snare mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter ez_willis
  • Start date Start date
Beta 57 for hard sticks, or AKG 535EB for brushes and softer sticks.
 
SM57 Top, old Toshiba condenser bottom.

The Toshiba's (I have 3) are not cheap rubbish they are very old early 80's very well made condensers that I can't find out anything about them anywhere mics. really any small diaphragm condenser will do the job.

I also have a SM57 with the transformer removed that has less volume (not a problem with snare) but sounds different to a standard SM57 somehow, that gets used sometimes.

The bottom mic must be reverse phased to the top mic. I also, depending on the required sound, sometimes gate the bottom mic but trigger the gate from the top mic so that the bottom is only ever open when the snare is hit.

Remember always, most of the Drum sound is from the overhead mics.

Cheers
Alan.
 
The cool people use an M201, although I bet a 635a would be cool too :cool:

Of course, the coolest people use a 520DX, but we don't like to share our secrets :cool: :cool:
 
Getting good results with a PG56 currently. Pretty similar to a 57. One of my favorites on snare is a MXL 991. I keep meaning to pick one up they are cheap as hell on ebay.
 
I've used as SM57 but never really liked it very much. I have an EV PL11 that I like way better on snare. You see them cheap on eBay, mine was a freebie.

The only mic I ever heard that actually sounds correct is a Neumann KM84. They sound absolutely perfect on snare. Sounds expensive. I've never heard another mic that sounds as right on snare.

But you don't really need a great mic for snare if your overheads capture the snare's hi end. You just need a mic to pick up the mids and many el cheapo dynamics will do that. I always use a compressor on my snare mic to give it that "crack" sound you get with a compressor.
 
I picked up a sennhieser K3-U used at a music store for $20. (they didn't know what it was for there was no markings on it unless you looked inside the battery compartment to see the make and model) and it's the best thing I've found for snare bottom unless I use a Shure ksm 137 or such.



:cool:
 
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