DON'T Fix a Ringy Snare with Moongel. Here's Why...

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If you’re trying to get rid of ringy-ness from your snare, more moongel or more gaff tape is not always the solution. I’ll show you what is, and I’ll share some tricks for getting the snare sound you want out of any drum. If you find yourself tuning medium or low most of the time, you’ve noticed that your snare always has that low-note hum that’s hard to get rid of. That low tone has a tendency to keep ringing, and it’s often amplified by a close mic on your snare in a live situation. The worse part is that this ring is such a distinct “note” that it pretty much always clashes with everything. We’ve gotta get rid of this without totally destroying the tone of the drum, and that’s what we’re solving today.
If you have questions about creative solutions for solving ring, shoot me an email! I’ve love to chat with you about it. Have fun finding items around the house you can use to fix your snare sound. I’m excited to hear about them.
Check out Aaron Sterling, master of creating cool drum sounds and finding creative solutions for drum ring!
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[@sccdrum93]

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[@DanielNambassi]

Was that college percussion piece "Rain Dance" by any chance?

[@azuk5528]

now it makes clear sense why I’ve always preferred the sound of the moongel’s plastic box on my snare instead of the moongel itself lol

[@GMStrickland]

Perfect! I used a very small plastic bag I had from the hardware store and slowly added some 1/4-20 1.5" pan-head bolts. The sweet spot was 3 bolts... 2 to 4 are good, more than that and ring is completely gone, less and it's a ring fest. Amazing way to fine tune the decay. Thank you!

[@schaddalton]

I have, currently, 7 very different snare drums (and have owned at least twice that many over the years) and have never once encountered any issue placing a single, simple Moongel on them about an inch or so from the rim. Any undesirable ring is removed, I don't lose tone and have never felt any need to put 7 gels on one snare. I'm pretty sure no one ever suggested using the entire Moongel pack on one drum. 1 per snare and 1-2 per tom (if they have a ring you want to pull out that tuning isn't quite getting) is plenty.

[@PJBonoVox]

Then this video isn't for you, is it?

[@0xmusou]

@@PJBonoVox i believe its for everyone he just disagrees

[@billthebutcher1821]

@@PJBonoVoxchill bro

[@InYourDreams-Andia]

Right? Dials in any drum, tho a wallet or a distortion pedal literally on the snare gets different tone, and that's cool too, if less repeatable

[@vonbeaver99]

Moongel is his gf, watch it bro 😂

[@jamessssssssssssss]

i like to use the old wallet trick, along with a ching ring to reintroduce some higher frequencies that the wallet deadens. it doesn't do the "gate" thing mentioned in this video but it sounds the way i like : ) going to experiment with a bell soon jd beck style

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

James Smith I also use a trucker billfold. Can’t sit on it anyways lol. It’s perfect.

[@JonJoedrums]

Try laying a 10 or 12” Tom head on the snare and put the Ching ring on the Tom head. Experiment with different tunings, I promise you’ll love it ✊🏿

[@jamessssssssssssss]

@@JonJoedrums I have a ~7" bell on there right now and I absolutely am in love with the sound, super high and very dead lol just the way I like it. But when I eventually change my Tom heads I'll try this out !

[@noah._.powell]

Great video! Something else I've noticed that changes your sound is how you position your dampening around the drum. I don't have a DrumDial or TuneBot, so I get everything as close to an even tension as possible, and then fine tune from there. Since there's now different tension between the lugs of the drum, you can't rely on sticking the muffling in the exact same spot that you do on another drum, since it will now have a different effect. Sometimes your muffling could take/add depth to your sound, sometimes it can add/take away overtones and sometimes it can even change the FEEL of the drum. That's something I really pay attention to when dampening/tuning :).

[@selfctrl]

This worked out great. Always used just one moongel on my snare and it tamed the ring a little but also muffled it. Just bundled up a small amount of chain and tied it to one of the top lugs. It’s done wonders. Thanks. 🙏🏼

[@normanlouis3902]

Hey Stephen, I really dig your channel. No frills just good advice. I made an analog gate years ago. I filled a empty pack of cigarettes half way with bb's taped it up extra well, and gafe taped it to the hoop. It's Still in my stick bag.

[@garydonnelly100]

This is pretty much the same idea as Weckl's plunger mute. It's an active "gate" and what I liked about that is the adjustable rubber o-rings on the shaft that allows you to adjust the amount of the "gate" effect.

[@jamesmcmackin8773]

Five Moongels? You absolute mad lad!

[@grimdrum2396]

This makes perfect sense. The harder the hit, the longer the gate stays open. The lighter the hit, the shorter. Thank you Steven. I will try this.

[@chinmeysway]

Cool stuff. For ring / pitch control, can also experiment with where on the drum the stick is hitting; actual center vs 2” away from the center.

[@HeinekenPete]

...I discovered this trick when I placed a Bulldog Cafe Amsterdam beer coaster on the snare & liked the dampening it provided. 👍

[@TheGuitologist]

Great video.

[@Morganstudios]

I have a plastic case for my Hearos. I stuck some velcro wire wrapping stuff in there and tapped it to the side of the drum like he did here. Works pretty well! I get a muted light sound and short ring if I hit it harder, rimshots still work.

[@liamfitzgerald7217]

I like to use a homemade ring that I made from an old drum head. It does exactly what I need it to and it makes it better to play along to songs since there's not so much ring. Plus I have options for sounds.

[@mchaggis622]

Those are good if you like no ring whatsoever, but for my taste they make the snare sound too choked.

[@danmagee5]

I figured something out that might be an easy solution for anyone. Just get a piece of rather long duct tape put about three decent-sized washers in there fold it over tape it together and then clip it on with one of those paper clip things. You can also adjust it by putting it next to the rim or a little further in towards the center. One thing it rattles a little bit so put a little tape in between each washer. Works great. I tried it with a piece of leather but that's too much muffling. A piece of thin fabric might also work sewn together.

[@PeterhoveOlsen]

"you don't like how long the Ringo's"

[@PeterhoveOlsen]

This is actually my first ever you comment

[@thepandaman7]

your comment made me smile peter!

[@jimmio3727]

You sir deserve a gold Starr.

[@joemasse4568]

Peter Hove Ringo would put his cigarettes box on the snare?

[@davidcarbonnel6396]

"...you don't like how long the ring goes" incidentally this was Ringo's technique with gafa a cymbal pads. They would lift up on the first impact and fall back to stop the sound wave. Check out Mike Mangini's slow mo video. Thanks for the Vid BTW, keep em coming

[@OogaB0oga]

...but did you like how long Ringo's ring goes tho?

[@davidcarbonnel6396]

@@OogaB0oga thanks, 11 months ago I was obviously stupid.

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

I use my wallet. It’s one of those trucker billfolds that’s about 6” long. I can’t sit on it while playing anyways and it’s a perfect muffle.

[@gradybaumgartner2242]

I use a dead phone with an otter box on it. Works like a charm

[@zachary_attackery]

I actually heard Alex Van Halen used a wallet on his at one point

[@arothmanmusic]

I’ve tried to play with a wallet on my snare but it moves around too much and ends up in my way.

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

@@arothmanmusic a little gaff on the rim, my dude. Just put a roll in your hardware bag, you’re gonna need it for other stuff anyways. Like spiking your drum set on your rug for quick set-up and subbing for memory locks. Gaff tape #forever.

[@epiphonium]

Recently my wallet is so empty I would need to tie it down to keep it from floating away.

[@helemaalnicks6215]

This is a great video, usually, I want the full ringyness, but I want to try this for some songs, this is a great idea.

[@thebassist122]

Best snare tip ever!! Where was this all my life?

[@texxhexxmm]

Your snare sounds always phenomenal!💥🥁 What device is this Thing ,you use?

[@blakenunndrums]

Evan's HD dry heads...work great, even on metal drums with a lot of *good* overtones that you want to keep!

[@Chiroman527]

Good advice. I switched to Evans Dry Snare batter head on my Brass DW 14 X 6.5 snare and it produces a great sound w/o that annoying ringing. The cheap Stock Remo Head on my newly acquired PDP Concept Maple 14 X 5.5 Snare will be replaced with a Evans HD Dry ASAP. Oh I also replaced the cheap stock head on a Griffin 13 X 3.5 Piccolo snare - wow big difference. Madea $50 Snare sound like a much more expensive one.

[@blakenunndrums]

@@Chiroman527 Awesome! Yeah, I've used those a bunch on all my brass snares depending on how many overtones I want. The Genera version is also good. One is a single ply, and one is a double ply (the HD version). It just depends on what type of music you play and how you like your snares to sound. I crank mine way up. lol. Thanks, bro! Happy drumming!

[@ddeadbeat]

I put the moon gel on the under side of the head and only 2 of them with one at 12 oclock and the other at 8 oclock perfect sound for me.

[@weird_wild_world]

great idea, you can find those jingly bracelets at any dollar store in the tacky jewelry section, probably near the register

[@chrismallios1621]

I thought the one moon gel sounded the best of all the different options from no moon gel to more than one. I in some cases will use one moon gel but I place it closer to the rim so it does not over muffle the liveness that a snare requires. Thats just my personal sound preference. I used to let the buzz fly until one day when I heard my friends wife say she likes songs that have low volume snares. I started to pay more attention and realized that the snare should not be the loudest drum on a recording or a live gig. I have a friend who even though he was told by a real professional, If the drums stand out more than all the other instruments, that someone is doing something wrong. I also feel that unless it is your kick drum, that no drum should be louder than the rest of the drums. My example that I use is my friends drum set has that problem. Despite the advice I gave him, He would often ask me, "how did that sound"? I would answer him honestly and say, "I am not sure, all I heard was the snare". That is when his face expression would change from an anxious smile, to a quick and pitiful frown. Anyway, I enjoyed your video on this subject. Cheers

[@samuelcarlsen1442]

Really appreciate these kinds of videos. I have multiple times recommended your videos to other drummers especially my schools band leaders. since they set up all the drum kits on the school but don’t have very much knowledge of tuning them and stuff. since I’m the only drummer there so this has been very helpful. both for me and them. maybe you can do some more highhat related stuff. I always find myself having the most trouble with hihats for some reason. getting them to sound good and consistent And not being too tight and stuff like that. That and the first rack Tom. for some reason we had a drum kit in one of the rooms that just had this one wrack tom that sounded horrible. I tried doing a lot of different things but just never got it working. eventually switched to playng the electronic drum kid whenever I was in that particular room. still kind of annoys me that I didn’t solve it

[@DenaliDad]

I have seen your Snare Thing on many of your videos, Stephen, so hearing that you don't know where it comes from leads me to this potential business opportunity for you...DEVELOP IT AND SELL IT to us! I would buy one TODAY.

[@looppool]

For what it's worth, Here's a third option that I show drummers when I am producing them. Take 3 pieces of attached toilet paper. fold them over so that they are not evenly folded (in other words, leave about a 1/2" of overlap. turn the folded toilet paper over so that the short side faces up and put a piece of gaffing tape that rests about one inch on top of the toilet paper (so that it seals the overlap portion) no take the extra gaffing tape and tape it to the inside of the rim, so that no tape touches the drum head. This also creates a 'gating' effect, You hit it and the toilet paper rises and then when it falls it gates out the high ring ONLY. In this way, it doesn't choke the drum's sound at all, it only takes away the high ring.

[@WillCharlesRoss]

Very useful video from Stephen as always. Yes I have my own methods for tuning and dampening. But this added another dimension.

[@abrotherinchrist]

I found an old chain that I took off of my chain wallet, looped it over twice and taped around the clips with gaf tape and taped it to the side of the snare just like you have yours. I like the way it sounds now without the moon gel. I found the moon gel not only caused a weird ringiness but also caused my center spot to move slightly. Now it's dead center again.

[@stattkiller2130]

I use 2 pieces of moon gel one on top and one on the bottom it can make a real good pop sound

[@Chain_Star_Productions]

I use my cellphone & is works very well

[@zf8744]

I do that too 👍🏻 just have to avoid the screen

[@dr.timschurig234]

I use the Dave Weckl snaredrum dampener by Remo which does exactly what he describes: it works like a mechanic gate, perfect solution for me, but selfmade stuff will surely do the job, too.

[@sergiozdrums]

great video!! I've seen Dave weckl using one device that does the job, I've heard him said he co-designed it with remo, However I think Im gonna get creative and create my own like you said!!!!! thanks!

[@Tharsis_]

Using strands of beads has worked wonders for me, not only does the “gate,” allow the real drum tone to cut through better, but I feel like they almost add a sort of white noise to the snare tone when they cling together like that too. I’ve actually heard of some low budget engineers talking about augmenting artificial white noise tracks to make snares on drum tracks sound more clackey, this is kinda similar in that sense

[@robfriedrich2822]

Moon gel is good to silence the instrument. I had with my cajon kit the problem that the bongos were too loud, so the gel pad applied on the back of the head skin reduced the level.

[@Hennu_TRM]

Okay but where can I get the jingly thing?

[@jessecerasus9621]

I've found bronze jingles on Amazon and I'll make my own 'Clark muffer' !

[@billbillards569]

I think you are only supposed to put on one piece of moongel and not all 5. That is what I do and works great.

[@deadrituals]

Cool trick, producer Eric Valentine (who is also a drummer) was talking about this trick too!

[@luc8254]

I've seen some mufflers made that work kind of like these, they are usually leather and just sit there loosely on the snare drum

[@trevorsmith9220]

How about a pouch with some weight in hooked over the side? Boss vid, cool ideas.

[@patcummins1405]

I cut a T-shirt into a circle and put in under the rim to completely kill it. Cool for 70s vibes and really easy to control in post

[@johnkatrina5947]

I agree that something that floats off the head and lands down on it gives you the best decay (which is what you’re really after) while preserving the tone during the actual stroke. My solution is a piece of Mylar from either a studio ring or other drum head cut to size and taped so it hangs on the rim ... you can actually flip it up when you want the full ring. I always felt gels choke the natural vibration of the head ...

[@Beejjjjj]

I just tried this at church with my wallet, threw all the moongels on the floor tom instead, and the snare tone was so much better! Great tip! Does this have the same effect on the tom drums too? Is it worth doing something like this on every drum, or is the tip snare-specific?

[@mccafferyfamily]

I followed an idea from a session drummer and cut an old tshirt into a strip and placed it across my 10” pearl short fuse under the drum head. It allowed me to get nice sound when drum was tuned lower, and I really like the sound except … it kills off the tone in rimshots which I liked, I may try something like this next …

[@tyloeteeg]

This is brilliant and thank you so much Stephen.

[@jesuslover9199]

In my case, i tune my snare really tight... I like a dry, high-pitched sound, so i use a half of a moongel and it works for me.

[@Assimilator702]

My favorite "gate" style dampener is either a business card or small piece of paper.

[@Pepsonus]

The tone is still there because of the similar spacing between the moongels, because of the relative regularity. Moongel is nice with using just one or two on one drum.

[@shuterobin]

Did anyone have a go at making one? How did you get on? And how did u make?

[@shawnhilliard]

I bought a Remo Muff'l Ring and, while it eliminated the ringing, I think it has killed the bounce in my snare head. My playing has felt really off since installing it because it feels like I'm hitting a wood block with my sticks regardless of how tight or loose I tune the head.

[@dashobradors]

Thank you for this tip! Just in time I need it. I will let you know my solution when I find it 😉

[@DogsaladSalad]

wow, hadnt been watching your vids for a few years and youve really improved!

[@nevertooldtolearnmore]

Should the same thing work on the toms?

[@FrogRadio]

The title got me very interested. I'm at 6 minutes and I want the story already. Please work on editing down and getting straight to the message and the evidence you want to show. Thanks for the info. See J D Beck for ideas on what to put on your drums :)

[@SvarrOS]

Man, you really should have filmed this with the snare drum alone. It's hard to imagine that the ringing after applying the gel is not resonance from the toms. I'll just have to trust you on this one... ;) Anyway, thank you for this great vid!

[@Algo1]

anything solid that can bounce, lightly fixed to the snare with tape.

[@CoYoTdeLiMa]

imgur.com/Dv2qj2p

[@jdallavia]

Exactly! I do the same with a metal chain.

[@martinheath5947]

When you damp the batter head in any way isn't the lower note ring coming from the bottom head?

[@commonbirdsband]

Where is a link to buy that metal jingly device you're using? I tried the link to Aaron's site and there's no listing for it, just clips of him drumming. Thanks.

[@MicahMartinMusic]

Window gel clings. Usually a variety at a dollar store for every holiday. There are multiple sizes to get the sound you want and are far cheaper than moon gel.

[@kg_drums]

Or sticky hands!!

[@johnlago2703]

How about the M80 Snareweight?

[@yuriselukoff]

If $90 is not a big deal to you, try Snareweight #5. My favorite.

[@danepavic3156]

Anyone know a link where you can get something like these?

[@howardgreene8720]

I take a round cymbal felt, tape or glue a quarter (or 2) on top, then attach it to the rim of the snare with a strip of tape. It acts like a gate.

[@truescotsman4103]

a real snare has an envelope of sound. the snare is slightly loose and rattles a little on the ringout. you tune high and keep your head tight for good bounce with a good weight stick. mute with richie rings to simplify things and just bring it all down to something very controllable and dynamic for any style of playing. my premier birch stock snare is awesome. has some snap and high pitch with a very tight bottom and perfect character. why mess with perfection?

[@zfuzzballer]

How long the Ringo's? Great video! Thanks!

[@caryd67]

None of my drums have _any_ dampening at all. Even my bass drum is totally empty. But they don’t ring out, they are perfectly in tune, and they sound huge even though they are small drums (12X8, 14X14, 20X14) How? The key is the resonant heads. My reso’s are the same as the batters. Coated Powerstroke 3’s top and bottom on toms, clear Powerstroke 4’s on the bass drum, with a kickport on the front head at about 2 o’clock.

[@handidrummed]

I use Creative Percussion Drum Tacos for this purpose. It's soft, but it has metal beads on the inside side it moves with the head when you strike it.

[@TheJoGeLu]

Yo dog, do you have any non-glamorous drumming tips on jamming with other artists and instruments?

[@74cannelle]

I'm certainly going to try that !

[@zacharyalvarez9455]

The only real reason I use moon gel is that my room makes my snare sound bad (I know because I used it in a room made for drumming and it sounded nice.) But these tips seem helpful that I could try

[@blakegowan6623]

I use 2/3rds of a moongel....and/or some Duct tape. As little Duct tape as possible. I like some ring....and what I call playability....snare doing what its supposed to do if you play in different areas. I don't like a dead sound.....but sometimes a muted sound can work.

[@Werkaholik261]

I removed the ring in my snare by placing material under the snare head. Takes time but I'm vert happy with the results. No glue required. 😁

[@Centrifuze]

My "jingly thing" is actually just my cell phone. I place it on the snare head, as close to my body as possible (so I don't accidentally strike it with a stick), and it works pretty damn well.

[@ryanbeydlermusic2542]

Paul Leim has been doing this for decades with cymbal felts taped to gaff. It creates the same gate effect you’re talking about.

[@KevinSoriano]

i discovered this by mistake then, i put my computer mouse (so i can change pdf's or audios) and it helps better than moongel lol, great advice.

[@rorymcclellan3740]

Iv got a piece of an old head cut from the inside of the rim about an inch wide and just less than a quarter in length of the heads diameter. So its like a flat square banana lol. This pretty much stays put at the bottom of the angle of the drum and doesn't leave the head, but is very light and has no adhesive.

[@arothmanmusic]

I love Moon Gels on my toms but I’ve never used them on the snare. This tip is solid though.

[@CatabductionsAnoym]

You could use plastic mardi gras beads once in a while, they bounce and are practically everywhere to be found.

[@ledhed5717]

Remo’s O’s or an old cut drum head in a doughnut is kinda the same principle of the “gate.”

[@hollyzhang1418]

5:55 was the piece Rain Dance by Alice Gomez? :)

[@thaddeuscorea]

set of keys, ziploc bag of______ (marbles, pennies) I use a crotale bell just big enough to jump up when I hit hard.

[@Studio-C]

Wow, what a dope the high tone is from theta head but the low tone is from the...reso head on the bottom. Then he adds his jingle bells and turns on the snare attachment. Hmmmm, Idon't know about you but I still hear the lower tone from the rest head.

[@sharethefootage1088]

I did notice that putting my phone on the snare deadens it enough for the start of a gig, then I can open it up at any time by removing the phone. But you gotta download the app. That's how they get ya...

[@waynetardiff9328]

XD !! --and of you get to excited,that phone might break during a solo or 4 bar fill :) :) --" I got the app and I still cant play!!"

[@brogleman4209]

Where can I get a bracelet like that?

[@ramenthenoodle_]

Look into Snareweight. It’ll last you years because it’s quality materials and does exactly this. Dampens to shorten the ring, not get rid of it. And if you want to get rid of it, BFSD is where it’s at.

[@DrummerCAS]

Great idea. Brilliant!

[@marshmower]

At louder volume (live), it really doesn't take much more than a small piece of tape. The beads or a chain sound good if I can remember. I've tried the homemade glue slime. Meh. Not really messy but it constantly spreads.

[@tonyfactor]

Thank you for your vides. Love them! how heavy is the object on your snare?

[@sharethefootage1088]

My snare drum makes two tones? Thanks, Tommy Two Tone! Always learning...

[@waynetardiff9328]

8675309

[@sharethefootage1088]

@@waynetardiff9328 I've got it, I got it...

[@marcoarmijos8200]

thanks man!! awesome snare hack

[@FrezrBlanket]

I use drum dots

[@MrDickhead47]

For metal \m/ CRANK the snare and tape a quarter to it, I use Evans ec2 coated head. For toms, half turn all around, and HYDRAULIC heads. Gonna sound great I guarantee it

[@Humiliator115]

Thats basically a budget Snareweight Drum Damper which is really nice because they are crazy expensive for what they are (a tiny piece of metal)

[@11000038]

Ringo's Ring goes!!😁

[@billthebutcher1821]

Bro you should patent that make it and sell it. I’ll partner with ya 😉. Haha. Great vid.

[@nipperslipcomedy7006]

Evans D Rings do wonderfully