Comments on: Snare Drum Miking – forum digest http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/ Home recording and project studio blog Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:02:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mike http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-56664 Mike Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:03:11 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-56664 I don't know if anyone's interested but I'm starting to collect drum recording tips from some leading engineers and am putting the videos up so it can inspire creativity. One really cool one that I recorded yesterday covers a very unusual ambient drum mic technique used by New Zealand engineer Clint Murphy - http://www.recordproduction.com/clint-murphy-engineer.html - :) I don’t know if anyone’s interested but I’m starting to collect drum recording tips from some leading engineers and am putting the videos up so it can inspire creativity. One really cool one that I recorded yesterday covers a very unusual ambient drum mic technique used by New Zealand engineer Clint Murphy – http://www.recordproduction.com/clint-murphy-engineer.html – :)

]]> By: Jack http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-48631 Jack Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:57:18 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-48631 I have noticed that over the last few years and even more lately that snare drums are being played or mixed way too loud in many live/tv and even some recordings. I like to hear all of the parts of the music and i guess most other listeners do too. Is it that the drummers and or sound engineers are going deaf in that range or do the have the mistaken idea that people want to hear the snare over everything else. I am watch the 60's music program on PBS. The segments with recordings in the 60's sound much more balanced, but in most of the new videos the snare is way off.. too loud. I hope you will pass this along. I have noticed that over the last few years and even more lately that snare drums are being played or mixed way too loud in many live/tv and even some recordings. I like to hear all of the parts of the music and i guess most other listeners do too.
Is it that the drummers and or sound engineers are going deaf in that range or do the have the mistaken idea that people want to hear the snare over everything else.
I am watch the 60’s music program on PBS. The segments with recordings in the 60’s sound much more balanced, but in most of the new videos the snare is way off.. too loud.

I hope you will pass this along.

]]> By: Automata http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-41382 Automata Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:12:33 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-41382 I actually think that bleeding, snare and kick ringing are a good thing. I actually do not like drums where everything is very isolated. just listen to Neil Young, Chris Whitley and even led Zeppelin and you'll hear, lot of bleeding, ringing and even pedal noises. I think bleeding and ringing make a cohesive and realistic drum sound. It may not fit all styles, but that does not mean that the perfect drum sound has no ringing or bleeding... for me it is quite the opposite. I actually think that bleeding, snare and kick ringing are a good thing. I actually do not like drums where everything is very isolated. just listen to Neil Young, Chris Whitley and even led Zeppelin and you’ll hear, lot of bleeding, ringing and even pedal noises. I think bleeding and ringing make a cohesive and realistic drum sound. It may not fit all styles, but that does not mean that the perfect drum sound has no ringing or bleeding… for me it is quite the opposite.

]]> By: CHiTT http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-35953 CHiTT Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:03:34 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-35953 Good luck trying to tell a drummer to change his/her technique. They're the most stubborn breed of musician. Excellent tips though, and if all else fails, Jedi mind tricks or Drumagog... Good luck trying to tell a drummer to change his/her technique. They’re the most stubborn breed of musician. Excellent tips though, and if all else fails, Jedi mind tricks or Drumagog…

]]> By: Bryan Tewell http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-32649 Bryan Tewell Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:31:05 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-32649 #1, I have quieter cymbals. They sound great in the studio. They explode quickly but their volume has a limit. they're called dream cymbals, they're really cheap, and sound amazing! you can get them at www.frontrangebronze.com #2. The cymbals i've found that bleed most into the snare drum mic are the hi-hats obviously, they're usually the closest. If the drummer can still play like this, consider moving the hi hats up and to the left away from the snare drum a little. Point the microphones directionality facing away from the hi-hat. I've done this with GREAT results. It doesnt take a lot either. We literally moved the hi-hats a total of maybe 1 1/2 inches each direction and it cut the hi-hat bleed IN HALF! I also have terry cloth wristbands wrapped around my sm57 (I think 6 wristbands) and placed just behind the head of the microphone (so I dont cover up the side vents) that help a little too. Experimentation is key. Find out what works best for you and go with it. (p.s. there are pictures of my special sm57 on my myspace that is linked to my name for this post) #3. Evans Genera Dry snare drum heads take care of all ringing issues. They kind of do have a limited sound, but that sound is good so if you dont have too much time to experiment, stick one of those heads on and tune it however you want to. #1, I have quieter cymbals. They sound great in the studio. They explode quickly but their volume has a limit. they’re called dream cymbals, they’re really cheap, and sound amazing! you can get them at http://www.frontrangebronze.com

#2. The cymbals i’ve found that bleed most into the snare drum mic are the hi-hats obviously, they’re usually the closest. If the drummer can still play like this, consider moving the hi hats up and to the left away from the snare drum a little. Point the microphones directionality facing away from the hi-hat. I’ve done this with GREAT results. It doesnt take a lot either. We literally moved the hi-hats a total of maybe 1 1/2 inches each direction and it cut the hi-hat bleed IN HALF! I also have terry cloth wristbands wrapped around my sm57 (I think 6 wristbands) and placed just behind the head of the microphone (so I dont cover up the side vents) that help a little too. Experimentation is key. Find out what works best for you and go with it.

(p.s. there are pictures of my special sm57 on my myspace that is linked to my name for this post)

#3. Evans Genera Dry snare drum heads take care of all ringing issues. They kind of do have a limited sound, but that sound is good so if you dont have too much time to experiment, stick one of those heads on and tune it however you want to.

]]> By: Sandra http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-30269 Sandra Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:42:28 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-30269 Check out Phil Robertson, #1 on Google under 'studio drummer'. He's been doing tracks for me and they're fantastic. Pro audio all the way, right mic's, treated room, class A preamps etc. Sometimes it's best to hand this stuff to a pro and let him handle it. He's awesome at taking my direction as well.. couldn't be happier. Check out Phil Robertson, #1 on Google under ’studio drummer’.
He’s been doing tracks for me and they’re fantastic. Pro audio all the way, right mic’s, treated room, class A preamps etc.
Sometimes it’s best to hand this stuff to a pro and let him handle it.
He’s awesome at taking my direction as well.. couldn’t be happier.

]]> By: des http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-24507 des Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:25:32 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-24507 > <em>I think most of it is common sense </em> :-) > <em>why don’t they just make quieter cymbals in the physical world?</em> Some of the cymbal manufacturers produce studio-specific cymbals that are a lot quieter. (e.g. Sabian AAX "studio crashes".) But I think so many drummers have volume issues because a) they're used to playing live, where loud cymbals are much less of an issue, and b) they're playing with stage cymbals, which are a lot thicker. > I think most of it is common sense

:-)

> why don’t they just make quieter cymbals in the physical world?

Some of the cymbal manufacturers produce studio-specific cymbals that are a lot quieter. (e.g. Sabian AAX “studio crashes”.) But I think so many drummers have volume issues because a) they’re used to playing live, where loud cymbals are much less of an issue, and b) they’re playing with stage cymbals, which are a lot thicker.

]]> By: Keith Handy http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-24476 Keith Handy Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:47:28 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-24476 On that very last bit about playing the cymbals, I've read that before in other places, and I've been wondering -- why don't they just make quieter cymbals in the physical world? It seems like it would be easy to deliberately go against some principle of physics/acoustics to construct something a little less "efficient", where you'd have to hit it a little harder to get the same volume. Maybe because it wouldn't sell well, because the drummer would feel like he's spending too much money for too little sound? On that very last bit about playing the cymbals, I’ve read that before in other places, and I’ve been wondering — why don’t they just make quieter cymbals in the physical world? It seems like it would be easy to deliberately go against some principle of physics/acoustics to construct something a little less “efficient”, where you’d have to hit it a little harder to get the same volume.

Maybe because it wouldn’t sell well, because the drummer would feel like he’s spending too much money for too little sound?

]]> By: Malachi http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/comment-page-1/#comment-24462 Malachi Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:47:08 +0000 http://www.hometracked.com/2007/11/12/snare-drum-mic-fd/#comment-24462 Excellent! You addressed it all: That bloody ringing (mostly from metal shells), room ambiance, technique, effects. I think most of it is common sense and a lot of us (musicians <i>and</i> engineers) just need a refresher every once in a while. Thanks. Excellent! You addressed it all: That bloody ringing (mostly from metal shells), room ambiance, technique, effects. I think most of it is common sense and a lot of us (musicians and engineers) just need a refresher every once in a while.
Thanks.

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