Mic review..AKG D112

Al · moves faders with mind Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 2690

I bought an AKG D112 around ten years ago because i wanted a mic for specific use on kick drum and bass cabs etc.

The mic in question which has picked up the nickname "The Egg"..because of it's obvious shape was not a disappointment.
It delivers a nice tight punchy sound, and is easy to work with, because i feel you dont have to work too hard to get a good sound from it...so in that respect it might just be a good first time buy for anyone looking for something solid and reliable that sounds nice to boot.

I've heard people say to me they dont like the way they sound because they are clicky /sticky and metal sounding!?, all i say to them is keep the thing AWAY from the beater and they dont sound like that at all!.

I find the best position for the mic is outside the kick drum. Where a nice full drum sound is obtained with a nice warmth/punch and pleasing light air around the top end is captured with nice detail, and like most other mics designed for this purpose, i feel that's the best place for them.

These also work well on bass cabs and certain peoples voices too!!, with a nice oldy worldy sound or "Vintage" if you like!. How can vintage actually have a sound though!??..."Just a thought!!" anyway....enough gibbering and on with it!.

While i know competion is fierce nowadays with so many microphones to choose from at an afforable price, and also buying a mic is like buying anything else!, it's all a matter of taste and what you require from it, i would still highly recommend the D112 to anyone, as i think they represent good value for money, and still a firm favourite of mine even ten years on.

Al

BradG · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

I love the D112 but it IS a specialty mic at least in where it shines. As such, it is an excellent value. It is to the kick drum what a 421 is to toms. As for Al's choice of positioning, I agree although I've always found the rule to be true that, the better the drummer, the farther from the beater I can place my mic. My first choice would always be outside the drum (5' outside if it sounds good!), but often a weak drummer, combined with a sketchy-sounding drum makes it better to place the mic right in the middle of the kick drum.

Another great use for this mic is on the BACK of the speaker, in an open guitar cabinet, switched out of phase with your 57 on the front. Can you say BIG?

axial · suffering 'studio suck' Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Posts: 473

Big
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**joel hamilton** · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 2:23 am Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

The D112 is awesome in big kicks.

I always think it sounds a little clicky, then all teh guitar overdubs get done, then everything gets super huge, and there is the inside kick, still thwackin away on track 3 way over to the left there, just rockin with a little 1176 for good measure, or a lot, whatever.

I dont always love it, but sometimes, I love it.

They always work, too. always. If you cant make it happen with a D112, you are the problem. ( i am gonna catch hell for that, but I really feel like it is true!)
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wing · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

i've always gotten good results with it on my drums and bass amps...

Madness · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

I've found this combo to be nice:

On a 20" Gretsch kick, an Audix D6 just inside a 6" hole in the front head, pointing towards the center of the batter head.

Positioned next to the Gretsch is a 26" ludwig BD with calf heads as a resonant drum. In front of that, I use the D112, picking up all the nice low boofiness of the resonant drum. Doing so, I'm able to blend the 'boink' of the kick drum and the 'fluff' of the resonant drum. Since my room is pretty small, I have to cover the front of the resonant drum with a blanket, or the D112 picks up everything else ad nauseum.

All this might be easier with a 22" kick- I might not feel the need for a second mic. The discussion really gets down to what heads are on the drum and how well they're tuned, not just mic or positioning. And can the drummer play or not!
Badaboom
Phil

Al · moves faders with mind Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 2690

keelah · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

Sheep in Punk Clothing · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

[quote="keelah"]

campironwood · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

I've used a D112 on upright bass. Sounds pretty good off-axis near the f hole. Also been using this in conjunction with a pair of Stapes about 2 feet to each side of the bass, along with an SM7 near the other sound hole. Gotta watch out for phasing issues, but it is definitely the biggest bass / string sound I've gotten.

-Matt

Al · moves faders with mind Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 2690

I've also put the D112 to good use on saxaphone a couple of times as well, very nice!.

Al

dale116dot7 · alignin' 24-trk Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 70

D112 on upright bass ... yes, all the time.

I use the D112 on upright for live applications, I place it somewhere between the treble F-hole and just above the bridge, pointing up, roughly towards the fingerboard. Set low EQ to about -6 on most PA boards and it's a pretty decent sound. Great for rockabilly slap and bluegrass style playing.

I use a C61 with a CK61-ULS capsule (yea it needs an adapter to make it work) or sometimes a C451B or Altec Coke Bottle for recording upright. I tried using D112 for recording upright but I preferred the sound of a SDC on it.

dictaphone · Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:41 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

This mic is great on kick drum, but a fantastic use that I've found, but have never heard anyone mention is on a floor tom. It's got tons of low end and still the necessary amount of presence and attack.
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wayne kerr · Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Mic review..AKG D112

I've always wanted to get like 15 of 'em and do a whole record with only D112s. Why? Why not?

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bluestar03 · studio intern Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 28 Location: CA

The D112. I've also used it on floor toms. Gives a nice low, airy tone to things. In conjunction with a large-diaphragm condenser you can get some excellent results on an upright, even a cello. I prefer a good condenser. Question. I've heard that the D112 doesn't like phantom power. I know that it won't hurt most dynamic mics but that the D112 can get zapped. Anyone? If your board distributes phantom power universally you might be careful. However, I've never witnessed this phenomena. Discuss.
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