snare mic upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter Falopo
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Falopo

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hi, ive been using an sm-57 for snare, and im starting to want something better. I use sample snare on most snare tracks via drumagog, but i also want to be able to get a real good natural snare sound.

the sm 57 doesnt seem to be bright enough and clear enough. andy suggestions?
 
I used to use a Sennheiser MD421, but I really enjoy the M201.

Matter-of-fact, I did a "shoot-out" a few weeks ago between an SM57, M201, MD421, e609, and a Rode NT2, and my favorite was the M201. If you guys like, I'll post the clips.

But yeah, the M201, you can't go wrong.

- Jarick

www.ignitionrocks.com
 
The M201 is one of the best snare mics, but a Sennheiser MD441 is great as well (and big). The secret lies in the hyper and super (441) cardioid pattern in combination with a very nice off axis response.

The MD421 is nice on snare too, but not very rejective, so don't use the 421 one a hat basher.

Another great snare mic seems to be the Sennheiser MD431, George Massenburg was using this mic sometimes as I remember from his forum.
 
Yareek: could you post those clips? I'm sure many people would find them helpful, including me.
 
yeah id like to hear some of those clips too... im in the market for some of those mics and itd be great to hear 'em.

thanks
 
I really want to get an M201 eventually. My C1000S was remarkably passable bearing in mind its abilities on everything else. My Sennheiser dynamics are good too - I end up using them most because they're so stout. I like my Shure 545 a lot but it's very old and worth more to me to use than to buy a new one.
 
so where can i go about finding one in the US. all the websites that i can find that have them are in other countries.
 
I was alternating between a Beyer 201 and an M-69. I tried one of the Groove Tubes GT-44 condensers on a snare once, just to see what it sounded like. It now has a permanent residence there. The snare tracks I get now are pretty damn near perfect. Not pretty good, decent, or even acceptable -- close to perfect (for me, and for what I want it to do).

With the hypercardiod cap, it does a good job rejecting the hat; what does get in is smooth. And what it does to the snare is truly satisfying. I've used it now on about 4 different drummers, and results have been consistant.
 
The ATM23 is another well kept secret for snare.

Using an M201 as the reference, the ATM23 compares as nearly identical. Both were a noticeable improvement over an SM57, especially for controlling bleed.

Yes, I would still opt for an M201 if I could score one for a deal. They hold a remarkable selling price on eBay... not worth paying close to new, for a used mic.

I have two ATM23, and have recently acquired an Audix D3, but have not had time to do a comparison.
 
I remember reading in a Tape-Op magazine that the Sony ECM50 is pretty sweet. I'm trying to get one off Ebay right now..

If I remember, I'll let you know how it is.
 
I'll try to get them up this weekend, got a ton of stuff on my plate, but it wouldn't take too long.

- Jarick
 
Snare drum mics

The best mic I have used is the Sennheiser MD 441 its very clear and cuts through, also rejecting the hi hat

other snare mics i have used and not liked include

SM 57
MD 421
Blue Baby Bottle
Akg 414
Akg C 451 e
GT-66

PS get your self a good pre amp my fav for snare is the Avalon 737 or the API 512
 
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