Are you using the right SNARE BATTER HEAD?

[@Moka8]

I love the Ambassador because it's very dynamic depending on playing style and dampening. I also think the extra high end helps the snare cut through the mix better.

[@zacharycole7519]

I am personally a big fan of the dots found on controls sound dots or even the heavyweight, because the centre becomes super focused but I can play nice fuzzy ghosts notes by moving just off the dot

[@DaPhunk73]

I am not a metalhead, but your videos on drums and drum recording are really some of the very best I've seen. Really useful tips, and of course the sounds and examples you are getting are really top notch. Thanks a lot, keep up the good work!

[@KohleAudioKult]

Thanks man! Spread the word!

[@effervescentsoliloquoy914]

Remo Ambassador has always been my go-to snare batter head and are generally the most popular with my friends too. They are particularly good for black and thrash metal due to their sharp attack. I also find their longevity to be quick surprising. (They're also really popular because they usually come free with pro packs of Remo Emperor Tom heads which are also very good for black and thrash metal).

[@davidfuller581]

I'm big on the Evans Reverse Dot. Lots like the ambassador but more controlled with less use of moongel.

[@morast6330]

This!

[@AlexeySolovievMusic]

All of your videos are super awesome and super educational🔥🔥🔥

[@jeremymull6138]

Evans reverse dot is what I have been using for the last several years. I love it on my stock Gretsch wood snare.

[@chromebull884]

I highly recommend checking out the Hi-Energy by Aquarian. It is perfect for metal and rock.

[@chiefindisguise]

What i took away from this video is ALWAYS take in consideration the OVERALL picture of the production, that's why pre production is so important it makes you think of all of this options before the actual recording. I tend to not like overly bright sounds on their own, but i i'm internalizing what Kohle said, in the acumulation of sounds your going to need those highs (and equally important, the sustain) in order for them to cut through and impact. All of this reminds me of soloing a track while you are mixing, it decontextualizes the "sum of it's parts" that is music. Sorry for the long analitic comment, my grandfather is german i can't help it.😉

[@KohleAudioKult]

Haha! But you're right. You need more "ring" and "highs" in context than most people think.

[@Stubz_Perez]

I have little recording experience as a drummer but strictly going off of what I feel and what I like; my go-to snare setup is a Controlled Sound on the batter and some form of a Diplomat Ambassador on the snare side. Right now I have a CS-X on my batter and a hazy Diplomat on my snare. I tune maybe a fair amount higher based on what you had your snare set to. It's not pingy but it has a good, meaty crack to it. I like a little bit of ring and about a medium amount of sustain.

[@hillie47]

Your reasoning about place in the mix really puts things in place, thank you.

[@peterasberg9761]

Kvadratish, praktish und delikat!

[@bestevaer1977]

Nice, i just got a whole bunch of heads to check this out myself!

[@ZeBubba]

Ambassador had the snap and crack a snare needs to stand out in a busy track. I've been using Remo CS recently, but thinking about going back to Amba, cheers for giving me some direction!

[@jcdrums2798]

Very good comparison ! Ambassador is definitly the best

[@CloudburstStudio]

Would love to see more educational videos on drums due to the fact that I have very little knowledge on the subject haha. Thanks for all the vids Kristian you’ve easily become one of my favorite channels to watch!

[@svartrav8259]

Tune Bot is da shit, i works, love it

[@rockdahaus]

I´m not a pro, but would recommend Remo controlled sound (CS) coated with the bottom black dot or the Evans power center. They are more like the Ambassador but with a little more focus and durability. Cool vid! Grüße aus Braunschweig

[@comand0Metalero1]

Oh yeah man me too my favorite is the CS

[@sinonm1]

Thank you for creating such great content. As a drummer and guitarist, I find your content invaluable.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Thanks man! Stay tuned for my academy in October!

[@sinonm1]

@@KohleAudioKult will do!

[@ZackMester]

Agreed. I keep coming back to the ambassador but I’m going to try a pinstripe on the snare for a brighter rehearsal space that I play in.

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

They all sound great, I guess you could use them in different scenarios such as the occasion when you have a drummer who doesn’t hit very consistent, then you could use the hydraulic which would kind of control his inconsistency. I think I like the heavy weight the best, since it has a little bit of a controlled sound but still has some of the ring. I would love to see some videos of the other drumheads as well.🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@KohleAudioKult]

Thanks! I agree that the Hydraulic should do wonders on inconistent drummers!

[@tomarlinghaus7330]

Definitely the ambassador! Just don't be lazy when it's about tuning and there is a snare with character

[@KohleAudioKult]

Howdy! Did you get your shirt?

[@tomarlinghaus7330]

@@KohleAudioKult Yes, Thanks! You'll get a little "thank you gift" on Instagram soon :)

[@silasschue]

How does the head sound? Kohle: Ding Dang Dung 😂 Nice video, thanks a lot !

[@zinck8]

Would have loved to see the Remo Controlled Sound, its an ambassador with a dot. Seems to be kind of a standard in studios

[@ManiacFitness]

I know Aquarian and Evans used to make Kevlar snare heads mostly for marching snares but if you want to go for that gun shot sound 👍

[@OtwanD]

I tried so many snareheads but always came back to embassador single ply. Even for a drummer and not engineer we usually want ringy stuff. Brass + Embassador is the way to go :)

[@thevibromatic4619]

Hi Kristian, super Video und wie immer, sehr gute A-B-Vergleiche! Vielen Dank! Ich spiele schon ewig Remo Powerstrokes auf meinen Snares, aber das Video hat mich echt neugierig gemacht, und ich werde zukünftig auch wieder mal Ambassadors für unsere Aufnahmen benutzen. 💪

[@KohleAudioKult]

Dat war die Idee! Ambassadors sind schon cool, aber etwas schwieriger gleichmäßig zu spielen.

[@thevibromatic4619]

@@KohleAudioKult Hehe, ja, vor allem bei so nem Bim-Bang-Bom-Trommler wie mich. 🤷‍♂️😄

[@DavePowell666]

Looking forward to a Donald Trump Signature Snare sample pack in the future. 😆

[@SlyHikari03]

Lol

[@headroomguitar]

The hydraulic head would be a godsend for recording a less than great drummer. Super consistent snare hits with a twist of 6 screws, no shaming, no hair pulling. Session saved.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Yes, exactly my thoughts

[@DaisyHead666]

I had a Remo Weatherking head that lasted for YEAAARRSSS and im an extremely hard hitter. Sounded really nice too.

[@blakedmc1989DrumsHD]

i was not fortunate with Remo and it quickly broke, but when i threw in Evans, it lasted and lasted

[@tnikiforov]

Controlled sound clear For the win!

[@WolfusMusicus]

The reinforcement does not only strengthen the point of impact. Because it adds weight to the center the overtone structure gets shifted and the first few of them get closer to harmonic overtones. This is also the reason why the pitch sounds different although the fundamental frequency was tuned the same.

[@arrowintheknee9956]

Remo CS is my go to, most of the time.

[@BalashToth]

For my ears it feels like the Ambassador has more of those high frequencies (4-5khz) by default that you need to fight for in a heavy mix. Great and unique video!

[@BalashToth]

Haha and I just realized Kristian said the same thing at the end if the video 😁

[@adamstrachn]

Fascinating video Kristian. I liked the Hydraulic before the Ambassador with the dampening. Still has the high attack & just enough ring for me. Thanks brother 🖖🏼

[@MrAngryTwinkie]

Depends on the snare, especially the hoops in my experience. My default is usually an Ambassador Vintage which is a 2 ply. One layer of 7.5mil one of 3mil

[@Leotardoification]

So your head is 1,1cm thick? Doubt it

[@Leotardoification]

@@robjobse8860 yes, he edited it after my post. He initially wrote mm

[@vhmendonca]

Great Video, Kristian! The Ambassador fits my taste and style better. I also love the Evans HD Dry. Have you tried this one before? I agree with your statement regarding thick crashes, they don't sound good. Shout out to the drummer on the video! Great grooves!

[@KohleAudioKult]

I get a little confused with all the different Evans heads. Is that the one with the holes?

[@vhmendonca]

@@KohleAudioKult Correct!

[@TIRABATERA]

Awesome video, thank you!!

[@morrinsville23]

Really great video thanks!!

[@dpiselli]

Thanks for this! You inspired me to pick up the SE V7 for my snare, and I’ve never looked back. Sounds amazing.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Oh yeah, it's awesome!

[@cDisturbed.]

I love the hydraulic on my snare, paired with the snare side 500 it’s a beast

[@CrushingAxes]

Cool video Kohle. Had no idea at all it would make such a huge difference!

[@nilsgariboff]

Nice one! Where is the video on cymbals you mentioned? Cheers

[@eliaskapravelos7171]

Love the remo stuff, evans usually sounds pretty eh to me, way too dampened, I'd rather get a bright source to dampen later than a dark source to brighten up and find all sorts of bleed artefacts in.

[@officialkaifeck]

We are really going to test this on our next album. Really good video! Thanks Kohle!

[@timlovegrove1097]

Remo also do a Controlled Sound X head, which I think you're referencing at the end, and is halfway between the Ambassador and the Evans Heavyweight - 12mil with a dot in the middle. I really like it, it's less ringy and "hollow" sounding than an Ambassador, but isn't totally deadened and flat and doesn't need a moon gel (maybe a half or quarter gel for certain tunings). I've tried the Hydraulics and there's something about the construction that makes them physically harder and more tiring to play. The oil dampening makes them somewhat quieter and there's a lot less rebound, so you have to put more into them to get the same sort of sounds.

[@victorloya1590]

Wow, I have been using Remo Emperors, now I will try Ambassadors.

[@borndrumming1972]

Okay. So I watched until the end. As I listened to the a/b between the Ambassador and the hydraulic I could hear that the thickness or beefiness of the hydraulic head was able to make the aluminum shell have a tone that was more Audible. The Remo Ambassador seems to get its overtones exclusively from the tightness of the head, the tuning of the bottom head and how you hit it. I would like to experiment with that hydraulic head on both wood and metal drums.

[@livetorock1844]

Awesome video! This resonates with my own trial and error attempts at recording the snare drum. The Trump reference was priceless.

[@Glurbschnurb]

I love the snap of a Genera Dry

[@anthonykragness6934]

Evans hybrid is my go to.

[@Startrekker77]

Killer video!! I’m off to buy the Evans Hydraulic Coated!!!! Love the warm thump!!!! Thanks so much for another super useful vid!!!!!!

[@oozede9035]

Great video, again! It really helped me alot! I think I'll keep my heavyweights for now.

[@tsalagi78]

Thanks!

[@AndreiJumuga]

Hey Kohle, awesome video! For dampening, did you try the Snareweight? (if you don't have S-Hoops on snares) It's way more flexible than moongels and doesn't change the attack as much, only the sustain. Also, for character, check out the Evans Calftone, definitely not as durable, but extremely tasty. I tracked a grindcore/death metal album with it on a Supraphonic and loved it.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Gonna check that out. Thanks!

[@DontWorryImAPilot]

I've had a pile of drummers bring the Evans Hydraulics in for their toms lately. I'd describe them on toms as exactly what you said about them on snares: boring, dark, not a lot of attack, too short for a tom. I think they're probably good for a drummer who can't get their drums in great tune. They probably also would be great in a DIY touring situation especially considering durability and the fact that there's often not a PA for the drums.

[@scottbyler2649]

“If you play rock or metal, don’t buy cymbals that are called rock or metal “ that’s the best advice in this video! And, I agree on the remo ambassador. Drums should be alive and noisy. You are wise beyond your years!

[@acidbath3226]

I like the aquarian reflectors I think they have more dynamics than the evans hydraulics

[@georgepelekoudis]

Good comparison. I use these three head types. Can’t go wrong with Ambassadors. The Heavyweight is a few cranks away from Jay Weinberg 😅 I found the Hydraulics sound good on light wood snares, especially when hit hard. Interesting results with our Yamaha CC Kapur snare.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Which head would you take? Attack or punch? What do you prefer?

[@mattwhite399]

Awesome video!

[@michanowak7060]

How about one more episode on mixing distortion and fuzz? What if we mix some modern chugging heavy distortion with classic octave fuzz for both chugs and sparkling leads? Or if we add phaser or reverb to the fuzz side to make it even wilder while keeping rock solid chug? You made the modern metal tone sound dirty, time to make it sound psychedelic!

[@Charlyfromthenuclearcity]

Albert Fish waking up : "I think I want to use three heads today."

[@markospolar1577]

Hi there, I've always been a fan of thick drumheads - the thicker the better because POWER!!!! Not anymore. Really good stuff and damn you for making me spend my money (on thinner drumheads). :) On a side note: it really helps to (at least try to) see things from a different perspective, for instance "the feeling of bashing the drums because POWER" vs. "the sound you want on a record". Two very different things which I only realized watching this video. THANK YOU!!! BR, M

[@KohleAudioKult]

Thanks! Great to hear I could share some wisdom! Spread the word and stay tuned!

[@MarcosCerutti]

Very nice man! Thanks a lot!

[@Checker1O1]

Where is the bass speaker video? Lol love the content buddy! Cheers from Canada.

[@KohleAudioKult]

You've seen the one where I tired 3-4 different speakers right? Check the bass playlist.

[@jasoncrump1886]

Appreciate all the info brother man.

[@Freogeteknet]

I wonder if you needed to tighten the thicker ply more to get to the same frequency as the thinner heads. If that's the case it will theoretically go lower.

[@md4man]

The heavier heads seem appealing until they are in an actual mix & then they will sound "short" (for lack of a better word) and thus, weak. You need some ring in the snare for rock and metal mixes. Personally, I use Aquarian Texture Coated and Texture Coated Studio Xs, depending on the snare. Their texture coating is far superior to Remo's and I like their tone more than equivalent heads from Evans. But, too each their own.

[@KohleAudioKult]

I fully agree!

[@danlc95]

The Aquarian Texture Coated and the Texture Coated Power Dot are favorites of mine. I prefer Remo and Aquarian. I'm not a fan of Evans heads. Their G1 and Power Center reverse dot fell short on tone and feel for me.

[@grampageoff]

Evans HD dry is my fave snare head. You should check em out sometime.

[@calebcoleman9569]

One thing I’ve noticed about using too much dampening or too thick of heads, is it my sound good with the drums in solo, but in a dense mix, it sounds like a short, weak blip.

[@KohleAudioKult]

What I’m saying! Don’t dampen too much from the get go.

[@Bcwilderness]

a single head on a deep old sonor acrylic tom conversion is the bollox or deep brass, 8 inch and deeper

[@Bcwilderness]

and a hazy on the bottom tabletop tight

[@erikkroll2154]

I use coated ambassador with damping. Gives me the sound I like. Using a Shure 98 on it.

[@KohleAudioKult]

You're in my team then! ;)

[@matijatatomirovic3351]

You absolutely need to try a clear head. Coating takes away a lot of snap, which you usually add with an eq later. I love Emperor clears on snare.

[@KohleAudioKult]

That's the next test for sure!

[@machine-madedog5059]

Don’t ask me, I was always an Aquarian guy. 🤷‍♂️

[@ATotalDork]

Great video, but what's with the watermark on the top right?

[@KohleAudioKult]

My upcoming academy

[@cmd_f5]

Your thoughts on Aquarian heads? I personally love them more than Remos.

[@allyemeraart]

aquarian single plys are so fuckin nasty (in a good way).

[@hillie47]

My local drum tech says there's an Aquarian "sound", but I've really been enjoying their snare heads. Their coatings seem to last much longer than other brands as well.

[@danlc95]

Excellent heads. I use them too from time to time. Remo and Aquarian are the only ones I like.

[@vicsandSTR]

It also depends on the snare, for example the ambassador works great for my gretsch thin steel snare, but I also have a cast aluminum drumcraft snare whose ring is totally uncontrollable and i have to use an Hd dry or something similar...

[@KohleAudioKult]

Of course it depends on the snare. The video is mainly to show what the heads do in general

[@defekkto]

Ambassador X is king for versatility

[@dcp10200]

From my understanding Hydraulics heads are aimed at getting that dry 70s Soul/R&B tone out of your kit and tuned super low, also I think Dave Grohl used them on the Songs for the Deaf record with QOTSA with low tuning and recording the shells separate from the cymbals. They're a cool sound but Metal doesn't seem to be their strong suit

[@musikhunden6694]

But could you not approximate the sound of a thinner ply head by tuning the heavier ply heads UP in comparison?? Or no??? Maybe a test?? Or anybody know? I wanted to use single ply dot head but my drummer wants to use very heavy thick head and now I am sad panda :(

[@KohleAudioKult]

I haven't tried. But I'm pretty sure you can't get the bright attack of thinner heads by tuning up.

[@danlc95]

Definitely try cranking up your drummer's preferred head first. I have always had good luck doing that for others that needed help with their sound. I never had a tune bot nor will I ever have one, which allows for experimentation.

[@johnstiltner1]

remo falams?

[@JB.Rochwol]

Why didn’t you include the Remo Controlled Sound Coated?

[@kimseniorb]

Waiting for the cheap tom mic video

[@Prodrummer1603]

I use the Heavyweight, but with a much higher tuning (top frequency: 311 Hz). Gives you more crack with a nice ring, but still a fat, punchy sound. I love these higher pitched snare sounds. Great example: Rammsteins Snare Sound on "Rosenrot"/"Reise, Reise". But i have a second snare which i will tune much lower to get that fat, flat snare sound. Will try the Evans Hydraulic Red-Head for that.

[@KohleAudioKult]

311Hz is quite high! Hard to get enough punch at that frequency in my experience.

[@Prodrummer1603]

@@KohleAudioKult This frequency is not the fundamental pitch of the head but the frequency you can measure at the edge of the head. It's always higher than the frequency you can hear when you hit the middle of the head. And this pitch is the same that Matt Halpern used on "Periphery III" for most songs. I would say it's medium to high tuning.

[@heavyweightmusic4191]

@@Prodrummer1603 thanks for your information. I was seeking for p3 snare sound, especially 'the price is wrong, lune (i think other song is kinda low tuned than those 2 songs)

[@JesterDyne]

Jep I agree, leave a little Ring Ring in it. So you have a little Ring Ring on the Snare, Dengl Dengl on the Bass and Bruzl Bruzl on the Guitars. I think I've just described the early Slipknot Sound :) I've never tried those thicker Heads on a Piccolo Snare. Could this help some gravity blasts? Oh my Geht we hate those to fix in the Mix...

[@KohleAudioKult]

🤣🤣🤣

[@methodovermotive9275]

So this is something that makes little sense to me as a drummer-producer: Why pick a full-depth (6") drum and then aggressively boost the highs? Why not just start with a shallower drum, and EQ less? (I have a Pearl brass-free floating piccolo that can cut through anything.) Would love a similar 'German style" comparison vid of different snare shell materials & depths.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Noted! I also have a Free Floating Brass snare. You still need to boost the highs on the close mics for a modern sound.

[@andywitch666]

When tuned higher the hydraulic becomes more dynamic sounding and responsive.

[@heavyweightmusic4191]

Agreed

[@irok75]

My go to batter head for snare are Remo Coated Powerstroke 3 :) yep those Evans sounds dead.

[@zyxwfish]

The ambassador is the best snare head always but I can’t agree with tuning the bottom head tighter than the top. As far as cheap drum mics go it’s all about the berhinger B906 and berhinger SB 78A, mostly the SB78A!

[@rapscallion52]

with how tight I tune my batter, my snare side will break if I try to tune it higher :P

[@zyxwfish]

Bretton M how? If the batter is to the max how will that break the snare side?

[@rapscallion52]

Trying to tune the snare side higher than the batter will break it

[@zyxwfish]

Bretton M interesting

[@toemasmeems]

I don’t even own a drum set and it wouldn’t be practical to get one for me but I always like a Kohle vid

[@KohleAudioKult]

Haha! That's the spirit.

[@Eurodrummer666]

I prefer the Remo Ambassador CS.

[@willesposito9165]

Very interesting

[@OsmiumStudios]

Personally we found that the heavy weight does not sound that great. Usually emperor is what gives that flexible ring and longevity of 2ply :)

[@thepluggy1]

260 hrtz is the fundamental pitch yes? What would the lug pitch be at that then? Love the content.

[@KohleAudioKult]

No! That's the pitch of the batter head!

[@KohleAudioKult]

No! That's the pitch of the batter head!

[@TheFatApache]

oh jesus, that bing bing bong bong lmfao.

[@jonaskjellgren3855]

Great video👌

[@king-kore-studio]

I prefer the Evans hybrid Kevlar head for my studio kit

[@SimonKranzDrums]

Quick nerdy question: is 260Hz the lug pitch or the center pitch of the batter head? Depending on the thickness of the head and if it has a center dot, the pitch of the head will be different even though the lug pitch is the same in my experience. Thanks for the video, I'm already looking forward to the affordable mic shootout! \m/

[@KohleAudioKult]

Lug it is!

[@OlliLappalainen]

Ambassador is the thinnest batter head on the market. At least I've never encountered any thinner batter heads.. :D but still, I don't know why so many metal and rock drummers are not using it. It makes drums so ringy that they sound huge. Because they resonate so well. Ambassador or Emperors are my go to heads for toms. Standard, nothing special, resonate well, good for any genre. It's just the idea of everything having to be thiccc and big to sound like heavy. Idk. The thing in the bottom of that head is for control. Less overtones. 😉 I guess a bit similiar with Remo Controlled sound that I like for the snare.

[@MrAngryTwinkie]

Diplomat is even thinner.

[@OlliLappalainen]

@@MrAngryTwinkie True! 7,5Mil where Ambassador is 10Mil. I should try that actually just for the sake of trying.. :D

[@KohleAudioKult]

Don't people use it as resonant heads?

[@OlliLappalainen]

@@KohleAudioKult Might use, I guess. Sounds reasonable. Drum, like Tama, that are shipped with Remo heads have Ambassadors top&bottom by default. But that thin head as Diplomat probably makes the drum sing like a Disney princess.