AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Microphones for Bass Drum for Intermediate 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. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 27 models across 18 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 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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Audio-Technica ATM250 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone
ATM250 · Audio-Technica
16 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The ATM250 is a workhorse bass drum mic – plain and simple. It delivers a tight, powerful low-end with excellent attack, perfect for rock, metal, and heavier genres where you need that defined thump. If you're looking for a reliable, affordable mic to anchor your drum kit's low end, this is a solid choice.
Pros
- Robust zinc die-cast body handles serious stage abuse.
- Hypercardioid pattern isolates the drum, minimizing bleed.
- Excellent transient response captures punchy low-end detail.
Cons
- Hypercardioid pattern demands precise mic placement for optimal results.
- 600-ohm impedance may require a preamp with sufficient gain.
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$261 now$261€234 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Shure Nexadyne NXN2 Kick Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone
Nexadyne 2 · Shure
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Nexadyne 2 is a solid, workhorse kick drum mic. It’s a great choice for rock, metal, and heavier genres where you need a focused, powerful low-end without excessive detail. If you're looking for a reliable, affordable mic that can handle the heat, this is a strong contender.
Pros
- Robust build with a solid, zinc die-cast body for gigging.
- Revonic dual-engine delivers a surprisingly full, low-end thump.
- Supercardioid pattern effectively rejects bleed from other kit pieces.
Cons
- Supercardioid pattern demands precise mic placement for optimal results.
- Relatively heavy, can be a burden on a lightweight drum stand.
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$300 now$300€269 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Universal Audio SD-5 Standard Supercardioid Dynamic Modeling…
SD-5 · Universal Audio
22 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The UA SD-5 is a clever little mic, particularly for bass drum and amp recording. The modelling is a neat trick, letting you tweak the tone after the fact, and the robust build is a big plus. It’s a great option for home studios and gigging musicians needing a focused, powerful low-end capture.
Pros
- Solid all-metal construction feels exceptionally robust for its class.
- Hemisphere modelling offers surprising flexibility in post-recording shaping.
- Supercardioid pattern effectively isolates the low-end sound source.
Cons
- The weight (727g) can be cumbersome on a standard mic stand.
- Supercardioid pattern demands careful mic placement to avoid phase issues.
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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Shure PGA52-LCPGA52 · Shure54Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
- 12
Audio-Technica PRO 25ax Hypercardioid Dynamic MicrophonePro 25 AX · Audio-Technica47Stable$173€155$173€155Check ↗
- 13
beyerdynamic TG D70 MK IIbeyerdynamic36Stable$262€235$262€235Check ↗
- 14
EV PL 33EV33Stable$128€115$128€115Check ↗
- 15
AKG Perception Live P2AKG39↑ 4.4%$107€96$107€96Check ↗
- 16
Avantone Audio MONDO Dynamic Kick Drum MicKick · Avantone55Stable$412€369$412€369Check ↗
- 17
AKG D12 VR Dynamic Kick Drum MicrophoneD12 VR · AKG53↓ 2.0%$506€453$506€453Check ↗
- 18
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ WhiteSolomon · 2 finishes49Stable$372€333$372€333Check ↗
- 19
Superlux Pro 218ASuperlux36Stable$77€69$77€69Check ↗
- 20
Lauten Audio Kick Mic Cardioid Condenser MicrophoneKick Mic · Lauten Audio45Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 21
Neumann BCM 705 Hypercardioid Dynamic MicrophoneBCM 705 MT · Neumann43Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 22
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ TrooperSolomon42Stable$372€333$372€333Check ↗
- 23
Solomon SubKick LoFReQ Daru JonesSolomon42Stable$412€369$412€369Check ↗
- 24
DPA 4055 Cardioid Condenser Kick Drum Microphone4055 Kick-Drum Microphone · DPA42Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 25
the t.bone BD 300the t.bone36Stable$58€52$58€52Check ↗
- 26
Yamaha DSU50Yamaha36Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 27
Austrian Audio OC-B6Austrian Audio36Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
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
Frequency Response
We're not chasing flat response. Bass drum mics need to handle low-end thump without getting boomy or losing detail. Look for mics that accentuate the fundamental while still retaining some attack.
Polar Pattern
Cardioid is your workhorse, but figuring out if you need a hypercardioid to cut through a loud band or an omni for a more natural room sound is key for intermediate players.
Transient Response
A slow mic will just smear the beater impact. You want something that captures that initial attack - that 'thwack' - cleanly and accurately.
Off-Axis Response
How does the mic sound when you're not dead center? A mic that gets muddy or picks up unwanted rumble off-axis isn't worth the money. We're listening for clarity and rejection of unwanted frequencies.
Build Quality & Durability
Gigs happen. Mics get dropped. A mic that can take a beating and still sound decent is a long-term investment, especially when you're starting to play more regularly.
Buying guide
So, you're tired of your bass drum sounding like a cardboard box? It's a common problem. As an intermediate player, you're past the 'just plug it in' phase and really starting to dial in your drum sounds. A good bass drum mic setup is a massive step up from a single, muddy sound, and it doesn't require breaking the bank - let's find you something that'll lay down a solid foundation for your kit.
At this level, you're looking for a balance of performance and value. Don't chase the top-tier boutique mics just yet - those are for the pros. Be wary of mics that promise 'massive' low-end; often, that just means they're masking other issues.
A dynamic mic is almost always the right choice for bass drum; condenser mics are generally too sensitive and prone to picking up unwanted noise.
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
What's the difference between a 'kick drum mic' and a regular dynamic mic?
Marketing. A 'kick drum mic' is usually just a dynamic mic with a slightly different voicing - often a more pronounced low-end. Any decent dynamic mic like an SM57 or AKG D112 can work well, though specialized mics can offer a slightly more tailored sound.
Should I use one or two mics on my bass drum?
One mic is a good starting point. Two mics - a 'attack' mic and a 'body' mic - gives you more flexibility in a mix, but requires more knowledge to blend properly. Start with one and learn it inside and out before adding a second.
What's the deal with 'subsonic filters'?
They roll off the extreme low frequencies, preventing rumble and unwanted vibrations. Most mics have them, and they're often useful, but be careful not to overdo it - you don't want to lose the fundamental low-end thump.
I'm recording at home. Do I need a mic stand and shock mount?
Absolutely. A sturdy mic stand is essential, and a shock mount isolates the mic from vibrations transmitted through the floor or stand - it makes a surprisingly big difference in a less-than-ideal recording environment.
What's a good budget for a bass drum mic?
For a solid intermediate option, aim for $100-$250. You can find some excellent performers in that range; beyond that, the improvements become more incremental and the price jumps significantly.
