drum
- Professional dynamic large-diaphragm design
- Cardioid polar pattern for a focused pickup area
60AudioFu
Index↓ 2.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$205 · Aug 17$200 now$200€179 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Audix D4 Hypercardioid Dynamic Drum / Instrument Microphone
D4 · Audix
31 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
You'll find the Audix D4 a good pick if you mic floor toms and bass drums. It's a dynamic mic with a hypercardioid pattern, so it focuses on the sound in front of it. It's also suitable for electric bass guitar and brass, so it can cover more than drums if you need that.
Pros
- Professional dynamic microphone built for floor toms and bass drums
- Hypercardioid polar pattern helps it focus on the sound in front of it
- Wide frequency range from 38 Hz to 19 kHz
58AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$193 now$193€173 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
You would reach for this mic to record a bass drum or a bass amp. It is a dynamic mic with a supercardioid pattern, so it picks up mostly what is directly in front of it. It comes with a clamp and a bag, so you can get it set up on your drum or amp right away.
Pros
- Large diaphragm dynamic design made for bass drum and bass amplifier recording
- Supercardioid polar pattern focuses pickup on the source in front of it
- Black zinc die-cast housing with ABS polycarbonate construction
Cons
- Weighs 374 g, a noticeable amount heavier than a small instrument microphone
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$221 now$221€198 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Sennheiser e902 Dynamic Bass Instrument Microphone
E 902 · Sennheiser
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
If you play bass drum, tuba or another bass instrument and need a mic for it, the Sennheiser E 902 is made for that job. It is a dynamic mic with a cardioid pattern, so it picks up mostly from the front, and it has an integrated stand adapter. It comes with a bag to carry it in.
Pros
- Dynamic design, which suits loud bass drum sources
- Specially made for bass drums, tubas and other bass instruments
- Cardioid polar pattern focuses pickup on the source
Cons
- Weighs 440 g, heavier than many small microphones
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- Weight4.6 kg
If you mic a kick drum, this one is made for that job. It is a dynamic mic with a classic white woofer inside a birch plywood shell, and it comes with a stand. At 4.6 kg it is heavy, so it suits a fixed setup better than a grab-and-go kit.
Pros
- Dynamic microphone built specifically for miking the kick drum
- Eight polar pattern picks up sound from both front and back
- Classic white woofer (AV10-MLF) serves as the sound transducer
Cons
- At 4.6 kg and 289 x 289 x 140 mm, it is a heavy, bulky piece to carry around
55AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$412 now$412€369 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
If you play a kick drum and want a mic made for that job, this one is worth a look. It is a dynamic mic with a metal housing and a cardioid pattern, and it has low-end punch for a strong kick sound. At 454 g it is on the heavy side, so plan your mounting around that.
Pros
- Dynamic design with a metal housing for a sturdy build
- Cardioid polar pattern helps focus on the kick drum
- Built-in low-end punch for a powerful kick drum sound
Cons
- Weighs 454 g, so it is on the heavy side to clip on and move between gigs
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$166 now$166€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
If you play bass drum and want a mic made for that job, you may like this one. It is a dynamic cardioid mic with three switchable presets, an automatic -10 dB pad, and a bass chamber for powerful basses. Just remember the presets need 48V phantom power, so check that your mixer or interface can supply it.
Pros
- Dynamic bass drum microphone built for kick drum work
- Three switchable sound presets to shape the kick sound
- Automatic -10 dB pad for handling loud sources
Cons
- Sound presets require 48V phantom power to work
53AudioFu
Index↓ 1.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$516 · Aug 17$506 now$506€453 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 27 microphones for bass drum
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
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Audio-Technica ATM250 Hypercardioid Dynamic MicrophoneATM250 · Audio-Technica52Stable$261€234$261€234Check ↗
- 12
Shure Nexadyne NXN2 Kick Supercardioid Dynamic MicrophoneNexadyne 2 · Shure52Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 13
Universal Audio SD-5 Standard Supercardioid Dynamic Modeling…SD-5 · Universal Audio50↑ 5.9%$200€179$200€179Check ↗
- 14
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ WhiteSolomon · 2 finishes49Stable$372€333$372€333Check ↗
- 15
Audio-Technica PRO 25ax Hypercardioid Dynamic MicrophonePro 25 AX · Audio-Technica47Stable$173€155$173€155Check ↗
- 16
Lauten Audio Kick Mic Cardioid Condenser MicrophoneKick Mic · Lauten Audio45Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 17
Neumann BCM 705 Hypercardioid Dynamic MicrophoneBCM 705 MT · Neumann43Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 18
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ TrooperSolomon42Stable$372€333$372€333Check ↗
- 19
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ Daru JonesSolomon42Stable$412€369$412€369Check ↗
- 20
DPA 4055 Cardioid Condenser Kick Drum Microphone4055 Kick-Drum Microphone · DPA42Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 21
AKG Perception Live P2AKG39↑ 4.4%$107€96$107€96Check ↗
- 22
the t.bone BD 300the t.bone36Stable$58€52$58€52Check ↗
- 23
Superlux Pro 218ASuperlux36Stable$77€69$77€69Check ↗
- 24
beyerdynamic TG D70 MK IIbeyerdynamic36Stable$262€235$262€235Check ↗
- 25
Yamaha DSU50Yamaha36Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 26
Austrian Audio OC-B6Austrian Audio36Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 27
EV PL 33EV33Stable$128€115$128€115Check ↗
Microphones for Bass Drum by the numbers
Measured across all 29 models we track, not a sample.
Median $261 — half of all microphones for bass drum here cost less.
How to choose the best microphones for bass drum
SPL Handling
Bass drums are LOUD. You need a mic that can handle serious Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) without distorting or clipping. Anything less than 130dB is pushing it, and that's a minimum; 140+ dB is what you want for a seriously powerful kit.
Frequency Response
Don't chase a flat response. You're looking for a mic that emphasizes the low-mids - that 250-500Hz range - to give you that punch and body. Too much high-end and it'll sound brittle and harsh; too little and it'll disappear in the mix. It's a balancing act.
Polar Pattern
Cardioid is the standard for a reason - it rejects bleed from other drums, which is essential in a live or rehearsal setting. Figure-8 can work for some creative M/S techniques, but it's generally more prone to picking up unwanted noise.
Transient Response
A slow transient response will make the beater sound sluggish and muddy. You want a mic that can capture the initial attack of the drumhead clearly, so that low-end thump hits hard and fast. This is where dynamic mics often shine.
Build Quality
Let's be real, bass drum mics take a beating. Gigs, transport, the occasional accidental kick - they need to be robust. Cheap mics often use flimsy capsules or fragile suspension systems that will fail quickly.
Buying guide
So, you want to nail that low-end thump on your kit? The bass drum mic is the crucial starting point. Forget about fancy processing - a bad mic will make even the best EQ sound thin and lifeless. Let's break down what to look for, because slapping any old condenser on a kit won't cut it; it needs to handle serious SPL and capture that fundamental without turning into a muddy mess.
Don't fall for marketing hype. A cheap mic might say it's a bass drum mic, but it'll likely cut corners somewhere - usually on SPL handling or transient response. Spending a bit more on a well-built dynamic mic with good low-mid emphasis will always deliver better results than a budget condenser that's struggling to survive.
Consider your typical playing volume and environment - a bedroom drummer can get away with less robust options than a gigging drummer.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 29 microphones for bass drum from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Dynamic or Condenser for bass drum?
Dynamic mics are generally the workhorses for bass drum. They handle the SPL better and tend to have a faster transient response. Condensers can be used, but you need a high-end model and need to be careful about gain staging and SPL.
What's the deal with sub-kick mics?
Sub-kicks are specialized mics (often designed for extreme low-frequency response) used in addition to a main bass drum mic. They capture the ultra-low frequencies that a standard mic might miss, adding a huge rumble. They're not a replacement for a main mic, though.
Can I use a vocal mic on my bass drum?
Technically, yes. But most vocal mics aren't designed for the extreme SPL and low-frequency response of a bass drum. You'll likely get a weak, muddy sound, and you risk damaging the mic.
What's 'porting' a bass drum mic?
Porting refers to the mic's ability to handle the acoustic pressure from the bass drum's port. Some mics are designed to minimize unwanted resonances caused by the port - it's a subtle but important factor in getting a clean, defined sound.
How close should I mic the bass drum?
Start close - a few inches from the beater impact zone. Experiment! Moving the mic closer emphasizes the beater sound, while moving it further back captures more of the drum's overall resonance. Listen carefully and adjust to taste.
