Behringer’s BC1200 professional 7-piece drum microphone set has to be one of the greatest values we’ve ever reviewed, providing engineers a means of close-miking an entire drum kit for less than the cost of a single microphone. The set is an excellent practice tool for those who want to develop their drum tracking skills before throwing down wads of cash on gear, but the BC1200 kit also holds its own as a punchy and clear collection of microphones for high-quality recordings.
Why Having Good Drum Mics Is So Important
In many instances, drum tones shape shape the foundation of a song or an album, and the rest of the recording is built around that. It’s crucial to pin down a drum tone that’s satisfying in isolation, but most importantly, suits the song’s energy. For instance, a drum sound with a lot of room tone can instigate a “live” feel, while tighter, close-miked sounds are more in-your-face and give engineers greater freedom come mixdown.
We can’t forget, however, that it all boils down to microphone selection and placement first and foremost. We want the appropriate mics to capture a drum kit’s natural essence as best as possible.
Good Drum Mics Are Crucial for Good Live & Studio Sounds
Having good microphones is one thing and simply having enough of them is another when it comes to drums. Behringer miraculously managed to give consumers both — i.e., good sounding mics and plenty of them for an unbeatable price.
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These mics would be especially usable for live sound, where tones aren’t quite as under-the-microscope compared to the studio. You just need a bit more amplification, and the BC1200 microphone set provides it. That said, the collection is just as viable for studio recordings, giving engineers what’s mainly described as a “clear” and intelligible sound on a budget.
The Behringer BC1200 7-piece Drum Microphone Set Is a Comprehensive Set of Mics for Your Kit
The 7-piece set includes a kick drum mic, four microphones for snare and three toms, and two overheads. You could further refine your sound by tossing in a hi-hat mic of your own, and that pretty much covers all your bases. A comprehensive set of microphones for right around $100 is just an absurd value. It certainly begs the question of quality, and Behringer’s track record doesn’t necessarily boost confidence. However, you can absolutely get the job done with these microphones.
What Mics Are Included in the Set?
- KM1200: Large-diaphragm dynamic mic tuned to kick drum
- TM1200 (x4): Medium-diaphragm dynamic mics tuned to snare and toms
- CM1200 (x2): Small-diaphragm condenser mics for overheads/cymbals
Behringer BC1200 Professional 7-piece Drum Microphone Set Review
How Do They Sound
Anyone looking at the cost and hearing these microphones come in through the control room would do a double-take. They’d rub their eyes, try to pop their ears, adjust their seating position in the sweet spot…all to make sure they’re hearing and seeing things correctly.
Are CM1200s going to replace U 87s or KM 184s as overheads? Doubtful. Is the KM1200 coming for the D112’s reputation? Not quite. Are the TM1200s vying to rid the world of SM57s and MD 421s once and for all? Again, no. BUT, none of that is a knock against the BC1200’s sound quality. It’s bright, it’s clear, and it’s simply unbelievable for $129.
Durability
Behringer obviously has to cut costs somewhere, and it seems like they’ve done most of that in the provided mic clips and the carrying case itself. The clips are cheap plastic and would definitely strip out and wear down after repeated tightening/loosening and adjustments. Also, the carrying case looks the part of a higher-end protective covering, but it ultimately feels like cheap plastic and parts as well. Those are just accessories, though, and the microphones themselves feel quite sturdy in comparison.
Construction & Accessories Included
Accessories included are six mic clips for the TM and CM1200s, as well as two windscreens for each of the overhead condensers. We mentioned above the carrying case, which may not be the most rugged thing in the world, but it’s enough to at least keep the microphone set organized and in one place.
Who Would Love the Behringer BC1200 Professional 7-piece Drum Microphone Set
Engineers who are first starting out would find the BC1200 professional 7-piece drum microphone set to be a godsend. It really does break down any financial barriers that would otherwise hinder a recording hobbyist from acquiring the equipment they need to practice their skills. Live sound engineers alike could benefit from the BC1200 set, especially if they’ve been hired to consult and recommend purchases for a sound system. Clients on a tight budget would appreciate the recommendation of the Behringer mic kit.
Our Take: The Behringer BC1200 Set Offers a Lot of Bang for Your Buck
There’s really no other way to say it: $129 for seven microphones, six clips, two windscreens, and a carrying case is ridiculous. “You get what you pay for” still rings true on occasion, so don’t expect these to replace multi-thousand dollar setups anytime soon. As an entry-level kit, however, the BC1200 warrants serious consideration.