[quote="Redline"][/quote].. a cardboard box being hit with a carp.

With the proper mic placement, that could sound fine.
Try putting one Zlantech 90 in the box and two Zlantech 90s
inside the carp.

ddixon wrote:They seem to sound more like timpani drums at the moment.

Wow! I'd leave em just like that for awhile. If you can conjure rolling thunder with your rack toms, I am in awe of your tuning style. Salut!

Anyone recommend a budget non-steel snare?

If you can't find anything used that is in good shape, here are a few you might look into:
Tama Swingstar wood snare / approx. $100
Yamaha SSD065AR Snare Drum / approx. $130
Tama RP155 Rockstar Custom Lacquer Snare Drum / approx. $130
Pearl 2002 Export 6-Ply Wood Snare Drum / approx. $130
Pearl 2002 Export Select 6-Ply Wood Snare Drum / approx. $160-$170

These are the cheapest ones I know of. I prefer Tama over Pearl, but that's just me. I think the snare strainers are really nice throughout their entire line. I don't know anything about Yamaha.

Cheers,
Tim

One thing I would like to suggest for snares is Pure Sound snare strands. They have a good selection. Yes there are differences in snares. I have found that the quality is a lot better than those Snappy snares made in Taiwan. The strands do not break, get kinked or stretched. They retain their shape better. When the strands start to kink, or they become unevenly tensioned, you get all kinds of annoying sounds, not to mention the kinks and breaks will eat through your bottom head.

They cost more, but I swear it will save you money in the long run, make your snare sound better, and create less hassle.

I do not know what this has to do with over tones, but we are talking about snare drums.

hey - not to crowd an already busy thread but i just wanted to
second a vote for those evans dry heads. they sound great and
are just about the singular best things i have done for my
budget kit/snare.

josh

bellulah wrote:hey - not to crowd an already busy thread but i just wanted to
second a vote for those evans dry heads. they sound great and
are just about the singular best things i have done for my
budget kit/snare

I concur, I just recently started using the Evans HD dry on the recommendation of Andrew from Dead Moon. He was raving about them when they came through Columbus a few weeks ago. They control a lot of the ring and noise like no other snare head I've heard.

By way of a counterpoint, drum dood at the local music store hates them. His contention is that you've got to have some ring in your snare. The HD dry, in his mind, does too good a job.

I haven't recorded with one yet, so the jury's still out on that element.

Jeff wrote:By way of a counterpoint, drum dood at the local music store hates them. His contention is that you've got to have some ring in your snare. The HD dry, in his mind, does too good a job.

Yeah, its all personal preference anyways. I, too, prefer some ring, but use a brass snare and I think the ring sounds lovely. After working at a drum shop for 3 years, I know that a lot of drummers are looking for a dryer sounding snare. The Evans head certainly does a lot to cut out the ring.

There is also the Evans Power Center head that has a modified control dot in the center. This head has a response somewhere between a single-ply coated head and the HD dry. That might be an interesting option too.

Tim

Do not laugh, but I think one thing that has been overlooked is the stand, and how heavy it is and how tight you have it on the snare. This is minimal, but it is still a factor. Try mounting a rack tom on a snare stand and see how quickly your ring dies.

I also, prefer the snare to ring out a little. I like that ratty sound. I have tried the Evans head and felt as if the life had been sucked out the snare. They do quite the overtones, if that is what you want. After all it is your snare.

If it rings, it sings.

As a completely tone-deaf imbecile of a drum tuner, my snare sound method is this:

Use a steel shell without a hole in it (have a bunch of backup snares for the bottom). Mine's a Pearl Free-floater.

Use a thin head - Weather King Ambassador with the white shit sprayed on it.

Tighten the thing with your fingers as tight as you can get it.

Start cranking with the tuning key in half turns going from tuning peg to tuning peg opposite, etc. until you are basically in danger of breaking the head or too weak to continue.

Make sure you get the rim every time you hit it.

No tape, deadringers or foam, please.

Rings like the dickens.

Which I like.

Mike Greenlees wrote:until you are basically in danger of breaking the head or too weak to continue.

I assume you go through lots of head this way. To each their own -- I prefer a good solid 'pong' to a high tension 'ping'.

The half turn idea is good, though I'd recommend quarters once you have initial tension. Keep going until you like it and its even.

Tim

how can you have a snare with no holes in the side? surely it'd just rip itself apart on the first hit, as the air would have nowhere to go?!