Shure Small diaphragm condenser PG81 to record snare!?

[Nico2112]

As the title says, has anyone used a PG81 to record a snare?

No matter what brand of mic, has anybody ever used a SDC to record snare?

All opinions are appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Ive heard them used on snare...not the best mic to use there.

 

[Nico2112]

I was thinking, since the frequency range is broader than the SM57, "maybe" it could capture a crispier sound.

 

[Micter]

I will use SDC's on snare bottom but not for top micing.

 

[Nico2112]

I guess I should give it a try, and find out for myself if they work for top snare mic'ing

 

[Nico2112]

NOT a good idea.

Recorded a test yesterday, and it sounded HORRIBLE.

PG81 for snare, definately NO.

 

[antichef]

I often use a SM81 on the bottom, in conjunction with a dynamic (SM57 or I5, usually) on the top, then mix together. Did you use it that way?

 

[Nico2112]

Nope, I just used the PG81 on top.

 

[PhilGood]

Jeff Porcaro would record snare with an SDC for the batter side, but it always was one that had a pad. I don't remember off the top of my head. (No pun intended)

 

[Nico2112]

Well, this one doesn't have a pad.

Maybe it can be done with greater quality SDCs, like a SM81.

For my test purposes, it clearly showed, a PG81 is not suitable for batter head snare mic'ing.

I slapped my SM57 back on and got the great results as usual

 

[darrin_h2000]

On the other hand if you are using brushes on the snare and hat this might be better than a 57.

 

[Nico2112]

I think so.

I tracked a straight forward rock drum track, using 5A nylon tipped sticks, and I'm a rimshot lover, so yeah, it was very loud.

Maybe I can use this mic to track sidesticking patterns.

As overheads they don't do a bad job.

 

[PhilGood]

I'm about to try a CAD e70 SDC for snare. Has a 2 stage pad and a 2 stage roll off. I'll letcha know what I think.

 

[RawDepth]

I have used a SDC on the batter head of snare with -10 dB pad.

On one hand, I like it because it makes it easier to bring out that upper midrange "smack" or "pop" that we all love so much. The sound is so bright that I don't even need a bottom-head mic.

On the other hand, I usually end up with more head attack than I know what to do with. I then compress the snare track to control this. A very short attack time will level the transients. Then tweak the release time to taste.

But I might add that the success of this method probably depends on head type, tuning, and desired results. I used it with the drum tuned high-pitched and very dry.

 

[Nico2112]

Thanks for the input guys

I could try lowering the gain (since this mic doesn't have pad or rolloff) and see how it works.