What is this mic and why does everyone use it??

[MaKoRancid]

http://www.relientk.com/photos/album02/Davey

ive seen alot of pics with engineers using some sort of speaker as a bass drum mic? Is this the ns-10 woofer or something? Why is it so popular and should i make one ? What are the benefits of one ?

[Finchy]

It's basically a speaker, just wired to pick up like a microphone. The reason studios use these "mics" for the kick, and other bass instruments, is to handle the lower frequencies that any...normal mic wouldn't be able to handle/pick-up. We have the Yamaha Subkick at the studio I work at, it really fattens up the kick drum, and adds a smoothness to the lower frequencies, but still boosts them, so you really feel it when you are listening. It really does make a difference. We also use them on bass guitar cabinets, also smooths it out but still boosts it and makes it really present. Like adding the MaxxBass plugin...sort of like that. Yep. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SubKick/ there it is. Great price too. Latah.

~Finchy