Tama Aluminum Snare Drum Comparison

A comparison of the Tama SLP Classic Dry Aluminum (LAL1455) and the Tama Starphonic Aluminum (PAL146).
Both batter and resonant heads were tuned to the same frequency using a Tune-Bot. Both batter heads are stock Evans G1 coated. Both resonant heads are stock Evans Hazy 300. One patch of Moongel was on each batter head.
The same EQ setup was applied to both recordings. There was a -6dB dip at 280Hz, and a -24dB high-pass filter at 35Hz. No quantization on any track.
It’s easy to tell the difference. The Starphonic has a lower natural tone and high frequency harmonics, and its rims make for very bright, sharp rimshots. It’s the lack of the high frequency harmonics that give the SLP snare its so-called dryness.

[@bluesky6449]

Great job- easy to watch and listen to, see the difference. Too many other videos with blah blah prefaces, prolonged narratives, obnoxious background music, etc. This was perfect

[@mihaidrums5]

This is the perfect comparison video, no words, no blabla, just playing! The same heads, the same tunebot tunings, just amazing! Great job!

[@Carrascoza]

Starphonic is the best sounding snare IMHO,it has more sustain,almost sounded like dry brass.I just love it!!!

[@jensogmarcus]

Love this comparison! It's awesome to see some of this on yt, I really needed this to decide which one - Thanks!

[@jkf9167]

I've never liked die cast hoops on aluminum snares, and this demo did nothing to change my mind.

[@damjandakidjordjevic]

Starphonic doesn't have diecast hoops..put magnet on it and you will see it for yourself

[@BigPhi84]

Great job with this comparison!

[@nathanwalsh3028]

Well done!!! I actually own both drums and you did a very good audio description of how they sound. Great job!

[@champaignstudios]

Nathan Walsh Thanks! I was very surprised at the differences, and glad they were so obvious.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

Which sounds better in person

[@stevenbowman761]

Very helpful comparison!

[@JulianFernandez]

Both sounded cool... thanks!

[@RasNaaSay]

Great comparison 👌🏿👌🏿

[@joebuczkowski8605]

I got the Tama SLP vintage hammered steel snare drum. I like the SLP one here. It sounds like a soda can snare drum.

[@richboshart1201]

Starphonic for the win!

[@A3woodworks]

Nicely done video! I kinda like the Starphonic, it's got a little more, um, "breath" in the sustain. If that makes any sense.

[@MatChew75]

The starphonic maybe have a little fatter sound but the aluminum SLP is more crisp and when you really get into both of them I'd think the SLP sounds just as good or better. And I just bought The SLP aluminum dry snare and I'm extremely pleased with this drum that Tama put out for half the price. I think that's what makes the SLP line such a good line are the metal snares not so much their wood snares. I mean there are a few nice wood snares in that line Like the spotted gum, bubinga and classic Maple. But their metal snares are great. I've also got a Gretsch Brooklyn Standard, not a better wood sound out there!

[@noostrings]

I took the thick hoops of the starphonic and replaced them with 1.6ml triple flanged. Best thing I ever did

[@robsco1249]

In your opinion should I buy again the starphonic aluminium and replace the hoops or buy a Slp aluminium? I didn't like the hoops of the starphonic. With the moongel It was too dry, without It was too cutting and high pitched. I should have done exactely what you said before selling It...

[@196620410]

excellentes les deux.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

How do these compare to the 6.5 ACROLITE I wonder...

[@texxhexxmm]

Nice ! Which Tuning frequency was that with Tune bot?

[@TunggulVolt]

The SLP sounds better and more crisp. It has more crack too

[@Assimilator702]

Tomi Igo Yes Starphonic is a touch better. I have the Black Nickel over Steel and it’s sweet. The SLP is no slouch if you want to spend less $$$. Tama has always had an amazing snare drum lineup. I’ve never heard a bad one from Tama.

[@DZNTZ]

I too lean towards the SLP... “fatter” sound, more of a classic funk feel. The Starphonic is a gorgeous piece of kit, and I wanted to justify the extra $170, but the truth is the SLP sounds better to me. The die cast hoops are the difference, I don’t think they’re a great match for this shell. Die cast is great on a ringy shell to dry it up a bit but on already dry aluminum they just up the pitch and rob some of the depth and openness. I’d like to see this same video at low/med/high tunings, that’d be great!

[@tomfloor3604]

TunggulVolt I agree, with this music. It fits better to my ear.

[@tomfloor3604]

I have the maple/Mappa Burl. The Starphonics are hard to beat esp, Very easy to tube and sounds good at different tensions. Great sounding drums and changing heads are a snap with the system they use. Beautifully designed. I case you couldn’t tell, I’m a big fan.

[@Assimilator702]

@@DZNTZ The Starphonic doesn’t use diecast hoops. They’re Starphonic groove hoops. They’re no different than regular steel flanged hoops. Maybe just a touch drier but no where near as dry and controlled as diecast hoops.

[@patrikprommer3762]

Hi! Can you tell me please the drumhead frequencies? I have the the same SLP snare and TuneBot.

[@champaignstudios]

I do not have the TuneBot frequencies.

[@jenperdsmonlapin6953]

Man its so hard to choose a snare with all the choice available and the different reviews on youtube ...the sound changes from a video to another sometimes. Cant make up my mind between aluminum, steel and brass. Let alone different models of each material!

[@michaeldavis5106]

I knoe that the star fonic snare has the gruved hoops. are they heavyer or lighter than tripple flanged hoops? I have been thinking about getting one.

[@champaignstudios]

They are a tad heavier than the 1.2mm hoops but lighter than the 2.3mm brass Mighty Hoops. The hole spacing of the lugs and the rods work perfectly with any of the Tama 10-hole hoops. It's a great way to alter the character of the drum.

[@michaeldavis5106]

@@champaignstudios thanks so mutch. Would this snare work with any 10 hole hoop from any brand? Because I'm not a huge fan of the claws that hold the hoop on. I like this snare, but that's the only thing i'm not a huge fan of.

[@champaignstudios]

@@michaeldavis5106 No, any old hoop will not work. I tried a 14" Chinese die cast hoop and it did not fit any of my snare drums. Its diameter is exactly 14". The Tama hoops are 14.125" in diameter.

[@ericgutierrez5568]

You really have to listen to the sound through some quality speakers or headphones to hear the real difference. Both sound equally as sensitive, but for the type of music being played, I'd choose the Starphonic due to it having longer sustain, a little more ring. It just sings a little better, blends in with this music very well. The SLP would be great and/or better for rock music though.

[@Juniscrazy]

Wish it was without moongel

[@nazzare79]

What's the best coated head I can use on the starphonic aluminium snare? I tasted G1 and Ambassador but I should try a thinner head...

[@champaignstudios]

nazzare79 Only you can decide which drum heads to use. Start experimenting!

[@Assimilator702]

nazzare79 I don’t think a head thinner than a 10 mil Ambassador would be a good idea. They aren’t durable for snare use. I’ve used Controlled Sound X and Coated Ambassador on my Starphonic Steel and they’re both good. Coated Emperor or White Suede Emperor would be also be good to cut a bit of ring.

[@fernandoramalho-rg7jz]

I prefer SLP!

[@augustleo7434]

Prefer the dryer slp all day long

[@roybeckerman9253]

Prefer the SLP here.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Prefer steel snares .

[@SalMichael]

I love Tama and use a Starclassic BB ,but the classic dry aluminum is awful.

[@serdiezv]

It has no harmonics whatsoever, so people will either love it or hate it. I personally love it.

[@drummersinger5324]

Geeze. Throw at least 30 wires on this tom tom sounding crap