Best Snare Mics For Drum Recording 2023

You can only truly understand a snare’s true potential through the right microphone, and there are a variety of options to choose from if you want to record your snare drums at home. From ribbon mics to condensers, here we’ve rounded up the best snare mics for home drum recording.

Read on to find the best snare mics for drum recording.

# Preview Product Price
1 Shure Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers, Conveniently Packaged Selection of Mics and Mounts with Options for Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Rack Toms, Floor Toms and Congas (DMK57-52) Shure Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers, Conveniently Packaged Selection of Mics and Mounts with Options for Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Rack Toms, Floor Toms and Congas (DMK57-52) $439.00
2 Shure PGA56-XLR Cardioid Swivel-Mount Dynamic Snare/Tom Microphone with AP56DM Drum Mount and 15' XLR-XLR Cable Shure PGA56-XLR Cardioid Swivel-Mount Dynamic Snare/Tom Microphone with AP56DM Drum Mount and 15′ XLR-XLR Cable $75.00
3 Drum Mircophone Clips Adjustable Mic Mount Snare Rim Clamp Holder, Black 2 Packs Drum Mircophone Clips Adjustable Mic Mount Snare Rim Clamp Holder, Black 2 Packs $13.90
4 Shure PG ALTA 5-Piece Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers - Includes Mics, Mounts and Cables with options for Kick Drum, Snare and Tom (PGADRUMKIT5) Shure PG ALTA 5-Piece Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers – Includes Mics, Mounts and Cables with options for Kick Drum, Snare and Tom (PGADRUMKIT5) $329.00
5 PYLE-PRO Pyle 7-Piece Wired Dynamic Kit-Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set-for Drums, Vocal, & Other Instrument-Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case-PDKM7 PYLE-PRO Pyle 7-Piece Wired Dynamic Kit-Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set-for Drums, Vocal, & Other Instrument-Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case-PDKM7 $149.99
6 Neewer 7 Piece Wired Dynamic Drum Mic Kit - Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set - for Drums, Vocal, Other Instrument - Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case(NW-7) Neewer 7 Piece Wired Dynamic Drum Mic Kit – Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set – for Drums, Vocal, Other Instrument – Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case(NW-7) $115.09
7 CAD Audio Stage7 7 Piece Drum Mic Pack - Includes Kick Mic, Snare Mic, 3 Tom Mics and 2 Overhead Condenser Mics CAD Audio Stage7 7 Piece Drum Mic Pack – Includes Kick Mic, Snare Mic, 3 Tom Mics and 2 Overhead Condenser Mics $249.99
8 DM-7: Complete Drum Microphone Set for Recording and Live Sound DM-7: Complete Drum Microphone Set for Recording and Live Sound $299.99
9 Cad Audio Stage7 Premium 7-Piece Drum Instrument Mic Pack with Vinyl Carrying Case + 7 On Stage Microphones Cables, 20 Feet Cad Audio Stage7 Premium 7-Piece Drum Instrument Mic Pack with Vinyl Carrying Case + 7 On Stage Microphones Cables, 20 Feet $248.99
10 Avantone Pro ADM Dynamic Snare Drum Microphone Avantone Pro ADM Dynamic Snare Drum Microphone $99.00

Table of Contents

Our Editor’s Best Snare Mics For Drum Recording Reviews


Shure Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers, Conveniently Packaged Selection of Mics and Mounts with Options for Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Rack Toms, Floor Toms and Congas (DMK57-52)

 Shure Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers, Conveniently Packaged Selection of Mics and Mounts with Options for Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Rack Toms, Floor Toms and Congas (DMK57-52)

Key Features:

  • The SM57 is a cardioid dynamic microphone that is often used for snare drum and tom recording. It is known for its exceptional impact and accurate reproduction of sound.

  • The Beta 52A is a snare mic that is perfect for kick drums. It has a supercardioid design that gives it a low-end punch and sonic presence. It comes with its own pneumatic shock mount and is designed with an integral locking stand mount for quick and easy set up.

  • The A56D is a versatile mic mount that can be used to position microphones in a variety of locations. It is designed with captive parts to prevent the loss of individual pieces, and it is small and secure. The A56D is a great tool for both stage and studio environments.

  • The Drum Mic Kit is a great value for the money and is perfect for the performing drummer. The kit includes top quality microphones and an affordable price, making it an exceptional value for the drummer.

  • The snare mics for drum recording are designed for kick drums, snare drums, and rack/floor toms. They offer a clear, articulate sound and are easy to set up and use.


Shure PGA56-XLR Cardioid Swivel-Mount Dynamic Snare/Tom Microphone with AP56DM Drum Mount and 15′ XLR-XLR Cable

 Shure PGA56-XLR Cardioid Swivel-Mount Dynamic Snare/Tom Microphone with AP56DM Drum Mount and 15' XLR-XLR Cable

Key Features:

  • The snare mic is designed to pick up the sound of the snare drum clearly. It has a tailored microphone cartridge that helps it reproduce the sound source accurately.

  • The snare mic has a swivel joint that allows you to position it quickly and easily. The design is similar to bicycle component-locking technology, so you can position it exactly where you want it.

  • Thesnare mic has a cardioid polar pattern, which means that it picks up audio from the source while rejecting unwanted noise. This makes it ideal for drum recording, as it ensures that only the sound of the drums is captured, without any background noise.

  • The snare mic has an updated industrial design with a black metallic finish and grille for an unobtrusive visual presence.

  • The snare mic comes with a drum mount so you can quickly attach it to the drum rim, without needing an additional mic stand.


Drum Mircophone Clips Adjustable Mic Mount Snare Rim Clamp Holder, Black 2 Packs

 Drum Mircophone Clips Adjustable Mic Mount Snare Rim Clamp Holder, Black 2 Packs

Key Features:

  • The Standard Drum Clamp HM25 is a versatile clamp that can be used for a variety of purposes, including drum wheat, erhu accompaniment organ, and microphone stand. It is made of durable materials and is easy to use, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable clamp.

  • These are drum mic clips made of high quality plastic. They are stable and durable. There are 2 pieces in each package.

  • The snare mic clip can attach to most drum rims and percussion instruments for easy microphone mounting.

  • The clamp is used to attach the microphone to the drum and is adjustable to fit a range of microphone sizes.

  • The snare mic can be adjusted to the desired height, and the fastener can be swivelled to get the optimal placement.


Shure PG ALTA 5-Piece Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers – Includes Mics, Mounts and Cables with options for Kick Drum, Snare and Tom (PGADRUMKIT5)

 Shure PG ALTA 5-Piece Drum Microphone Kit for Performing and Recording Drummers - Includes Mics, Mounts and Cables with options for Kick Drum, Snare and Tom (PGADRUMKIT5)

Key Features:

  • The PGA52 Cardioid Dynamic Kick Drum Microphone is a professional quality microphone designed for recording kick drums. It features a cardioid pickup pattern that helps to reduce bleed from other instruments, and a dynamic range that captures the full range of the kick drum sound.

  • The PGA56 is a professional quality cardioid dynamic microphone designed for snare and tom drum applications. It features a tight, focused pick-up pattern that minimizes bleed from other instruments, and a frequency response tailored for drums. The PGA56 comes with a clip and a carrying case.

  • The PGA57 is a cardioid dynamic instrument microphone that is great for recording drums. It has a frequency response of 50Hz-15kHz and a sensitivity of -54dBV/Pa.

  • The A25D is a break-resistant microphone clip that is great for drum recording. It is made of durable materials and is able to hold up to heavy use.

  • These are three break-resistant drum rim mounts that are great for recording drums. They allow you to position the microphone close to the drum for the best sound quality.


PYLE-PRO Pyle 7-Piece Wired Dynamic Kit-Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set-for Drums, Vocal, & Other Instrument-Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case-PDKM7

 PYLE-PRO Pyle 7-Piece Wired Dynamic Kit-Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set-for Drums, Vocal, & Other Instrument-Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case-PDKM7

Key Features:

  • The snare mics for drum recording are designed to capture a wide range of frequencies, from low end punch to sensitive, flat sound. The big drum microphone is designed for bass drums and low frequency instruments, the small drum mic is for tom and snare drums, and the overhead condenser mics are for cymbals, pianos, and vocals.

  • The Pyle Pro Compact & Versatile Instrumental Microphone Kit is designed for close recording of drums and other musical instruments. The microphones are compact and versatile, making them ideal for close recording.

  • The snare mics for drum recording are designed to be compatible with most microphone stands and drum mounts. They come with standard XLR connectors to allow compatibility with most audio instruments.

  • The snare mics for drum recording come with a convenient and lightweight carry case to protect your mini microphones and allow for quick setup and safe transport. The case includes a set of keys and briefcase-style locks to add safety to your audio accessories.

  • This is a drum mic kit that includes one big drum mic, four small drum mics, two condenser mics with holders, four thread clips and thread inserts, four clamps for snare/tom mics, and two wind screens for condenser mics.


Neewer 7 Piece Wired Dynamic Drum Mic Kit – Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set – for Drums, Vocal, Other Instrument – Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case(NW-7)

 Neewer 7 Piece Wired Dynamic Drum Mic Kit - Kick Bass, Tom/Snare & Cymbals Microphone Set - for Drums, Vocal, Other Instrument - Complete with Thread Clip, Inserts, Mics Holder & Case(NW-7)

Key Features:

  • This kit includes a big bass drum mic with holder, four small tabour mics with holder, two condenser mics with holder, four drum clamps with 5/8″ screws, two condenser mic foam windscreens, and an aluminum carrying box.

  • The NW-7 professional drum set microphone is a great choice for recording drums, especially for percussive and jazzy styles. The bass drum mic is designed specifically for kick drums and low-frequency instruments, while the tabour mic is ideal for tom-toms and snaredrums. The condenser mic is excellent for capturing the sound of cymbals, pianos, and other acoustic instruments.

  • The snare mics for drum recording are well performance mics that adopt a high output dynamic element. They are equipped with a linear frequency response for superior reproduction and clear sound. The condenser mics adopt the completely new audio circuit. They feature cardioid pick-up pattern to isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise.

  • This is a set of seven snare mics for drum recording, with compatible clamps to attach them to microphone stands, drums, or other instruments. The set includes four drum clamps to fix the mics in place on the stand or drum.

  • This is a set of two mini microphones designed for recording drums. They feature standard XLR female jacks for most audio cables, and come with a carry case for quick setup and transport.


CAD Audio Stage7 7 Piece Drum Mic Pack – Includes Kick Mic, Snare Mic, 3 Tom Mics and 2 Overhead Condenser Mics

 CAD Audio Stage7 7 Piece Drum Mic Pack - Includes Kick Mic, Snare Mic, 3 Tom Mics and 2 Overhead Condenser Mics

Key Features:

  • These are high quality custom drum mics that are great for recording drums. They will provide clear and accurate sound when recording, and are made to last.

  • The integrated clips on these snare mics for drum recording save on stand expense by allowing the mic to be clipped directly onto the drum. This eliminates the need for a separate stand, which can save the shopper money.

  • This is a carry case for a snare mic, designed to protect it during transport. The case is made of soft-sided fabric, with a heavy-duty zipper for closure.

  • The snare mic is a professional-grade microphone designed for use on tours. It is designed to capture the sound of the snare drum, and is used by many professional drummers.

  • The D19 Snare, (3) D29 Tom, D10 Kick and (2) C9 Overhead are all snare mics for drum recording. They are used to capture the sound of the drums in a recording.


DM-7: Complete Drum Microphone Set for Recording and Live Sound

 DM-7: Complete Drum Microphone Set for Recording and Live Sound

Key Features:

  • The BD-1 is a cardioid dynamic microphone that is designed for kick drums and bass amps. It has a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a sensitivity of -54 dBV/Pa.

  • This is a set of four cardioid dynamic microphones with adjustable rim-mounts for toms, snare, guitar amps, and more.

  • The OH-2 is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone that is designed for use with drum overheads, high hats, and more. It features two cardioid capsules that provide excellent isolation and sound quality. The microphone comes with clips and foam windscreens for added protection.

  • This shopper is looking for a mic that is good for recording drums, guitars, and other acoustic instruments.

  • This is a set of microphones designed for recording drums. It includes one snare mic, two tom mics, two kick mics, and two overhead mics.


Cad Audio Stage7 Premium 7-Piece Drum Instrument Mic Pack with Vinyl Carrying Case + 7 On Stage Microphones Cables, 20 Feet

 Cad Audio Stage7 Premium 7-Piece Drum Instrument Mic Pack with Vinyl Carrying Case + 7 On Stage Microphones Cables, 20 Feet

Key Features:

  • The CAD Audio Stage 7 is a premium seven-piece drum mic pack that includes one D10 cardioid dynamic mic for the kick drum, three D29 dynamic tom mics, one D19 dynamic snare drum mic, and two C9 instrument condensers for high hats, cymbals, or overheads. This mic pack is perfect for recording drums in the studio or live on stage.

  • If you’re looking for a quality kick drum mic, the D10 is a great option. It’s designed specifically for kick drums, but it also works well on floor toms, electric guitars, and electric bass cabinets. It’s a cardioid mic, so it’s great for capturing the sound of the kick drum without picking up too much of the surrounding noise.

  • The D19 is a microphone specifically designed for recording and reinforcing snare drums and other acoustic percussive instruments. It has a super-cardioid polar pattern that helps to reject sound from off-axis, which is important for on-stage clarity. The integral drum clip is designed to help with rapid, optimal placement of the microphone.

  • The D29 is a cardioid, moving-coil dynamic microphone specifically designed for the capture and reinforcement of tom-tom drums and other acoustic percussive instruments.

  • The C19 is a cardioid microphone designed for drum overheads, but it can also be used for classical stringed instruments, acoustic guitars, and folk instruments. It has a polar pattern that focuses sensitivity to the front of the microphone while minimizing sources arriving from the rear.


Avantone Pro ADM Dynamic Snare Drum Microphone

 Avantone Pro ADM Dynamic Snare Drum Microphone

Key Features:

  • The snare mic is designed to capture the sound of a snare drum in live and studio settings. It is rugged and elegant, with a gold-plated capsule that helps it excel in live sound situations.

  • The Shure SM57 is a popular and versatile dynamic microphone often used for snare drum in recording applications. It is manufactured using high-quality materials for a solid feel, superb structural integrity, and reliable performance.

  • The snare mic is designed to offer premium performance for recording drums. It is custom voiced to offer a modern, aggressive sound.

  • The snare mics for drum recording include the famous PRO-KLAMP drum rim mic mount. This mount is superb in allowing a confident positioning of the mic while inhibiting the transfer of unwanted vibrations up into the mic.

  • The snare mics for drum recording includes a padded road case and a 5-Year Warranty.


Best Snare Mics For Drum Recording Buying Guide

1. What You Need to Know Before Buying a Snare Drum Mic:

a. Type of Microphone:

Before you choose the best snare drum microphone, you need to consider the type of microphone. The two most popular types are dynamic and condenser microphones.

Dynamic microphones are generally cheaper than condenser microphones. They also don’t require any additional accessories to power them up.

Condenser microphones are generally more expensive, but they also offer better sound quality.

If you are recording at home and your budget is limited, then you should go for a dynamic microphone. Alternatively, if you are recording in a professional studio and you want to capture high-quality audio, then you should go for a condenser microphone.

b. Polar Pattern:

The polar pattern of a microphone indicates how the sound is captured by the microphone.

Wide-cardioid: This pattern allows for a wider range of pick up, but the sound quality will be slightly affected.

Cardioid: This is the most popular type of polar pattern for recording snare drums. It captures the sound from a single direction, but it does so with great accuracy.

Omnidirectional: This type of polar pattern captures sound from all directions with great accuracy. It is a good option if you are getting a microphone to record an entire drum kit, or if you are getting a microphone to record a band rehearsal.

Cardioid and bidirectional are the two most popular choices when it comes to recording the snare drum.

c. Frequency Response:

The frequency response of a microphone indicates how accurately it captures the audio. While most dynamic and condenser microphones will have a similar frequency response, they will differ in their sensitivity, or the amount of dB they output for every dB of sound input.

If you are recording with one microphone, then you will need to get a microphone with a wide frequency response, as the snare drum contains a wide range of audio.

If you are recording with multiple microphones, then you will need to get a microphone with a specific frequency response. This can be done by either combining microphones that have a wide frequency response with microphones that have a narrow frequency response or by manually EQ’ing the audio.

d. Sensitivity:

The sensitivity of a microphone indicates how much dB it outputs for every dB of sound input.

If you are recording with one microphone, then you will need to get a microphone with a high sensitivity, as the snare drum contains a wide range of audio.

If you are recording with multiple microphones, then you will need to get a microphone with a low sensitivity, so that the dynamic range of the audio can be reduced.

e. Budget:

The amount of money you spend on a microphone will depend on your budget. While you can get high-quality condenser microphones for under $100, you can also get premium dynamic microphones for under $50.

Depending on your budget, you can get a good quality microphone that will help you record high-quality audio.

2. What We Looked At For Our Selection:

Before we shortlisted the best snare drum microphones, we looked at various factors, including:

1. Sound Quality:

No matter what type of microphone you buy, the first and foremost thing you should look for is the sound quality. The audio captured by the microphone should be crisp and accurate.

2. Cost:

While the quality of a microphone is important, so is the cost. Whether you are


Snare Mics For Drum Recording FAQs

1. What are the best snare mics for drum recording?

The best snare mics for drum recording are the Shure SM57 and the AKG D112.

2. How do you position a snare mic for drum recording?

The snare mic can be positioned in a number of ways, depending on the desired sound. For a more natural sound, the mic can be placed a few inches from the edge of the snare, pointing towards the center of the drum. For a more “fat” sound, the mic can be placed closer to the edge of the snare, and angled towards the edge of the drum.

3. What are the best snare drum recording techniques?

There are a few different snare drum recording techniques that can produce great results. One popular method is to place a microphone directly in front of the snare drum, just above the rim. This will capture the full sound of the drum, including the snap of the snare wires.Another great snare drum recording technique is to place a microphone underneath the drum. This will capture a fuller, richer sound from the snare drum.Finally, another great option is to place a microphone behind the drummer, pointing towards the snare drum. This will give the snare drum a nice, roomy sound.

4. How do you EQ a snare mic for drum recording?

First, find the frequency range of the snare drum using a spectrum analyzer. Then, use a parametric equalizer to boost or cut the frequencies around the snare’s main resonance. Finally, use a high-pass filter to remove any low-end rumble.

5. How do you compress a snare mic for drum recording?

There are a few different ways that you can compress a snare mic for drum recording. One way is to use a compressor plugin on your computer. Another way is to use a hardware compressor.


Conclusion

There are many great snare mics for drum recording on the market. Our list of the best snare mics for drum recording will help you save time researching and choosing the best one for you.