Not a drumheads comparison suggestion but what could be interesting is a snare wires comparison video and hearing the contrast between narrow and wide snare wires. Sometimes they break so you are forced into seeking a replacement which would be a good opportunity to explore modifying your snare sound.
Personally, although on their own I really like the sound of predampened heads (both in-person and miked up), having an open sound is crucial to most genres of music, because you need those overtones to cut through the mix. Keep in mind that something that sounds great alone might overwhelm or die when everything else comes into play, which is why you want sharp overtones instead of straight up noise. Finding your ideal drum sound goes beyond what you might think! Remember every factor at play on this journey :)
Single-ply coated (usually Remo Ambassador x/ regular) top & bottom on the toms, reverse dot single ply snare batter head and an Evans Emad coated with either a full reso head or a 4” ported reso on the bass drum. I find this combination works best for me playing all genres of music from rock, jazz & big band and with a bit of tweaking to the tuning sounds great in all these styles.
You generally don’t want to kill 100% of tone, the drum sound won’t travel in a room. Even if you are under microphones, once you add bass keys, guitars, vocals, your super attack-y sound might disappear. You need some tone, also overtones so people hear the drums in the entire mix. I’d definitely aim for single ply heads and record yourself 5-10m away and see how good the drum mix is. This is also powerful do to for cymbals. Too muffled and the sound will die out very quickly.
Great video. As a beginner I could not hear a dramatic quality difference in the sound when comparing. They all sounded good, which is good because I am mostly interested in having a quiet setup. It would be even a more interesting video if you would have measured the dB. You can do this without costs by using a built microphone of an iphone and the NIOSH. :)
Right now I’m using a coated G1 for the 8” reso and clear G1 Reso’s on the 10”-16” tom’s and then progressively thicker batter side heads as the drum diameter goes up-all coated. Remo Ambassador batter side on the 8”-then Evan’s G1 on the 10”-G12 on the 12” and G14 on the 14”&16” tom’s. The 8” seems to sound better with 2 coated heads and the rest of the toms all have a similar feel when hit--and somehow,some way the Remo’s and the Evan’s get along-as do my Sabian,Zildjian,Meinl & Agop cymbals and Remo snare heads. Thanks for your time and energy on the video and if you get the opportunity to make a back to back tom head comparison video -that would be awesome!!👏🏽☮️❤️🖖🏽🤟🏽
Well done. I find I use ambassador coated for my vintage setups. I then tend to favor emperors for a more modern sound. I appreciate your awesome explanation of the open tone with wins of greater flexibility for muffling. 10 out of 10! 🙏🏻
I’m using a Remo Fiberskyn Ambassador on my snare drum, and coated Ambassadors on the toms. I find this arrangement the best compromise for optimizing sticks and brushes.
@tedwilliam3472 I’m playing the Response 2 Coated on the batter side of my toms and single ply Texture Coated on the reso side. My kick has a coated Super Kick 1 and the reso side is a printed logo head for my band, but it’s a Classic Clear Black. Best head manufacturer
I have a newish Sonor AQX JAZZ Kit. They are micro drums & made of Poplar. Any specific recommendations for replacement drum heads & a replacement snare? Thanks!
Yeah , I'll second the snare wires comparison. We need one of those. And on a side note: has anyone told you that you sound just like Marco Minnemann?? Lol😂
I play drums over 30 years, and in my personal experience/opinion never go more than 2ply, and absolutely no hydraulic or pre dumped heads. If you need more controlled sound you can add on the top of the head something to stop the head. I rather recommend paying particularly attention on reso head. Go for coated if you want to give more warm tone, and place clear on top for attack. Very many ignore this combo.
Great videos. Can you make a video where you only record the room sound without mics on the drums. It’s pretty much a setup of small churches… no mic line in. Which one is best… none-muffled or the muffled?
I think the idea for the video is good, but way, way too much dialog, and then when the drums were played, very little was demonstrated. I gave up. Gave you a like though.
Not a drumheads comparison suggestion but what could be interesting is a snare wires comparison video and hearing the contrast between narrow and wide snare wires. Sometimes they break so you are forced into seeking a replacement which would be a good opportunity to explore modifying your snare sound.
Personally, although on their own I really like the sound of predampened heads (both in-person and miked up), having an open sound is crucial to most genres of music, because you need those overtones to cut through the mix. Keep in mind that something that sounds great alone might overwhelm or die when everything else comes into play, which is why you want sharp overtones instead of straight up noise. Finding your ideal drum sound goes beyond what you might think! Remember every factor at play on this journey :)
Very true. That’s something many will learn from experiencing what it’s like to not cut through in a mix. Need them “annoying” overtones haha
Single-ply coated (usually Remo Ambassador x/ regular) top & bottom on the toms, reverse dot single ply snare batter head and an Evans Emad coated with either a full reso head or a 4” ported reso on the bass drum. I find this combination works best for me playing all genres of music from rock, jazz & big band and with a bit of tweaking to the tuning sounds great in all these styles.
You generally don’t want to kill 100% of tone, the drum sound won’t travel in a room. Even if you are under microphones, once you add bass keys, guitars, vocals, your super attack-y sound might disappear. You need some tone, also overtones so people hear the drums in the entire mix. I’d definitely aim for single ply heads and record yourself 5-10m away and see how good the drum mix is. This is also powerful do to for cymbals. Too muffled and the sound will die out very quickly.
geez that floor tom sure growls with that Evans hydraulic black head on it. Love it.
Great demo for how to choose heads😊
Excellent advice.
Curious to know it the other way around. Instead of same drum different heads - same heads, different drum.
I always have to find the *right* heads for each new kit I buy.
I’ve never seen such a fantastic demonstration. I just experienced this with an Evan’s heavy snare head and I despised it l!
Thank you!
Thanks for this important & timely video.
Would love to see a strictly tom drum head comparison like the snare head comparison you did.
Great video. As a beginner I could not hear a dramatic quality difference in the sound when comparing. They all sounded good, which is good because I am mostly interested in having a quiet setup. It would be even a more interesting video if you would have measured the dB. You can do this without costs by using a built microphone of an iphone and the NIOSH. :)
Thank you for this video. I'm having a hard time finding head comparisons with the Renown kit.
This is very helpful! I want to move from e-drums to acoustic and this is great information to have.
That Gretsch Renown's natural finish along with the Evans Calftone head is such a classy looking combo!
Right now I’m using a coated G1 for the 8” reso and clear G1 Reso’s on the 10”-16” tom’s and then progressively thicker batter side heads as the drum diameter goes up-all coated. Remo Ambassador batter side on the 8”-then Evan’s G1 on the 10”-G12 on the 12” and G14 on the 14”&16” tom’s.
The 8” seems to sound better with 2 coated heads and the rest of the toms all have a similar feel when hit--and somehow,some way the Remo’s and the Evan’s get along-as do my Sabian,Zildjian,Meinl & Agop cymbals and Remo snare heads.
Thanks for your time and energy on the video and if you get the opportunity to make a back to back tom head comparison video -that would be awesome!!👏🏽☮️❤️🖖🏽🤟🏽
Well done. I find I use ambassador coated for my vintage setups. I then tend to favor emperors for a more modern sound. I appreciate your awesome explanation of the open tone with wins of greater flexibility for muffling. 10 out of 10! 🙏🏻
I’m using a Remo Fiberskyn Ambassador on my snare drum, and coated Ambassadors on the toms. I find this arrangement the best compromise for optimizing sticks and brushes.
You should go with the Aquarian catalogue next!
I'm using single ply Aquarian Modern Vintage on Ludwig Club Dates..beautiful tone.
@tedwilliam3472 I’m playing the Response 2 Coated on the batter side of my toms and single ply Texture Coated on the reso side. My kick has a coated Super Kick 1 and the reso side is a printed logo head for my band, but it’s a Classic Clear Black. Best head manufacturer
@HaloAdmiral good for you..
Nice Video, and a Top Drumkit ist That a Gretsch Renown ?
I have 3 kits, dw collectors, tama star, sonor sq2's.
I think I'm going to set each with a different head setup
Thanks for the info, great video!
Great Video- I don't see the tunebot hrz that you used for the tuning, can you post them please?
I have a newish Sonor AQX JAZZ Kit.
They are micro drums & made of Poplar.
Any specific recommendations for replacement drum heads & a replacement snare?
Thanks!
very good advices
What is a 'carlock kick drum sound'? Are you referring to Master Drummer Keith Carlock of Steely Dan?
Can we get the tunebot settings?
I would suggest to compare also wood options, such as maple, birch, oak, mahogany and any other options!
Yeah , I'll second the snare wires comparison. We need one of those. And on a side note: has anyone told you that you sound just like Marco Minnemann?? Lol😂
Tom comparison would be awesome!
Single ply heads sound better and they give room for adjusting the intensity while playing
i play with natural heads ( kentville kangaroo drum head) and for me it's the perfect natural sound!!!
I prefer coated Emperors, and C.S. Dots.
By the way, blue and red make purple...
I play drums over 30 years, and in my personal experience/opinion never go more than 2ply, and absolutely no hydraulic or pre dumped heads. If you need more controlled sound you can add on the top of the head something to stop the head. I rather recommend paying particularly attention on reso head. Go for coated if you want to give more warm tone, and place clear on top for attack. Very many ignore this combo.
Very nicely put.
hydraulic black heads all the way thats what i got best tom heads and the HD dry
You didn't say nothing about the bottom of the drum so they need to be replaced
Great videos. Can you make a video where you only record the room sound without mics on the drums. It’s pretty much a setup of small churches… no mic line in. Which one is best… none-muffled or the muffled?
Let me simplify.
Aquarian.
Coated.
You’re welcome.
9:35 😂pink??
The toms are tuned too low. My opinion of course. Great video nonetheless.
I think the idea for the video is good, but way, way too much dialog, and then when the drums were played, very little was demonstrated. I gave up. Gave you a like though.