Tama Starphonic Aluminium 14x6 Review | WHAT a Snare!

THE TAMA STARPHONIC ALUMINIUM 14X6 SNARE DRUM. Man, where to start! This video is a comprehensive review of this beautiful snare. I go through multiple different tunings from what I call THE SUPER THUD, to Low, Medium, Medium High, High, and My Tuning. You'll see individual hits of each tuning, 16th Notes, 32nds, and a little 32nd Note Groove so you can hear what the Ghost Notes sound like at each stage. I'll also walk you through the shell and some of the features of this drum, and show you how it compares to my Acrolite 14x5.
All recordings are the same microphones and effects. There is a head change but that is discussed in the video :)
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:09 The Shell
2:19 The Heads
3:10 The Super Thud No Muffling
3:49 The Super Thud With Muffling
4:29 Low No Muffling
5:09 Low With Muffling
5:49 Medium No Muffling
6:26 Medium With Muffling
7:03 Medium High No Muffling
7:43 Medium High With Muffling
8:22 High No Muffling
9:01 High With Muffling
9:38 My Tuning
10:17 Features
12:46 Price
13:03 End to End Comparison
Equipment:
TAMA STAR MAPLE 22x16, 10x7, 12x8, 16x16 Raspberry Curly Maple (NEW)
Tama Starphonic Aluminium 14x6 (NEW)
Meinl Sand Hats 14"
Meinl Extra Dry Thin Crash 18"
Meinl Vintage Pure Ride 22"
Meinl Sand Crash Ride 22" (Rivets Removed)
Mics:
Aston Spirit x2 - Overheads
Beyerdynamic M201 - Snare
Audix D2 - Rack
Audix D2 - Tom 2
Audix D4 - Floor
Shure Beta 52A - Kick
Shure SM57 - Front Kick
Shure SM7B - Vox
Interface:
Focusrite 18i20
DAW:
Presonus Studio One
Video Software:
DaVinci Resolve
About Ferg Griffin Drums: Please visit www.ferggriffindrums.com for in-person or online lessons, and I would be delighted to teach you :)
You can also check out more here: linktr.ee/FergGriffinDrums
#tamastarphonicaluminium #tamastarphonicaluminum #tamastarphonic #starphonicaluminium #tamasnaredrums

[@user-wg6rb4ev1j]

This has been the best snare review I have ever seen ! Amazing job

[@DeanVu]

I have the same snare and it works great in almost all applications. I personally prefer tuning to the G note (300Hz batter, 400Hz resonant) and use half a moongel on top for a bit of ringing. I'm very pleased because it cuts through rock guitars like a knife through butter and that's exactly what I need, and aluminium has that specific ring that suits my ear better than brass. Out of the starphonic line, I'm interested in how it compares to copper - I'm particularly interested in that one because it seems like a good blend of warmth and projection. Great video, keep up the good work!

[@ferggriffindrums]

The copper is very nice too. I have a friend who has one and he cranks it super high. Sounds great with a lot of body. That’s interesting too on the G. I imagine that would be close to the med high in the example. Maybe medium. Sounds like a versatile spot that also cuts! What a drum this is 💙

[@markyatchak2112]

Here to give you a shout out and tell you how much I appreciate your content. I just ran across your channel within the last couple of weeks, and I absolutely love and appreciate your content. Your camera work, lesson breakdowns, topics of the lessons covered, your drumming skills, the intricate and intellectual use of your words and voice are all absolutely fantastic. Kudos to you for your time while sharing your extremely well rounded abilities and knowledge with the drumming community! I wish you well and hope your channel continues to grow exponentially as you deserve it!

[@ferggriffindrums]

Man, what a comment! Thank you so much dude, I appreciate this more than you know. Each lesson/video takes a lot of work so when people recognise that it’s so nice to hear. Thank you for your kind words and super stoked you’re enjoying the channel. All the very best man 🫡

[@editbyStar]

I own this snare and I can feel the fulfillment of having a snare that can do it all. In my personal opinion from med/high to cranked is the interval where this snare shines the most. But of course if you want that fat sound you just need to muffle it a little and there you go. I really think that this is top notch in the market and even more if you consider the price... Btw, just discovered your channel, I'm liking it so far, keep it up :)

[@ferggriffindrums]

Thank you man. And absolutely agree on where this snare sounds best wide open. As you say, if you want the low sound just a bit of muffling will do the job. Appreciate your comment, very glad to hear you’re enjoying the channel, and hope all is well 🫡

[@IgorCecelja]

I'm already in love with this snare. Mine should be here in a day or two :) Can't wait for it to arrive!

[@ferggriffindrums]

Dude am so happy for you. It’s a monster! Enjoy it 🫡

[@johnrobinson8323]

Nice video! I've been eyeing this snare drum for awhile. Maybe I'll pull the trigger. 🥁❤️

[@ferggriffindrums]

You won’t be disappointed my friend. It can do it all! And thank you, glad you enjoyed 💙

[@willsharpe5553]

Tuning 4 w/o muffling for me (was really sold by hearing it in the groove at 7.30), though they all sound nice in their own way tbf. Lovely snare, man! 🥁👌

[@ferggriffindrums]

Can’t go wrong with a medium high 💙 Feel like that’s a versatile spot where there are few situations that it won’t work there. Great to hear from you, Will. Hope all is well and thank you 🫡

[@gamerh7218]

Though I prefer tuning snares to a mid-low tuning myself, I think I like the cranked, muffled tuning for this snare.

[@ferggriffindrums]

Nice one man! And me too. Do you prefer the medium high, high, or super high?

[@1313260]

Mid/high no muffling

[@ferggriffindrums]

Interesting! And thanks so much for commenting and letting me know 👊 I like super high on this drum I think

[@chrispidgeonmusician]

Great video. What are you using for muffling?

[@ferggriffindrums]

Thanks man. That’s the Snareweight M80. Is a great little tool. Sounds like a couple moon gels but doesn’t get all dusty and rank after a while. Clips on, clips off. Easy 🫡

[@chrispidgeonmusician]

@@ferggriffindrums cool. So it fits the odd shaped Starphonic rim ok then I guess?

[@ferggriffindrums]

Yeah, man. And it’s got a magnet too, so I reckon it’ll fit most rims. You have a Starphonic Aluminium?

[@chrispidgeonmusician]

I do yes. And yesterday I changed the head to a Remo coated amb, and put sound Puresound snares on. Very nice upgrade. I’ve got a basic unboxing and tuning video on my channel

[@ferggriffindrums]

@@chrispidgeonmusician Mate, lovely! For me, no head gets quite the ring and liveliness as a single ply top head on snares. I just wished they lasted longer! Which Puresound wires did you go for?