For those who don’t know what a “subkick” is, it’s basically a speaker used as a microphone to capture low-frequency information from a kick drum. Or any source, really, but it’s good on kick. Subkick was the name Yamaha used for a product they made, but it’s easier than saying kick drum speaker microphone.
I built one a long time ago (here and here), using a smaller speaker, and it works well. But a single 6″ woofer recently came into my life and I wanted to see what that one would sound like.
The old one was able to be mounted with the bottom of a mic clip screwed to a corner of the speaker because it was so light. That wasn’t an option with the new one. I was rummaging around in the basement, hoping a mounting solution would present itself and it sure did.
I found this enormous can of Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax at my local swap shed a few years ago. I’m not even sure if Butcher’s is still made, I can find lookalikes, but nothing with the same name. By pure chance, the speaker fit into the can opening perfectly. No modifications necessary. I transferred the wax to some jars, cleaned out the can, drilled some holes, and used sheet metal screws to mount the speaker. I think I’d like to use some long skinny bolts and nuts on the back, but I didn’t have any at the moment.
For the stand mount, I had this old ball-joint camera mount thing. I don’t really know what it’s for. Try searching for articulating mic arm or something, for ideas.
Wired it up to an XLR jack mounted on the back of the jar and done.
Now you go make one with stuff you find around your house.
Update: Drilling some port holes in the back made it sound much better. I drilled mine like this, but I bet less holes would have sufficed.
