You boxy snaredrum, you...

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SlowerHand

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I'm not a drummer, I'm mainly a guitarist in two bands. That said, I'm the only one who knows a tiny bit about recording drums. Also, I'm the one with the gear: a pair of Behringer C2 overheads, a Samson QSnare and some random AKG vocal mic which I got from a friend, used as overheads, snare mic and kick mic, respectively. Despite the gag reflex that might be caused by hearing about all this cheapo stuff, it actually sounds kinda decent!

Anyway, I have a problem with my sound. I'm in a not-so-great room, and treatment is not an option (kids living with their parents will know what I'm talking about... :rolleyes:). It's not that bad though. I started with my mics in the Glyn Johns position and got a pretty decent sound, but because it's a small room and I still wanted more stereo spread, I kind of modified it: the top mic is at the same two-drumsticks-above-the-snare hight, but I moved it closer to the hi-hat and crash on my left, and both overheads (still at equal distances from the snare, and they hardly pick up and bass drum) are pointed more to the rack tom. This way they pick up less snare and kick, more of the cymbals and toms. Anyway, with only little EQ I got the overheads and bass drum to sound like want them to, but snare is still too boxy. I want a nice and cracking snare.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for removing that boxiness from the sound of my snare mic, keeping in mind the following limitations: not a lot of experience concerning drums, hardly any money, and no permanent treatment to the room.

I'm impossible, I know.

http://www.myspace.com/begforless <-- Check 'wave nine (work in progress)' to hear what it sounds like now. MySpace's crappy MP3 compression seems to make things even worse, but hey, at least you'll know what I'm talking (writing? No, wait. Typing?) about. Oh and by the way, this is me on drums, so that makes it even crappier...
 
Lol. The intro sounds like "Eye of the Tiger" :D

Are you using close mics at all?

It sounds to me like you just need to tune the snare better/tighter. It doesn't sound bad, just tuned kind of low.

If you're close miking the snare, get the mic capsule up and off the head. Too much top head will make it sound donky. Try backing it away from the rim a little to get some shell and snare buzz.
 
If you can get a hold of another mic, place one underneath the snare. You already have the body of the snare with the first mic. With one under the snare you'll get some good snap. Make sure to reverse the phase on your mixer.
 
You said that you tried to get less snare in your OH's thats where the beautiful snare sound comes from aim for more snare in your OH's then reinforce that with the close mic.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Muyuguki, I actually thought about that one for a bit. Then I realized I didn't have enough inputs for that. :o

Snellular, it's a small room so there's still plenty of the snare in the overheads. Just not as much, so that takes away the boxiness. It really sounds great.

And finally, monsieur Le Bloodshit, thank you for the advice. I thought 'close micing' meant I actually had to put it close to drum. Also, tuning it worked like a charm. You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Even in the case of snaredrum sounds.

Again, thanks everyone!
 
yeah the snare drum didn't sound bad in the first place.
 
OMG!!! I simply cannot believe this thread!:p:D

The snare sounds boxy BECAUSE you're trying to avoid the snare with the overheads! You're picking up the snare in the room reflections instead of getting it right over the head. Most great engineers with tell you "that snare sound" comes from the overheads! Also, put something reflective like plywood below the snare to catch the bottom head.
 
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