Getting good snare sound.

ChristianDrummer · Big Hamster Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 97 Location: AR

I'm pretty new to drum tuning and such.

I bought a new little practice set. I'm pretty happy with it for it to be so cheap. Except for the snare, it sounds way too "poppy" and high pitched for my taste. I've tried tuning down a bit but it doesn't do much, and is still too poppy. Will muffling help? I found a remo O ring helped a bit but it's still not how I like it. Would duct tape do the trick? Any specific way I should tune the reso head? I haven't messed with it much. I'd like to avoid buying a new head for a while.

To give you an idea of the snare sound I want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szPT-QPTg-g&NR=1

(Skip to about 35 secs to when he switches to snare)

random white person · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject:

the higher pitches of a drum tend to come from the outer edge of the head, so putting a little bit of tape/moongel/other muffling can help to deaden any ringyness you may be hearing.

also, its surprising how different a drum will sound when you're sitting right on top of it, as opposed to hearing it several feet away as an audience would. sit across the room from your drums, and have someone play the drum a little for you and see if it sounds better/worse/different. a lot of times high pitched, ringy tones get drowned out and never make it far enough for anyone else to hear them.
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ChristianDrummer · Big Hamster Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 97 Location: AR

Well I had my brother play while I was halfway accross the house and indeed, it takes care of the ringing, and only the snare sound is there, but it still sounds too poppy and high pitched. Any solutions to this?

random white person · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

hmm. try detuning both heads, and tune them up just tight enough so the drum is actually playable. then tune up in small increments until you get an acceptable sound, that hopefully isn't too poppy.

if you just cant get it tuned right, maybe try out a new batter head. a two ply head (Evans G2, Remo Emperor, Aquarian Response II) would give you more of a "thwack" than a pop, i imagine, and hopefully wont sound muffled or muddy.
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edgewood_drummer92 · Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 694

loosen the top head, and if you want that tight sound tighten the reso head also. Just mess around with it and you'll find the sound. What kind of a kit did you get? Did you replace the stock heads?
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ChristianDrummer · Big Hamster Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 97 Location: AR

That's probably the problem, i'll need a new head.

I'll have to make a trip out of town to get one though, i'm thinking Evans Genera G2 Coated.

Edit: Tried detuning the batter head down a half turn or two. Now, if I don't hit the snare hard enough, I get the snare "tom" sound that you get when the snares aren't on. The snare wires are on and tight though....

random white person · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

sbowman128675 · Lion King Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 1072

i find tunning the reso fairly tight, then just tuning the head till it gets a nice feel to it works for me.

and if your looknig for the best heads, use genera, there the best!
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Vipercussionist · Tadpole Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 15