Pickups & Mics for Upright Bass:  Microphones

K&K Sound Golden Bullet Microphone for Upright Bass

Manufactured by: K&K Sound

Golden Bullet Miniature Condenser Microphone
for Upright Bass

K&K's various bass transducers can deliver an exceptionally warm and natural sound -- but there are times when a microphone can add extra warmth and life to your signal, or perhaps be the total true voice of your bass. Choosing and using a microphone can be a real challenge and an expensive proposition, especially when you want to blend it with your current rig. K&K Sound has taken all the hassle out of the process by creating a series of professional systems that can work for you immediately -- right out of the box.

This specialty Double Bass Microphone is available in several different configurations. You can get the mic alone (with its own phantom power/output box), you can opt for the upgrade system (has a second input to be used with your existing pickup), or you can get a combination system with the mic and one of K&K's excellent pickups, either the Golden Trinity/Bass Max or the Golden Trinity/Double Big Twin.



The Golden Bullet Microphone is a condenser mic chosen specifically for its characteristics and performance with the Double Bass. This is not an "off-the-shelf" microphone, but one designed and custom built by K&K in their shop in Oregon. I was delighted to work with Dieter of K&K to finalize the selection of this specific unit, which combines great sound with excellent feedback resistance. It's unidirectional to help avoid rumble and bleed from other instruments. Amazingly light and small, it is mounted on your bridge using adhesive 3M Dual Lock and positioned using its built-in six-inch gooseneck. And don't worry about the bridge mounting -- I stuck the mic attachment to a mail scale, and the assembly registered about .25 ounces in weight!

Please note: If you have never used a microphone with your bass before, please realize that there are limitations to microphone use - that's why transducers were developed! There is far greater feedback potential, and it will require greater care to position your bass, mic, and speakers, and adjust EQ to avoid feedback or unwanted resonances. This is why each system, excepting the Golden Bullet Mic by itself, includes the ability to combine the mic with a transducer -- so the player has the option to rely on a more feedback-resistant transducer in tight or loud stage situations where a mic alone is not practical.



SPECIFICATIONS for the Microphone:

• Frequency Range: 20 - 17,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 7 mV/PA/1 kHz
• Maximum SPL: 139 dB
• Polar Pattern: Hyper-unidirectional
• Output: XLR active balanced or 1/4" line level (your choice)
• Mic Power Supply: 9 Volt through Supplied Golden Bullet preamp

Golden Bullet Frequency Response curve




Golden Bullet unidirectional pickup pattern

Product Options: Golden Bullet MIC for Upright Bass Option 1: with XLR output the Golden Bullet Mic wired to... the string-mounted jack K&K power source/preamp with an XLR out, which can be powered by the internal 9 volt battery or standard phantom power via its XLR connection. Golden Bullet Microphone, on gooseneck leads to... String-mounted 1/4" Jack, to your standard instrument cable, plugs into... K&K Golden Bullet Interface Box, 1/4 inch jack input and XLR output, using a standard microphone cable, plugs into amp or PA board. Option 2: with 1/4 inch output the Golden Bullet Mic wired to... the string-mounted jack K&K power source/preamp with a 1/4" input jack, powered by an internal 9 volt battery. Golden Bullet Microphone, on gooseneck leads to... String-mounted 1/4" Jack, to your standard instrument cable, plugs into... K&K Golden Bullet Interface Box, 1/4 inch jack input and output, using your standard instrument cable, plugs into amp or PA board Option 3: Golden Bullet with LR Baggs GigPro Preamplifier the Golden Bullet Mic wired to... the string-mounted jack LR Baggs' single-channel GigPro Preamplifier, powered by an internal 9 volt battery. (Preamp has 1/4" output for direct interface with your amplifier or direct box.) If you like the idea of the compact Golden Bullet mic, but want a bit more control over the signal than the simple K&K Power box, you can use a GigPro Preamp to shape the tone. Including treble and bass controls, as well as a gain trim knob, this will provide the EQ controls to personalize your sound. It also features a phase invert switch, which can sometimes help with feedback issues. The preamp has an internal switch to turn on the phantom power that is required by the mic. Option 4: Golden Mic SOLO This is the mic alone, with the string-mounted jack, no cable, no interface box or preamp. This mini condenser microphone requires the appropriate 9 volt phantom power to operate. Preamps that do have the appropriate compatible 9v phantom power - to be able to use the mic without the power box (Option 4) - include the DTAR Solstice, LR Baggs GigPro and K&K Sound Quantum Blender. Not Compatible: If you are using the microphone with an Acoustic Image amplifier, EA Doubler, almost all major brands of mixing boards, or most other amplifiers or equipment which feature phantom power, you will need to purchase and use one of the small power boxes (Options 1, 2 or 3) in order to use the Golden Bullet, as the phantom power in those examples are the more common 48v and are thereby not compatible.

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