Hey, Matt!

I've tried both ways in the past. Currently, I mic my old marching snare ( my main snare) from the bottom. I just like the sound better. Personal preference. In the heat of things, I know that I'll not knock the mic and mount off if I happen to get a bit "frenzied". Whatever you choose, my friend, I know you'll be fantastic!

Brian

Assuming you have a dynamic mic (sm-57 or similar) ...

Miking the top will give you a sound closer to the actual sound of the drum ... more pop which sounds like what you'll need to compete ... and will pick up your hi hat too (for better or worse).

Miking the bottom will give you more sound of the snares and a thinner drum sound ... even if it picks up some bass it won't be a good bass tone (off axis and thru the shell not the head).

With one mike I'd go top ... I never mic the bottom without the top too (but that doesn't mean someone else can't make it sound good ... just not for me).

One mic: top head.

Two mics: top and bottom. Make sure the bottom one is out of phase in this case too.

With any arrangement, avoid 'catching' the bass and/or high hat. Use a couple (or even one) overhead, and one in the bass. I have used bass, snare and two overheads and gotten a pretty good sound.

If you use two overheads, I place them with the diaphragms almost touching, at 90 degrees apart about over my head in the seated position. I find this way the overheads sound more-or-less the same as the kit sounds to me from behind it. Adjust levels so you don't end up drowning out anything due to a 'hot' signal from something.

Unless all your other drums are especially loud, I would plan on miking with the minimal of three mics (over, bass snare). Rent if you have to, but ONLY miking the snare will not give a good mix...

If I use one mic it is on the kick drum. My vocal mic picks up some snare bleed.

If you use two mics they should be snare top and kick. I position my snare mic (sm57) on top pointing across the top of my snare drum from under my hi hats towards the center of the snare. In most cases I have a snare, kick, and two overhead condenser mics. Sometimes one overhead with the kick and snare.

You should run the mics through the sound system. If you have the available channels. If you don't have a sound guy and it is a situation where the mixer is run by a band member on or by the stage, and you don't have a lot of experience in sound eq. Just start off with the settings flat. That means no eq on your mic channels. Like the knobs on the eq usually straight up in the middle. Then adjust from there. If it starts sounding bad, weird or something just revert back to detente eq. Flat. It may not be the best but it won't be as bad as to much highs or lows. Good luck, I am sure you will be fine. Here are a couple pics of different mic set ups I have used. I have even used two overheads and a kick mic for jazz.

Good post Vibes- you added the details mine was lacking...:)

Surely you jest.I am a drummer,ie subhuman just higher in the pecking order than a toaster.I am bringing my little amp and a mic.I just hope I can to use some of the 110v. hahaha..The last "good" gig the smart boys forgot their mic's so they took the ones that were for the drums.Then the guy running the PA got in a fight with your piano guy and had fun twisting knobs before we played.It took 3 songs before it got straightened out.What no sound check? Sure everything was ok until we started playing .We bring our on PA but I am not taking any chances.I just want my snare and bass to be heard above the din... Joking aside thats for the great tips. I will take advantage of them at a later date. V

Well, unfortunately you won't hear the snare and bass in the same mic effectively. You need at least two mics to do that- the eq curve is totally different (as is the mic type due to frequencies and dynamic levels) so you will not be able to place, or eq the sound to make it sound at all pleasant- in other words, it might actually be better to not be heard...

After the gig (or perhaps during) when the boys indicate they can't hear you, perhaps then they will get the clue they need to tun the f' down! (but probably not)

Wear your ear plugs, and do your thing. If you can't mic at least to a minimum level (which we covered) don't bother at all.

band3

I play over carpet and found some of the snare got lost cause of it,

Now I place my snare & stand over a pizza pan (I cut out the area where the SS's feet are) and I think it helps project the sound (instead of sending it to the carpet).

Here come the jokes........

G

> Here come the jokes........

"Mic up the snare," and "I play over carpet," man, you didn't leave us much room for jokes, you already grabbed all the good ones! lol

The old IPPSR solution eh? ... "Italian Pizza Pan Sound Reflector," yeah, I've heard of that before. You can use the crust like a Moongel on the batter sides, the sauce to lube the pedals, the cheese goes in the bass drum and you know where to put the pepperoni, right?

Great story! Ingenious, creative solution!

John