What is included in the AKG Drumset Premium Microphone Pack?

The pack contains eight microphones: one D12 VR for the bass drum, four D40 microphones for toms and snare, one C451 B condenser, and a matched pair of C214 condensers. It also includes shock-mounts, stand-adapters, drum hoop clips, and a metal carry case.

Is this kit suitable for studio recording or live use?

The manufacturer specifies it is the ultimate choice for both stage and studio drum-miking. The inclusion of high-quality condensers like the C451 B and C214 makes it particularly effective for detailed studio work.

How many microphones are in the total kit?

There are eight microphones in total, which is sufficient to mic a standard five-piece drum kit with overheads and a dedicated hi-hat microphone.

What is the primary function of the D12 VR in this set?

The D12 VR is specifically designed as a bass drum microphone. It is a large-diaphragm dynamic microphone intended to capture the low-end punch and weight of a kick drum.

Are the C214 microphones a matched pair?

Yes, the C214 condensers included in this pack are a matched pair. This ensures consistent sensitivity and frequency response for accurate stereo overhead miking.

What type of microphone is the D40?

The D40 is a dynamic instrument microphone. Four are included in the pack, primarily intended for capturing toms and the snare drum.

Does the pack come with mounting hardware?

Yes, the pack includes all necessary shock-mounts, stand-adapters, and drum hoop clips for the D40 units. This allows for immediate setup on most standard drum kits.

How is the kit transported safely?

The entire collection comes packaged in a robust metal carry case. This case is designed to safely store and transport the microphones while protecting them from impact.

What is the typical price for this microphone pack?

The typical price range for this premium microphone collection is approximately £1,799. This reflects the professional nature of the included condenser and dynamic microphones.

What is the C451 B usually used for in a drum setup?

The C451 B is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone. In a drum context, it is most commonly used to capture the precision and high-frequency detail of the hi-hats.

Are the microphones in this pack specially selected?

Yes, AKG states that each microphone in this pack is hand-selected. This ensures that the components meet high standards for a world-class drum sound.

Can the D40 microphones be used for other instruments?

While provided here for drums, the D40 is a versatile dynamic instrument microphone. It is generally suitable for various high-SPL applications, though it is optimised for percussion in this configuration.

Gear article

AKG Drumset Premium Microphone Pack

The AKG Drumset Premium Microphone Pack is a professional-grade collection of microphones designed for comprehensive drum kit reinforcement in both live and studio environments. It features a curated selection of hand-selected AKG microphones, including the D12 VR and C451 B, to provide a versatile and natural sound for complete percussion setups.

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Overview

The AKG Drumset Premium Microphone Pack is a high-end solution for engineers requiring a complete, high-fidelity microphone suite for percussion. Rather than providing a basic entry-level set, AKG has bundled several of their flagship and industry-standard microphones into a single coordinated package. The kit is designed to handle every element of a standard drum kit, from the deep low-end of a bass drum to the delicate transients of cymbals and hi-hats.

Microphone Configuration

The pack is built around eight hand-selected microphones:

D12 VR Bass Drum Microphone: A large-diaphragm dynamic microphone featuring an active transformer to provide a powerful low-frequency response.
D40 Instrument Microphones (x4): Four dynamic microphones intended for toms and snare drums. These are designed to handle high sound pressure levels (SPL) and come with integrated drum hoop clips.
C451 B Condenser: A small-diaphragm condenser microphone typically used for precision miking of hi-hats or percussion.
C214 Condensers (Matched Pair): Two large-diaphragm condenser microphones designed to serve as overheads, capturing the stereo image and cymbal detail of the kit.

Sound Character and Performance

The sound profile of the Drumset Premium pack is described as powerful and natural. Because the microphones are hand-selected, they are intended to work together cohesively to provide a world-class drum sound without the need for extensive external EQ. The inclusion of matched pairs for the overheads ensures a balanced stereo field, while the D12 VR provides the specific weight required for modern kick drum recordings.

Hardware and Transport

To support the microphones in a professional environment, the pack includes all necessary mounting hardware. This consists of shock-mounts for the condensers, stand-adapters, and specific clips for attaching the D40 microphones directly to the drum hoops. For secure transport between venues or studios, the entire collection is housed in a robust metal carry case designed to protect the sensitive condenser capsules and dynamic elements.

Market Comparison

Positioned at a premium price point of approximately £1,799, this kit competes with high-end individual components rather than budget multi-packs. While utility microphones like the Shure SM57 or Sennheiser MD 441-U are often used for drums, the AKG Premium Pack offers a specialised alternative where the C214s and C451 B provide higher frequency detail and a more open 'studio' character compared to standard dynamic-only setups.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the AKG Drumset Premium Microphone Pack?: The pack contains eight microphones: one D12 VR for the bass drum, four D40 microphones for toms and snare, one C451 B condenser, and a matched pair of C214 condensers. It also includes shock-mounts, stand-adapters, drum hoop clips, and a metal carry case.
Is this kit suitable for studio recording or live use?: The manufacturer specifies it is the ultimate choice for both stage and studio drum-miking. The inclusion of high-quality condensers like the C451 B and C214 makes it particularly effective for detailed studio work.
How many microphones are in the total kit?: There are eight microphones in total, which is sufficient to mic a standard five-piece drum kit with overheads and a dedicated hi-hat microphone.
What is the primary function of the D12 VR in this set?: The D12 VR is specifically designed as a bass drum microphone. It is a large-diaphragm dynamic microphone intended to capture the low-end punch and weight of a kick drum.
Are the C214 microphones a matched pair?: Yes, the C214 condensers included in this pack are a matched pair. This ensures consistent sensitivity and frequency response for accurate stereo overhead miking.
What type of microphone is the D40?: The D40 is a dynamic instrument microphone. Four are included in the pack, primarily intended for capturing toms and the snare drum.
Does the pack come with mounting hardware?: Yes, the pack includes all necessary shock-mounts, stand-adapters, and drum hoop clips for the D40 units. This allows for immediate setup on most standard drum kits.
How is the kit transported safely?: The entire collection comes packaged in a robust metal carry case. This case is designed to safely store and transport the microphones while protecting them from impact.
What is the typical price for this microphone pack?: The typical price range for this premium microphone collection is approximately £1,799. This reflects the professional nature of the included condenser and dynamic microphones.
What is the C451 B usually used for in a drum setup?: The C451 B is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone. In a drum context, it is most commonly used to capture the precision and high-frequency detail of the hi-hats.
Are the microphones in this pack specially selected?: Yes, AKG states that each microphone in this pack is hand-selected. This ensures that the components meet high standards for a world-class drum sound.
Can the D40 microphones be used for other instruments?: While provided here for drums, the D40 is a versatile dynamic instrument microphone. It is generally suitable for various high-SPL applications, though it is optimised for percussion in this configuration.