Is Your Snare Choked out? Here's Why | Season Two, Episode 47

Diagnosing issues with your tuning can be a real challenge, especially if you’re not quite sure what you’re listening for. Maybe it’s more of an issue of feel rather than sound but you blame it on the drumhead. In this episode we’ve recreated three of the most common examples of choked snare drums that we’ve come across.
Part II with the comparison of before and after fixing the tuning issues: / 33743154
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Signal chain:
Mics - Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB & OctoPre - MacPro w/Pro Tools 12.8
Recorded at 48kHz / 24bit
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB tinyurl.com/Clarett8Pre
Focusrite Clarett OctoPre tinyurl.com/ClarettOctoPro
Full kit: AKG C414 (ear-distance)Snare drum & tom tom close mics: Shure SM57
Bass drum: AKG D112 (at mic port) + KAM R3 Ribbon microphone 8” away from reso
Drumheads Used:
Snare Drum Batter 1 & 3: Evans UV2 Coated
Snare Drum Batter 2: Evans HD Dry
Snare Drum Resos: Evans Snare Side 300
2:16 Snare 1: Pearl Masters Maple Custom Extra
6:57 Snare 2: Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga
10:45 Snare 3: DDrum Vintone NOB
Ride Cymbal: Custom mod done by Jesse Simpson
Hi Hats: Top is a custom mod done by Jesse Simpson, bottom is a Zildjian New Beat top
Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media
Presenting Sponsor: Promark by D’Addario
Production Partners: Focusrite, Evans Drumheads
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[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Don't miss Part II with the before and after comparison featuring the fixed issues for each drum over on our Patreon:

[@TheDcole1]

Dude this channel stopped me from buying a new kit without needing to because it was how I was treating the instrument and not the instrument itself, so thanks guys you are awesome

[@ianmuessig]

My snare sound and feel has never been better since I found your channel a few months ago

[@redpoint6870]

I don't know who is making the thumbnails but they are amazing, just as everything else on this channel.

[@EmanueleMoriero]

That "Hey everybody" at the beginning of the video sounded so oddly happy and friendly I smiled haha great video as always guys

[@Smailien]

Really great video. I like that you went with a topic that kind of challenges the audience to consider how they are getting their sounds. I've learned so much from y'all.

[@yelltempus]

"Uh huh." is what I find myself saying through all your videos. This one is no exception.

[@DarrenHenley]

You all continue to make the best drum mechanics videos I've seen. Well done and thank you.

[@tmaddrummer]

In choosing your own words to describe the tuning of your gigging snare so that it is not a one dimensional instrument, you Sir, make your tutorials fun, musical, inspiring, and all that kind of stuff...... and, if I might add, highly accurate and beneficial. Cody, I, a very shall I say "Vintage Drummer," I certainly do appreciate your knowledge and experience! Thanks and Blessings!!!

[@wolfgangweingarten626]

I've been chasing this issue forever. Naturally fell victim to all 3 situations. Love it when an issue that has been dogging me for so long is addressed spot on. Looking forward to resolving this once and for all. Thank you for the insight.

[@AdamStachelek]

Such a great demonstration of the various ways choking can happen. One instance I’ve had of the choking effect being subjectively positive was when I cranked my 5x14 Acrolite just right to get that hip hop tone you described when the batter was choked. Now id almost consider this a special effect tuning and not a broadly usable one but man it was so satisfying. But that’s an outlier. Your point about back line snares being choked on the snare side is a really good one. I’ve seen so many snares that just took a little love on the snare side to let them breathe again. Great episode

[@orti1283]

Awesome video, thanks so much for your exceptional work!

[@artpereira]

I really love this channel.

[@DanyMeyer]

Thanks for this really interesting episode Cody!!! Great comparison of choked snare drums... :) I'm off to my snare-room =)

[@DrummClem]

Well right on time...

[@andwhatshouldbe]

Thank you! I've always heard that cranking the snare side head and wires was the way to get a sensitive, articulate sound, and wondered why that never seemed to work for me. Love these ear training types of videos that explore how to improve from a given situation.

[@123unhooked]

Great! Great great great episode!

[@michaelfinan9836]

Thanks much for your channel. I hv a really cheap drumset, do to no funds, and with your help it actually sounds professional. Thanks again

[@benrec6]

Many thanks for sharing 👍😁🥁

[@nez1703]

Cody my man, you rock.