Are you looking for a good microphone to record snare drums in your (home) studio?
Perfect, you are in the right place 🙂
There are many microphones suitable for drums, but when recording a snare, it is important to choose an appropriate microphone to achieve a sound with sufficient punch and definition.
If you want to get straight to the point, the reference is the Shure SM57. I will talk more about it in detail below, but it is truly THE essential microphone for snare drums.
That said, it is not the only one. Often, you will need a mic with a different character, more natural, less aggressive, or a second mic that you will place under your snare to capture the tone of the timbre.
But navigating through all the existing models is not always easy…
Hence this list, which is actually a compilation of microphones that I believe are among the best for recording snare drums.
As you will notice:
- they are mainly dynamic microphones, more robust, and can withstand a misplaced stick hit without any problem;
- and they are classified by price, so you can easily select those that fit your budget.
1. Shure SM57
Brand: Shure
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
If you are looking for your first microphone for snare drums, look no further: get an SM57.
Beyond the very attractive price, it is probably the most used mic in the last forty years for recording this instrument. You can hear it on thousands of albums — literally!
Unbreakable, the Shure SM57 (not to be confused with the SM58) has a characteristic sound that makes it ideal for snare drums, as it highlights aggression, punch, and crack. While it may not be the most natural microphone, it will still give you a snare that cuts through the mix remarkably well.
A true gem!
2. Audix i5
Brand: Audix
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
The i5 from the American brand Audix is an excellent alternative to the SM57.
If you look at its frequency spectrum, you’ll notice that it has a bit of a “smile” shape, meaning it will offer a sound:
- with a lot of body in the lows
- punchy in the highs
- scooped in the mids
Of course, this may not suit all styles due to this pronounced character, but its ability to bring out the crack of the snare drum will be very appreciated: you will not need much EQ to make the instrument stand out in the mix!
Finally, it should be noted that, due to its cardioid polar pattern, it will be less susceptible to bleed from other elements of the drum kit.
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass – Amazon
3. sE Electronics V7 X
Brand: sE Electronics
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
Probably the least known on this list.
However, the V7 X from sE Electronics performs really well on snare drums.
It indeed offers a lot of depth and has a really balanced frequency response in the highs (between 1000 and 15000 Hz), giving it a very natural sound.
Completely affordable, you will likely find a more modern texture than the SM57, although they do share some common points.
► See the current price at: Thomann – Amazon
4. Heil Sound PR 20
Brand: Heil Sound
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Capable of being used on many sound sources, the PR 20 from Heil Sound stands out with a modern, precise, and punchy sound.
Very solid, it will work very well for current rock tracks: the body of the snare drum is reproduced in its entirety, and the marked opening in the highs up to 10 kHz will help your recordings find their place during mixing.
All of this, hand-assembled and tested in the USA, in Illinois. 🙂
► See the current price at: Thomann – Amazon
5. Shure Beta 57A
Brand: Shure
Type: Dynamic
Directionality: Supercardioid
Less commonly used than the SM57, the Beta 57A from Shure offers a sound that could be described as less natural.
At the same time, it will bring out more details in the high mids and will generally be more open in the highs, thanks to two peaks in the frequency response around 5 and 10 kHz.
In addition, it provides a clear reproduction of the snare drum attack, although it does not add as much character as an SM57.
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass – Amazon
6. Beyerdynamic M201TG
Brand: Beyerdynamic
Type: Dynamic
Directionality: Hypercardioid
Very often used to record electric guitars, the M201TG from Beyerdynamic is also very effective on snare drums.
Its only weakness is its directionality: since it is hypercardioid, it will pick up a bit more surrounding sounds, which will increase bleed phenomena.
Otherwise, it is a high-quality microphone: the body of the snare is well represented in the lows, and the attack is well reproduced. In terms of frequency spectrum, the M201TG is quite balanced, with a slight opening in the highs up to about 15 kHz.
To be tested particularly as a “bottom mic”, underneath the snare drum.
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass – Amazon
7. Shure SM81
Brand: Shure
Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
With the SM81, we are stepping into a noticeably different price range.
This time, it is a condenser microphone, which is less commonly used than those mentioned above because it is more fragile.
So why do I recommend it?
Well, instead of placing it above the snare drum and risking it getting hit, the SM81 is very nice when placed underneath. It then captures the sound of the instrument’s timbre.
In particular, when paired with an SM57 placed above, the SM81 will naturally capture the highs that the SM57 may not reproduce well.
A high-end microphone, very famous and equipped with a low-cut filter and a -10dB pad, both very useful for sound recording.
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass – Amazon
8. Telefunken M80
Brand: Telefunken
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
Primarily designed for vocals, the M80 from the famous German brand Telefunken will be an excellent choice if you are looking for a somewhat modern sound, like Green Day (as heard on the album 21st Century Breakdown, for example).
Compared to the SM57, it has a bit more attack and especially precise highs that are clearer and more detailed. The lows are also a bit more precise and well represented.
A very good choice for rock/hard rock!
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass – Amazon
9. Sennheiser MD421
Brand: Sennheiser
Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Finally, the MD421 is for me THE high-end microphone for snare drums.
It indeed has a high-quality sound, detailed, and the body of the snare drum will sound full, with all the necessary punch.
In the highs, it will render the snap of the instrument well, allowing it to cut through the mix easily.
Very sturdy, it will also be interesting as a “bottom mic”, under the snare drum, if it sounds a bit weak.
Finally, the integrated 5-position low-cut filter will allow for many different placements, more or less close to the snare drum.
A quality microphone!
► See the current price at: Thomann – Woodbrass
To go further
The microphones presented above will undoubtedly satisfy you for your snare drum recordings, whether you choose the classic Shure SM57 or opt for something a little less famous.
► To go further, visit my complete guide to microphones for drums.