Recording Drums with AKG’s Drum Microphone Set

AKG offers three different drum microphone sets:

Drum Set Session I

Drum Set Concert I

Drum Set Premium

For this recording session, we used the Drum Set Concert I, and in this review, I’ll share my thoughts on its performance.

First, check out the recording!

The drum kit used in this session was a Rogers set.

Drummer is Kosuke Takaoka. He is a swing jazz drummer who studies Buddy Rich.
Buddy Rich himself was a devoted Rogers user, and Kosuke Takaoka studies Buddy Rich.
We aimed to capture a natural and authentic drum sound, keeping that connection in mind.

The Drum Set Concert I includes seven microphones: two C430s for overhead, four D40s for snare & toms, and one D112 MKII for bass drum.

Now, let’s go over the performance of each mic in this setup.

D112 MKII

The D112 MKII impressed me with its ability to capture both attack nuances and shell resonance with great detail. It’s not just sensitive, but also handles high sound pressure levels well, meaning it can record powerful kick sounds without distortion.
Given its characteristics, it also seems like a great choice for miking bass amps.

D40

We used the D40 on the hi-hat, snare, floor tom, and high tom. It delivered a well-balanced sound overall but particularly shined in the mid-to-high frequencies, adding a nice clarity.
It captures both the attack and the shell resonance beautifully, making it a solid choice for guitar amps and percussion as well—I imagine it would work especially well on bongos.
The included mic holder attaches directly to the drum hoop, making setup quick and easy—a huge plus for live PA work.

C430

The only condenser mic in the set, we used the C430 as an overhead mic, but we positioned it slightly away from the kit to capture the full drum sound naturally.
The D112 MKII and D40 emphasize the low end due to proximity effect, making them sound a bit different from what you’d hear in person.
The C430 helps balance that out, capturing the natural cymbal tones and ambient highs while maintaining depth in the low frequencies.
With its high resolution and natural tone, I think the C430 would also be great for field recording and outdoor ambience capture.

Final Thoughts

Blending the D112 MKII, D40, and C430 results in a perfectly balanced drum sound—this set delivers everything you need for high-quality drum recording or live PA work. If you’re looking for a solid, all-in-one drum mic solution, the Drum Set Concert I won’t disappoint!