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.