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Description
The AKG D112 BD (Original Version) is a dynamic microphone that has become a staple in the world of studio recording gear, especially revered for its exceptional ability to handle high sound pressure levels. Hailing from the prestigious AKG brand, this microphone is specifically designed to capture the deep, resonant frequencies of bass drums, making it a favorite among drummers and audio engineers alike. Its robust construction ensures durability, while its large diaphragm and unique capsule design provide a clean, powerful low-end response without distortion.
The D112 BD's integrated hum-compensation coil effectively reduces unwanted ambient noise, offering a clean and precise sound in any recording environment. Its distinctive, egg-shaped grille not only contributes to its iconic look but also improves acoustic performance by allowing the diaphragm to move freely. Whether you're recording in a home studio or a professional setting, the AKG D112 BD delivers consistent and reliable performance, making it an indispensable tool for capturing the dynamic range and tonal depth of kick drums and bass-heavy instruments.
Key Features:
- Designed for bass drum and other low-frequency instruments
- Handles extremely high sound pressure levels
- Integrated hum-compensation coil for reduced noise
- Large diaphragm for enhanced low-end response
- Rugged, roadworthy design for durability
- Unique capsule design for accurate sound reproduction
Videos
gearwire
AKG D 112
AKG D 112
gearwire
![Video thumbnail for AKG D112 TEST [Bassdrum Mikrofon Klassiker] by Sonus Generator](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BxXZxtybuck/mqdefault.jpg)
AKG D112 TEST [Bassdrum Mikrofon Klassiker]
Sonus Generator
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about AKG D112 BD (Original Version).
Comparisons
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Owners often compare the AKG D112 to the Shure Beta 52A, noting that the latter is considered an industry standard for baseline kick drum mic sounds.
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The Audix D6 is mentioned as a modern alternative for bass drum sounds, with some users preferring its tonal qualities over the AKG D112.
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The AKG D112 is described as having a vintage sound, suitable for a range of styles from ballads to metal.
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The Audix D6, while more expensive than the AKG D112 in Europe, is noted for its modern, punchy sound with pre-EQ’d characteristics.
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Use cases and applications
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The AKG D112 is frequently used inside the bass drum, with some users suggesting placement just inside the shell for optimal punch.
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Users often blend the AKG D112 with an internal boundary condenser like the Sennheiser e901 for a balanced kick sound.
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The AKG D112 can complement other mics, such as the Beta 52a for external use, to enhance versatility in recording scenarios.
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User experience
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It's noted that AKG D112 users often prefer it for its specific placement and sound characteristics, especially when aimed slightly towards the beater.
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Some users report that raw recordings with the AKG D112 may initially disappoint, requiring experimentation with EQ and placement to achieve desired sounds.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
1493
KICK!
This has been my main kick drum microphone for a few decades. I often place this on the reso side with an Audix D6 on the beater. I have also used a variety of other mics from the Shure Beta 52 to ... well... it is a large list.
Artist usage
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the AKG D112 is listed in this blog
Pictured in photo titled “ Elliott Smith Recording Equipment, circa 1996” from Tape Op interview by Larry Crane with Elliott Smith and producers Rob Schnapf and Tom Rothrock on the recording of Either/Or.
Part of Q-Tip's 2008 inventory, as listed in his January 2008 Remix interview. Transcripts can be found at the Future Producers forums (linked) and this Prince.org forum.
AKG C 451, D 12 and D 112 drum mics
Used on the bass drum for John Mayer's Continuum, as stated by recording engineer Chad Franscoviak in this October 1, 2006 Mix Online interview.
Jordan's assortment of drums — which seemed to be endless, Franscoviak says with a laugh — were miked fairly conventionally: an AKG D 112, an RE20, a 421 or a Beyer M88 on the kick; snares got 57s on top and bottom; M88s on the toms; an AKG 451 on hi-hats; and on overheads, he either used a U67 or U87.
The only trick that Franscoviak used, which he fully admits stealing from Joe Ferla, was putting a Coles 4038 ribbon mic directly over the center of the kit, parallel to the ground and as close in as possible without impeding Jordan's playing. “I generally compressed the snot out of that and I would run it through a Fairchild,” he says. “That's a really interesting trick because you have all of your tight sounds, but you add that 4038 and it makes everything more exciting.”
He also put a U47 about 18 inches off the ground and four to seven feet in front of the kick drum for a very specific sound. “At some point, we were going to hit that low-end waveform just right and it was going to fill that kick drum out,” Franscoviak explains. “I would compress it a lot with an 1176, a lot harder than the overhead, because I wanted that low end to be there for every hit.”
The article predates the MKII reissue of the D 112 by nine years.
This Pomplamoose music video shows the original AKG D112 Dynamic Microphone being used to record drums. Jack Conte also mentions this microphone on the gear page of his official website but since he did not clarify the model's specifics, I checked the manual of the AKG D112 MKII model and found out it released in 2015. Seeing as Jack Conte's video appeared in 2009, theres is no doubt we're dealing with an original product.
Tomoya Kanki uses an AKG D112 BD (Original Version) microphone inside his kick drum. According to the ONE OK ROCK Wiki, its silhouette is visible in live recordings when the camera focuses on Tomoya's kick action, identifiable by its unique knob shape, distinguishing it from the Shure Beta 52A.
Brian Deck made a series of "how to" production videos for Reverb.com in which he demonstrates the various methods he uses to mic drums. The AKG D112 can be seen several times throughout the video, but is shown most clearly between the 2:00-2:13 mark (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GPPhmyBIi6k&feature=emb_title)
The D112 is also the second mic listed in the equipment section on the website for Deck's Narwhal Studios.
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Featured in this January 5, 2019 Instagram post. It got used for vocals in this July 22, 2019 Instagram post.
#2019 coming in loud and clear! #microphone #d112 #sm57 #sm58 #akgd890 #perception220 #tascam
According to the website for his studio atlas studios. Bert has a d112 mic in the studio.
Used on the bass drum for Donald Fagen's Morph the Cat, as stated by mix engineer Elliott Scheiner in this August 2006 Sound on Sound interview.
According to Elliott Scheiner, the following mics were used on the Morph The Cat recording sessions.
- Kick drum: AKG D112.
- Snare: SM57 (only on top).
- Hi-hat: Neumann KM81 or 84.
- Toms: Audio-Technica ATM25.
- Overheads: Neumann U67.
- Room mics: Electrovoice RE20.
- Electric guitar: Shure SM57 right on speaker cone.
- Piano: 2x AKG C12 mics, about 12 inches from the strings.
- Trumpet and trombone: Coles ribbon.
- Tenor sax: Neumann U67.
- Baritone sax: Neumann FET47.
This article predates the MKII reissue by nine years.
Album Usage
The AKG D112 BD (Original Version) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use AKG D112 BD (Original Version), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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