Snare Mic alternate to SM57

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mattkw80

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Anybody prefer any other kinds of mics to the SM57 ?

I'm thinking of getting an Audix i5 or a Sennheiser e609, and was just curious if anyone else here prefers some other mic, as opposed to the 57.

I'm looking for maximum hi hat rejection, and a crisper snare sound.
 
I actually use both of those (the i5 and e609) as my go-to setup. The i5 is on top, with the e609 under the snare. I like to mix the pop of the top with the sizzle of the bottom.

But if I were just going with one (and sometimes I do) I'd use the i5 on top. I just happen to have them both (as well as 57's) for recording guitar cabs.
 
Wow, that's cool.

They're affordable enough, maybe I'll grab them both.

The 57 just isn't doing it for me. All I can get it a dull, boxy, annoying snare sound.

One night I spent 2 hours straight with a snare, a 57, and a pair of victor firth isolation head phones. Could not get a decent sound.
 
I got a happy sound with this setup. Took quite a bit of wrestling, an LP clamp, and some tom adjustments.
 

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Sennheisser e604

I have and occasionally use my SM 57 for snare, but I've grown to really love the e604 instead. It has a very similar response to the SM 57 but it's so small that it never gets in the way. It also seems to give a slightly stronger signal without boosting with pre's.
 
IMHO, I think the i5 is better than the SM57 on everything. At least everything that I've tried them on.
 
I've used the EV Co4 last weekend, and I really like it on the snare :)
 
Modified SM57...remove the transformer. Just don't do the mod if it's a Unidyne Model.
 
Simman said:
Modified SM57...remove the transformer. Just don't do the mod if it's a Unidyne Model.
Click to expand...

That may be basic, but I'm not familiar with it. What effect does that have? My 57's are all Unidyne models, but I do have 3 GLS 57 (SM57 clones). One of them could be a candidate for surgery. :D
 
WhiteStrat said:
That may be basic, but I'm not familiar with it. What effect does that have? My 57's are all Unidyne models, but I do have 3 GLS 57 (SM57 clones). One of them could be a candidate for surgery. :D
Click to expand...

The Unidyne's have good transformers in them and are now rare so don't mod them but the others it is definitely worth doing to one of your others. It is really easy if you can solder and boil water (literally).

The mod will reduce the output level from the mic a bit but it will open up the low end and put a bit of a scoop in the mids. If you put back some of the scoop w/EQ, it is pretty killer. Google SM57 mod and you will get a bunch of hits.

Here is just one thread that talks about how to do the mod: http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/0/8057/16/0
 
My "go to" mic for the snare is an AKG C1000 with the hypercardiod cap on.
It has a nice crisp sound with really good hat rejection if placed well.

The drawbacks: the thing is as long as a city bus , so positioning is a pain sometimes.
 
i started to use my AKG for the snare lateley, as it adds more low to it..i cant remember the exact model, d1220? or something? its the emotion series or something lol
 
I have had great luck with the MD-421.

I have also had good results from the reviled C1000S.

A very popular hypercardioid mic for snare here is the beyerdynamic M201. I have not had an opportunity to try one.

Does your pre have enough gain to really drive the '57?
 
i use my EV Co4 almost exclusively, sometimes with a cheap behringer condenser underneath to catch a bit of the sizzle.
 
I'm happy with the sm57 sound for my snare. I was wondering, if your were satisfied with your snare tuning. Maybe that would save you some money instead of buying new mics? Or maybe even the drum itself needs to be replaced.
 
Did you mic the top and bottom or just the top? I have been screwing around with mic'ing the bottom as welll as the top and the difference can be dramatic.

I tried a SDC on snare the last time I recorded, it really helped the snare cut through so I ended up using less EQ in the mix. So if you are looking for "crisp" try a SDC but be warned it could pick up more of the hats.

Hat bashing is bad technique, if you are recording your own drumming, try to correct it with the way you play.
 
Thanks for all the reply's guys....

To answer some of the questions and comments.....

Yes, I've got some good pre's, so I do have more than enough gain.

Yes my drummer is a hat smasher, and it's very annoying, I'm going to have to mention it to him.

Yes I like the sound of the snare. When I am playing it for real - it sounds great. When I record it, it sounds awful.

Yes I have tried micing the bottom with another 57, and reversing the phase - I do like this, but it doesn't change the band sound of the top mic.


So.... today I ordered this.....

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_Beta56A_content



If I don't like it, at least I will have a good Tom mic, and then maybe I'll look at the Audix i5. (I'm very curious about the i5 actually).

Someone mentioned the EV mic.... isn't that a budget mic, like $75 ?
(Not that there is anything wrong with that... but I thought I seen one somewhere new for $75)
 
mattkw80 said:
So.... today I ordered this.....

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_Beta56A_content



If I don't like it, at least I will have a good Tom mic, and then maybe I'll look at the Audix i5. (I'm very curious about the i5 actually).
Click to expand...

I'd be very surprised if you don't like the sound of this mic. We've got a few, and they sound very open to me. I'm no expert, but to me this mic just isn't hard to make sound good, like a 57 is.

Peace!

~Shawn
 
eyema_believer said:
I'd be very surprised if you don't like the sound of this mic. We've got a few, and they sound very open to me. I'm no expert, but to me this mic just isn't hard to make sound good, like a 57 is.

Peace!

~Shawn
Click to expand...


Awsome. I hope your right Shawn.

Worst case though... they tell me they are good on a guitar amp as well.


I actually did some tracking tonight, and got a *little* better sound with a Audio Technica AT 2020 and a 57, both on the top. But even after moving the hi hats back (alot) there was still a heck of alot of bleed.

I even had the backs of both mics pointed at the hats.
 
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