Written By Dross:
Website: http://www.samsontech.com
Phone: 1-631-784-2200
Price: $199.00 – $299.00
Company: Samson
Samson Drum Mic Packs
5KIT – 7KIT – 8KIT
The Question:
If you’re like me you’ve, probably wondered what kind of results you could get out of some of these drum mic packs you see on the market today. They’re extremely inexpensive in comparison to some of the microphones that have become standards in the recording industry for tracking drums. That having been said you’ve got to wonder if these new mic packs can stand up and deliver as compared to the industry standard mics. It is with this mindset I decided to put the Samson drum mic packs to the test.
The Accused:
In my tests I used each of these kits as well as mixed and matched them in order to try every conservable way of miking each drum with them in order to discover their maximum potential. The following are contained in each of the kits:
5KIT
– One Q-kick perfect for capturing the low-end attack of bass drums with mic stand swivel mount
– One Q-snare with integrated rim mount clip for precise snare drum miking (tested as both tom and bottom snare mic)
– Three Q-toms for dynamic tom miking with integrated rim mount clip
– All microphones feature Gold-plated XLR connections
– Complete kit comes packed in a rugged road case
7KIT
– One Q-kick perfect for capturing the low-end attack of bass drums with mic stand swivel mount
– One Q-snare with integrated rim mount clip for precise snare drum miking (tested as both tom and bottom snare mic)
– Three Q-toms for dynamic tom miking with integrated rim mount clip
– Two C02 pencil condenser mics with shock-mount clips (tested as hi-hat, ride and overhead mics)
– All microphones feature Gold-plated XLR connections
– Complete kit comes packed in a rugged road case
8KIT
– Two C01 Large Diaphragm Condensers for overheads (tested as overheads and room mics)
– Three Q-toms for dynamic tom miking with integrated rim mount clip
– One Q-snare with integrated rim mount clip for precise snare drum miking (tested as both tom and bottom snare mic)
– One Q-kick perfect for capturing the low-end attack of bass drums with mic stand swivel mount
– One C02H Mini Pencil Condenser for hi-hat or ride cymbals
– All microphones feature Gold-plated XLR connections
– Complete kit comes packed in a rugged road case
The Verdict:
It should be said that I tested and compared these microphones over a period of several months. These tests were done on several different drum sets played by each of their owners covering various styles of music. In the end it must be said that the Samson drum mic packs are an extraordinary value. When you consider that the Samson 5KIT is less expensive than the industry standard kick drum mic, the 7KIT is less expensive than the industry standard tom mic and the 8KIT is a third the price of the standard overhead mic, I’d say that they are without a doubt an extraordinary value. Do I think that the industry standard mics are better when compared one by one to the mics included in these kits; yes in most cases I do. That having been said, the Samson 7KIT sells for about $279 and the total price for the seven industry standard mics is approximately $3,450! Do I think that the industry standard mics sound $3,171 dollars better than the Samson mics; no I do not. To be as direct and straight forward with you as I can be I’d say that the biggest quality difference you’ll face will be in the overheads. If you’ve read this far do yourself a favor and read my article on Drumagog 5.0 in this issue of SDM and prepare yourself to smile. It is very possible to get a slick, polished drum production for yourself using Samson mics if you have the “know how.”
The Costs:
5KIT: $199.00
7KIT: $279.00
8KIT: $299.00
Other Things To Consider:
The tom and snare mics in the Samson kits are attached to drum clips which attach to the rims of the drums. I have run across some drum sets with rims or other hardware that make clipping the mics on the rims impossible. The way some drummers set up their kits can also make attaching these mics very challenging. If this is the case you can disassemble the mic clips and assemble them together with a standard mic clip and attach it to the appropriate mic stand.
For more information on Samson drum mics please visit www.SamsonTech.com
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