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Audio-Technica AE2500 Dual-element Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

Condenser and Dynamic Dual-Element Kick Drum Microphone
$569.00

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Audio-Technica AE2500 Dual-element Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
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The Ultimate Kick Drum Mic!

The AE2500 features Audio-Technica's unique dual-element design. This revolutionary concept combines condenser and dynamic capsules within a single housing, positioned in a perfect phase relationship - something that would be nearly impossible to accomplish with separate microphones! Ideal for kick/bass drum applications, the microphone will survive extreme SPLs while providing uncompromising audio quality. The AE2500's dynamic element cleanly captures the attack transients of the beater, while the condenser element renders the internal tonalities of the shell and the instrument as a whole.

Features:
  • The ultimate kick-drum mic
  • Revolutionary dual-element design represents a ground-breaking transducer achievement
  • Two elements (condenser and dynamic) are enclosed in a single housing
  • Dynamic element delivers the aggressive attack of the beater while the condenser captures the round tonalities of the shell
  • Elements are positioned in a perfect phase relationship, something practically unachievable with two separate microphones
  • Robust design for enduring dependability on the road
  • Integral 80 Hz HPF switch and 10 dB pad on condenser element
  • Includes a 16.5' (5 m) cable (5-pin XLRF to two standard 3-pin XLRM connectors) for separate control over each element
  • Requires +48V phantom power

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Condenser/Dynamic (Dual Element)
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-17kHz (Condenser), 30Hz-10kHz (Dynamic)
  • Low Cut Filter: 80Hz (-12dB/octave)
  • Color: Black
  • Connector: 5-pin XLR
  • Weight: 0.86 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Shock Mount, Breakout Cable
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AE2500

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Only kick mic used for the last 16+ years

When I was becoming really proficient with tracking drums in 2007, I decided to take the leap and buy this pricy thing. I absolutely LOVE having a dynamic and condenser in the same, phase aligned, capsule. One stand, one cable (sort of) two great mic sounds.
I've done many fun things from parallel processing, to duplicating the two mic channels in the daw to give me 4 and I pan the dynamic and the condenser 100% apart and put a HPF on it at 250HZ then take the other two tracks panned to the center and put a LPF also at 250HZ and add a subharmonic exciter and compression to one of the two. This gives a nice stereo kick with huge centered lows. Then on the kick buss you can lightly blend in a stereo verb/room like fabfilter PRO R with the stereo effect turned all the way up to add more subtle space. The options are many and so fun to play with. The best news is that the quality of the microphones is excellent and can be used on almost any style of music. Great for Bass guitar and trombone and many other sources.
Music background: Some kinda sound nerd
Rated 5/5

Great mic! Endless possibilities!

This is a great mic. I wanted something a little more natural sounding. I wanted to be able to create my own kick drum sound instead of the typical boost the lows somewhere below 100hz, cut all the mids from 200hz-1k. Boost 3-6k. The other advantage to this mic is there are no phase issues which typically occur when you double mic a kick drum.

This mic having 2 mics in one is awesome. They both have a flat mid response from about 200hz-1khz. But the 2 mics respond to frequencies differently which is great!

What I've noticed..
The dynamic mic has a boost from about 100hz-200hz. If you add a low pass filter you can create a sound similar to the Yamaha Subkick. 2khz-5khz which captures the attack, seems to sound better to me on this mic over the condenser.

The condenser sounds better on freqs 70hz and lower. It captures freqs from 5khz-10khz much better than the dynamic. Which picks up the click of the beater.

To sum it up...
If you combine the 2 mics u can create the perfect kick sound. Be prepared to cut a lot of mids if you do rock, country, or gospel. No EQing can give you a great jazz kick drum sound. Placement and good tuning is key with this mic. Don't look at the frequency response charts and freak out when you see no dips in the mids.

I love it! Thanks Paul
Music background: Engineer,producer
Rated 4/5

Not just a cool kick mic

Placement can be really important with this mic. Try right inside the resonant head (outer) hole and work from there. If you need more attack move the mic closer inside the shell. Sometimes flipping the polarity (phase) can help too.
This also doubles as an amazing guitar mic.
Music background: live sound engineer: Evanescence, Stone Temple Pilots, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society
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