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Are you struggling to find the perfect tom mic for your drum kit? Look no further! Our detailed guide on the 5 best tom mics provides in-depth reviews and comparisons to help you make the right choice. Whether you’re recording in the studio or performing live, we’ve got you covered with the top options on the market.
These microphones give your drum sound depth. They focus on the individual tom sounds and provide a more thorough and accurate impression of the full set in the mix.
In the recording studio, using these types of mics is essential. The number of toms on your drum set will determine how many of these tools you’ll need. Their tonal range makes microphones with broad frequency patterns more beneficial when utilized.
The best Tom microphones on the market will be discussed in this post. I’ve analyzed their performance regarding sound durability, price, and other factors to present my top picks.
Top 5 Tom Microphones To Save Your Money
Here, we reviewed the best products for your ease. Keep reading because I have shared my personal experience and experiments.
1. Sennheiser MD a421
Specification:
| Dimensions | 215 x 46 x 49 mm |
| Connector | XLR-3 |
| Response to frequency | 30 – 17000 Hz |
| Weight | 385 g |
| Sensitivity | 2 mV/Pa +- 3 dB |
Product Review:
My favorite microphone is without a doubt the Sennheiser MD 421. In my experience, this dynamic microphone has many advantages and boasts a frequency range of 30Hz to 17kHz.
The MD 421 only picks up sounds coming directly towards it, which helps avoid phase problems. It also has five distinct positions for turning off the bass, allowing you to customize your sound. Its polarization pattern effectively reduces off-axis noise.
The only drawback I can think of is the price. While three sets can be expensive, they will last a lifetime. The low-end roll-off options allow you to customize the mic for each tom individually, increasing recording flexibility.
By ensuring stable off-axis rejection, phase problems can be easily eliminated, making microphone placement with the MD 421 straightforward. If you have the budget, you can’t go wrong with a Sennheiser microphone.
Pros
- Neat and precise
- Easy to modify
- Compact size and inconspicuous design
- Strong build quality and the best 10-year guarantee available in the market
Cons
● The versatility of the microphone could be better.
Visit the official website for more information.
Expert Suggestion: Have you ever connected a Tom mic with your home theatre system or sound system? If you don’t have one, try reading about some multi-channel home theatre systems you are going to love them.
2. Sennheiser e906
Specifications:
| Dimensions | 55 x 34 x 134 mm |
| Connector | XLR-3 |
| Response of frequency | 40 – 18000 Hz |
| Weight | 140 g |
| Sensitivity | 2,2 mV/Pa |
Product Review:
Sennheiser’s e906 is a fantastic alternative. Originally designed for guitar and bass amps, it also sounds great when used with a floor. Its flat shape makes it easy to position in small spaces, like on a computer table.
The e906 boasts a frequency range of 40Hz to 18kHz and a super-cardioid pickup pattern. It’s also designed to withstand extremely high sound pressure levels (SPL).
I personally recommend this microphone because it’s versatile and can be used in any situation. It consistently delivers excellent sound quality, even when I use it for live streaming.
The e906 is also equipped with a 3-position switch that allows you to adjust between moderate, bright, and dark modes. This makes it easy to eliminate unwanted tones.
Checkout its dynamic super-cardioid sound:
Pros:
- High SPL is easily managed.
- Simple to install
- 3 tone-position switches
- Versatile
Cons:
- Due to its design, it can be easily hit accidentally.
3. Shure SM57
Specification:
| Dimensions | 6.34″ x 1.68″ |
| Connector | XLR |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-15kHz |
| Weight | 0.63 lbs |
Product Review
The recording industry’s most popular microphone is the SM57. This microphone is excellent for giving drums a pop sound and is unmatched in its versatility. It’s made of brick and available at low prices. If you haven’t already, it’s time to consider buying an SM57.
The frequency range of this Shure microphone is 40Hz to 15kHz, which brings out the glitter in your sound while excluding the low-end. I recommend testing the output of this microphone in a recording if you’ve never had the opportunity.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Clean, accurate sound reproduction
- Durable and light
- Simple to set up
Cons:
● The responsiveness of low-end performance is lacking.
4. Shure PGA56
Specification:
| Connector | XLR |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-15kHz |
| Weight | 0.63 lbs |
| Sensitivity | -57 dBV/Pa at 1 kHz |
Product Review:
For those on a tight budget, the PGA56 is the best option for a Tom microphone. It’s affordable and offers great value for its price.
The PGA56 has a durable construction, and a cardioid polar pattern, and comes with a drum-mount microphone clip. Its frequency range is 50Hz to 15kHz and it takes up little space in your recording setup.
The PGA56 is the most basic microphone we’ve tested and can be used by simply clipping it to the back of the drum. However, given its price, it does have some reasonable drawbacks. Unfortunately, sound quality is sacrificed for affordability. It’s more expensive than other models.
You can check this product on the official website.
Pros:
- Reasonable Price
- Drum mounts make installation simple.
- Enduring design
- Reliable reproduction of sound
Cons:
● To succeed, it just needs EQ.
5. Audix D4 Hypercardioid Dynamic
Specification:
| Transducer Type | Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 18 kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Hypercardioid |
| Output Impedance | 280 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 1.4 mV / Pa @ 1k |
Product Review:
The D4 Hypercardioid Drum Microphone from Audix is a top-notch microphone ideal for close-miking drum kits, especially floor toms and rack toms. It’s small, reliable, easy to set up, and produces crystal-clear audio. In my experience, this has proven to be true.
The Audix D4 performs remarkably well and generates a clear, sharp sound. Its hyper-cardioid pickup pattern effectively muffles unwanted background noise.
By focusing on a specific sound source, the D4 can produce a clear and rich sound with fantastic transients.
The construction quality of this product is amazing. Each unit is evaluated and assembled to ensure the highest level of craftsmanship and is built to last for a very long time.
In my experience, the Audix D4 expertly locates the drum’s sweet spot, producing a well-rounded and warm sound that is powerful when played live or on record.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Higher quality audio in terms of tone and sound.
- The handling of high sound pressure levels is simple.
- It is the best option for toms because of its small footprint.
Cons:
● there are not many drawbacks.
Get This Product From the Original Website.
Where Do You Put Tom Mics?
Tom mics are typically placed inside or near the drum itself to accurately capture the drum’s sound.
There are several methods to place the tom mics:
- Inside the drum: Some drummers prefer to place the tom mic inside the drum, pointed towards the center of the head. This method is known to provide a very accurate and natural sound, but it can be difficult to set up and may not work well for drums with a lot of overtones.
- Outside the drum: Other drummers prefer to place the tom mic outside the drum, usually pointing at the center of the head. This method is more convenient and easier to set up, but it may not capture the sound as accurately as the inside method.
- Overhead: Some drummers use overhead mics to capture the sound of the toms. This method is good for capturing the overall sound of the kit and the sound of the toms together with other drums. However, it may not be the best option for capturing the specific sound of the toms.
It’s worth noting that the positioning of the tom mics can also depend on the room acoustics, the drum’s construction, the type of music, and the desired sound you want. Experimenting with different positions and adjusting the sound with equalization can be helpful to achieve the desired sound.
Expert Suggestion: You might want to edit your music on a high rendering machine and for that you can read about the comparison of famous machines Gigabyte and Asus.
Buyer’s Guide
The final step in building a fantastic drum kit microphone setup is finding a superb set of tom mics. You’ll need audio recording equipment with at least eight channels. With a microphone on your toms, your drum kit will have a studio-like sound that you can blend.
In a recording setup with only overhead microphones to capture their tones, toms have a prolonged attack instead of being distant. When purchasing, keep the following in mind to get the best value for your money.
1. Decide Whether You Want A Single Microphone Or A Full Microphone.
These packs come in various sizes, although they are rarely seen. If you don’t already have any microphones, it’s preferable to save money by purchasing a complete set for the whole kit. If your equipment already has overheads and an additional kick mic, it’s better to buy microphones separately.
2. Discover Mounting Clips
Some mics come with mounting clips that can be positioned on the rims of the drums. If they don’t, you’ll need to buy your own attachment clips or place the microphone on a boom stand. The best option is to purchase individual clips because they will cost less.
3. The Best SPL Handling Should Be Sought After
These microphones must be able to withstand high sound pressure levels because they will be placed close to your toms, which will be struck firmly. If they don’t have a high SPL, they may distort.
4. Think About Durability
Microphones are the most frequently pounded drum microphones with a hammer. Make sure to choose a product with robust construction and casing.
5. Response to Frequency
The ideal microphones for you should have a wide frequency response range because toms have a wide range of tuning ranges. High-end microphones typically have large frequency ranges, while low-cost mics are less adaptable.
Look for tom microphones with a frequency range of 40Hz to 18kHz. Microphones that cover this frequency range can pick up the tom’s sounds quite well.
6. Sound Performance
When selecting tom mics, sound quality should be your top priority. Some mics sound better than others without mixing or EQ. High-quality microphones are also more pleasant to use, both live and in the studio.
7. Durability
Since you’ll be playing a lot of drum fills and have the potential to strike them over time, this product needs to be quite durable. The microphone’s casing and the quality of the wire determine how long it will last. Higher-end microphones tend to be more durable than lower-end ones.
8. Pickup Style
A fantastic pattern for these mics is hyper-cardioid. Hyper-cardioid mics have the best noise rejection compared to other types of mics, making them perfectly positioned between drums and cymbals. Although cardioid microphones have some sound rejection, they are still the best option for the kit’s toms.
9. Size
In general, toms are best suited for smaller-sized microphones. Given the limited surface area in racks, it’s best to use discrete microphones. Floor toms have a little more flexibility, but a small microphone is still the ideal choice.
Conclusion
According to my personal experience, there are several different types of microphones that make excellent recordings. This list includes the items I like to use for toms and the benefits of doing so. Some condenser microphone options, such as the AKG C414 and the Earthworks DM20, are excellent for recording toms.
Ultimately, the best setup is what works best for you and what you enjoy the most. If you’re on a tight budget but want to capture acoustic drums, any of these mics can be an excellent option. Many of them are adaptable and will give you the most influential recording possible.
Any aspiring engineer should occasionally test the mics on this list for studio and live audio applications. Whether it’s your first or 500th time recording, these mics will undoubtedly bring your sound to life. I have such experience because I’ve used a lot of mic models while online streaming.
People Also Ask
What kind of microphone are floor toms using?
Consider using a giant diaphragm dynamic microphone (like the SM7B), which has a wider low-end and can handle higher SPL, if you wish to use a floor tom. Because dynamic microphones are less responsive to sound, the sound may be less lively.
How significant are these mics?
These microphones are essential for recording your instrument’s sound. If you want the highest-quality sound, you need them in a live performance environment or a recording studio. But it’s best to purchase overheads and a kick microphone first if you want to start recording your drummer.
With just these, you can put together a mix that sounds terrific. Tom microphones can also provide a better, more organic-sounding drum mix.
Should you wear mics under your toms?
When there are enough microphones and inputs in the setup, skilled recording engineers can install tom mics beneath the toms. This gives engineers full control of their drums.
