SM57 on snare

[songsj]

For you guys that have tons of experience, is it normal to have to eq an SM57 on a snare . Mine sounded like ass flat until I did the following.
175k -4db
2.8k +4db
4.5k +3db
Does this sound about right for an average sounding snare?
Fairly bright and a little bit snappy. My snare is a 6.5 x 14 steel.

Would I be better off moving a Sennheiser E604 to the snare and putting the SM57 on my floor tom?

 

[tmix]

A lot of my EQ choices for using my SM57 are totally because of the snare.

On my Brass snare (14 x 6.5)I might add a little 10k. On my 12 x 5 wood snare I might add 1-2 db around 250.

It is not uncommon to add a little EQ here and there. If you can find a mic that fits without EQ I'd go with it. I use a C1000 (condensor) on snare when doing brush work, but still might have to drop a bit below 400hz.

Sometimes just getting a little more space between the mic and the snare is all you need if it is too dull sounding.

Tom

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

There's no such thing as "average" EQ settings, any more than each snare sounds alike.

It all depends -- on the drummer, the snare, the mic selection/placement, and the room you're in.

Bottom line is you do what you have to make it sound good. I prefer mic/mic pre selection/placement before reaching for EQ, but whatever gives you the right sound is the right answer.

 

[tmix]

There's no such thing as "average" EQ settings, any more than each snare sounds alike.

It all depends -- on the drummer, the snare, the mic selection/placement, and the room you're in.

Bottom line is you do what you have to make it sound good. I prefer mic/mic pre selection/placement before reaching for EQ, but whatever gives you the right sound is the right answer.

Yes! Basically the point I was trying to make in my less than eloquent way.
It is not "against the law" to use EQ, or even unusual, but excessive situations might indicate a different tool (mic-pre-placement) is in order.

Thanks Bruce! My ideas just would not translate to my fingers.

Tom

 

[mixsit]

...Fairly bright and a little bit snappy.

But you haven't mentioned the position. If it's up into the head, that's the not-bright and snappy placement.
Wayne

 

[caryindy]

But you haven't mentioned the position. If it's up into the head, that's the not-bright and snappy placement.
Wayne

What position 'is' the bright and snappy placement?

 

[mrface2112]

one of the things i like best about the 57-family of mics is how well they take eq.

in fact, that's one of the reasons i like the 57 on snare--is that i know i can get a usable sound out of the mic for starters (which may work on its own within the context of the mix), but i can then carve up the sound in any way i need to in order to make it work with the track.

i'm with bruce--i always look to mic pre, mic selection and mic placement first. i always try to track with the end result in mind--mixes turn out MUCH better when you capture the sounds you want on tape in the first place rather than having to approximate them with eq (among other things) later. but sometimes that's not always practical (or feasible), and sometimes the end result changes......so i'm not afraid to eq liberally if i need to in order to get the sound i'm looking for in the mix.


cheers,
wade

PS--another "cheap" mic you might want to try on snare is the sennheiser e835--it's got a completely different sound (namely in the mids and highs) than the sm57, so if the 57's not capturing what you want, the e835 just might. i like using one of the two on top and the other one on the bottom, since they complement each other so nicely.

likewise, i can't imagine what trying the e604 on the snare would hurt. if the 57's not giving you what you want, give it a try!

 

[Todzilla]

I found that a great compliment to the SM57 on top is a mic underneath. I use a Neumann U89, but that's just 'cause I have it. I've had success with a dynamic on the bottom too. It really gives body to the sound of the drum. Don't forget to tweak the phase setting, since the top and bottom skins are inherently moving in complementary directions.

 

[xstatic]

Whatever works For me 57's are just fine on sanre. Personally, I like the beta57a much better. A little more crack, a little less hi hat bleed. I also love putting a large diaphragm condensor underneath the snare as well. Sometimes it needs to be out of phase, sometimes not. It really depends on where it's placed compared to the top snare mic. In fact, sometimes the out of phase sound can be just what you are wanting. i sue an AKG 414 on the bottom, but I would bet most any LD condensor, even a cheapy would still do a good job. As long as it has a pad

 

[chessrock]

175k -4db
2.8k +4db
4.5k +3db
Does this sound about right for an average sounding snare?
Fairly bright and a little bit snappy.

I wouldn't consideer that overly-radical or anything. Particularly if the goal is to brighten the track up a bit and accentuate the stick hitting the skin. I think if you were boosting like 10 dbs or something, that would be a red flag that you need to start tracking differently ... but 3-4 db's here and there -- particularly on snare -- is just a little finessing.

 

[mixsit]

What position 'is' the bright and snappy placement?

More the side or edge.
Guess we should include anything farther away -and add in the overheads as well.
Wayne

 

[chessrock]

Bright & snappy also makes me think under-snare. Maybe throw a condenser underneath, as well, and mix that in a little. If it's got too much breakup going on, or if it sounds funny, then gate it really good.