Are you looking for the best floor tom mic? Then, you are in the right place.
For a drum kit, a basic mic setup has a pair of mics that are positioned overhead. The mic setup is enough to capture the sonic. So why is it an excellent choice to get a floor tom mic? This is because it allows you to adjust the balance to get a complex and richer sound.
There are two varieties of mics, i.e., dynamic and condenser mics. Toms use condenser mics, and they need lots of power and are used primarily as overheads. The best floor tom mic is the one that will perfectly reflect the sound that tom makes along with control over the sound. The build quality is an important aspect of ensuring that it is long-lasting.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our list of the top five best microphones for floor toms.
The 5 Best Floor Tom Microphones (Comparison Table)
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser E609 (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Audix D4 (Close Runner-Up) | Check Price |
 | Shure PG ALTA Drum Kit | Check Price |
 | Heimu HDM61 | Check Price |
 | Nady DM-80 | Check Price |
Sennheiser E609 Microphone (Editor’s Choice)
Sennheiser is known for the best quality instruments that have evolved with time. The brand offers a vast range of condenser and dynamic microphones that are made to capture detailed and clear sound with high feedback rejection and low handling noise.
While performing live, you do not get a second chance, so it becomes important to use high-quality and reliable instruments. The mic offered by Sennheiser delivers consistent results with projection, clarity, and uniform on/off-axis response.
The Sennheiser E609 dynamic instrument microphone is based on the renowned Sennheiser MD 409. The product can easily withstand high SPLs without distortion. The flat profile capsule of E609 gives a chance of extremely close miking of cabinets and detailed drum miking, specifically toms.
The E609 features a super-cardioid design that improves isolation and offers improved performance with its wider frequency response and increased output. The inlet sound basket is made of refined and high-quality steel, distinguished by a silver address side. In addition, Sennheiser e609 features superior quality metal construction, which makes it reliable and rugged.
The super cardioids pickup pattern offers isolation from other signals hum on-stage. In addition, electrical interference is reduced by hum compensating coil.
The mic remains stable in every climate because of Neodymium ferrous magnet with boron.
This microphone brings sustain and great attack from the toms; moreover, it expresses excellent lows and highs. With this mic, you can get a deep and clean tom sound easy that people will love for sure.
Audix D4 Microphone (Close Runner-Up)
You can use the Audix D4 for every setting, whether a studio, stage, or broadcast application. These are designed with a hyper-cardioid pickup pattern for feedback control and isolation.
It features a VCM diaphragm for accurate and natural sound reproduction. In addition, the Audix D4 is compact, lightweight, and can be positioned easily.
It has a wide frequency response of 40Hz-18 kHz along with an spls handling capacity above 144dB. As a result, the D4 is a perfect choice for creating instruments that need precise low-frequency reproduction like a trombone, as large rack toms, djembe, floor toms, bass flute, acoustic bass, bass cabinets, tympani, saxophone, and baritone sax, Leslie bottom, Cajon, and small kick drums.
The D4 is made with an aluminum body that is precision machined. It has a black anodized finish, steel mesh grill, laser etched model, switch craft XLR connector, and is provided with a heavy-duty microphone clip with tension fit property.
Interference-free performance is obtained from transformerless design, balanced and low impedance output even with long cable runs. The D4 features a wide spectrum sound with an enhanced bass response. A very low mass diaphragm provides excellent transient response.
Shure PG ALTA Drum Kit
Shure mics are known for delivering high-quality sound. These are durable microphones and are perfect for studio recording or stage performance all across the world.
Shure microphones are made for performers of all skill levels. In addition, you can get the complete family of wired mics that can meet your audio needs.
Shure is carrying years old tradition of creating high-quality audio products with the PG ALTA Microphone family. The superior quality construction makes the mics durable. In addition, it features cardioids polar patterns and a black sleek metallic design that minimizes feedback and noise in the background. As a result, the PG ALTA family offers reliable and rock-solid sound that limits professional caliber and accessible gear for recording and performance.
It is an excellent option for capturing the fantastic sound of a floor tom. It is a dynamic mic from Shure, which is made for use with mounted toms and captures the floor tom sound perfectly, especially with a compact kit.
The design of this microphone is excellent, and it holds the drum rims securely while you play; however, it depends on a drum to drum. When mounting is not a problem with the setup, Shure will offer you realistic and full sound at an affordable price.
Shure makes one of the most versatile microphones ever, and it has been a popular choice among people who made their way to the stage and the recording studio. Over decades it has been used as a staple in the life of musicians.
It is also a rightfully priced complete package. So if you are a beginner and do not want to empty your pockets, trying it can be a good idea.
Heimu HDM61
Heimu HDM61 is a popular choice when you want a dynamic microphone for studio-quality performance. It works perfectly in high sound pressure levels. In addition, the mic is made to work in a wide frequency range shaped particularly for bass instruments and kick drums.
The dynamic locking stand adapter is built-in with an XLR connector. That simplifies the kick drum setup.
The mic has the super rejection of unwanted noise, and the super-cardioid pattern offers high gain before feedback. In addition, it is less sensitive to varying load impedance.
This mic makes mixing, editing, and mastering a smooth process. It quickly picks up your toms and provides an accurate reflection of tone and color. In addition, it is affordable, so you can choose this one to make your performance unforgettable.
The high end has a lot of silkiness, and it is flat but incredibly transparent. As a result, you get a subtle and natural warm feel. In addition, it produces a great tone without any distortion. When it comes to quality, this mic will not disappoint you in any setting. The tone is excellent and sounds exceptionally natural.
Nady DM-80
The Nady DM-80 microphone offers an enhanced low-frequency response perfect for capturing bass cabinets and kick drums. In addition, this microphone is a good choice for recording and sound reinforcement applications. For low distortion, high headroom, and quick transient response, the DM-80 features a neodymium element.
The extraneous signals from other instruments and leakage are minimized with the cardioids’ polar pattern. It also includes a rubber mount that helps in noise absorption due to shock, vibration, and handling.
The distortion-free reproduction is obtained by SPL handling up to 140 dB. Therefore, it works perfectly with the loudest instruments and drums.
An all-metal construction offers maximum reliability. The sound quality is impressive, and it will not disappoint you. Maximum conductivity is offered by Gold plated XLR.
It features a full frequency response for an excellent sonic picture that comes with exceptional clarity. The mic also features a die-cast rugged body with an internal shock mount. In addition, the hard steel grill makes it durable.
How to Choose the Best Mics for Floor Toms
When talking about floor tom, the low end of the frequency range is more important than the high end. Therefore, you can use the mics made for kick drums or mounted toms because both provide you with an adequate frequency response to get a balanced and rich tone.
From a price point of view, the fundamental difference between mics depends on the quality of the components of a microphone. Generally, the costlier options will pick up more of the drum’s sound nuance, such as Sennheiser, which gives more realistic sound capture. However, when working the floor tom mic into a larger drum kit set up, you may not require that sensitivity level.
You can also see that the models have different mounting apparatuses. It does not mean that one is better than the other, but you may search for one microphone that suits a particular drum. You get more adjustment options in terms of the mic’s distance from the drum head and angle with more sophisticated mounting apparatuses.
Conclusion: The Best Microphone for Floor Toms Is…
Because of the frequency range floor, toms can be tricky to the mic. Sometimes the mics made for snares miss the rich lower frequencies, making the sound hollow and thin.
The opposite problem happens with the mics made for kick drums. Selecting the best floor tom mic takes effort, but we have provided you with different choices so you can select the one as your preference.
When it comes to a budget, you will find something that gives your preferred sound in your budget range. From the list, our favorite is Sennheiser E609, as it can easily withstand high SPLs without distortion and provides high output.