Billy Hume shares a unique technique for enhancing snare drum sound using an AKG 414 microphone placed 6-8 feet above the snare. By driving the mic through a preamp to introduce distortion, he creates a distinct, gritty overhead sound.
He then uses a pre-fader bus send from the regular snare track to a gate plugin on the distorted mic, side-chaining it to the snare. This ensures the distorted mic only opens when the snare hits, adding thickness and sustain to the snare sound.
This method is a staple in Billy's drum mixing process, offering a way to achieve a fatter, more impactful snare that stands out in the mix.