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Is it better to place the microphone on the top or under the snare? I usually place it under but I had an argument about with the band mates last night...I think ideally it should be one on top another on the bottom but we lack enough mickes and tracks to do that.....

Depends entirely on what you want it to sound like. Sounds like an obvious answer but that is the correct answer.

Mostly, on top. You want detail on the 'snare' of the snare, and stick one underneath (if they are equidistant (or close to it) to the skins, invert the phase of one of them)

There's more I could say but I have to go to work now. Post what snare sounds like you (specific songs/albums work), and I can detail it a bit more.

cool thanks for the help...I guess I need to think about it a bit more...

Stick on some CDs you like, listen entirely to the snare. Think about how it works in the context of the song, if youre drawn to it, if it just sits underneath. That sort of thing. Mostly, think about what you want your snare to do, how you want it to sit in your mix and how you want it to sound.

Get that sort of thing in your head as a guideline and your recordings will improve no end. And I can offer specific advice for getting the right sond.

I was thinking maybe those Glam era Bowie, Spiders from Mars, snare sound...kind dry sounding...

If you've just got one mic I'd put it on top or off to the side (sometimes adjacent to an airhole on the shell can sound cool). On the bottom it's likely to come out too "sizzly"; though you can try it out when you're setting up and see how it sounds. Best thing is just to move the mic around some while listening to what it's picking up and leave it where it sounds best. Also pay attention to how it's picking up the hi-hat; as that can be difficult to fix later if there's too much bleeding in.

I'll give that I try too...thanks

Truthfully it's all on you.

I would say both you and the band are arguing pointlessly. Most people put it on the top. If I had my way, I'd have 2 mics on each piece of the drum, except the cymbals, maybe. Maybe. But, you should get a mic on each side, do a mock recording, and ask the band what they like better...


Edited: I jus realized how ridiculously old this thread is.

I mic top and bottom and flip the phase on the bottom mic.

top n bottom gives me the best ive found if you have the traCks to spare.

suede wrote:Is it better to place the microphone on the top or under the snare? I usually place it under but I had an argument about with the band mates last night...I think ideally it should be one on top another on the bottom but we lack enough mickes and tracks to do that.....

I like top only.. although people prefer the latter or both
(flip phase on one and mix two signals).. bottom snare is boxier
and less snappy imo.

I like to mic the top, then mult out of the patchbay
to another track where I add AMS REVERB from the 80's
then insert a gate (only has initial attack of drum) then it sounds like pop!
Then compress the SH*T out of it, and mix/blend with original dry sound..
you can achieve the sickest snare sounds that way.