My Homemade Internal Mic Mounting System!!

[DWdrumr]

Hey Guys!

So I have been contemplating whether or not to purchased the Kelly Shu internal kick drum mic system. I just can't justify spending $100 for it. So I did some research, and with the help of my good friend Mark Burton, we fabricated our own version, and it only cost $10 and a little bit of time.

We started with a flat piece of steel(you can use whatever material you want)4"x6", I went to Radio Shack and purchased a 5/8" Microphone Surface-Mount, welded that to the piece of steel, centered, but towards the back of the plate, to help counter-balance the weight of the mic. We then drilled 4 3/8" holes, one in each corner. Then I went to my local hardware store and bought some 3/8" grommets, to put inside the holes for added isolation. I also bought a 4 pack of 5" bungee cords and 4 electrical eyelets to mount to my existing hardware, the bungee will hook to these eyelets and then to the plate.

Super easy to install, and works like a champ. I now have a fully suspended internal bass drum mic system, and let me just say, it made a WORLD of difference in the sound. And all together it cost me $18

[funkyruss]

Nicely done...did you drill holes through the shell of the drum? What do your bungee cords hook onto at the shell end? Will you keep the mic mounted not aimed directly at your batter head?

[DWdrumr]

Nicely done...did you drill holes through the shell of the drum? What do your bungee cords hook onto at the shell end? Will you keep the mic mounted not aimed directly at your batter head?

No, I did not have to drill any holes, I used the existing hardware to mount it too. The bungee cords attach to little eyelets that I mount to the existing hardware screws, you can kind of see them. you can buy them at any hardware store, they are rubber coated, and typically hold like coax cable. Sorry I can't remember the specific name for them.

The aiming of the mic is right where I want it, reason being it still picks up the attack of the head, but also picks up a lot more of the shell, so you get the best of both worlds.

[SpatzST]

nice dude, works just like the Shu!

[pastor_bob]

Nicely done Kevin. It's amazing what a little imagination and investigation can accomplish - especially when it comes to saving a little money.

[DWdrumr]

Thanks guys! And Bob your absolutely right.

[Tadman]

Excellent DIY! Looks good too.

[Russ]

Great job! Very innovative, way to save yourself some money!

[DWdrumr]

Thanks guys, it was a fun project and it paid off.

[slinglander]

Is it stable enough to not flop around and detach when you pack it for gigging?

[trickg]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how much different would it be to just lay the mic in the middle of your muffling pillow?

[DWdrumr]

Is it stable enough to not flop around and detach when you pack it for gigging?

absolutely!

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how much different would it be to just lay the mic in the middle of your muffling pillow?

Not a dumb question at. Having it float eliminates any chance for noise interference so all you here is the kick drums full tone. Laying on a pillow will still pick up stuff up and the mic tends to move around and typically the front of the mic starts pointing into the pillow.

[trickg]

Ok, that makes sense. I've actually done that before in the absence of a mic stand, but I knew at the time it probably wasn't ideal. I like the concept behind the design.

[Kazaamski]

Nice project. Looks cool.

[drumstix]

That's ingenious! Nice one man

[late8]

Nicely done! Thanks for the idea!!

[DWdrumr]

Nicely done! Thanks for the idea!!

Thanks, and your welcome!