Best shotgun mic above a snare?

[atari800]

All-

I love the snare sound I get through the overheads but can't go too far with processing given all the brass going on. Really interested in trying a shotgun above the snare to see what kind of isolation that might give me, while potentially preserving the full-bodied sound of a somewhat distantly-miked snare. Any thoughts as to which shotguns offer the best rejection for something like this? How about off-axis bleed coloration?

Thanks!

[Jim vanBergen]

One of the best shotgun mics, and one I've seen used specifically for this, is the Sennheiser 416.

If you are looking for something really small and a lot cheaper, the AKG 747 is a short shotgun electret condenser that does a good job.

I'm curious why you want a "distant" sound, instead of a close-up sound further back in the mix... care to enlighten me? Interesting idea.

[atari800]

Thanks for the speedy response. The snare through the overheads sounds more full-bodied and realistic to me than it does through the close mic, regardless of where it's ultimately placed in the mix. And I say this as someone who has gotten many great sounds from close mics. While there will certainly be times when nothing but a modern, processed, multi-mic setup will do, it would be cool to have a little more control over the classic overheads + kick scenario with a mic that can pull out the natural sound of the snare in the room without too much brass interference.

I've heard that the 416 is a standard in film sound. Will see if I can pick one up for rental.

In your experience is there an appreciable difference in off axis rejection among shotguns, or is it more about spectral differences?

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by atari800

In your experience is there an appreciable difference in off axis rejection among shotguns, or is it more about spectral differences?

Yes, and how deft an observance that is on your behalf! When being used for interiors, I find the major differences are in spectral (frequency) response, slew rate, and rear axis rejection from the primary reflections (usually the ceiling).

I think renting is a very smart approach.

JvB

[huub]

The new dpa shotgun sounds better off axis than the 416 imho

[Remoteness]

I use (M160s) hyper-cardioid ribbon mics to all that.
They capture the snare exactly how I like it.
I get my entire drum sound by using two M160s.
The other mics are they for fill or to add a bit more detail when needed.

[atari800]

Funny, those are my overheads now -- love the snare sound.

[Remoteness]

Yup, I've been using those mics (for Drum O/Hs) for decades.

Originally Posted by atari800

Funny, those are my overheads now -- love the snare sound.