AKG D 112 MKII

There are many high-performance microphones on the market, but few of these studio equipment allow you to obtain perfect recording sound for percussion recording. Designed specifically to meet this purpose, the AKG D 112 MKII is a professional dynamic microphone dedicated to capturing bass drums.

A large diaphragm design for precision, flexible mount for added versatility, resonant volume chamber to deliver punchy, clearly defined sound. The AKG D 112 MKII offers everything you need to purify audio recording of acoustic instruments at high sound pressure levels.

Does this mean that this microphone is an ideal dynamic instrument in addition to the studio equipment and equipment at your disposal? Let's take a close look at the technical characteristics of this studio microphone in order to attest to its real capabilities and performance. Below is our complete test and opinion on the AKG D 112 MKII dynamic microphone!

AKG D 112 MKII Microphone Overview

The AKG D 112 MKII is a dynamic microphone with a fairly specific cardioid polar pattern since, like its predecessor “ D 112 ” from AKG, this microphone is designed for bass drums . Let us remember, over the decades, that the AKG “D 112” has forged a well-deserved notoriety in the sound recording of acoustic percussion instruments.

The D 112, like its little brother D 112 MKII, is renowned as being the best bass drum microphone designed and distributed until now by this brand. This stereo microphone displays exemplary resistance to high sound pressures.

The AKG D 112 MKII is also appreciated by percussionists and bassists for its refined sound quality and its robust construction ready for any test. This stereo microphone can operate over a wide temperature range from -10°C to +60°C .

Its frequency response curve of between 20 Hz and 17 kHz is flat enough to provide greater accuracy, precision and sound clarity when recording. Its load impedance of at least 2 kΩ makes this microphone completely safe from overloads. Surfaces that are sensitive to sound (i.e. the front and mic input) are marked with a green bumper ring.

Sounds coming from the sides and rear of the microphone are thus eliminated. In addition, the AKG D 112 MKII microphone displays a polar pattern with cardioid directivity . This makes it possible to obtain even more precision in the audio capture of the sound wave which travels towards the front of the microphone.

A cardioid microphone differs from a bidirectional microphone (like the Beyerdynamic M130 for example) in that the latter perceives sound waves in both directions and isolates them in a balanced manner .

All of course by providing optimal isolation of the perceived sound from all sound waves, effects, echoes and off-axis sounds. The AKG D 112 MKII microphone also has a relatively compact size of 115 x 70 x 126 mm .

This greatly facilitates insertion under a bass drum depending on the desired sound reproduction. All with a greater margin of freedom in the distance of the microphone from the source to be captured depending on the proximity effect and the acoustic rendering sought.

AKG D112 MKII microphone: Conception and design

The AKG D 112 MKII sports a distinct egg shape allowing this stereo mic to stand out from any other type of moving coil cardioid dynamic mic like the Sennheiser E609 . Despite its compactness, the microphone remains quite heavy since it weighs 300 g , or approximately 10.6 oz . Its robust construction, however, guarantees excellent protection against shocks and vibrations.

The ingenious and specific design of its capsule (unlike that of other microphone capsules) also gives good stability to the D 112 MKII. Unlike the voice coil built into Shure microphones, the AKG D 112 MKII uses a hum compensation coil . Which greatly helps reduce hiss and hum caused by the microphone's own noise.

The noise level of the AKG D 112 MKII is therefore reduced to its strict minimum to guarantee greater finesse and listening comfort . The AKG D 112 MKII professional microphone also works using a standard XLR-3 . This means that it is more difficult to configure using an audio interface with a USB port, such as that of a computer for example.

We will therefore have to resort to the use of an appropriate adapter or a dedicated sound card to remedy this. The advantage of using a directional microphone equipped with an XLR connector, however, lies in the quality of signal transmission which is often achieved by balanced connection.

With this polarization, we will therefore not have to worry about cable length problems to ensure that the signal is passed through without generating any drop or loss during transmission. With a USB microphone on the other hand, although the sound quality of the signal is quite modest, you will not need to make complicated connections to connect the microphone to your PC, your laptop or even your Mac.

In fact, a USB microphone such as Yeti, Yeti Nano, Blue yeti, or even the Rode NT USB microphone does not require a driver or external adapter to connect it to a computer's USB interface.

Since the AKG D 112 MKII home studio microphone uses a dynamic capsule , however, there is no need to use phantom power or any external 48 Volt power supply to operate it or to amplify the sound dynamics of this microphone.

A condenser microphone, also known as a condenser microphone, absolutely requires phantom power to operate. This power source is supplied from the Phantom Power 48 Volt switch of a preamplifier such as Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic or SPL Goldmike 9844, a power amp or a mixing desk. This makes it possible to convert the audio signal thus captured into an electrical signal before it even reaches the microphone input of the preamp.

Equipped with an AKG D 112 MKII type microphone, you will only need to ensure that the plastic mounting clip is well fixed. In particular so that you can take better advantage of the features, performance and sound quality of this studio microphone.

AKG D 112 MKII: a professional dynamic microphone dedicated to toms?

One of the main strengths of the AKG D 112 MKII microphone is that it does not require flat sound equalization as soon as the fader is opened. And this, without the need for any low frequency attenuator.

The performance of the D 112 MKII from the AKG brand is significantly improved compared to that of its predecessor, because this dynamic studio microphone incorporates a specific coil which is used to compensate for hum .

This allows the noise level to be kept to an absolute minimum. Aside from its proven effectiveness for recording bass drums both in a studio and on stage, the AKG D 112 MKII also remains ideal for capturing audio from various other powerful instruments .

This is particularly the case for: acoustic basses, electric basses, electro-acoustic basses, cellos, double basses, trombones, tubas and baritone saxophones. This professional dynamic microphone for bass drums has a certain number of advantages and particularities, among which we can cite:

• Its integrated flexible support makes it even more versatile than any other type of high-performance dynamic microphone.
• Its ingeniously designed bass resonance volume chamber
• Its unique large diaphragm dynamic microphone design delivers precise low frequencies.
• Its built-in hum compensation coil which better helps keep the clean noise level to its bare minimum.
• Its worldwide reputation has been proven for over 30 years in the bass drum microphone industry for audio professionals.

Top of the range performance at the low end of the audio spectrum

For over three decades, the AKG D 112 has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the best bass drum microphones the brand has ever made. The AKG D 112 MKII still outperforms its predecessor and still performs by far with its high SPL capacity , punchy EQ and robust construction .

Indeed, the AKG D 112 MKII is ahead of its predecessor thanks to its new integrated flexible support, while retaining all the sound qualities and performances of its ancestor. The D 112 MKII cardioid dynamic microphone is capable of withstanding acoustic pressures that go beyond 160 dB Spl ( Sound Pressure Level ) with the minimum possible distortion (THD: total harmonic distortion announced at only 0.5 % ).

Its unique and ingenious large diaphragm design achieves a very low resonant frequency that delivers a firm and powerful frequency response below 100 Hz .

Its pronounced, clearly defined bass is amplified by a narrow-bandwidth sonic presence at 4 kHz . Cutting through the densest, high-volume mixes. All with a powerful, warm, precise, accurate, detailed and percussive impact.

The AKG D 112 MKII remains very popular with musicians and sound engineers due to the fact that this professional studio and PA microphone does not require passing through an audio equalizer interface.

AKG goes even further by refining the performance of its AKG D 112 MKII microphone model by equipping it with an hum compensation coil . This limits as much as possible the nuisance likely to be generated by the microphone's own noise.

Due to its high sound performance and its great capacity to withstand heavy acoustic pressure, the D 112 MKII microphone from the AKG brand also provides more versatility compared to the vast majority of microphones dedicated to instrumental audio recording.

The AKG D 112 MKII is therefore an excellent choice of microphone for capturing the sound of all types of acoustic instruments that generate high sound pressures, not just percussion and bass.

AKG D 112 MKII: a bass drum microphone par excellence

The AKG D 112 MKII is at the pinnacle of microphone performance for kick drums and bass guitars. Its robust and ingenious design makes it a moving coil and large diaphragm microphone to meet different applications on stage and in a recording studio.

The flexible support integrated into the microphone provides good mobility and therefore greater versatility. Thanks to this design, you can place this compact, home-studio microphone below a snare drum at the desired distance and angle. Likewise, it can be more easily located near a guitar amp or directly about ten centimeters from any acoustic instrument to capture its sound.

Its flat frequency response curve of between 20 Hz and 17 kHz makes it an excellent choice of microphone for perfecting the sound pickup of acoustic instruments that generate tones below 100 Hz . Equipped with a volume resonance chamber, this stereo microphone refines the sound reproduction of its large diaphragm. Thus allowing precise and clearly defined sound reproduction of the bass .

Zoom on the sound quality of the AKG D 112 MKII microphone

The D 112 MKII is a classic microphone for kick drums and bass guitars. Featuring a large diaphragm, this studio microphone is designed to withstand high sound pressure and remains more or less insensitive to vibrations.

As a general rule, dynamic microphones can never boast of a balanced frequency response curve. And this particularly when they have to record percussive sounds emanating from bass drums. All we'll hope to get from these microphones will probably be modest sound quality.

Surprisingly, the AKG D 112 MKII surpasses this expectation by offering more detail, tenor, finesse, accuracy and precision to tones that lie at the lower end of the audio spectrum. This microphone indeed offers a much more precise frequency response over its entire range from 20 Hz to 17 kHz .

And yet, the AKG D 112 MKII does not offer enormous decibel growth at these different frequencies. In reality, the sound tone of a bass drum is made up of two main tones: the resonant bass and the high attack of the drummer on the skin of the drum.

This percussion generates an effect whose frequency is higher depending on the magnitude of the attack and the way in which these two tones combine. Each dynamic moving coil microphone is designed to withstand higher or lower sound pressures .

For the AKG D 112 MKII, this level is well above the maximum Spl that can be supported by any condenser microphone . Each dynamic moving coil microphone brings its own degree of uniqueness.

The AKG D 112 MKII mic stands out from any other type of dynamic moving coil mic in that it is capable of supporting those two tones that form the timbre of a bass drum as well as any tones that lie in between. two stamps.

The precision and sonic accuracy offered by the AKG D 112 MKII make it a versatile and perfect microphone choice for bass drums of all sizes and even an ideal mic for toms. So what is the AKG D 112 MKII microphone made of?

Remember that this is a large diaphragm dynamic microphone which was designed and developed specifically to capture sound waves at very high acoustic pressures.

These sound pressure levels go at least up to 160 dB Spl . The AKG D 112 MKII is therefore perfectly suited for audio recording of toms and bass drums, but also tubas, basses, double basses and trombones.

The AKG D 112 MKII is none other than the successor to the famous D 112. Unlike the latter, however, the AKG D 112 MKII benefits from an improved mechanism . This professional dynamic microphone for bass drum is equipped with a new tripod support with a joint allowing it to be properly aligned.

The Spl, “Sound Pressure Level”, commonly also called acoustic or sound pressure level, remains one of the most important criteria for a dynamic microphone of the AKG D 112 MKII type.

This stereo microphone is renowned for its exemplary ability to handle and sustain the high SPL generated by bass drums, tubas, bass guitars, subwoofers, trombones, cellos and even powerful acoustic pianos.

According to the manufacturer's announcements, the AKG D 112 MKII only generates a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.5% from a certain Spl threshold, which is notably established at 160 dB at less . If someone is exposed to such noise, they could suffer very serious hearing damage, and could even become deaf after a few seconds.

Aside from its ability to withstand such sound pressure, the AKG D 112 MKII ensures impeccable sound reproduction of bass drums and shows almost no distortion. Beyond all these characteristics, the D 112 MKII microphone from the AKG brand also provides a relatively generous increase in the entire bass range which is located below 100 Hz .

This allows you to obtain a fully rich base for audio processing , mixing and mastering purposes. Now let's take a close look at what the D 112 MKII microphone is worth for capturing audio from a bass drum!

Inserted and placed in a bass drum, in a central position approximately 3 or 9 cm from the drum head, the microphone produces a percussive attack with more pronounced bass. Inserted in the bass drum, in a central position 10 or 25 cm from the drum head, the AKG D 112 MKII provides a moderate attack with a balanced sound.

Placed well centered 3 or 5 cm just below (and outside) the drum, this home studio microphone for bass drum produces a softened sound. Depending on the desired sound reproduction and the way the drummer hits, you can always adjust the microphone as you go. The important thing is always to rely on your listening skills.

The technical characteristics of the AKG D 112 MKII microphone

• Type: Large diaphragm dynamic microphone
• Brand: AKG
• Model: AKG D112 MKII
• Capsule: dynamic microphone capsule
• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 17 kHz
• Sensitivity: 1.8 mV/Pa (-55 Dpa)
• Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: > 160 dB (calculated)
• Electrical impedance: 210 Ohms
• Recommended load impedance: ≥2000 ohms
• Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
• Temperature range: -10°C to +60°C ( 14°F – 140°F )
• Length: 115 mm (4.53 inches)
• Diameter: 70 mm (2.76 inches)
• Height: 126 mm (4.96 inches)
• Net weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)

Our opinion on the AKG D 112 MKII microphone

The AKG D 112 MKII is a microphone with proven performance and audio quality for kick drums and various other powerful sound sources.

Whether in terms of robust construction, sound quality, flexibility in positioning or versatility, this stereo bass drum microphone offers everything to satisfy a large number of audio professionals.

Whether you want to record the sound of a kick drum, a subwoofer, a bass guitar, a double bass, a trombone or a tuba, this studio microphone will pleasantly surprise you. The AKG D 112 MKII offers much more clarity, definition, timbre and dynamism to percussive sounds as well as bass.

This microphone provides high fidelity sound reproduction with a slight accentuation of timbre and an almost minimal noise level to ensure impeccable clarity of audio recording whether on stage or in a recording studio.

This microphone remains very insensitive to interference and background noise thanks to its compensation coil which, in addition to offering high tolerance to high acoustic pressures, allows the sound to be recorded to be better purified. Robust in design, the AKG D 112 MKII has a firmly integrated joint offering greater flexibility and versatility of use.

A substantially thick wire was used to support and rotate the microphone head so as to properly align and adjust it in relation to the sound source to be captured. The frame seems quite solid and the joint seems to be able to stabilize the microphone well. The microphone has a very low noise level and therefore generates very little self-noise.

Its hum compensation coil completely isolates the microphone from background noise while making it almost insensitive to magnetic field interference. Thanks to its Polar Pattern with cardioid polar pattern, this microphone eliminates any off-axis sound, perfectly captures the source coming from the front and more effectively isolates sounds coming from the rear.

This unidirectional polar pattern of microphone (i.e. this directivity) remains quite practical when you want to use the AKG D 112 MKII microphone to capture the sound of drums, toms, snare drums , bass guitars, cymbals and drums. The same goes for taking audio from any other powerful and percussive sound source: guitar amps, subwoofers, etc.

The AKG D 112 MKII is the ideal professional dynamic microphone choice for anyone who wants to produce a qualitative sound capture of atypical sound sources elicited.

Moreover, the manufacturer did the right thing by taking care to insert a small reducing thread into the tripod mount so as to make the AKG D 112 MKII compatible with the standard 3/8 inch format. This joint remains practical for quickly adjusting the alignment of the microphone, whether in the bass drum or on a microphone stand. Thus providing great versatility of use.

This firmly integrated joint is captive. However, we would have preferred if this joint could be locked and loosened without a screwdriver, which is not the case. However, this problem can be overcome by purchasing a Shure Beta 52A, also designed for recording bass drums.

Instead of a locking joint (like that of the AKG D 112 MKII) we can make do with a thumbscrew with an almond-shaped handle for the Shure Beta 52A. The AKG D 112 MKII microphone and the Shure Beta 52A probably remain the two eternal competitors when it comes to bass drum sound pickup.

Although these two professional dynamic microphones perform equally well compared to each other, they produce a significant difference in sound depending on the configurations to be set up. We can always recommend that you buy both models of microphones to get the most out of their respective sound quality.

Thus, we can turn to purchasing a Shure Beta 52A for sound recording of large drums if we wish to have richer and more or less warm bass tones. To purify the sound as best as possible, however, when recording smaller jazz drums, acoustic or electro-acoustic basses, we recommend purchasing an AKG D 112 MKII.

Of course, there aren't really any hard and fast rules. You will only have to base yourself on your needs, your personal preferences and trust your ears. Moreover, the advantage of purchasing a professional dynamic microphone of the AKG D 112 MKII type lies in 5 points:

• Its design respects the industrial standard for the audio jack of bass drums.
• Its versatile and perfectly balanced frequency response.
• Its rich and clearly defined sound.
• Its great durability.
• Its more affordable price compared to that of a Shure Beta 52A.

Overall, you can't go wrong in deciding to buy a professional dynamic microphone like the AKG D 112 MKII for capturing audio from bass drums and drums. This microphone reproduces sound clearly, accurately and precisely with much more accentuated sound coloring in the low frequencies.

The AKG D 112 MKII also provides great versatility, making it an excellent choice of microphone to meet different purposes for audio recording in the studio or on stage.

On the other hand, if you intend to acquire a good professional or semi-professional microphone for broadcasting, podcasting or voice recording, you will be better off turning to a microphone such as Sennheiser MD421-II, Shure SM81, Se electronics , Rode nt usb, Rode nt1, Blue yeti, Yeti nano or other microphones from Yeti.

These microphones dedicated to picking up vocals are also effective for recording the sound of an acoustic guitar or even that of a piano. Likewise, the choice of an electrostatic microphone, that is to say a condenser microphone, remains more appropriate for the recording of voices and for the sound capture of acoustic instruments which generate high tones: violins , xylophones, harps, mandolins, banjos, flutes, harmonicas and accordions among many others.

We will simply have to make sure to equip the condenser microphones with an anti-pop filter and an anti-blow windshield. Because condenser condenser microphones are more sensitive than dynamic moving coil microphones, they have great difficulty withstanding high sound pressures.

And likewise, plosives, sibilants and sibilances are likely to be easily heard unless you equip them with these essential accessories for condenser condenser microphones. To accommodate more hectic use on stage, we strongly recommend the use of a portable gooseneck microphone or a high-performance lavalier microphone.

Alternatively, and if you plan to acquire a high-performance portable microphone for reporting (for example), you may also decide to choose a wireless microphone equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter.

Whatever your desires, your objectives and your ambitions for home studio or sound projects, always remember to choose your type of microphone according to your real needs while taking your budget into account!

AKG D112 MKII Demo

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