Stop Limiting Yourself by the Price Tag | Season Five, Episode 7

We’re gonna go ahead and say it from the top- it’s absurd to think that one should be limited in what they can do with a drum based exclusively on the price. Even still, it’s all too common among players of all levels (even some of the biggest names in drumming!) to think that certain sounds are beneath the value of particular drums, as if the price tag should dictate what the drum can be used for. This raises the question of what the value of a drum sound really is. We’ve got our opinion and plenty of evidence to back it up!
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 + Craviotto Birdseye Maple 13x6.5” snare
Cymbals:
22” Jesse Simpson Clone of old Zildjian A, Zildjian 15” ‘Fat Hat’ Prototype hihats
Drumheads:
Snare: Evans G1 / 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.
--------------------------
Sounds Like a Drum is a CADENCE INDEPENDENT MEDIA production
For more information, visit www.cadenceindependent.com
Follow us on Instagram: / soundslikeadrum
Like us on Facebook: / soundslikeadrum

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Take your best shot! Can you tell the order of the snare drums in terms of low, medium, and high price tag at 3:22? Not easy, is it? In fact, it's pretty much impossible.

[@geoffcowan2384]

I can't tell the order, but I suspect the first drum was your Supra. My favorite sound was the second drum, followed by the first and the last.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

The Supraphonic sat on the shelf for this episode.

[@geoffcowan2384]

@@SoundsLikeADrum I liked all three drums and I could see using any of them depending on the song.

[@BadChizzle]

I uh… just bought a Supra cuz I’ve wanted one for a very long time. Cody… would you remove the rubber spacers under the lugs? Thank you! Yes… I know how off topic I am.., 🤣

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Cody doesn't usually check through these comment threads but we've covered this in the past. Try it it out and see if you notice a difference and, if you do, decide whether or not it's beneficial. For us, it would depend on the sound and potential change in functionality (angle of the tension rods, excess rattling, a gap between the lugs and shell, etc.). -Ben

[@cidboechat9472]

We don´t pay only for sound, but also for construction and quality and longevity of the lugs, etc.

[@cidboechat9472]

that put, all my gear is in the cheaper side, lol

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Absolutely- but that's not what we were talking about here. This was about the value of the sound, not the value of the. drum producing the sound.

[@davidperez5089]

Tip for beginners- lugs not drugs.

[@poxcr]

True, but a $1500 snare won't sound that much "better" than a well built $250 one.

[@cecilbrisley5185]

Longevity of the lugs!?? Is your aim really that bad? I mean rust sure. But breaking lugs? You might, if you are drunk or a complete clutz, cross thread a tension rod. Most lugs use inserts for the tension rod to thread into, so a couple bucks later and a new insert and you are ready to go. I have a no name vintage snare with original calf heads and gut snare. Over 100 years old. Lugs are fine. I have a rebuilt cheap 50's kit. I recut the bearing edges and cleaned up the original lugs. Sounds amazing. All this time and no broken lugs.

[@brent3760]

I do love a wide open sound, that is my go to every day sound, but, I'm open to anything to fit and complement the mood and feel of the music. Every song/musical expression is different!!

[@turboplopp]

That was soooo good! As a long time recording/mixing engineer I enjoyed every bit of this. Anything that helps the music is the right thing to do, nothing else matters.

[@codykerns3774]

Coming from someone who works for a major USA mass manufacturer, I encounter this all the time. Especially when a drum is modded for usability. I personally have a 5x14 Ludwig Supraphonic (A stock) that I purchased in 2016. I’ve made a lot of modifications to it to get the usefulness and sound that I want. Even though none of the modifications are permanent I get some die hard co-workers that scoff especially when mixing hardware options. LM 400 mods: Gibraltar, 3.0 mm triple flanged batter hoop Puresound custom pro 20 strand steel Snarewires Gibraltar/Dunnett R-7 throwoff I’m about to do a lot of modifications to my 1997 classic maple as well. Have edges changed and recut, different wrap put on, different lugs installed. Go for the aesthetic, and sound you want.

[@elithepitbulldog2209]

I’ve got 30 snare drums (yeah it’s a disease and don’t ask about how many cymbals I have) but my favorite sounding drums are not the most expensive, not by a long shot, so there’s that. Every room, and even where in the room the drum is placed is the biggest factor on whether a particular drum sounds good or not. As far as muffling, it depends on mood and the song. Oh, and there’s no “right way” to tune your drum. Just tune it until you like the sound. I will de tune 2 lugs as a quick way to change the sound, not worrying about the others, it’s not like anyone else in the band, or in the audience will know anyway. Stop over thinking it

[@b.p.879]

I found what you said very insightful, and when you had the clear head on top of the snare, that sounded so much a lot of 80's songs I can think of. I was in a working 80's cover band, and sometimes used a hand towel to replicate some of the early 80's snares that sounded like a basketball hitting the floor, but in 6 years of playing 80's stuff I never thought of using another drumhead to get that sound!

[@DAGDRUM53]

You are correct and articulated your point well, Cody. I may have said it here before but I bought a $297 Mapex starter kit that sounded just as good as a $3300 custom DW set in 1999. It wasn't an issue then, but honestly it did take me years to learn how to tune drums properly.

[@geoffcowan2384]

For all of the '90s and early 2000s I was very much an "all the way open" kind of guy with the exception of a little foam in my kick drum and a ring made from an old snare head on my snare. Pinstripes and CS heads were the devil! Your channel has opened me up to a lot of different sounds that can be had by muffling, using a variety of heads and other techniques. I want to thank you so much for that. I would have never done some of the things I do now 4-5 years ago.

[@ShinyShinyBlack]

Am I crazy for thinking this is much more of a 90’s/2000’s drummer problem? As a 46 y/o, 90’s drummer, the “wide open” mindset feels like it came with grunge and DW drums. Those were laudable and reactionary ideas at the time, but they had their limitations. This seems like “pre-internet” thinking - there are so many other sounds and so much more information to counter those ideas that it’s hard to believe these ideas are still widely accepted.

[@geoffcowan2384]

@@ShinyShinyBlack Speaking for myself, I think it was a reaction to the dead ‘70s sounds and the big drums of the ‘80s. My snare was cranked up and I played a 10” rack and 14” “floor” tom. Now, I’m all over the place. 14”-18”-24” for one kit, 10”-13”-16” for one and 13-15-22 for one. And I love them all. Lol.

[@MiddleMalcolm]

Terrific topic. Definitely too much absolutism out there regarding perceived quality, and how to approach using gear. I started seeing the attitude towards "open" tuning in the '90s and it was hilarious how it became an "I don't NEED to muffle my drums, because I have my tuning together" jab. I always liked to point out to the guys that were using a CS on their snare, or a Powerstroke 3 on their bass drum that their heads have dampers BUILT INTO THEM! 😆 It's all about the result, or the destination. Not the process that gets you there. I see similar attitudes toward things like the Drum Dial and other tuning tools. The old, "I don't need that, I can just use my ear." Imagine such ignorance with other instruments. Kudos to pointing out the element of how certain unique, rare and expensive gear can provide inspiration to the player that affects the outcome of the playing and the sound, way more than many things that people will chase as a factor. 👍

[@psjones1961]

Hey! Great video. Love the approach. I’ve really grown to appreciate listening to the sound that I’m making, and not just playing the parts correctly. Sometimes I use a cheap piece of junk; and sometimes I use my “best” snare; but it’s how it sounds with the rest of the band that is the most important. 🥰😍

[@TonyDiaz.]

This is kinda related to the topic: you can make a cheap drum set (cheap to a certain point, let's say a brand set made in China, i.e. a Ludwig Accent, TAMA Imperialstar, PDP Mainstage, you get the point) awesome via quality heads, muffling, a little effort on tuning, etc. If you wanna play, you can even use freaking trash cans. Heck, you can even upgrade the hardware. Requires effort and a few bucks. More premium sets sound great (the majority of times) out of the box and lets not even mention the hardware quality. That's where the real cost lies. For me, the more you go up in price, the more beautiful the drum set is with those lacquer finishes and premium wraps. I wouldn't even doubt that, if that's the sound I'm looking for, I'd muffle a DW Collectors or a TAMA Star, or a Pearl Masterworks, etc. If you hold up on doing stuff to your set (as long as you don't mess with the wood or hardware, of course) just because of the price, you may be missing out and that's where I think that's where this expensive piece of beauty would be a sad waste.

[@SuperFacecloth]

Great video. Seriously good stuff. Very well articulated.

[@dk5387]

I still use my 90s Tama Rockstar which my mum bought when I was 10 years old. I have never played a BD that gave me exactly this kind of feel that I want out of a BD

[@482jpsquared]

Love those hi hats and the way you played them starting at 9:42.

[@BadChizzle]

Cody! Hi Buddy!! It’s always great to see you again with a new video. So… I made a crazy mix of snare drums that’s a Rogers,Slingerland,Ludwig thang. I think it’s great. Have a good one!

[@marcusbrown87]

I'm fortunate to have 4 snare drums. Mostly all mid to high end, but my favorite at the moment is a cheap steel shell I got on a low-end Tama Stagestar kit. My favorite sounding snare of the 3 mystery snares was number 1

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Nice drum, cool perspectives and tips 👍

[@DidYouReadEULA]

Well said and thought provoking! 👏

[@paulkennedy4920]

I have one of those rare Ludwig Maple/Elm snares that they did a couple of years ago, and I always throw a BFSD on when I record with it if the track needs that sound. I couldn't imagine telling a producer/engineer/artist that I'm not willing to try something. That's not how you get called back.

[@dugeniadugeniadugeniadugen5266]

I remember a Modern Drummer interview where Dave Weckl mentioned he used a "toy" Kent snare drum that he found in his students (I think) attic for most of the tracks from his debut album.

[@pablogugliotta]

Great video! It´s really interesting to think why we buy all these stuff. I mean, many times we make the excuse that "I need this drum or I won´t sound as pro as I want", and It´s not necesary so. Personally i think if someone has the money to buy anything and want that particular drum just for the sake of it, he or she should buy it and enjoy it, but knowing it has nothing to do with better sound. Buying things doesnt neccesary mean "improvement". Its like wanting a brand new car but not knowing where to go.

[@robclaytondrums531]

Brilliant advice.

[@grahamroden8897]

I’ve got several snares now, my Mapex Armory Exterminator snare drum has become my favourite general purpose snare, it wasn’t too expensive but it more than does the job.

[@morgunstyles7253]

This video is spot on.

[@jarrahdrum]

excellent, thank you

[@raptors13jays]

Your videos are great. Probably the best in the entire medium/industry of drums. I haven’t watched the video yet, but Its great seeing how impartial you guys are on instagram. I’ve seen an exceptionally popular instagram drummer/educator post some stupiiiiid “life hack” regarding drum heads, which you guys commented essentially… “no thats not entirely recommended”. I happened to notice he deleted the comment thread as well as unfollowed you guys. This is to say; stay real. these are important videos you’re making

[@jasonb2180]

This is a really interesting video - thanks! I tend to put Evans Genera HD Dry heads on most of my snares - I don't love lots of overtones - and I have sometimes felt a little guilty putting them on a high-end snare. Same with Snareweight leather dampers - I use them sometimes, and wonder if people would think I am crazy to do so. I even hear debates about putting cast hoops on something like a Black Beauty - people saying it is just killing the sound. But, if I like a Black Beauty with cast hoops (keeps some of the honk, but controls it at the same time), who cares? There do seem to be "tone police" out there who shame people who use anything but a single-ply head with no muffling, and those folks do bother me. I just want people to find the sound that they want - that is what it is all about. There is a secondary related point here for me. If I like dry snares and that is "my sound", I should be careful of getting some snare that will give me lots of overtones. There can sometimes be pressure to get a certain snare - "everyone must own a Black Beauty sometime in their life!!" - but some folks just don't want that sound. And, when I see someone showing off something like a Black Beauty with a ton of gaffer tape and gels on it, I do wonder if they bought a snare they thought was essential even if they did not really want that sound. So, two lessons here - make your snare sound how you want, and also don't feel pressure to get a sound in your arsenal that you won't enjoy. Thanks again!

[@drskilleto]

I have a great arsenal of drums. I typically bring two with me to a show to see which one sounds better, and 4-5 into the studio depending on the material, how many tracks and what sound I think will work nice with the tracks. Playing live I typically use a little muffling on my snare. There are still a few rooms that don’t need, or want that. You hit the head on the nail when you said your playing for the music, and the performance. All that said, I still want to know what they were.

[@geopardalos]

No idea which one is more expensive.. but I know that I like the 3rd one the best. I like the tuning and the snare response. Wonder if it's cheap or expensive.. Nice video by the way!

[@jonashellborg8320]

Now being an actively gigging drummer, I get to experience that the price of the gear really doesn’t matter there. Like you say, it’s about the sound. And in a small venue like a pub or cafe, people really don’t care what “level” snare drum you have, and the band focus is much more about “can we create a balanced mix”. I can only imagine if you brought your 14X8 steel snare drum, insist on rimshots for the best tone, and play it fully open. :-) within seconds, the promoter, venue owner or one of your band mates will try to stop you.

[@ChipsNeeson]

It was through your videos on tuning that I learnt how to minimise the muffling required on drums.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Excellent! We’ve produced quite a few videos to help get people away from relying on muffling as a bandaid for poor tuning. That said, muffling to create a particular texture can be fantastic (notice the muffling in every interlude of this video- we couldn’t create these sounds without muffling) that may be a better fit for a particular context.

[@ChipsNeeson]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Of course, if you're looking fro particular sounds, that's the way to go. For the record, your snare side tuning and snare wire videos have helped me significantly. Thank you :)

[@DrumGalaxy]

This is SO TRUE!

[@sinabogado2278]

Proves my point. Many drummers hear with their eyes. Nice video!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Seeing is deceiving!

[@sinabogado2278]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Absolutely. Great videos from you. You cover so many angles regarding drums, shells, tuning, how many tension rods, snare wires, etc!

[@drummercarson896]

That was an awesome video

[@byrondickens]

Well said! In the same spirit, how about doing some snare spotlights on some budget snares?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! Snare Spotlight videos are made possible entirely by the brand supporting the production so if there's a specific make/model you're thinking of, let the company know!

[@johnreardon4944]

My favorite drum sound is Jimmy Chamberlain's kit on the Smashing Pumpkins first album, Gish. It sounds so natural and it was recorded well. How? I don't know. And I don't care. I believe he plays Yamaha drums. Which model, setup, and tuning? Again, I don't know and I don't care. I just enjoy listening to it. I own a Pearl Reference Pure. 10 12 13 16 22. Here's why I bought it. 1. It was $1500 on an auction site. 2. It was my favorite color, Brooklyn Burst. 3. I like the aesthetic look of the Fat Tone hoops and the lugs. 4. I own a live music venue. Aesthetics are important to me. 5. The kit has thin shells. I don't mic the drums other than the kick. And it's a small, intimate venue for blues, jazz, and rock. 6. I'm 47 years old. I know how to tune well. I know how to maximize the sound from many different types of kits. Both cheap and expensive. 7. I'm not a beginner. This is the first kit over $700 that I have ever bought. Usually I pay around $150. 8. It was available for a great price at a time when I was looking for a six piece kit. 9. Again. Aesthetics. It impresses customers when they see it. That's how I make money. 10. The sound is flexible. I hire professional bands with professional drummers. They are always free to change the tuning and/or muffling to best serve their music. When I first opened, I was using my $150 1978 luan wood Pearl with rounded edges. Great rock kit, but it wasn't flexible enough soundwise and sizewise. 12 13 14 16 18 24. So I made a list of my priorities and the Pearl Reference Pure just happened to show up online at a great price when I was ready to buy. I don't care what Jimmy Chamberlain plays. I did what was best for me and my venue. Now, chicks digging it is just a bonus. Haha!

[@donbelle7171]

Being open minded is very important . I love cheap snares I’m like you, I can make it sound like I need !!

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

Took me too long to accept that there is no perfect drum for each application. I now think of drum sounds as colors. The cheaper drum may be the best color for the gig/record

[@VON_RHEDBEARD]

Ive played some $$$ snares and tbh it didnt do much more than what my much lower priced snare can do. I rather have a few lower end snares and experiment with wires heads and muffling. And what ive learned the most is that the sound you are getting is also your technique and stick size

[@yogggiii]

My first kit was a $150.00 set of Winston. Not well made by today's standards but...the people still danced and we still got paid. Today I have a vintage set of Pearls but use a Tama deep snare that I have tuned to a lower register because it gives me the sound I like on my recordings. I also have a Pearl snare which I take to smaller gigs with a Tama 18 inch floor tom that I convert to a mini bass. You have to do what works and I laugh at folks who brag about their expensive kits. It's all about getting the sound you want for your particular style.

[@OliKember]

I don’t know which is which but I liked 2 then 3 then 1 in the blind shootout.

[@dustinkirker5622]

I have played vintage no name drums, Maxwin by pearl, Pulse, Royce, old pearl Export and a 70 Vistalite! Now i own a vintage 6 ply maple Ludwig with walnut wrap and an Acrolite snare of the same era. Yall wanna know which one i hated? The Vistalite!

[@christopherpederson1021]

Recording you can make anything sound good. As long as the room is good, the mics are good, the drumming is good, the preamps are good, the compression is good, and the converters are good.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That’s certainly debatable. Try telling that to a recording or mixing engineer as you walk in. Great way to have the shortest session of your life.

[@famitory]

once you get past the bare minimum of "does the insturment have mechanical issues that make it hard to play or record or tune" cost and sound are pretty independent.

[@famitory]

all these companies making 150$ clap stacks and I already have a perfect recreation of a 909 clap made of three brass cymbals, one of which was 12$ and two were free

[@jarrodbiesmann]

What's the best gear to record with? The gear that you have.

[@elee9056]

i had a similar thought before. but my approach was little different. if you buy an expensive hand made product, you buy the artist’s years of knowledge, efforts and intention. to change that, it would be waste of money. just buy a cheap drum and get some good heads and mix well. similar with cymbals. if you buy a bright cymbal, yet mute it and tape it, why even bother? just get a dry dark cymbal. thats where it bugged me.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Imagine a scenario where you don't have excessive money and storage space. Today you want that bright cymbal sound and it's working for you. Tomorrow you find yourself needing to dial it back a little and stick choice alone won't do it. Do you honestly think you should have purchased a different cymbal or perhaps even a second cymbal if a quick, temporary mod is getting the desired sound?

[@elee9056]

@@SoundsLikeADrum right. in that context, i agree with you. but if you can comfortably afford an expensive gear, i think its a fair assessment to think you can afford another one.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That's a challenging assumption. Where does one draw the line? If you can afford to buy one Craviotto snare for work, should you be able to afford one more? How about three? Maybe a full kit? It's all about making thoughtful and well-intentioned decisions. The ends don't always justify the means endlessly.

[@brent3760]

Drums you can tune, cymbals you can not. Still comes down to the skill ya got!!! 🤙🥁🥁😎

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Ah, but you can tune cymbals to a certain degree…

[@brent3760]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Gaff tape, sizzle attachments, stacks, hmmm, what else...? I that's it right??

[@hugorezende199]

@@brent3760 there is ou there people that hhammer by hand and "slim" cymbals modifing them, just like any cymbal maker, big or indie do.

[@brent3760]

@@hugorezende199 Yes!!! Jesse Simpson, Timothy Roberts from Reverie Drum Co! Tim did some work on a pair of hats for me and an 18. Fantastic job he did!!! Couldn't be happier!!!

[@HarryJoiner]

I own a set of Craviotto drums. Beautiful. Having said that, the drums can sound average depending on: The quality of the mics, the room, the sticks, the heads, the band, and of course - me. I have yet to find a set of drums that can make me sound like Matt Chamberlain.

[@drumjedi5301]

I own a '65 Ludwig Supraphonic that's worth $500-600. I also own a Gretsch Catalina Club snare (just plain ole luan, but with die cast hoops and rather well made) that I paid $200 for. Additionally, I own a 12" Tama steel snare that I paid $85 for. They all sound great, they all play great, I've recorded on them all, and they've all performed flawlessly. I chose which drum I'm using based on the sound I'm looking for or the environment I'm playing in, and don't really care about how much they cost. Obviously I recognize the difference in build quality and materials of a higher priced snare and appreciate a fine instrument, but when the sound I'm looking for comes from an $85 drum, I'm playing the $85 drum.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Nailed it! This is the mindset to aim for.

[@ChrisCadenhead]

It’s not the toys, it’s the noise!

[@drumjedi5301]

@@ChrisCadenhead Truth!

[@bohdaaanek]

Great video! Honestly I have no idea what sound is what... All sounds great from the sonic value its 2,3,1 for me (best to worst) but even the 1 sound really nice. Still - the hands that are playing the instrument are still the most important thing no matter the price... Imagine me playing a card box and than imagine Carter MacLean... I bet my kidney Carter would blew my and yours socks off :D Btw Peace did 12 lug 14x3.5 steel piccolo and for the price of the new one (65 usd?) it's an absolute steal! Everyone should buy it :D

[@rickviehdorfer4755]

I actually didn’t like any of them. But this has to do with tuning, and the sound that I like out of a snare drum. I don’t think it’s so much about getting the “same” sound out of a snare; many snares sound completely different from each other, due to construction, bearing edges, sizes, number of lugs, heads obviously- any number of things. Snare beds, for instance, can affect a drums tuning range for better or worse. I think every snare drum has an optimal sound, one that it naturally just has, and finding that sweet spot, and whether you like it or not, is the interesting part. Price means nothing to me: I’ve heard great snares that are less expensive or used, and mediocre snares that command thousands of dollars. Finding a sound that is you and speaks for you is more important than the latest greatest snare drum.

[@JereBruceO]

Have y’all done any videos or experiments on bass drum depth?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Nope. That sort of thing would best be explored in a comparison format and we don’t do those videos with some sort of sponsor/partner support because they’re incredibly time consuming and also tend to require custom builds.

[@dwexoticmaple]

last one i did not like as much as the first two first one had more sustain second higher pitch less sustain but ok first is my choice but what they are worth hmmm for me the sound order is as you played them

[@shitstain001]

im more of a sonic youth guy myself, but sonic value is pretty solid too

[@bloxit6968]

I’m so early thanks for the video

[@gregchapman3519]

That second snare was definitely an Acrolite. The first and second...not a clue!

[@billpoplin2534]

😊

[@jc3drums916]

Was it intentional that the three hidden snares were tuned to "Three Blind Mice"? EDIT: As I mentioned above, the first snare probably wasn't tuned an M3 above the third (its low overtones sounded like the same pitch), but the higher overtones were more prominent. which made me hear the M3.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We actually tuned these independently of each other and the order was randomized.

[@christophersmay4508]

People that buy expensive drums have a serious need to justify the purchase. They are indeed very nice things but don't necessarily sound better than the Stage Customs that get so much hate in the drum forums.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We don’t feel any need to justify our investments as we purchase these instruments to be tools capable of doing the job we need. SOME people feel like they’re not getting the value out of a drum if they’re muffling it. This just makes us laugh. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jmfs3497]

I'm curious what Sounds Like A Drum thinks about lugs, tuneability, and longevity. Any preferred makers/brands? I'm in the market for a new kit, and my current kit is a 1994 Mapex Mars with about 40% of the hollow, cast lugs snapped off at the shell now. I have been very rough on the kit, so I'm sure the cast lugs were fine, but I'm curious if SOLID MACHINED lugs and brackets would add to the resonance. I play very lightly on a wide open kit in a jazz/modern classical genre. I mute as needed with towels.

[@bryanherward4679]

Got an Inde kit...ot sits next to a gretsch round badge. Ludwig club date and premier cabria with die cast hoops...all great kits..all different...if the house was on fire it'd be the Inde kit I'd save...Light open resonant and a great feel under stick...huge tuning range

[@DAGDRUM53]

Have you considered buying an old used Mapex set cheap and robbing it for parts? Even a tom or two might be sufficient.

[@jmfs3497]

@@bryanherward4679 Thanks for the insights.

[@bryanherward4679]

@@jmfs3497 funny...it's just matte black...it's the most boring looking kit against swirls and sparkles...but the sound is just right

[@jmfs3497]

@@DAGDRUM53 I have scavenged and replaced parts over the years, but never done a full rebuild. It's a 28 year old entry level kit, though, and it's seen a lot of stinky punk gigs, been knocked over, stood on, puked on, the shells are in rough shape, and many of the metal lugs have literally just been snapping off the last few years. I'll keep my eye out now, though for a used Mapex, even if I buy a new kit. If I can keep it running I will use it for practice at least, or donate it to a new youthful punk band if that sort of thing exists these days. It's funny to think as a middle aged person I now play free improvisation modern classical avant garde, lol. 🥁I guess it's pretty punk in spirit, but with less puking.

[@crowonawirehome]

I love unmuffled, sounds better to me but recording likes muffled most of the time.

[@srm0074]

People get so hung up on the gear, how it's tuned, how it's positioned, and how the artist plays. Appreciate the individuality that music allows and do your own thing.

[@CrappyProducts]

Well I just think if the point is to have it muffled then other cheaper choices will produce the same sound so why buy a Craviotto for that?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

The assumption your question makes is that someone would buy a Craviotto just for that one muffled sound and would/could never choose to make it sound a myriad of other ways.. Additionally, there seems to be a perspective that all drums start to sound the same when muffled...yet we provided strong evidence that the same argument can be made when three drums spanning nearly $2000 in price are left wide open and played during the blind test at 3:22.

[@CrappyProducts]

@@SoundsLikeADrum of course, naturally. I’m not implying that if there’s a song you want a muffled snare then you shouldn’t because it’s a Craviotto, I am saying that if you are going yo play a gig where most of your sound is muffled you’re better off spending the money in good cymbals

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

I see what you're getting at but it still seems dependent on a single bit of context rather than long-term thinking and/or the likelihood of other gigs requiring other sounds.

[@byrondickens]

If I had a Craviotto, it would probably be because I spent all my money on it and there wouldn't be enough left over to get something you consider more suitable whenever I felt like chucking my wallet on top

[@craigwilliams501]

When the wallet used for muffling has a huge wad of cash in it it sounds much better than an empty one IMO

[@ChannelTheHistory]

If I had to guess I would say the 3 drums are presented from lowest to highest price in order. Wouldn’t be surprised if I’m completely wrong. This reminds me how great a cheap stainless steel snare can be.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Alas, no dice! And no steel shells here either.

[@JFKDrummer]

1st cheapest 3rd next and 2nd highest

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks for guessing but nope!

[@DroctorKloebner]

bottom line: don't buy expensive shells. buy expensive cymbals instead.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hmmm, not at all what we're getting at here but do what works for you (that's more of the point being made).

[@bohdaaanek]

@@SoundsLikeADrum loosely translated - you can tune cheap drum to good/great sound but you can't do anything with cheap cymbal (unless you want play lo-fi or do some stacks :D) so the difference between cheap and expensive drum is 'not that significant' as between cheap and expensive cymbal

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@bohdaaanek I see what you're getting at but again, let's focus on the value rather than the cost. The two aren't always aligned, regardless of whether we're talking cymbals, snare drums, or shakers.

[@DroctorKloebner]

@@SoundsLikeADrum I know you mean „use whatever does the job“ But I rather spend money on cymbals than shells for the reason Jan mentioned.

[@joshuabpolys]

🤘🏼👍🏼❤️

[@RCSchult112755]

So, in the idustry, given a good engineer or producer, a drum's cost or pedidree really makes little difference. No?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

If we’re talking studio-specific context, why would anything but the sound matter in the moment? In fact, if we’re talking about a singular track and you’re picking the drum for it- if you’ve got a $2k snare that sounds great but doesn’t match the vibe of the song and a $150 snare that is absolutely nailing the vibe, can you imagine going with the more expensive drum? The price tag will not be captured on the recording and, even if it was…no one would care when it comes time to listen to the music.

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💗🇺🇸 🥁🔥🎼 💣🔊))CRAVIOTTO!!!

[@morgunstyles7253]

There is no difference in a 600 dollar steel can and a 50 dollar steel can. Its still a steel can.

[@brent3760]

Tell us already!!!! What is the order!?!?!? 😁

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It doesn’t really matter but if you want to find out, check out our Instagram highlight.

[@brent3760]

@@SoundsLikeADrum I agree, it doesnt matter and that IS the point. I know I know. I'm just curious! I'm curious like a cat, that's why my friends call me whiskers... snl Harry Carey Will Ferrell

[@odysseasg3896]

If so then why buy a drum that you don't need for its own sound. If you do all these things the same sound it can be created with almost all snare drums. You just lose some money to say you own THAT snare.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Do you believe that adding muffling to a drum somehow means that you're no longer hearing that drum's sound? Additionally, do you believe that all drums with the same type of muffling sound the same?

[@drew_on_drums]

I love how people say I have to open my snare up. Bro if I opened it up it would sound like a fucking timbale. It's cranked out to shit, no low end, has a marching head on top, it is designed to be a gunshot