Monday, September 15, 2025

This really decent inexpensive drum mic kit is my new home mic setup

Review: 5 Core 7-Piece Drum Mic Kit – Solid Sound for the Money

I recently picked up the 5 Core 7-Piece Drum Mic Kit and used it to record the drum tracks featured in the video below. For the price, this kit delivers a surprisingly usable sound across the board, especially if you're willing to do a bit of EQ work in post.

The kit includes four dynamic mics for toms and snare, two small diaphragm condensers for overheads, and one large diaphragm dynamic mic for the kick. Setup was straightforward thanks to the included clamps and adapters, and everything packed neatly into the hard case for transport.

Snare Mic Performance

The dynamic mic on the snare was a standout. It captured the attack and body of the drum with clarity, and didn’t require much EQ to sit well in the mix. There was minimal bleed from nearby drums, and the transient response was tight enough to preserve the snare’s character without sounding brittle.

Overhead Condensers

The overheads were crisp and surprisingly detailed. Cymbals came through with good shimmer, and stereo imaging was solid. They handled high SPLs without distortion and gave the kit a nice sense of space. These mics are phantom-powered, so make sure your interface or mixer supports that.

Kick Drum Mic

The kick mic has a very strong low-end response, which gives the drum a satisfying thump. However, it’s a bit scooped in the upper mids, which means you might need to boost around 2–4kHz to get more beater definition. That said, once EQ’d, it held its own in the mix and didn’t require any gating or heavy compression to sound present.

Build Quality & Value

Physically, the mics feel sturdy. The clamps grip well and didn’t slip during tracking. The included accessories—sponges, clips, and carry case—are functional and make the kit feel complete. For the money, this set offers a practical solution for home studios, rehearsal spaces, or even live gigs where budget is a concern.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a drum mic kit that delivers usable sound without draining your wallet, the 5 Core set is worth considering. It’s not going to replace high-end studio mics, but it doesn’t need to. With a bit of mixing finesse, you can get professional-sounding results—as demonstrated in the video above.

I’ll continue using this kit for demo sessions and live tracking. It’s a solid tool that gets the job done, and I’m glad I gave it a shot.

Friday, September 12, 2025

Record a full drum kit with a sub-$400 interface

M-Audio Air 192|14 review: A practical workhorse for multi‑mic sessions

If you’re building a small studio that can handle real bands, the M‑Audio Air 192|14 is one of those rare interfaces that balances channel count, solid drivers, and straightforward workflow. It’s compact, USB‑C powered, and designed for creators who need more than two inputs without jumping to a rack. You can check current pricing and specs here: M‑Audio Air 192|14.

Enough inputs for a full drum kit

Practically speaking, the 192|14 offers enough simultaneous inputs to mic a full drum kit in a typical home or project studio setup. Think kick, snare, three toms, and a stereo pair of overheads—that’s a tight, musical seven‑mic scenario that covers most genres. You still have flexibility to swap a tom mic for a dedicated hi‑hat or ride mic if that serves the arrangement better. For details and availability, see the product page: M‑Audio Air 192|14.

Sound quality and latency

The Air series preamps are clean and neutral, which is what you want when you’re stacking many mics on a kit. At 24‑bit/192 kHz, you get plenty of headroom and transient detail without the preamps coloring your EQ decisions later. USB‑C connectivity helps keep round‑trip latency manageable for software monitoring, and the hardware direct‑monitor blend knob gives you a no‑nonsense fallback when you need zero‑latency tracking. More info here: M‑Audio Air 192|14.

Workflow that stays out of the way

Front‑panel metering is readable at a glance, and per‑channel gain knobs make balancing a multi‑mic kit fast. The instrument inputs handle hot pickups without getting brittle, so you can jump from drums to bass or guitar overdubs without re‑patching a whole rack. Monitor and headphone controls are sensibly placed for quick tweaks between takes. If you value a clean, minimal control surface that doesn’t slow you down, this box delivers. See current details: M‑Audio Air 192|14.

Embedded video demo

Here’s a hands‑on video to get a feel for the unit in practice:

If you’re after a compact interface that can genuinely track drums without fuss, the 192|14 is a smart, budget‑conscious move. See pricing, specs, and availability here: M‑Audio Air 192|14. For hybrid studios handling bands one day and solo production the next, it’s a clean, capable hub that scales with your sessions.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Are these the best cheap guitars on Amazon?

Leo Jaymz Guitars: Affordable Excellence for Players Who Demand More

If you're hunting for a guitar that punches far above its price tag without compromising on tone, build quality, or aesthetics, Leo Jaymz guitars deserve your attention. This brand has carved out a niche by offering instruments that cater to both beginners and seasoned players who want reliable gear without draining their wallets.

Build Quality That Surprises

One of the standout features of Leo Jaymz guitars is their attention to detail. Whether you're picking up a TL-style model with a flame maple top or a Les Paul-inspired single cut, the craftsmanship is consistently impressive. Rounded stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and Alnico V pickups are standard on many models—features you'd expect on guitars twice the price.

Playability That Feels Premium

From the moment you pick one up, it's clear these guitars are built with the player in mind. The neck profiles are comfortable, the fretwork is smooth, and the action is dialed in right out of the box. Whether you're shredding leads or laying down rhythm tracks, Leo Jaymz guitars respond with clarity and precision.

Versatile Tone for Any Genre

Thanks to the Alnico V pickups and thoughtful electronics layout, these guitars deliver a wide tonal palette. Clean tones are articulate, overdriven sounds have bite, and the sustain is surprisingly rich. Whether you're into blues, rock, metal, or jazz, Leo Jaymz guitars can handle it.

Real-World Praise and Demos

Don’t just take my word for it—check out these hands-on reviews and demos that show what these guitars can really do:

Amazon Guitar Alert! The Leo Jaymz Hurricane!! Full Tear – A full teardown and demo of the Hurricane model, showcasing its build and sonic capabilities.

Leo Jaymz Guitar Review: Worth the Green?? – A detailed look at the Monsoon model, highlighting its premium features and impressive tone for the price.

Final Thoughts

Leo Jaymz guitars are proof that budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromise. With solid tonewoods, quality hardware, and player-focused design, they offer tremendous value. Whether you're upgrading from a starter guitar or adding a reliable backup to your gigging rig, this brand delivers where it counts.

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Justin A.K.A. Demonic Sweaters New York City, NY www.demonicsweaters.com | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok 📧 demonicsweatersmusic@gma...