Description
The Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit is a dedicated three-microphone drum miking kit comprising two TC25 omni condensers for overheads, one SR25 cardioid condenser and inline EQ KickPad for kick drum
The Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit takes an minimalist approach to audiophile drum miking for purists who want to capture the realistic sound of drums performed in a great-sounding room. The DrumKit is a three-mic system, with two Earthworks TC25 omni condensers for capturing the ātop kitā (snare, hat, cymbals, toms) in overheads, and an SR25 cardioid condenser for spot-miking the kick drum. Also for kick drum is Earthworksā patented KickPadā¢, which optimizes the SR25 (or any mic) to capture the body and attack of a kick drum without the āwoofiness.ā The beauty of the system, apart from its stellar sound capture, is that it virtually eliminates any phase issues that you would encounter with the high-count multi-mic schemes often used in popular music, where the sound of the kit is literally rebuilt in the mix one drum at a time. The Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit is ideal for use in an enclosed acoustic environment or drum room.
Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit in one take:
- Includes 2 TC25 microphones, 1, SR25 microphone, 1 KP1 KickPad, 3 microphone clips and rugged carrying case
- TC25 overhead microphones handle up to 150dB SPL without distortion
- Improved impulse response for faster and more accurate transients
- Shorter diaphragm settling time to prevent quieter attacks from being masked by preceding loud attacks
- Extended frequency response to 25kHz to capture a crisper and more realistic image
- Near-perfect polar patterns that remain even across all frequencies and at any position within the pattern
- More cohesive and unified drum sound
- Capture more attack and subtle detail
- Increased dynamic range
- Versatile, multi-use mics
- Mics are protected in a high-impact case
- Ideal three-mic choice for recording or live performance
- Fast setup and teardown
- The patented cardioid pattern on the SR25 provides a more uniform off-axis response and has less susceptibility to acoustic feedback
Fast impulse response and settling time for incredible detail
David Blackmer, founder of dbx and Earthworks, two of the most influential and innovative pro audio manufacturers in the history of the industry was focused on created the worldās best loudspeakers. To accomplish that goal, he realized that he needed more precise test equipment than was available at the time. As such, he began his quest for perfect sound reproduction with the invention of a remarkable test microphone. In his research, Blackmer discovered that impulse response was a far more revealing indicator of a micās performance that simply measuring frequency response.
Impulse response indicates how fast a microphone can react to fast transients, such as a snare hit or cymbal attack. The positive-going wave, called compression, causes the diaphragm to vibrate. The speed at which the diaphragm resets to its zero point, in anticipation of the next attack is its settling time. A fast impulse response allows the mic to capture the full crispness and detail of attacks, while the fast settling time will allow you to hear subtle details in your recording previous not possible. The overall term for how sensitive a diaphragm is to compression and rarefaction of sound waves is ācompliance.ā
TC25 omni overhead micsĀ Ā
The microphones in the DK25/R have a transient response that is lightning fast, handling sharp attacks with ease, while still picking up all of the subtle nuances and softest dynamics of your playing. With a staggering SPL rating of 150dB, the TC25 overheads have more than enough headroom to handle even the loudest drummers, without distortion. Along with the high SPL-handling, the omni pattern has no proximity effect, so you can get the TC25 as close as you want to the loudest sound sources. Its polar pattern is consistent across all frequencies, simplifying mic placement, virtually eliminating phasing issues and ensuring more gain before feedback.
SR25 cardioid kick drum mic and KickPad
The Earthworks SR25 is a directional pre-polarized condenser microphone with a first-order cardioid pickup pattern directly coupled to a dedicated wideband, low output impedance transformerless preamplifier. It features a fast impulse response, very low handling noise, uniform polar pattern, and high SPL handling capabilities. The SR25 also provides excellent uncolored rejection of sounds arriving off-axis and a transparent sonic character with an even 20Hz ā 25kHz frequency response. Its near-perfect cardioid polar pattern is consistent across all frequencies, ensuring more gain before feedback, which also makes it a very capable mic for live sound reinforcement.
While most of the mics used for kick drums are purpose-built for that task alone, Earthworks saw no reason to limit versatility. Toward that end Earthworks created the KickPad, and inline attenuator/EQ that can optimize the response of any microphone for kick drum capture. Simply plug the KickPad into the cable feeding the SR25 (or other cardioid kick drum mic) and itās instant kick drum sound every time. With the KickPad removed, you can use the same SR25 for most anything. A passive device with XLR I/O that can be used with either condenser or dynamic microphones, and can be used for both recording and live performance applications.
Drum recording and more
All three of the microphones in the DK25/R DrumKit will provide stunning results on a wide variety of instruments and vocals. As an added bonus, the KickPad will improve the sound of other popular kick-drum mics as well.
DK25/R DrumKit applications:Ā
- Drums/Percussion
- Recording
The Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit system not only provides engineers with a dedicated audiophile drum-miking solution, itās component mics can be used to attain stellar results for myriad applications. For more information, call or chat online with your Westlake Pro Sales Consultant today.
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The Earthworks DK25/R DrumKit specifications:
TC25
- Frequency Response: 90Hz to 25kHz Ā±2dB at 6 inches (15cm)
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Sensitivity: 8mV/Pa (-42dBV/Pa)
- Power Requirements: 24 ā 48V Phantom, 10mA
- Max Acoustic Input: 150dB SPL
- Output: XLR (pin 2+)
- Output Impedance: 65 ohm balanced (between pins 2 & 3)
- Min Output Load: 600 ohm between pins 2 & 3
- Noise: 26dB SPL equivalent (A weighted)
SR25
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 25kHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Sensitivity: 10mV/Pa (-40dBV/Pa)
- Power Requirements: 24 ā 48V Phantom, 10mA
- Max Acoustic Input: 145dB SPL
- Output: XLR (pin 2+)
- Output Impedance: 65 ohm balanced (between pins 2 & 3)
- Min Output Load: 600 ohm between pins 2 & 3
- Noise: 20dB SPL equivalent (A weighted)
Included accessories:
(3) Mc1 Microphone Clip
(3) SRW3 Foam Windscreen
(1) KP1 KickPad
(1) DK25-C Aluminum Carrying Case