Snare Mic Placement?

[Mr. Moonlight]

I'm sure it comes down to personal preference, but where do you guys feel it's best to mic a snare. Above or below, and why? (I'm using an sm-57.)

Thanks!

ps. does anyone know how to eliminate the sound of the snare vibration being picked up by other mics when the next closest tom is hit?

 

[J-Mac]

Hey Moonlight,

If you are using only one mic then you would usually mic the top. It is nice to use 2 mics and mix the two sounds together both top and bottom. I like to use a condeser on the top with some compression and a dynamic on the bottom, personal preference.

You should use a gate on your snare mic(s) to remove the snares when hitting your toms. I though find that, for me, the true sound of the drums has that snare artifact and if you were to listen to the drums in your recording room, you will hear it. Therefore, to me, it would sould unnatural without the snares. But again, personal preference.

 

[Tom Hicks]

Lots of ways to skin that cat but here is some conventional wisdom.Position the 57's capsule about an inch in from the rim,just above it and angled in about 45 degrees.Roll off the low end at the mixer (subtractive EQ now will save your ass later).

Tom

 

[ametth]

Try pointing the mic at the shell, you may be suprised.

 

[James HE]

yeah I'm with ametth. I like the sound of micing the side of the snare. Seems like you either get the best or the worst of the snare's sound that way- and sometimes the "worst" is what you're after! he he. Usually it's on top though, but I seem to like it either just inside the rim like a few cm. or off the rim completly, offthe rim you can get some intresting sounds.

IF you work on a DAW, instead of gating the snare, you can go in and edit out (or turn down) the rattling of the snares when the kick or toms are hit. This takes a litte time, but it's the best way in my opinion. Another good option is to run a side chain to the gate. Use a litte piezo mic taped to the top head of the snare, plug that into the side chain... with even the slightest tap on the top head, the gate opens up. the gate is blind to the rattling of the snares.

-jhe

 

[mikeh]

I have nothing to add on the subject of mic placement, but the issue of snare rattle is near and dear to my heart. These are a few options I've learned over the years. Normally I find a combination of 1 & 2 will decrease the snare rattle significantly.

1. Detune the lugs on each side of the snare basket (total of 4 lugs). This is easy and often works. You may have to tighten the other lugs to compensate.

2. Adjust the tuning of the tom - the snare rattle is caused by sympathetic tone vibration because the tom is in the general frequency range as the snare - if you can get the tom out of that range (without a compromise of the sound of the kit) it can reduce the rattle.

3. Place a small amount of tissue (or other thin material) between the snare and the bottom head. May work - may compromise snare sound

4. Hang a towel (or some dense fabric) between the tom shell and the snare shell (to absorb the tone vibration)

 

[vox]

I like the sound of an sm57 on the top about 1" in from the rim angled down abou 20-30 degrees and about 1"-3" above the head. If you are using a bottom mic remember to flip the phase or rewire a cable. I also like the sound of micing the shell and mixing it with the top and bottom mics.

I agree, tuning is the best way to get rid of the rattle.