Snare Drum with Jeff Sandstrom
Achieving the perfect snare drum sound can be a complex process. It is a crucial element in a drum kit’s sound. Jeff walks through the use of dual microphones, extensive processing, and creative use of reverb. This is to sculpt a proper snare sound that is both biting and full-bodied. This approach balances technical precision with some artistic flair.
Key Points:
- Two mics are used to capture the snare drum’s sound, a snare top mic and a snare bottom mic. They focus on both the drum’s body and the snares themselves.
- The first microphone is processed using an SSL channel strip with EQ, gating, and compression. This enhances the bite and attack of the drum.
- Gating is adjusted to reduce the bleed from other drum kit elements.
- EQ adjustments involve adding upper mids. It also involves cutting boxiness around 400 Hz. They may also involve reducing some bottom end.
- The bottom microphone is placed close to the snares. It is processed to emphasize the snares' barkiness. A high-pass filter and gating are used to focus on the brightness and clarity of the snares.
- Parametric EQ is used to boost the desired snare sound and cut mids for clarity.
- Two different reverbs are applied for versatility. A shorter, brighter reverb is used for up-tempo songs, and a longer reverb adds depth and resonance.
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