“Fixing” Your Snare Sound [Step by Step] | Season Five, Episode 40

There are lots of different ways to achieve similar sounds from any drum. Our preference tends to side with methods that offer the widest dynamic range, full presence of tone without choking (unless that’s part of the desired sound) and flexibility for easy adjustment. Today we’re going step-by-step through the process of modifying a common “passable” snare sound and setup to align with our methodology.
PATREON:
This season is made possible by our Patreon supporters. Join us on Patreon for access to exclusive content such as Cymbal Sounds, our long awaited cymbal series, and MUCH more: sladl.ink/Patreon
PRODUCTION PARTNERS:
GIK Acoustics (sonic treatment): sladl.ink/GIK
AKG Audio (microphones): sladl.ink/AKG
Evans Drumheads: sladl.ink/EvansDrumheads
ProMark Drumsticks: sladl.ink/ProMarkDrumsticks
Signal chain:
Mics - Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB & OctoPre - MacPro w/Pro Tools 2022.5
Recorded at 48kHz / 24bit
Overheads: (Matched Pair in Glyn Johns - Cardioid) AKG C314 sladl.ink/C314Pair
Snare, Toms: AKG C518M sladl.ink/C518M
Kick Drum: AKG D12VR sladl.ink/AKGD12VR
No EQ or compression in use with drum demos unless otherwise noted
Acoustic Treatment:
GIK 242 Acoustic Panels: sladl.ink/GIK242
GIK 4A Alpha Pro Series Diffusor/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIK4aAlphaPro
GIK Evolution PolyFusor Combination Sound Diffuser/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIKEvolutionPolyFusor
GIK Tri-Trap Corner Bass Trap: sladl.ink/GIKTriTrap
Drums:
Pearl Masters Maple Custom Extra, Ludwig LM400 Supraphonic.
Cymbals:
22” Jesse Simpson clone of old Zildjian A, 15" Zildjian “Fat Hat” Prototype Hihats
Drumheads:
Snare: Evans G12 / Snare Side 300
Toms: N/A
Kick Drum: Evans UV EMAD / EQ3 Coated White Reso
Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production & Consulting: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media
👂🏼👉🏼🥁
Leave your questions, comments, suggestions, requests down below and don't forget to subscribe!
*NOTE: Troll comments will be deleted. You're welcome to disagree with whatever you like but let's keep the conversation civilized and focused on drums.
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Sounds Like a Drum is a CADENCE INDEPENDENT MEDIA production
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[@Spezifestos]

I get flashbacks to all those crappy punk snares from shared rehearsal rooms when I hear your test snare!

[@dodo13500]

Great video thank you! You would think 60yrs playing I wouldn’t need this. Never too old to learn.

[@jacksonmiller3016]

8:04 that nod of "oh yeah thats a sound" is hilarious. I love that you guys just dive right into these ideas and give us an actual process of how to diagnose "Issues"

[@zackedge2456]

Nice ode to Stewart Copeland there to kick off the vid! And very fitting, cuz every little thing you guys do is magic ;)

[@maxhammerum7705]

I love how this show is slowly turning into a drumming therapy cult. “Now remember kids, there are no bad sounds, just different sounds. You have to find YOUR sound. The sound doesn’t define you, you define the sound” Honestly, where can I donate a sacrificial pedal or something? I’m all in.

[@neilmccredie1919]

And don’t forget-“…those aren’t bad drum sounds-they’re just happy little accidents….” ☮️❤️🥁

[@_gigi_1143]

clear, informed, and pertinent drum content. I love this channel

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

It dawned on me while I was watching this one that you guys are the America's Test Kitchen of drumming. Like ATK, you guys "show your work," even making sure to let us know about possible missteps and pitfalls. You have a variety of recipes, you're happy to share them, and show the science that makes it possible. I'm not going to stretch this metaphor any further. I'll leave you to decide which one of you is Bridget and which is Julia. I've spoken of my 1973 Super Sensitive before. It's my only snare, and it's always been my only snare. I'm sure that sentence is entirely alien to almost every person here. It was the snare I wanted to complement '73 Ludwig Hollywood set, which has always been my one and only drum kit, another astounding fact. It always gave me every sound I needed, through years of playing in bars and medium-ish halls. It's a lovely-sounding snare--gives me that Bruford-type ring that I love, but I can calm it down in any number of ways. With a Remo PowerStroke batter head, it sounds like a damn shotgun.

[@SaltySicilian]

I love seeing someone say Bruford instead of beauford. Bill was insanely creative and good.

[@jonashellborg8320]

I got the message about snare wires and looser resonant head from previous videos. It can do absolute wonders to the snare drum, including cheaper ones, that’s my experience. For a long time, I thought I must crank the resonant/snare side head, that got me a ton of overtones unless i then also cranked the batter head, or used a ton of muffling. Once I tried that snare side exercise from completely loose, by 1/8 turns and play in between and make notes about what i’m hearing, I settled for a much, much loose head. This channel is pure gold.

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

Oh man, that boxy sound after the Lowered Reso step is about where panic used to set in. Definitely going to keep this video handy. And I appreciate the Seinfeld-esque "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" energy whenever we get to "Not that that's not a totally useable/valid sound..."

[@daltonidaho]

Very helpful! When I started learning drums I was always told to crank up the snare side head, and I never really questioned why. The difference in tone when you lowered the tension was dramatic! Going to mess with my snare this evening and see what I can do with it.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It's really a shame that so many people recommend the default of cranking a snare side head, as it's so incredibly limiting. Enjoy the experiments and happy drumming!

[@mattbba8451]

Goot audio. Goot video quality. Accurate info. It's free. Thank you.

[@Johnhwbaker]

Just joined the Patreon. Thx for all the great content, I've learned so much from this channel!

[@mr.anderson70]

It's really fantastic that you guys put out new snare videos. Thank you!

[@geoffcowan2384]

Another great, informative, video. Not sure how you guys keep coming up with interesting topics, but I am glad you do. Thank you!

[@mack56]

Thank you for your tuning videos, I have learned alot

[@benjaminpeternorris]

This was super helpful thanks!! Thanks to your video I was able to get more body and tone out of my snare drum, with better snare response and articulation. I even detected a change in dynamic range. My wife will be pleased that I won't have to now go out and buy another snare drum... (for a while anyway!)

[@xyanide1986]

Damn man snares are very tricky for me to tune and this video (among others on this channel) is a lifesaver.

[@mcblahflooper94]

Fantastic vid!

[@joc8]

Such a timely post, only yesterday I was changing my snare head and wire tensions, experimenting, so to speak. Thank you, I always look forward to your sessions.

[@jamiekronick1]

Absolutely the best drum channel on KZbin. Y'all are doing the lords work here!!

[@jc3drums916]

I tune my snares for feel as much as I do for sound. I only use tow tunings on the batter when absolutely necessary, which is almost never, but I also don't like really tight batters. So it usually involves the batter being medium to medium-tight. Snare side is usually tight; most of the time, when I experiment with looser snare sides, I wind up not liking the results as much and raising them back up. Snare wire tension depends on sound, but typically it's as tight as it will go while still getting good snare activation when playing light taps near the edge, or slightly looser than that, which I got from reading an interview with David Garibaldi. The rub though, is making sure the apparent pitch of the snare drum with wires off is consonant with my toms. I recently pitched my toms slightly higher, and the two snares I use most often became dissonant with them, so I had to raise them up as well (haven't checked my other snares yet). They still sound great, just not where I like them the best, and one snare is a bit tighter feeling than I like.

[@AwesomeSuperRandom]

This got me a snare tone i love, and Ive been having problems with this snare forever! I cant wait to record this sound now! Love these videos so much my drum sound has improved tons since subscribing

[@rubytuesday1345]

Hi from New Zealand. Loved this tutorial. Just picked up a ‘65 Supra and good to see the range of sounds it can produce.

[@marty9464]

Another great video you guys, thanks. I wish this info was readily available 50+ years ago when I started playing. My go to approach to getting the snare sound right is to get both heads tuned perfectly so the resonance is maximized. Then I increase tension on the wires until they start to choke the drum then back off just a little. Once there, it's a matter of getting the pitch I'm after, which is fairly easy to accomplish once the heads are properly tensioned. I'm happy when I can hear the shell's influence on the overall sound...........

[@markusmuller1580]

Great video! Love the step-by-step description! Tuning drums ist EASILY one of the hardest things in making music, when I started playing drums I always was very insecure about how my snare would sound. A thing that I noticed was that my choice of sound did really depend much on my daily mood, so I'd sit behind the kit during rehearsel and start to tune around just to start all over again the next time.

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

Great video. Wish I had this info 30 years ago! 😁 I’m often amazed when I sit at another drummers kit just how tight their snare wires are tensioned.

[@drummercarson896]

Awesome video.

[@joeldrummer23]

Beautiful thanks

[@stanfordkoch1271]

Great tips

[@jerrygamez5723]

Thanks for the video

[@rongeremy5370]

We'll put together 👍 great sound. OH THOSE HATS !!!!!! BEAUTIFUL,!!!

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

I recently stumbled onto a snare sound I like so much, I may just keep it. Usually I'll change up my snare sound to an extent between videos, but this week I uploaded a video that just KNOCKS me over I can't believe how good the drums sound. Bass too LOL Either I'm getting better at mixing, or I like my own stuff too much, or I just got lucky on this record. Whatever the case, I'm excited to keep recording and using it.

[@remygaron8311]

AWESOME THANK YOU❤🇨🇦🥁

[@handyboen]

Thanks man 🙏🙏

[@edwardhaaland2310]

Great video & teaching session. I did notice though the drilled holes in the drum shell for an adjustable drum muffler, somebody removed it, you might find it easier to get your desired sound by reinstalling the internal muffler, which also allows for a more precise dampening adjustment rather than experimenting hit or miss with different amounts of tape.

[@Joethedrummer]

Wonderful video. It's so much easier to buy stuff than to acquire solid knowledge 😂 but this is the way, tuning, understanding snare wire tension, experimenting and so on are the biz. Scary for a.lot of us though 😂

[@tomasshannon6537]

Awesome vid as usual! It's always a good idea to review the fundamentals. Just thought of this: have you ever considered doing some videos on servicing drums? Stuff like de-rusting tuning rods and generally improving the overall funcional and aesthetic state of a certain drum?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! We've got a video from a while back on maintenance but that could probably use a refresher as well. Cheers!

[@davegill7638]

Love it!, nice reminder to bring tension back up after taking it down (I gotta remember that!) I need to try a G12 out now! I noticed that you don't bury the beater, have you done a video on the 2 techniques and how they sound?

[@Lauen]

They did already kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5PGln-qpKmVmtE

[@Mike-oz5pp]

Wow bro u just got like 15 diff sounds out of 1 snare!? Frkin amazing. Wish I had the guts to go at mine like that lol, once it sounds good I don't touch it, guess that's the idea behind the video 😊

[@grodanblogg]

Really eye opening. I always worked by that old motto of crank up the reso head until it's table top tight...

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You're not alone! This is a common prescription that ends up limiting lots of people and/or leading them to need muffling on the batter head to control the harmonics that become that much more present with a tighter reso.

[@marfie53]

Nice stuff. Next, what to when you finally get the snare sound dialled in and you find sympathetic snare buzz from toms and/or bass guitar. The quest goes on.

[@markblanch2905]

Turn the snare off when you're not playing it or change the pitch of the tom or snare so they're not same resonant frequency.

[@marfie53]

@@markblanch2905 yep, I’m aware that that *should* work. It can be a never-ending chase when your toms are tuned, your snare’s sounding good and then every note from the bass guitar sends the snare wires rattling.

[@markblanch2905]

@@marfie53 that's nature, you either tune it out and tune out to it. Hard to avoid the realities of life and physics

[@danieljaburg2021]

Cool thing is hearing a single snare sounding SO different with a few minor changes. I have a Ludwig Black Magic 14x6.5 and it seems like each venue needs a bit of tweaking to get the sound I want. Hearing the changes the reso side made in the over all mix, I think I need to adjust that. Odd playing in small indoor, large indoor, and outdoor gigs and getting a consistent sound that appeals to my ears. I tend to like a bit more staccato sound, perhaps based on my marching percussion background. Either way, your videos are a great resource for tuning and sound. Keep the great work going.

[@leeasbury7273]

Why doesn't this channel have more subscribers!!?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

The short answer (based on comments over the last five years): most drummers would generally prefer to be entertained by watching someone play for an entire video or learn how to play a complicated pattern/fill. And that's fine, we understand that learning about tuning isn't necessarily as entertaining but it's SUPER necessary so we're here for those that are willing to patiently invest the time.

[@leeasbury7273]

I prefer these videos you put out that pull apart the things and teach the steps needed to get to whatever sound you're looking for. I like hearing the fundamentals as you guys see them if that makes sense. And the videos that showcase new and interesting and innovative percussion instruments and techniques are awesome. Some of those snare drums are so wild and great, especially how they reinvent another way to make an instrument and a new sound. Short answer; keep doing what you're doing. You guys are the perfect team to teach what you're doing. You are experts at what you're doing. Thank you.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@leeasbury7273 Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement- that means a lot to us! -Ben

[@YewrinePish]

​@@SoundsLikeADrum those are children and jabronis. They'll come around eventually when their Pearl Exports sound like the boxes they came in.

[@ZackMester]

I'm liking how the snare sounded before lowering the reso head. Was it cranked before that or just at a reasonably high tuning?

[@jeremyschneider9531]

Great video, thank you! Your ideal sound is similar to mine. Or mine is similar to yours?? ;) Snare wires, I start from the loose side, tighten slowly just until it's snappy but still sensitive with a light tap. Yes, there's buzz...it's a drum, yo!! I've struggled with the head tuning interval though. I know you hesitate to give this kind of thing, but is there a range of pitch ratio you usually land at, top to bottom heads (tapped with the other head muffled)? I find it easier to think in those terms, like on a tom. In fact I would say I usually end up with similar pitch ratios on the snare on toms...reso between a half step to maybe a 4th higher than the batter. Of course with the thin snare reso, that doesn't take nearly as much tension to get the pitch up.

[@xaverk]

It STILL makes sense to own more than one snare drum to have different snare sound options for different occasions. Even with exactly the same tuning, even a layman can hear differences in sound resulting from the shell and its construction, the hoops, the snare bed, or the material or type of snarewires, to name just a few parameters. This is a good thing, of course, but can be a bit expensive.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Does it make sense? Sure. Is it 100% necessary? Absolutely not.

[@xaverk]

@@SoundsLikeADrum It‘s the unnecessary things that make the most fun. 🤓

[@adammono1839]

I've had a lot of trouble with my snares at the minute. I've been trying to set up an auxiliary snare with low tuning, but I can't get the volume to match my main snare. I've tried different snare depths and even switching my main snare and auxiliary snare around, but I'm not satisfied. Maybe I just need to work on my technique (probably!)

[@drumroll420]

A few episodes back you reviewed a bass drum pedal that was based on an old classic. I can't find it anywhere in any of the playlists. Is there a link to it? I did a search as well and still can't find it

[@daneeehhhh]

Can't really find anything I really dislike about the starting point, nor... the end point. I understand the latter opens up for more wire tension range and dynamic range. Going back and forth 13:58 and 14:36 I can't really find much to dislike besides a bit of chockiness

[@billbradleymusic]

Turns out that I've chased the black beauty sound, tuned up, my entire life.

[@alasdairmacdonald4685]

Great usable info as always 👏🏻Can I ask why you gravitate towards tape rather than any form of gel dampeners? 👍🏻🍻

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! We use tape because it's always around (any studio or venue will have gaffer tape) and it's generally less expensive and more versatile.

[@alasdairmacdonald4685]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Makes sense, cheers.

[@JESSEPINKMAN74]

My practice space is in a garage with cement floors and walls. Sound proofing is kind of not an option, any ideas on how to tune drums so they don't sound crappy?

[@sonicevolution5139gdae]

Interesting experiment. What do yu think abt following tha basic tuning instructions from tha factory instead of trusting ones own ears? I personally think that it’s best to go with tha factory basic drum tuning instructions for any snare drum before starting to experiment with different tunings to make it sound personal.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks, though this wasn't really an experiment but a demonstration of an approach that we find to be consistently quite useful. Can you clarify what you mean by "factory basic drum tuning instructions"?

[@timmydodd1978]

The idea of unique muffling concepts (whether mainstream or out of the box) came to mind… what would cotton balls inside a snare drum sound like? Similar to the resonant head on a tom, but I’m curious as to what it would do to snare response. Any thoughts?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6SaqnSviNVknpI

[@samumutka9236]

Very nice video. Have you guys ever played Tama starphonic snares? They have some nice hardware features like grooved hoops for quick head changes and removable butt plate. I think they are very nice snare for a good price. 14x6 seamless 1,2mm aluminium snare is 464€ here in europe.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! I've spent some time with a couple of the Tama Starphonic snare drums, not sure about Cody though. They're great drums, especially for the price.

[@davidsuprenant2782]

I own several starphonic tama snares,some of the finest made drums out there.i own the maple with mapa burial outer ply,the nickel over brass and the bubinga.all 6x14 my favorite snare size.I simply love them all,enjoy.

[@samumutka9236]

​@@davidsuprenant2782 nice. How long have you played them. Are they durable

[@davidsuprenant2782]

@@samumutka9236 I've played the maple and the nickel over brass ever since they came out.i purchase the bubinga about 3 months ago.i have other snares ranging from vintage to solid shell snares , but these starphonic snares are something special.they sound great,and the build quality is second to none as far as I'm concerned.Third,for the price nothing comes close.enjoy.!!

[@jalenknops]

Is there a bass drum one?? I’ve got a Yamaha stage custom birch 18” that I’m just looking for some more beef and less sustain

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Coming soon!

[@jean-paulrichard5133]

In your opinion, is a little bit of tape better than a gel?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It's often cheaper, more readily available in studios, venues, and here in our studio. It's also more versatile and rarely fails to get the job done. So yeah, we'd probably say it's the better option to us.

[@andrewhughes102385]

Like number 500. What snare did I win? Lol 🥁

[@marcburrows5783]

Someone needs to make a parody of this channel.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Be sure to tag us when that day happens.

[@mack56]

So why can't you put the damper back in the drum? Do the stock dampers work? Is tape better?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Are you referring to the original internal muffler for this Supraphonic? This drum didn't have one.

[@mack56]

@Sounds Like A Drum yes and I have one in the package, thinking about drilling and installing, still not sure. That's why I wanted your opinion.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@mack56 It's not that one is better than the other- they're just different means of muffling with different results. Personally, I've never felt like any of my drums without internal mufflers are somehow "missing out".

[@Chiroman527]

mack, I put Gatt tape on my snare . Another Drum Instructor advises against it because it can damage the drum head. When I went to remove the gatt tape, it tore off the top l;ayer of my Evans HD Dry batter head!. I put the tape back but the damage is apparent. The snare sounds the same, but My OCD dictates to order a new Battr head and NOT tape it again.

[@shanedorsey8349]

Why does the drums not have a internal muffle on the shell

[@PARAMONARIOS]

they had - during the 70s (?), but it was proven to be a terrible idea

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It was removed before I got it.

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

They seemed to fall out of favor, my guess was from being associated with "lower level" snares or not wanting something that could rattle around on the inside. To each their own, I like being able to dial it in for my German band snare.

[@miyahollands6136]

The snare has to POP.....!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Not always...it depends on the context!

[@broad_cat]

​@@SoundsLikeADrum Just want to say been loving your comments promoting a diversity of techniques, the importance of listening. and a diversity of musical ideas. Especially because we all know people want quick answers, being the one to say "No, it's all of that and more. Here's why" is an important voice to have in the room.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@broad_cat Thanks so much! There's WAY too much dogma in drumming and music in general. This entire channel is about taking the time, putting in the work, and keeping an open mind. We'll all walk away as better musicians and people as a result. Cheers! -Ben

[@tommckeown6970]

I wish you would play each head independently so I could hear the exact pitches you used to get to each sound. Right now, it's a bit vague.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It’s not about the exact pitches. That’ll do more to confuse than inform. You have to figure out what works with your heads, your wires, on your drum(s), in your room. The methodology is what counts here.

[@nate6692]

Clearly I'm not in the target audience. I'm all for more snare decay but it's a drum, not a triangle.

[@nickdenardo6479]

people can bash or gloat all they want. yes every drum is versatile. every drum can sound multitudes of different ways. none of them, in and of themselves, is bad. but you really do not sound very knowledgeable if you're trying to tell me that other types/dimensions/constructions of drums do not sound different. if you think that a 5x14 aluminum shell can match the sound and character of a 7x13 solid shell ash drum, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. again, neither one is inherently better than the other, but they provide options to add different character/feel/vibe to your sound. i recall this one video where a guy is showing off his 10 favorite snares. 5 of them are Ludwig 5x14 metal shell snares. no shit mate, they all sound pretty good if this is the sound you love. there are a lot of different snares in the world. i love them and will continue to do so.