Does depth really affect the sound of a Black Beauty snare drum?

[@camerondean6804]

Good morning. Missed it but, of course, will watch the video. Thank you for continuing to make these comparison videos.

[@NickCostaMusic]

Appreciate that, thank you @Camerondean6804

[@KeithVandergriff]

I bought the 8 inch deep bb after seeing one of your previous videos. It does everything! Best purchase I have ever made, thanks for making these videos.

[@NickCostaMusic]

Oh that's awesome! I totally agree - it's super versatile and can cover a lot! Glad you picked one up and it's doing the job for you. Thank you for continuing to follow along

[@CrappyProducts]

Black beauty is such an amazing snare. Even when cranked it didn't choke out

[@NickCostaMusic]

Totally! Super versatile and just works

[@AudioArcturia]

I always wanted the biggest snare I could get - depth and width. Bassy snares are God tier

[@biazouu]

Ludwig Coliseum is a hudge snare for this

[@NickCostaMusic]

What's the largest snare you currently have? I really like this 8X14 Black Beauty , especially in the higher tunings!

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Great topic! I learned years ago that depth is relevant to the tempo of the song. is why I have 7 Black Beauty's in my collection. slower the tempo = the deeper the shell. this became apparent to me when I started sitting in on mixing sessions and listened to the mixers explain why certain drums fit better in the mix.

[@AudioArcturia]

Yo that's clever thinking. I'll have to try this in a virtual setting to see what results I get

[@NickCostaMusic]

Never thought of it that way, though that's a great thought! I'll never forget Ash Soan at PASIC explaining his signature snare and why he chose a deeper depth. He talked about a 12" diameter but 7" depth compared to say a 14" diameter by 5" depth and how it provided more body

[@OFLHLGZ28]

Depth makes a difference in all drums. For my ears, the 6.5 sounds best

[@NickCostaMusic]

Totally does, even when it's a marginal difference. What made the 6.5 stand out for you?

[@Spagz]

Kind of confirmed what i thought. I don't have an 8" deep snare of any type. Beautiful low end on the deeper shell. The sensitivity, or st least the snare sound seems better on the 6.5, especially at higher tuning. But possibly just different wires on the 8 could improve that? I would love either one.

[@NickCostaMusic]

I will say the wires on the 8 did sound drier than the traditional ludwig standard wires - so you might be on to something there, @Spagz !

[@mygoodnessdarlin]

oh wow. I want them both....Imma have to check myself into the Betty Ford snare addiction rehab !!!!!!!

[@adambloodfist3368]

In the last few years I think I've just become a high tuning guy with snares. Both sounded phenomenal to me tuned up high, but that 6.5 is glorious.

[@NickCostaMusic]

Something about the quick response and crack of the snare does it for me.

[@huzzism]

Thanks Nick, great review. If you’ve already reviewed the 14x5 BB for comparison I missed it. Great drum, they all are, at any depth

[@NickCostaMusic]

Thank's, @huzzism ! I haven't reviewed or compared one yet, since I don't have one. Maybe I'll have to get one soon🤔

[@joc8]

Both sounded great. However, to my ears, the 14 x 8 had more body, which resulted in a slight sluggishness or latency of sound, and more ring at the low tunings…which isn’t a negative, just my perception sonically. I just got a BB 14 x 6.5, after waiting 14 months for it, and it certainly was worth the wait…love that snare! Interesting point about the metal, I thought they were always brass as well. Great video BTW.

[@samdavparsley8266]

😵‍💫 I really enjoy your knowledge and sharing. I’m so very new to drumming about 3 months in at an older age. Let’s just say I remember 70’s funk, disco, and 80’s starting of Metallica Slayer etc. 😵‍💫 as all that said, comparing with many variables- drum metal, snare wires and etc. doesn’t that skew or alter tests? I’m a Pepsi challenge comparative person, I try to get as much the same as I can and let the variable be isolated unto itself. I realize things cost $ and I’m sure you do like others do the best to consider what actually affects sound or whatever by anyone comparing- so I’m just saying. I got a 7pc Tama SuperStar Classic at the end of May. So comparing and contrasting is BIG on my mind. I’m pretty interested in getting a 2nd snare drum. I don’t have a lot of excess $ so researching watching videos like yours are great and informative. I’m just not sure where to go- metal, different wood, depth, diameter etc. But yours and others information and knowledge greatly help👍

[@NickCostaMusic]

Appreciate that, thank you @samdavparsley8266. Of course those variables can affect sound, though what did you think hearing the two different drums in the different tunings? Did one stand out more than the other, or did they sound pretty similar? Just like the pepsi challenge - the end result is which one do you prefer, which your ears will help you decide. What is your current primary snare, and are you looking for something that can contrast it? What is the type of sound you're looking to get with the new snare? Being able to identify those characteristics can help you decide what to get. Send them my way, and I'd be happy to provide recommendations!

[@eugeivashchenko758]

Great comparison! Just my 2-cents on the subject: 1) There's a difference when you're paying close attention. 2) Is that difference meaningful to when you're focus shifts to the music and what the drums are playing? I'd guess it probably doesn't. 3) *Personal experience* I ended up selling an 14x8 snare I had, because the ghost notes are super unsatisfying compared to a 6.5. You can hear that the ghost notes don't have as much crispness, even with an underside mic. My guess is that the energy from a hit has to travel further to activate the snares, and since that energy travels back and forth multiple times, it makes sense that the ghost notes just come across more buried (no pun intended). 4) How does the 8x14 do projection wise? I found it the rimshots pushed through when playing with a band, but with mics, it's all controlled anyways. 5) Were you doing close mics + OHs or is there a room mic or two in the mix as well? I could see that being a considerable factor if that mix didn't have them. Thanks for taking the time though! I love this kind of stuff!

[@NickCostaMusic]

And what you're saying is 100% valid. We (drummers) love to really zoom in with that microscope, and sometimes it can be irrelevant. As for the 8X14 projection I'd say it's similar to other metal snares I have. The mix includes close mics, overheads, and a stereo room pair

[@cartoune]

@@NickCostaMusicsuper interesting! Thanks for putting the time in to make the video. Subscribed!

[@NickCostaMusic]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!🥁

[@sinabogado2278]

When you start playing a groove on the low tunings, you didn't label when you were playing the 8 x 14. You kept the label at 6.5 x 14 all the way through the groove.

[@NickCostaMusic]

It seems that I did🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Kmarty2000]

I use a 5x14 Acrolite 8-lug; how does that compare to the Black Beauties?

[@NickCostaMusic]

That would make for a great comparison video! The acrolite is a raw aluminum shell, and aluminum has brighter characteristics. Present day black beauty snares are brass with black nickel plating. Brass is warmer, and provides more overtones. Usually 8 lug drums breathe a bit more, as the more lugs = more direct sound - though I think the acrolite is pretty dry sounding, especially comparing to a brass shell.

[@JackNiles]

Maybe add an affiliate link to buy the products reviewed, so you can get a kickback

[@NickCostaMusic]

I use to do that with my older vids - maybe I'll start again. Appreciate that tip!

[@wadedixon9890]

Off subject but, I have a Legacy Maple Jazzette on order. Thinking I need to order a Legacy Mahogany in a Downbeat configuration too. These drums always sound great.

[@NickCostaMusic]

Oh that's awesome! Now that I have my classic maples back up, I can hear a BIG difference in the videos and person. The Classic Maples are louder, though I love that vintage mahogany warmth

[@NelsonMontana1234]

I always thought it was brass shell as well. It's funny because I liked brass shells but a when I got a Black Beauty way back when I found it to be a little clunky. Both those drums sound good and yes, if two different sized drums are tuned to the same pitch there will be little difference -- as was the case here. I can't see needing more depth than a 6 1/2.

[@NickCostaMusic]

That's great to hear that I wasn't the only one regarding the shell alloy. As for the sound I really like the sound of both, though the 8X14 gets my vote - especially in the higher tunings. Either way, you can't go wrong with either!

[@NelsonMontana1234]

@@NickCostaMusic Well, it's easier to get a deep drum to sound good high than to try and make a 5" sound deep. But I tend to prefer a crisp snare.

[@HowNotToBeADrummer]

Of course depth affects the sound of a drum. The real question is: Would the cross stick sound as good without the stick twirl? No.

[@NickCostaMusic]

Gotta flip the stick to play with the backside somehow🤣

[@xandyhenkel4476]

Wait bb’s aren’t brass? Everywhere online says they’re made of brass not bronze? Now I’m confused

[@NickCostaMusic]

I thought the same, though a few mentioned certain era's could be bronze. Modern Day BB's are for sure brass though

[@DP-wi6hm]

The metal alloy makes a difference ? Phosphor bronze vs, brass, brass is harder , bronze is softer. I had a bronze supra, it was much warmer sounding than my black beauty. Both were 6.5 depth.

[@NickCostaMusic]

I would think it's going to make a little bit of a difference regarding overtones. Was your bronze supra and black beauty from the same era?

[@wadedixon9890]

Good morning! Sorry I’m late

[@NickCostaMusic]

Hey wade!

[@JackNiles]

Tama swingstar steel snare wins lol 😂

[@NickCostaMusic]

Steel has that 90s alternative sound for sure!