Help me with this snare problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter TamaSabian
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TamaSabian

TamaSabian

Peruvian skin beater
I have changed both heads of my rockstar 14x5.5 steel snare, a japanesse one. I have followed the well known tunning bible, I think both heads are well tunned, the problem is that I always used those REMO rings for dampening. Now I was trying to play the snare without em' but it sounds too open, with ringing sound that I´m not used to. When I place a little piece of duct tape close to the rim it sounds better but still open. If I place the REMO ring over it gets too dry, the crack is more focused, but I don´t like it at all. I´m looking for a mid open sound, I think I could get use to the rings, but the duct tape placed doing like a butterfly shape over the head and close to one or two lugs is not giving me the results I expect. Do you think I need to read the tunning bible again and retune my snare??? BTW I´m using Coated ambassador top and the same but hazy snare side on bottom.

Hope you can help with some tips :(

TS
 
Different heads will make different sounds on the same drum. I decided to try a Remo EmporerX after using single ply heads on my snare and it really choked up my snare. I had to crank that head down hard to get good sound out of it. You might try something 2 ply instead of a single ply.
Also try detuning it a bit. Not alot, just a little.
Remember too, that the tuning you came to with the tuning bible should only be a start. You should use that as a baseline, and refine your drum's tuning to your taste.
Good Luck!
 
Yep the bible is just a starting point. Right now after detuning both heads I think I´m getting close to what I like. It´s hard for me to get used to my snare sound without the REMO rings, or with a little dampening.

I had to crank that head down hard to get good sound out of it
Click to expand...

Are you talking about Ambassador coated??.
 
Nope, was'nt an Ambassador.
It's an EmporerX. Coated, 2 plies, with reverse dot. Very thick head.
Those sound quite dead unless you tune them pretty tight. I tuned it to where the glue was cracking audibly. Then it sounded nice, and very loud. I think it'd be better on a deeper snare than my 5.5", but it works pretty good.

If you detune yours a bit, you still may be able to use that RemO thing. Keep trying until you get something you like, and don't be stuck using "by the book" tuning, other than making sure each lug is tensioned evenly. Do what your own ears tell you. If you're happy with your sound, you'll play better. There's nothing worse than being aggravated by crappy sounding drums.

Peace.
 
Remo dampening rings are very thick and will dampen a drum quite a bit. There are some other companies making the same sort of rings out there, but much thinner so they don't choke your snare as much. I've never liked the remo rings but with some of the others I've been able to get a decent sound. You can also make your own rings out of old drum heads and then you have the ability to customize them a little. You might also want to look into moon gels. I've never used them myself. but I have a drummer friend that swears by them. The last option, and least desireable for obvious reasons, is to duct tape little folded pieces of tissue to your drum heads. It looks really ghetto, but you can have a lot of control over the dampening this way. If you can't stand the way it looks, you can always tape it to the inside of the head.
 
Or you can do what I do, and use a Clear Pinstripe for a Snare Batter head! :D



Tim
 
Moongels are the shit. Altering their placement makes a big difference. Closer to rim=more ring. They don't over dampen cause the are like jello and vibrate with the head. You must try them. They are only a couple bucks.
 
I have to apologize with you guys, because I was asking for help while I was working in my snare tunning. I mean I didn´t finish the work and I asked for some tips to reduce the ringing and the opened sound that I was getting. Now I think I´m close to what I like just tuning and detuning. I want to get rid of REMO rings, but I have to get used to. I´ve been playing with those on my snare for years and now since I started my project studio I noticed that it choked my snare.

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions
 
Also you can check out the Evans EMAD dampening system... Uses small velco strip, and double stick tape to attach to the rim of any drum...These are very adjustable(the more arch you put in the piece the less dampening)... it's hard to explain in detail, but i've used them on snare and toms, and they work very well...
 
I had some of those Emad things too. I did'nt like them much. They really did'nt seem to do a whole lot on my drums. I took them off pretty quickly.

I guess I just came to the conclusion that for me, tuning and technique were more important than buying more stuff.
 
I agree with you Mad, you can get a great sounding snare without dampening. It does matter the kind of drum you have, but even with a cheap one you can get the crap out of it just tuning it well. The heads could make your work easier.
 
That famous Ring

I have a Pearl Steel shell,I used a deadringer for quite awhile.I tried the Gels and liked them but so did my 3 year old. :)
It is hard to find that sweetspot between Gels and a
ring,So I took two pieces of thick electrical tape,cut about 1"strips and put one on top and one on bottom of the top head to get my sweetspot.
I'm playing with a batter on the bottom, :D
I cranked it up where a resonator would break.
 
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