BDM-01

More and more BDM-01:s are reaching end users, and we are getting valuable feedback. Something I've heard from several different sources - including the first review of the BDM-01 (in Audio Technology) - is that it does the job that previously required two microphones. For the kick drum it is quite common to use one microphone for the "bass" and on for the "click" to get a good sound, but it is complicated to find the best mic combo, and using two mics can cause phase issues.

The BDM-01 seems to be able to capture both the bass and the click of the kick drum, a rather tempting solution for all you drummers and engineers out there.

The summary from the review in Audio Technology:

"So… wow! Once upon a time I was quite happy with the results I got just shoving a D112 into the hole of my bass drums, pointing arbitrarily somewhere near the beater. Then at some point, I felt I needed more, so I moved the D112 to the outside head, and would use something like an SM57 or M88 for the detailed ‘click’. The Milab BDM-01 would seem to do a better job than any, or maybe even all, of these combinations. Though a lot more expensive than what we’re used to paying, there wasn’t much I could throw at this mic that it didn’t deliver on. Plus, it feels solid and robust – almost bulletproof, which, for a condenser, is a great thing. That would make it a pretty good investment for any studio I’d expect. And as a live bass drum mic, the ease of use and quality of sound would be a lifesaver in most situations."

A Gearslutz user has reached the same conclusion:

"My normal setup is to use a sennheiser e-602 to get the fundamental and a AT 4047 to get the shell. I have always hoped for a single mic to capture the drum without the phase compromise that is natural in multi mic techniques. Upon placing the BDM-01 in front of a small jazz kit with no hole in the front head I was curious if something so tiny could capture the complexity of this source. Using the on board pres of a ULN-8 as the front end I adjusted the gain and was ready to go. upon listening to playback I was very surprised to hear the transient "knock" fully intact as well as the overtones from the shell of the drum. I will try this mic with some other kits as soon as I am done with this current record. My conclusion is that this mic is a great choice in the kick drum category because it translated the whole of a complex bass drum with ease. If you are like me and always looking for more elegant and simple solutions to make recording less work the Milab really fits the bill..."

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/476268-milab-bdm-01-kick-drum-mic-review.html