Topic: What's a good compact snare microphone?

[Bill Bachman]

I have an sm-57 on my snare which is great, but I'm interested in getting something that will take less space so I can bring the drums in a little more compact around it.

"They" make an sm-57 with a cuustom 90 degree bend in the middle, so that would do the trick. I've also seen the beta 56 which would be more compact. There's always a side address mic like the Audio Technica 450 condenser...

What do you guys think? What's the best and most price effective option?

[Chris Whitten]

I've read good things about the Audix i5.
It's only slighter smaller than the 57 however.
The AKG D19 is smaller than a 57, but because it was a go to mic for The Beatles, prices are getting up there.
A lot of producers use the very compact Neumann KM84, but it performs best at medium to low volume snare play and is one expensive mic.
Great snare mics; 57, 84, i5, D19 and Josephson e22s.
All in all though, I wouldn't sacrifice sound for perfect ergonomics.

[Donald Mcnany (boomerweps)]

The advantage of the Audix i5 over the SM57 is that the i5 has a solid cutout slotted metal head, it's about the same size overall. Much sturdier and harder to damage than the plastic capped SM57.  I currently use i5s on my toms. My preferred snare mic is the Beta56. It mounts well close in on a shorty stand and with the XLR connection on the supporting pivot, the straight XLR runs along the boom vice sticking up in the air taking up a lot of space. Yes, I highly recommend right angle XLRs on all the drum mic cables otherwise. The head section of the Beta56 is about half the length of the SM57 so that saves a LOT of space around the snare and hihats.

Boomerweps

[Larry Rankine]

How do you guys feel about the Sennheiser drum mics?

[Jon E]

I have the Sennheiser e604 mics on my toms and love them, but bet they would work well on a SD too.

[Bill Bachman]

Good feedback, thanks. I'm going to stay on the lookout for a cheap used beta 56 I think.

[Chris Whitten]

IMHO the Sennheiser e mics are great for live use, but I wouldn't record with them, well not ideally anyway.

[Bob Pettit (bongo)]

I use to use my Beta 56 on snare, it sounds like a Shure SM57. I'd use a short stand and it does fit in tight.

In recent years I use 4 Shure Beta 98Ds, mini condenser mics, very small and clip on the rims. If I'm outdoors or in a big room I use them on toms, hi-hat and snare drum, with a Beta 52 on the bass drum and two SM81s over head. I think this has a great live sound, no complaints on the 98 on snare.

On my primitive kit I  use the Beta 98s for cowbell and congas, the Beta 56 on woodblock, the Beta 52 on djun djun, and the SM81 for overheads. Thats what I used while working with Jan Michael Looking Wolf.

Often though at festivals with a number of bands you end up using what ever the sound company has.



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[Bob Dias]

I use an audix D-1.  Great live.  I'm very partial to the entire Audix D-series. Bob

[Jeff Bankston]

AKG C747. i had one years ago.