[Thunderfoot]

What's the best way to record the natural 'ping' of a well tuned snare...?

Also does anyone have any experience with usinf Fybreskyn drum heads.

Let me know

Thanks

Thunderfoot

[Damo]

Use mics at a distance. Close micd snares dont sound as realistic as most drummers would like. Its only when the room sound starts to get involved that snares start to sound natural.

Also, you may want to EQ the recorded snare sound. A common procedure is to add a bit in the 4-8KHz range to add some crispness to the sound. You could add a little at 100-150Hz to bring more body into the sound, but dont overdo it!

[Thunderfoot]

Thanks, makes sense and the EQ frequencies are very useful, CHEERS

[don11817]

The distant mic that Damien posted it great advice, the "ring" sound is more resonant the farther away you get from the drum. BUT, if you use a combination of the two you can get some more nuances and attack with a close mic and let the distant mic pick up the ambiance-- 2 channels for a snare is not unheard of... Mess with it see what you come up with....

The Fibreskyns--I think you are referring to the Remo heads? They are made to sound and look more like the old heads from the 40's 50's before Mylar heads and coated plastic were introduced. They are great for brushes and they give a nice texture to make the brushes dance and get some nice sizzle out of, but for a modern sticking sound I look for a more focused attack and crispness that the fibreskyns seem to lack. They sound good but lack the hi-end intensity of the Evans and Aquarian heads I've been using more.

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	Evans Drumheads Shop for Evans Drumheads at Musician's Friend

	Remo Drumheads Shop for Remo Drumheads at Musician's Friend

[Thunderfoot]

Thanks don11817,
I never use brushes, but am not a massive hitter...I thought the Fybreskins would be good, but they don't sound too durable or versatile. I have black dot heads on Zep sized drums at the moment, bit disappointed with those unfortunately...

[don11817]

Well I've tried a few different heads in my time on the snare to try and get differet sounds and response. I have never been attracted to the ringing sound so much, and have always tried to dampen the ring a bit so have resorted to taping, using hydraulic heads at one point, (moon gel is a God send if you want to dampen without big bulky tape and other apparatus).

I tried Kevlar heads made by Bear, ugh-- you can play on it even if you wear a hole through it--seriously I've done it, but they ring like crazy.

So here are the heads I like best currently:

Evans EC Reversed Dot Coated Snare Batter Head--my favorite batter side or the Evans Genera HD Dry Snare Batter Drumhead-a decent batter side and on the bottom I'm using Evans Hazy 300 Snare Side.

I like some Aquarian heads I tried out the Aquarian Focus-X Snare Drumhead and like them but prefer the Evans heads...

Remo heads are still popular though, its a matter of preference

	Aquarian Drumheads Shop for Aquarian Drumheads at Musician's Friend

	Evans Drumheads Shop for Evans Drumheads at Musician's Friend

	Remo Drumheads Shop for Remo Drumheads at Musician's Friend