After watching this, I went to a 13" snare and cut the wires successively and arrived at 12 strand. The reduction in snare buzz is probably 60% to 70%. The sound is more wood drum tone and less snare but I can still have the snare wires loose enough to do a good buzz roll. I do notice that the 8" tom always seems to set off the most snare buzz but I can usually minimize it by tuning the snare head up or down. Thanks to Gavin Harrison for recommending your videos and thank you Bob. (Fun to watch)
Fantastic videos Mr Gatzen. For years I've been cutting broken snare wires, but I never thought about making sure to cut off the opposite side to even the snares out. Your videos are always a great help. Thank you for posting them.
Bob, Im one of those guys you were referring to as being obsessed with getting rid of the buzz. So obsessed that i actually loosened the snare and sacraficed some snare sound...crazy I know, but obsessed i am. Thanks you for this plethora of info to experiment with. NOW BRING ON ANOTHER BEST OF 1,2,or 3 vid!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes man, thank you very much! just watched your snare wires tutorial video. Very very helpful. With your assistance, I've made my snare sound really, really good! And that's even without replacing either snare head!
Well thanks so much for taking the time to say that... it means a lot to me. Always good to be reminded that the sharing and giving process is well worthwhile.
Great video bob! One thing that I have done a few times is de-tune the two lugs closest to the snare wires on both sides of the reso head to eliminate snare buzz.
Man gratz for the videos nice job, i loved not just your skills with drumms but also the way you edited the videos, nice thinking, nice tutorials ima follow your videos now hehe
Your kit sounds amazing in your demo there! I can't wait until I can afford me some awesome tubs like yours! Of course, once I do get one, I'll use all your videos to make them sound even more spectacular. :)
Hi Bob, thanks for the info and the inspiration. Helping each other is the secret ingredient that will spread the word of drumming and music in general.
Thanks for replying Bob. I only have one of the cheaper Mapex kits so I had to do something. Like you I use Evans, I put the new G-Plus heads on the Toms and a Power centre reverse dot on the snare and an Emad on the bass drum. Now my kit sounds great. 55 and still being creative!!! Thanks again.
Ok, I'll try that. Yeah, I think I do. I've always had it close to that but it sounded just fine, always had that crisp snap the snare makes and no overtones from the bottom. Thank you very much for your help. Whoo, I hope it works, it's a Remo Ebony Series Pinstripe snare drum and I don't want to lose it.
Interesting question. The triple flanged hoop is "unified" in structure which encourages overtones along the head edges. I would categorize the single flanged as closer to die-cast then triple flanged. 3 levels to consider. I wrote a fairly long response to a european drummers site a couple years ago on wood types relative to sound and feel. Hmmm something to think about...thanks m
Thank you very much Matt. Well, this is an easy one. Most drummers complain about not having enough sustain. Evans makes a muffler pack called the MIN-EMAD Mufflers. They hook onto the hope then attached to the head by a small Velcro tap. They're totally adjustable and can be disengaged very quickly.
@bobgatzen thanks for the quick reply! just a couple questions though. Whats the difference between the custom and custom pro (i was looking to buy either one of those)? and, do all puresound snare wires have both the strap and string?
One the best combos Ive recently discovered is using the die-cast hoop on the snare side and the flanged, on the batter side. The flanged hoop provides richer overtones, while at the same time, the die-cast controls overtones. Overtone control provides a cleaner snare sound, less prone to sympathetic snare buzz. I have 5-6 drums set up this way works great for me! Bob
If you can then please answer me this question: I really liked the ghost notes you were playin in the tune. i would also like to utilize it in my playing, since it gives a really nice feel to the groove (like the first example that comes to my mind is the Rosanna shuffle by Jeff Porcaro), but i just can't seem to get the proper sound even if i hit my snare really soft. Does this have to do something with the snare itself or in a studio-recording context it won't be as loudly visible?
I'll try...need more info... describe the snare drum... wood, metal, shell diameter and depth, current heads your using and when was the last time you replaced the snares?
Glad it worked out. I discovered another technique to remove snare wires. Cut the wire in half then while hold down the clip, pull the wire outwards and upwards bending it backwards over the clip. I found more often than not the wire breaks off right at the edge of the clip. If not, than wiggle it back and forth until it breaks away from the solder.
Thanks bob!, If I have my snare drum at a higher tension then my toms then I won't get as much buzz right? But if my toms are the same tension, will I get resonance out of all the toms from just hitting one? please reply, thanks again, got some puresounds and they're amazing!
hey bob first of all you have done good job! secondly i want to buy new heads!! i have the remo pinstripes for the toms and remo emperor x for the snare! i have too much snare buzz maybe because of the small room or my tuning!s but i tune my drums almost every day and the snare buzz is still there! i found a way to reduce the snare buzz but i loose my snares too much. i have the pdp lx series! can you tell me a little about which tom heads and snare head i sould buy? kisses from greece!
loved it man, you should feel good about yourself because what you do is FANTASTIC. I´M getting some buzz from my suspended 10" tom, I´m gonna go and experiment some-. btw, your 8" sounds wicked.
What are the cymbals on you right side? Please correct me if i'm wrong: ZXT Trashformer, K Custom Hybrid Ride, bottom Mastersound hi-hat, A Custon EFX. They sound good!
yes, im working on buying some tom stands, any suggestions? preferably something by tama, ive had a thing for tama stuff haha any reason why the toms matter? im curious to how they make a difference
That's great hear...thanks Jason. It's a simple philosophy. I have a little rhyme that reminds me of the importance of small details in sound design. "Paying attention adds dimension".
I have a 14 inch 20 strand snare, and like you said, a smaller snare and a having a 12 strand would reduce the buzz. Would it be okay to cut my 20 strands down to 12 (like in you first video), or would that not be smart?
hi Bob i realy love your drumset. im jelouse in fact haha. i have one question though. that cymbal thats on your right thats right below your ride with the wavy edges, is that a part of an old hi hat??? it looks like it because i use the bottom of my old hi hat as kind of a mini ride/splash like cymbal and i think its a cool thing to experiment and have fun with
I have a 14 inch, 20 strand snare, and like you said, a smaller snare with less strands would produce less buzz. So, would it be okay to clip my 20 strands down to 12 (like in your first video) or would this not be okay?
hi bob i like my snare to have alot of crack and have a more snare sound then normal but i like some tone. i have a 15ply snare with 24 srand wires. i have got those s-hoops on it, but to me they sound like ass. so im thinking of getting a die-cast batter hoop (for crack and not going out of tune) and a flanged hoop for the bottom (fore some drum tone) would you sugest this or not?? please answer. i mainly play in rock/punk settings.
Hi Bob, Just to satisfy my curiosity what would you say is the "normal" distance the bass drum beater should be from the bass drum head? How far away do you have yours for example?
I with i had found a video like this years ago. By any chance, do you know of a way to lessen the buzz coming from the snare when it is caused by the music in the backround? another great vid ^_^
Hey Bob, I have a 14x5 Chad smith custom snare and im getting a lot of buzz when I hit my higher toms. Because the drum is made of steel, would that cause more snare buzz?
when you buy snare wire, does it come with the string (or polyester tab) included?? I was checking out some Puresound snares on amazon, but the pictures didnt show any wires attached..please reply.
Hey Bob, My snare buzzes with the guitar amp a lot when i play live (The buzzing with toms are acceptable). Can you please advice me on what to do with it? Many thanks,
Hey Bob! I just bought a new snare drum. lovely tone, and good snarearticulation. but i want to experiment with the sensetivity. is this equation correct : Looser snarebed tension = more sensetivity Tighter = less sensetivity
Hey :) I have a question :) I want to buy a 2nd snare , To add something more to the kit which will be on the left of the hi hat. But what is the exact purpose of it ? I like my hi hat low , so sometimes i cant hi my snare that hard when im not hitting it with the hi hat. Is that the main purpose for the 2nd snare on the left of the hi hat ? And any suggestions which one should i get ? Budget 120$ to 160$ (like tama superstar or something) Thanks :)
Hey Bob, i noticed you have a clear head on your snare. Whats the head and whats the pro's con's of clear over coated heads for snares? If theres a vid on this just gimme the link to save you time Ps. whats the cymbal with the holes cut out? it sounds amazing like rain or something
hey Bob! how are you?? i ve got a question.. whats your opinion about the single flanged hoops? i mean the hoops with the claws for the tension lugs.. they sure give a vintage look to the snare drum, but the sound? they give an open tone like the triple flanged, or something different? and also i think you should make a video about the the woods that are used for the snare drum shells. you are the most appropriate person for these stuff.. all the best!!!
Thanks for vid 1 & 2, Bob and the "less snare wires = more tone" principle. I had problems with residual snare buzz from the snare itself regardless of tuning variations and head combos (from a brand new 20 strand std chrome plated snare). I went for a Puresound Custom 16, problem solved - and I can tune it anyway I want now, high or low and with any head combo - no residual buzz!
Hey Bob, love the videos! They've helped alot! I have been having some problems with my snare sound recently. I got a brand new batter head for it and all of a sudden my snares started rattling an abnormal amount. It is to the point where it is just annoying. I have tried many things including raising snare tension, but nothing seems to work. Can you help?
hey :) Here i am with a problem again .. I just got a Mapex M Birch , And i want my bass to sound very loud without any vibrations. Any suggestions ? Many thanks :) Your tuning tips are amazing ! They've helped me alot !
Hey david... is this the post? The single most "all-around" snare in the Puresound line are the 20 strand "Blasters".The clips are different from the rest of the line and does very good job of seating the snares into the beds.
Pearl 20-Strand Bridge Type snare wires. and yah they worked great until i started tuning my toms a little higher pitched than usual. none of the wires are broken though, should i just buy some new wires?
Hi Bob, I have a question about the hoops. I'm buying a Mapex Pro M Maple Snare and it comes with 2.3mm Power Hoops. I know that You play on DW but do You know and would be so kind to explain me the difference between regular low end hoops and those Mapex Power Hoops? I just can't find any info on that on the net... I know what a DieCast Hoop is -can a Power Hoop be compared to it?
I have a chris adler sig and I would really like to have it sound like yours wow! I was wondering why I'm getting this bad buzzing almost like my snares are overtightened But its not when I hit the toms its when I hit the actual snare, its a nasty buzz when I hit off center and rim shots but I don't want to turn to muffling to fix it, I like my snares wide open. I would really like it to be like yours
@yomomtubes2 My pleasure...you're very welcome yomo! I switch between the Shure-in ears for ultimate room isolation and the Sennheiser 250 HD / Linear for recording or simply playing (practicing). they are light weight and sound great for drum sounds.
I dont like to use mufflers on my toms cuz i like the decay of them without but i do muffle my snare a bit still i get more buzz than i like especially when i kick my bass drum which actually is muffled any more advise for my problem? i have a 12 strand but i dont have a die cast hoop yet
Hey Bob. First off, I just wanted to thank you first for you videos, they help so much. Now my question, what kind of snares would you recommend? 1 of my (20 Strands) just broke and I'm experimenting with cutting them to find that "signature" sound you were talking about. But for the future, do you know of any that you'd recommend?
Hi :) I have a mapex M birch .. my snare is 14 inch. I'm planning to buy new heads and wires as i dont like the way my snare sounds.. I've tried almost each and every tuning , but didnt like any.. I really like how your snare sounds , wide open. But obviously I cant get this sound since mine is a 14 inch..And i have 16 snare wire strand.. can you suggest me how snare wires affect the snare? Like should I buy 20 wire strand ? Thanks :)
were did u buy that amazing kit? is there anyone i can go to cause i went to my local music stores and they dont have dw drums. so is there anyone i can talk to, or go to get a dw kit?
Hi Bob i have a question, all my toms generate normal amounts of snare buzz which is fine, but when i hit my bass drum the amount if snare buzz is HUGE!!! Any help or tips?? Thanks.
@voltronthegreat To a degree yes. Tuning the snare drum to the same pitch of one of your toms will excite snare buzz. Did you pick up the new "Custom Pro" model? They're the bomb!!
Your videos are simply amazing, thank you very much. However, I would like to see step-by-step guide for installing snare wires (made by you). There are no so many quality tutorials about that and I think that such tutorial would be very useful. Thank you again.
Omg I need help!!! I undid the strainer on my snare drum and now it's very difficult to push the handle back in place and no matter how much I tighten the snare wires it sounds weird now and gives off a high-pitched overtone. I don't know how to fix it and don't want to look for another shell! Btw I'm sure you've probably noticed this but that cymbal right above your Zildjian K ride is a bit too low. They collide when you hit one of them, and I'd hate for you to have scratches on them.
@2010ditta It varies. It's a 2-step operation. 1. Push the beater into the head and quickly release it. If it falls back and hits the pedal plate, you want to shorten the distance between the beater and the head by changing the spring mechanism. 2. Do your best to create a 90- degree angle while holding the beater to the head surface. Going over 90 degrees (beater rod straight up & down) maximizes pedal action performance Hope this helps!
Can't we order Puresound wires now with different wire configurations, such as 2 groups of 7 or 2 groups of 5? even a group of 6 and 2 groups of 5? I can't find any good info anywhere or where to buy them at! Although I might be thinking of fat cat snares for the last one... but meh...
hey bob, i have a few problems with my snare drum, it sounds a bit choked, and too tight, but if I loosen it, it sounds completely out of tone. Any way i can get to sound good without having to change the heads or the snares? I have an Evan Genera HD Dry on the top, and it's 4 months old, quite new. Please help
wooooow!!! it's real eye opener!!! thanx Bob!!!! by the way, in a background I saw Zoom H2 recorder - how you use it, Bob? as a another mic, or something else?
When you hit the toms in the video, I could hear my snare drum buzz from across the room. I put my ear up to it to check while the video played. I think I need to get this fixed.
Hey Bob..... What is the difference between the Equalizer 16 strand wires and the Regular Custom 16 strand wires? BTW.... Thanks for all u do for the drumming community! looking forward to more brilliant videos in the future!
Hey BOB I could use your help, I have a Yamaha maple with a 40 strand made by TAMA with an Emperor X head. I noticed if I tighten them up some what it wants to choke the drum. Is a 40 strand over kill, Other than that it sounds awesome THANKS FOR THE TIME YOU TAKE TO HELP US DRUMMERS OUT.
You're kind answering your question. The EC-2's have a control ring around the head's perimeter. I'd experiment with them on your floor toms. The 2nd generation of EC-2s have been released. They have a new ring format (black). Also, experiment with th EC-reso and the Genera-reso in in conjunction with the EC-2 batter.
hey bob, Nice videos they really help! Ive just heard of puresounds EQ snare wires which claim to reduce sympathetic snare buzz. Have you ever tried the EQ line of snare wires?
Another way to get rid of snare buzz I discovered is to get a cleaning sponge (for washing up) from your local supermarket, the one I use is 5 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Place the sponge length ways along one of the arms of the snare cradle and then lay the drum on the stand so that the snare wires run along the sponge. Works for me and it gives me that sharp "crack" sound that I like with no buzz, and you canexperiment by loosening or tightening the cradle till you get your desired sound.
@SpankyTheYankee That's great to hear Spanky! You gotta try the new Puresound snares I recently designed. Please check out the "Custom Pro" line. The 20-steel wire steel wires are one of my faves !
After watching this, I went to a 13" snare and cut the wires successively and arrived at 12 strand. The reduction in snare buzz is probably 60% to 70%. The sound is more wood drum tone and less snare but I can still have the snare wires loose enough to do a good buzz roll. I do notice that the 8" tom always seems to set off the most snare buzz but I can usually minimize it by tuning the snare head up or down. Thanks to Gavin Harrison for recommending your videos and thank you Bob. (Fun to watch)
Fantastic videos Mr Gatzen. For years I've been cutting broken snare wires, but I never thought about making sure to cut off the opposite side to even the snares out. Your videos are always a great help. Thank you for posting them.
Man this is GOLD!!! Thank you ssooooooooooo much Bob!! You changed my life behind a drumkit with these two videos!! AWESOME MAN!!! :D :D
Bob, Im one of those guys you were referring to as being obsessed with getting rid of the buzz. So obsessed that i actually loosened the snare and sacraficed some snare sound...crazy I know, but obsessed i am. Thanks you for this plethora of info to experiment with. NOW BRING ON ANOTHER BEST OF 1,2,or 3 vid!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes man, thank you very much! just watched your snare wires tutorial video. Very very helpful. With your assistance, I've made my snare sound really, really good! And that's even without replacing either snare head!
Great video bob. Love that track you was playing with. Sounds funky.
Thanks David, it's great to share something that we both enjoy... snare drum... the heartbeat of the kit
I love the "flanged on top-diecast on bottom" concept!I've been employing it for a while now...by the way,informative and fun stuff as always Bob!:)
Well thanks so much for taking the time to say that... it means a lot to me. Always good to be reminded that the sharing and giving process is well worthwhile.
Great video bob! One thing that I have done a few times is de-tune the two lugs closest to the snare wires on both sides of the reso head to eliminate snare buzz.
Man gratz for the videos nice job, i loved not just your skills with drumms but also the way you edited the videos, nice thinking, nice tutorials ima follow your videos now hehe
Your kit sounds amazing in your demo there! I can't wait until I can afford me some awesome tubs like yours! Of course, once I do get one, I'll use all your videos to make them sound even more spectacular. :)
Excellent....I had to go back and check the names myself! The Mastersound hi-hat is a single (bottom) with 4 of my special rivets in it.
Good work D!
Thanks D. Gotta try a flanged hoop on the snare batter with a die-cast on the snare side ...great combo!
Hi Bob, thanks for the info and the inspiration. Helping each other is the secret ingredient that will spread the word of drumming and music in general.
That just put a big smile on my face...thanks art
Thanks for replying Bob. I only have one of the cheaper Mapex kits so I had to do something. Like you I use Evans, I put the new G-Plus heads on the Toms and a Power centre reverse dot on the snare and an Emad on the bass drum. Now my kit sounds great. 55 and still being creative!!! Thanks again.
Ok, I'll try that. Yeah, I think I do. I've always had it close to that but it sounded just fine, always had that crisp snap the snare makes and no overtones from the bottom. Thank you very much for your help. Whoo, I hope it works, it's a Remo Ebony Series Pinstripe snare drum and I don't want to lose it.
Thanks P... I really do appreciate your taking the time to write
Interesting question. The triple flanged hoop is "unified" in structure which encourages overtones along the head edges. I would categorize the single flanged as closer to die-cast then triple flanged. 3 levels to consider. I wrote a fairly long response to a european drummers site a couple years ago on wood types relative to sound and feel. Hmmm something to think about...thanks m
That was very entertaining and super interesting, thanks a lot!!
Thank you very much Matt. Well, this is an easy one. Most drummers complain about not having enough sustain. Evans makes a muffler pack called the MIN-EMAD Mufflers. They hook onto the hope then attached to the head by a small Velcro tap. They're totally adjustable and can be disengaged very quickly.
@bobgatzen thanks for the quick reply! just a couple questions though. Whats the difference between the custom and custom pro (i was looking to buy either one of those)? and, do all puresound snare wires have both the strap and string?
One the best combos Ive recently discovered is using the die-cast hoop on the snare side and the flanged, on the batter side. The flanged hoop provides richer overtones, while at the same time, the die-cast controls overtones. Overtone control provides a cleaner snare sound, less prone to sympathetic snare buzz.
I have 5-6 drums set up this way works great for me!
Bob
If you can then please answer me this question: I really liked the ghost notes you were playin in the tune. i would also like to utilize it in my playing, since it gives a really nice feel to the groove (like the first example that comes to my mind is the Rosanna shuffle by Jeff Porcaro), but i just can't seem to get the proper sound even if i hit my snare really soft. Does this have to do something with the snare itself or in a studio-recording context it won't be as loudly visible?
Well thank you very much T. look forward to hearing from you in the future. Thanks again!
really helpful video. i didn't even know that there are different clips that influence the sound of the snare drum. O.o
keep it on!
I'll try...need more info... describe the snare drum... wood, metal, shell diameter and depth, current heads your using and when was the last time you replaced the snares?
Glad it worked out. I discovered another technique to remove snare wires. Cut the wire in half then while hold down the clip, pull the wire outwards and upwards bending it backwards over the clip. I found more often than not the wire breaks off right at the edge of the clip. If not, than wiggle it back and forth until it breaks away from the solder.
Thanks for the advice! I finally replaces them with Puresound Blasters and my snare sounds HEAVENLY!!!! I love it! Thanks!
Thanks bob!, If I have my snare drum at a higher tension then my toms then I won't get as much buzz right? But if my toms are the same tension, will I get resonance out of all the toms from just hitting one? please reply, thanks again, got some puresounds and they're amazing!
This video was very helpful. I just cut off 2 wires on both sides and it sounds way better than before.
Thanks alot!
hey bob first of all you have done good job! secondly i want to buy new heads!! i have the remo pinstripes for the toms and remo emperor x for the snare! i have too much snare buzz maybe because of the small room or my tuning!s but i tune my drums almost every day and the snare buzz is still there! i found a way to reduce the snare buzz but i loose my snares too much. i have the pdp lx series! can you tell me a little about which tom heads and snare head i sould buy? kisses from greece!
Thanks S.
I'm using a combination of G-2 clear/EC-reso (8") , EC-reso top & Bottom (14"&16") and EC-2 clears /EC-reso (10").
love the music, its moving, and impressive without speed, and whats the clear drum to the left of your hi-hat? or is that a drum?... cant tell.
loved it man, you should feel good about yourself because what you do is FANTASTIC. I´M getting some buzz from my suspended 10" tom, I´m gonna go and experiment some-. btw, your 8" sounds wicked.
Thanks Bob. What heads and snares do you use?
What are the cymbals on you right side? Please correct me if i'm wrong: ZXT Trashformer, K Custom Hybrid Ride, bottom Mastersound hi-hat, A Custon EFX. They sound good!
yes, im working on buying some tom stands, any suggestions? preferably something by tama,
ive had a thing for tama stuff haha
any reason why the toms matter? im curious to how they make a difference
That's great hear...thanks Jason.
It's a simple philosophy. I have a little rhyme that reminds me of the importance of small details in sound design. "Paying attention adds dimension".
Thank you Bob. I've just measured mine and the beater is 4 1/2 inches away from the bass drum head. Does that seem right? All the best.
I have a 14 inch 20 strand snare, and like you said, a smaller snare and a having a 12 strand would reduce the buzz. Would it be okay to cut my 20 strands down to 12 (like in you first video), or would that not be smart?
hi Bob i realy love your drumset. im jelouse in fact haha. i have one question though. that cymbal thats on your right thats right below your ride with the wavy edges, is that a part of an old hi hat??? it looks like it because i use the bottom of my old hi hat as kind of a mini ride/splash like cymbal and i think its a cool thing to experiment and have fun with
I have a 14 inch, 20 strand snare, and like you said, a smaller snare with less strands would produce less buzz. So, would it be okay to clip my 20 strands down to 12 (like in your first video) or would this not be okay?
hi bob
i like my snare to have alot of crack and have a more snare sound then normal but i like some tone. i have a 15ply snare with 24 srand wires. i have got those s-hoops on it, but to me they sound like ass. so im thinking of getting a die-cast batter hoop (for crack and not going out of tune) and a flanged hoop for the bottom (fore some drum tone) would you sugest this or not?? please answer.
i mainly play in rock/punk settings.
Hi Bob, Just to satisfy my curiosity what would you say is the "normal" distance the bass drum beater should be from the bass drum head? How far away do you have yours for example?
I with i had found a video like this years ago. By any chance, do you know of a way to lessen the buzz coming from the snare when it is caused by the music in the backround?
another great vid ^_^
This is A Great great great video!,thanks for sharing deep ideas Bob!,have a Great 2010!blessings to you & yours
Rodrigo Aquino drums.
Hey Bob, I have a 14x5 Chad smith custom snare and im getting a lot of buzz when I hit my higher toms. Because the drum is made of steel, would that cause more snare buzz?
i love the sound of that DW snare. what is the diameter and height
when you buy snare wire, does it come with the string (or polyester tab) included?? I was checking out some Puresound snares on amazon, but the pictures didnt show any wires attached..please reply.
Bob i love these videos very helpful and professional
Hey Bob,
My snare buzzes with the guitar amp a lot when i play live (The buzzing with toms are acceptable). Can you please advice me on what to do with it?
Many thanks,
Hey Bob!
I just bought a new snare drum. lovely tone, and good snarearticulation.
but i want to experiment with the sensetivity.
is this equation correct :
Looser snarebed tension = more sensetivity
Tighter = less sensetivity
Do you strictly use 12 strand snare wires as a result of all of your research, whether it's a 14" or 12"? Thanks Bob!
Hey :) I have a question :) I want to buy a 2nd snare , To add something more to the kit which will be on the left of the hi hat. But what is the exact purpose of it ? I like my hi hat low , so sometimes i cant hi my snare that hard when im not hitting it with the hi hat. Is that the main purpose for the 2nd snare on the left of the hi hat ? And any suggestions which one should i get ? Budget 120$ to 160$ (like tama superstar or something) Thanks :)
Hey Bob, i noticed you have a clear head on your snare. Whats the head and whats the pro's con's of clear over coated heads for snares? If theres a vid on this just gimme the link to save you time
Ps. whats the cymbal with the holes cut out? it sounds amazing like rain or something
Your 16" floor tom sounds TOO good. I would just love to imitate that sound, haha.
hey Bob! how are you?? i ve got a question.. whats your opinion about the single flanged hoops? i mean the hoops with the claws for the tension lugs.. they sure give a vintage look to the snare drum, but the sound? they give an open tone like the triple flanged, or something different? and also i think you should make a video about the the woods that are used for the snare drum shells. you are the most appropriate person for these stuff.. all the best!!!
Thanks for vid 1 & 2, Bob and the "less snare wires = more tone" principle. I had problems with residual snare buzz from the snare itself regardless of tuning variations and head combos (from a brand new 20 strand std chrome plated snare). I went for a Puresound Custom 16, problem solved - and I can tune it anyway I want now, high or low and with any head combo - no residual buzz!
Ahhh success stories... my favorite passion...Thanks N!
Hey Bob, love the videos! They've helped alot!
I have been having some problems with my snare sound recently. I got a brand new batter head for it and all of a sudden my snares started rattling an abnormal amount. It is to the point where it is just annoying. I have tried many things including raising snare tension, but nothing seems to work. Can you help?
hey :) Here i am with a problem again .. I just got a Mapex M Birch , And i want my bass to sound very loud without any vibrations. Any suggestions ?
Many thanks :)
Your tuning tips are amazing ! They've helped me alot !
Hey david... is this the post? The single most "all-around" snare in the Puresound line are the 20 strand "Blasters".The clips are different from the rest of the line and does very good job of seating the snares into the beds.
Pearl 20-Strand Bridge Type snare wires. and yah they worked great until i started tuning my toms a little higher pitched than usual. none of the wires are broken though, should i just buy some new wires?
Oh, okay. Thanks man.
I enjoyed this vid man, thanks for all the tips and tricks! :)
Hi Bob,
I have a question about the hoops. I'm buying a Mapex Pro M Maple Snare and it comes with 2.3mm Power Hoops. I know that You play on DW but do You know and would be so kind to explain me the difference between regular low end hoops and those Mapex Power Hoops? I just can't find any info on that on the net... I know what a DieCast Hoop is -can a Power Hoop be compared to it?
I have a chris adler sig and I would really like to have it sound like yours wow! I was wondering why I'm getting this bad buzzing almost like my snares are overtightened But its not when I hit the toms its when I hit the actual snare, its a nasty buzz when I hit off center and rim shots but I don't want to turn to muffling to fix it, I like my snares wide open. I would really like it to be like yours
Thank you very much! It's a 10" DW mini timbale with a set of Puresound snare strung up against the bottom of the head. So it's a mini-snare-timbale!!
@yomomtubes2 My pleasure...you're very welcome yomo!
I switch between the Shure-in ears for ultimate room isolation and the Sennheiser 250 HD / Linear for recording or simply playing (practicing). they are light weight and sound great for drum sounds.
I dont like to use mufflers on my toms cuz i like the decay of them without but i do muffle my snare a bit still i get more buzz than i like especially when i kick my bass drum which actually is muffled any more advise for my problem? i have a 12 strand but i dont have a die cast hoop yet
Hey Bob. First off, I just wanted to thank you first for you videos, they help so much. Now my question, what kind of snares would you recommend? 1 of my (20 Strands) just broke and I'm experimenting with cutting them to find that "signature" sound you were talking about. But for the future, do you know of any that you'd recommend?
Hi :)
I have a mapex M birch .. my snare is 14 inch. I'm planning to buy new heads and wires as i dont like the way my snare sounds.. I've tried almost each and every tuning , but didnt like any.. I really like how your snare sounds , wide open. But obviously I cant get this sound since mine is a 14 inch..And i have 16 snare wire strand.. can you suggest me how snare wires affect the snare? Like should I buy 20 wire strand ?
Thanks :)
Great bob!
these videos answer lots of cuestions i had!
There is a God ;)
5 Stars!
big THANKS Logan.
Try the 10@ D octave higher than the floor tom@D. The 12@G
were did u buy that amazing kit?
is there anyone i can go to cause i
went to my local music stores and they dont have dw drums.
so is there anyone i can talk to, or go to get a dw kit?
Hi Bob i have a question, all my toms generate normal amounts of snare buzz which is fine, but when i hit my bass drum the amount if snare buzz is HUGE!!! Any help or tips?? Thanks.
@voltronthegreat To a degree yes. Tuning the snare drum to the same pitch of one of your toms will excite snare buzz. Did you pick up the new "Custom Pro" model? They're the bomb!!
Oh please call me Bob! Yeah, that's a very important element in snippin' snares. Glad you got it, and you're very welcome!
Your videos are simply amazing, thank you very much. However, I would like to see step-by-step guide for installing snare wires (made by you). There are no so many quality tutorials about that and I think that such tutorial would be very useful. Thank you again.
Omg I need help!!! I undid the strainer on my snare drum and now it's very difficult to push the handle back in place and no matter how much I tighten the snare wires it sounds weird now and gives off a high-pitched overtone. I don't know how to fix it and don't want to look for another shell!
Btw I'm sure you've probably noticed this but that cymbal right above your Zildjian K ride is a bit too low. They collide when you hit one of them, and I'd hate for you to have scratches on them.
@2010ditta It varies.
It's a 2-step operation.
1. Push the beater into the head and quickly release it. If it falls back and hits the pedal plate, you want to shorten the distance between the beater and the head by changing the spring mechanism.
2. Do your best to create a 90- degree angle while holding the beater to the head surface. Going over 90 degrees (beater rod straight up & down) maximizes pedal action performance
Hope this helps!
Very educational. I'm going to try the cast hoop on the bottom of my snare.
Hey bob, im building a snare drum. its gonna be a 14x8 maple 10 ply. would it be ok to put 12 strand snare wires on a big snare drum like that?
Can't we order Puresound wires now with different wire configurations, such as 2 groups of 7 or 2 groups of 5? even a group of 6 and 2 groups of 5? I can't find any good info anywhere or where to buy them at!
Although I might be thinking of fat cat snares for the last one... but meh...
Thanks bama. Good to hear the time & energy is paying off.
hey bob, i have a few problems with my snare drum, it sounds a bit choked, and too tight, but if I loosen it, it sounds completely out of tone. Any way i can get to sound good without having to change the heads or the snares? I have an Evan Genera HD Dry on the top, and it's 4 months old, quite new. Please help
Dude, you're a drum genius!
wooooow!!! it's real eye opener!!! thanx Bob!!!! by the way, in a background I saw Zoom H2 recorder - how you use it, Bob? as a another mic, or something else?
When you hit the toms in the video, I could hear my snare drum buzz from across the room. I put my ear up to it to check while the video played.
I think I need to get this fixed.
Hey Bob..... What is the difference between the Equalizer 16 strand wires and the Regular Custom 16 strand wires? BTW.... Thanks for all u do for the drumming community! looking forward to more brilliant videos in the future!
Hey BOB I could use your help, I have a Yamaha maple with a 40 strand made by TAMA with an Emperor X head. I noticed if I tighten them up some what it wants to choke the drum. Is a 40 strand over kill, Other than that it sounds awesome THANKS FOR THE TIME YOU TAKE TO HELP US DRUMMERS OUT.
You're kind answering your question. The EC-2's have a control ring around the head's perimeter. I'd experiment with them on your floor toms. The 2nd generation of EC-2s have been released. They have a new ring format (black). Also, experiment with th EC-reso and the Genera-reso in in conjunction with the EC-2 batter.
Now there's 4 words that hit home... big thanks conor!
hey bob, Nice videos they really help! Ive just heard of puresounds EQ snare wires which claim to reduce sympathetic snare buzz. Have you ever tried the EQ line of snare wires?
Tell me, is that a Zildjian K custom hybrid 20" ride in the back?
Another way to get rid of snare buzz I discovered is to get a cleaning sponge (for washing up) from your local supermarket, the one I use is 5 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Place the sponge length ways along one of the arms of the snare cradle and then lay the drum on the stand so that the snare wires run along the sponge. Works for me and it gives me that sharp "crack" sound that I like with no buzz, and you canexperiment by loosening or tightening the cradle till you get your desired sound.
@SpankyTheYankee That's great to hear Spanky! You gotta try the new Puresound snares I recently designed. Please check out the "Custom Pro" line. The 20-steel wire steel wires are one of my faves !
Kind of unusual. Are your toms mounted onto the bass drum?
What brand snare wires? Did they work OK originally?