Best Sounding Snare Sound EVER

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TV Lenny
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Best Sounding Snare Sound EVER

Post by TV Lenny » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:36 am

So I'm tracking this band and need help with the snare sound. I am currently using (2) SM57's on top, Beta 52 & AT4060 on bottom, (2) Beyer Ribbons as room mics (for snare only not for entire kit) and also backing it up with several canned snare sounds. I need more beef. I'm going to 2" tape, cassette tape (for more of that beefy goodness), and digital via Behringer Ultra Pro ADDA MKII Studio Voodoo Box.

The drummers complaining that he can't hear enough of the drums, especially snare. I'm compressing all of the mics at about a 23.5:1 ratio for that big open in your face sound. The Behringer box has the PHAT 1130 OpAmp based compressor which sounds better than any 1176LN I've ever heard.

My question is should I be using more mics? All my preamps are top of the line T1953 Ultra Gain pres so I'm cover there. Should I use maybe an M/S room setup too? Or hang a few omni's around? I've heard filling the snare with sand can improve subtle reflections.

thanks in advance.
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lobstman
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Post by lobstman » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:48 am

Forget all that crap and use Drumagog, duh.
Steve Albini used to like it

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the finger genius
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Post by the finger genius » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:48 am

Dude, April 1st is a long ways away.
vvv wrote:
That said, what I'm gettin' at is, perfectionism is for the truly defective.

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TV Lenny
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Post by TV Lenny » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:29 am

not based on what I've been reading here lately.
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blackdiscoball
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Post by blackdiscoball » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:31 am

Just triple track the snare and then reamp that through a marshall full stack. It has to be a full stack or it won't work. Then Mic each individual speaker with a different mic. Through a room mic up too. That should do it...wait we still have a couple tracks left on the tape machine? Better throw up more room mics.
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Brett Siler
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Post by Brett Siler » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:31 am

yeah..like.. people who don't know how to mic drums are like stupid and shit... :roll:

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suppositron
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Post by suppositron » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:51 am

Wow. I thought I was going to read something usefull in this thread.

MoreSpaceEcho
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Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:54 am

humor is useful.

GooberNumber9
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Re: Best Sounding Snare Sound EVER

Post by GooberNumber9 » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:05 am

TV Lenny wrote:I'm compressing all of the mics at about a 23.5:1 ratio for that big open in your face sound.
I think I see your problem. I remember reading a Steve Albini interview where he said that most people think 23.5:1 is the correct ratio for drums, but it's actually 25.3:1. I tried that the next day and I was totally blown away by the huge improvement in my drum sound.

Also, you should try putting up some room treatment.

MoreSpaceEcho
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Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:10 am

yes, room treatment. fill the entire room with sand.

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suppositron
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Post by suppositron » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:13 am

I think I see your problem. I remember reading a Steve Albini interview where he said that most people think 23.5:1 is the correct ratio for drums, but it's actually 25.3:1. I tried that the next day and I was totally blown away by the huge improvement in my drum sound.
hahahahaha! that's hilarious.

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blackdiscoball
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Post by blackdiscoball » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:15 am

yes, room treatment. fill the entire room with sand.
I had to laugh out loud on this one. I just imagine a room totally full of sand and a little straw sticking out the sand so the drummer can breath!
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the finger genius
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Post by the finger genius » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:17 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote:yes, room treatment. fill the entire room with sand.
Screw that. Just record outside.
vvv wrote:
That said, what I'm gettin' at is, perfectionism is for the truly defective.

You may quote me.
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GooberNumber9
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Post by GooberNumber9 » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:22 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote:yes, room treatment. fill the entire room with sand.
Don't bother wth that $50/bag Monster sand, either. You can easily make your own sand. Just get a 10 lb sledge hammer at BLowes and find some rocks. If you get the drummer to help you then you'll have tons of sand before you know it, for virtually nothing. If you UTFSF you'll find more sand-making articles in the DIY forum.

dsw
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Post by dsw » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:27 am

Room treatment only works if the room WANTS to be treated, recognizes the problem and seeks out professional help. Sometimes an intervention can help though.
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musicians are fuckers, but even worse are people who like musicians, they're total fuckers.

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