Getting your drums mic’d up is one thing. Keeping the mics in place—that’s another story. You spend all this time setting up your kit, dialing in the mic positions, and adjusting your levels, only to have a mic slip halfway through the session or shift when you hit a rimshot. That tiny movement? It’s enough to throw off your tone completely. And if you’re recording, that’s a take gone.
That’s where proper mic clips and mounts come in. Not the flashy part of the gear list, but definitely one of the most important. If the mic moves, your sound moves with it. And when you’re trying to capture consistency across a performance or track, that just won’t cut it.
Why mic clips and mounts aren’t optional
A good mic placement is hard-earned. You spend time finding that sweet spot between the edge and center of the snare, or angling the tom mic just right to get punch without too much bleed. But none of that matters if your mic clip doesn’t hold.
You don’t need overcomplicated hardware or heavy-duty clamps unless you’re touring with a full stage rig. What you do need is gear that holds tight, doesn’t rattle, and lets you position your mic exactly where you want it—without slipping the second you start playing harder.
The options that get it right
There are a lot of mic mounts out there, but not all of them are built with drummers in mind. Some are made for vocal mics or general-purpose use, and they just don’t lock in the way you need for close-miking a kick or a snare. But there are a few setups that understand the assignment.
One of them is the 5 Core DM-9RND-BLK kit. It’s a full drum mic set, yes—but what stands out is the mounting gear that comes with it. The clips are built to grip tight onto drum rims, and they don’t need extra stands cluttering up your floor space. Once you set your mic angle, it stays there. Simple, no-fuss, and road-ready.
Another kit that gets it right is the Behringer BC1200. It’s a popular pick for gigging drummers and small studio setups. The included mounts are adjustable enough to work with different shell sizes and mic types, which is huge if you’re not always playing the same kit. Everything feels snug without over-tightening, and that balance really matters when you’re working with fragile condensers.
Then there’s the Rockville PRO-D7 kit. This one leans more toward value, but the mounting options don’t feel cheap. You’re not going to get fancy locking mechanisms here, but what you do get is a set of clips that work well for standard drum mics and don’t need constant readjustment mid-set.
What actually matters when choosing mic clips
The biggest thing most drummers overlook? Compatibility. It’s easy to assume a mic clip will fit your gear, but that’s not always the case. Some clips won’t grip thick drum rims, or they might be too tight for certain mic barrels. Always double-check that the clip matches your mic’s body diameter and that the mount won’t scratch up your hardware.
Build quality is another big one. You don’t need metal everything—but you do need materials that won’t crack after two setups. Look for reinforced plastic or lightweight alloy, and make sure the pivot points are firm. If it wobbles in your hand, it’s going to shift when you play.
And finally, adjustability. A mount that locks your mic in one rigid direction isn’t going to help when you’re trying to angle a snare mic just off the rim or sneak a kick mic into a tight space. The more flexibility you have without sacrificing stability, the better.
The small gear that makes a big difference
Nobody thinks about mic clips when they’re planning a session. They think about mics, cables, preamps. But when you’re fifteen minutes into tracking and your tom mic has sagged an inch and a half, it’s all you’re going to think about.
Good mic clips don’t call attention to themselves. They just work. They hold tight, stay out of the way, and let the mic do its job. Whether you’re tracking in a studio or playing live, that kind of reliability is what makes the difference between a usable take and a frustrating retake.
So if you’re investing in drum mics—or already have a set you like—it’s worth making sure your clips and mounts are up to the same standard. Because when your gear holds steady, so does your sound.