Excellent comparison. From my experience, this video accurately represents the characteristics of the heads. I wish more comparison videos were like this. For me, I like the Emperor Vintage the best.
@Connor Pearson The traditional or just "Emperor" sounds better but to me, they are my least favorite Remos. Diplomat kick ass, especially Diplomat M5 :D
0:08: Diplomat Series: Bright Tone, Long Sustain, and lower durability (thinner) 0:08: Diplomat M5 0:16: Diplomat Coated, warm and full sound *BEST OPTION FOR SOFT PLAYING* 0:25: Diplomat Skyntone, warm and soft attack 0:34: Diplomat Fiberskyn, warm, calf-like sound some prefer 0:42: Ambassador Series: Bright Tone, Long Sustain, and standard durability 0:42: Ambassador Coated, *INDUSTRY STANDARD* in drum heads, *BEST OVERALL OPTION* 0:51: Ambassador Suede, warm, mid-range tones 1:00: Ambassador Renaissance, warm, open tones, lots of overtones 1:08: Ambassador Vintage: Extremely Versatile provides the sensitivity of Diplomat Coated, midrange of Emperor Coated and durability of Ambassador Coated drumheads. 1:17 Ambassador Fiberskyn: warm, calf-like, thicker than the diplomat fiberskyn 1:25 Ambassador X Coated: enhanced attack, wider midrange tone, increased durability 1:34: Ambassador X14: the X coated but mores sustain and an enhanced feel of rebound on the sticks Not Shown: Ambassador Classic Fit: available clear, coated, and ebony Ambassador Starfire: popular resonant head with beautiful metallic look Ambassador Ebony: dark tone, and more open, standard for bass drum resonant head 1:43: Controlled Sound Series: Warm and Focused Tone, Medium Sustain, Extended Durability 1:43: Controlled Sound Coated Black Dot: focused mid range tones with more durability 1:51: Controlled Sound X: 2:00: Powerstroke Series: Warm and Dampened Tone, Short Sustain, and Standard Durability 2:00: Powerstroke 3, also known as P3 Coated: focused mid and low tones, with subtle attack: a *GREAT BASS DRUM OPTION* 2:09: Powerstroke X: highest durability of any 1 ply drum head, lots of overtone and sustain control 2:17: Powerstroke 4: warm sound, controlled sustain, focused low end tones *BEST SNARE OPTION FOR OVERTONE HATERS* 2:25: Powerstroke 77: warm and crisp, produces controlled tones and projections 2:34: Pinstripe Series: Dark and Dampened Tone, Medium Sustain, and Maximum Durability: the *INDUSTRY STANDARD* for *great* toms 2:34: Pinstripe Coated: great mid-range tones with lower end, has overtone reducing agent 2:42: Emperor Series: Warm Tone, Medium Sustain, and Maximum Durability: *BEST DURABILITY* 2:42: Emperor Coated: great warm and open tone and durability 2:51: Emperor Vintage: enhanced mid and low range tone 2:59: Emperor X: Xtreme Durability, popular among the world's hardest hitting drummers *BEST SNARE FOR HARD HITTERS* Hope this Comment Helped. Took me too long.
@@morinmacias3907 as Stewart Copeland said, "if there's too much ring or not enough ring, it's all personal preference" I like that ringy high snare a lot... but I also like the Emperor's dampening.
TalkShowHost Haha! Well actually we partnered with them and they gave us all the snare heads we needed for this demo :) Thank you for your appreciation!
@@Timpanopercussion Great because changing out bass drum heads to find out they don't suit your drum sound is expensive if going by trial and error! Btw I love Remo heads on my snare and Tom's but I do love my Evans Emad 2 batter on the bass drum.
They missed one of Remo’s best drum heads, the Black X. Amazing dry tone with incredible feel and durability. I put it on my13”x6” steel snare and cannot stop playing it. I love my PS3 Fiberskyn and Controlled Sound, but man, the Black X is amazing on metal snares.
I'm gonna order up the powerstroke 3 for my daughter's new drum set. She's got the Controlled Sound Black Dot on her practice snare which sounds good, but I think I'm gonna get the Diplomat M5 for that one so she can practice her drumline music since it sounds very similar to the high tension marching snares.
I think that this video really doesnt make justice to the emperor x... I have an Emperor x on my snare (metalic shell though 14"/5.5) and it sounds high and cracky without overtone... In this video it sounds low resonating and kinda "wobing" to me...
Thank you for this great comparison. Manufacturers don't consider that by expanding their product line, they create confusion about which model to purchase.
The Ambassador Fiberskyn sounds great. I'll be getting one to try. I scored an old Remo Legacy LA snare head in a stack of heads i bought 2nd hand. Sounds good on a few different snare drums.
@@Customwinder1 Legacy heads are great. Nothing Remo makes is a perfect match. I have one Legacy LA and I can still use it and every snare sounds great with it. Cant say that about Evans.
@@Assimilator702 ah good to hear someone else still has one kickin around . Like you said it makes any snare drum sound great . I still swap it around and trybit on all my drums. Scored all sorts of different heads buying used and have an Evans G1 on a snare drum and it doesn't sound too bad. I prefer Remo or Aquarian. You have a great day mate 👍
So much time and work to provide this most valuable service for us Drummers. Thanks to you, I have learned a lot about these Remo Drum Heads...... Thanks and Blessings my Canadian Drum Brothers!
Been playing the Ambassador X for a year now. Best snare head ever. Really responsive and is good for every genre of music. Plus, it’s a bit thicker, so it last longer.
0:34 Diplomat Fiberskyn 0:43 Ambassador (coated) 1:26 Ambassador X (coated) Since I've already experienced how the Ambassador X made my Pearl Masters Custom 14x5 really useful with almost no dampening, I now believe I have to try the Diplomat Fiberskyn. Very nice upload, THANKS! 1:08
I wish you had included clear and black suede finishes, but this is still a very well made, extremely useful video. My favorite of the heads demoed here is the Controlled Sound.
That’s how you do a comparison video!!! Love the reference points so I can jump around as needed too. Thank you for doing this. I’m sure it took some time.
My second post here, I have saved this vid. Although not accurate for all snare drum types it is a very valuable tool to get a very good idea of the sort of sound you are trying to achieve. My personal choices are 1 emporer. 2 controled sound. I appreciate the effort you have gone too , to produce this video. Well done. I love the groove. BTW.
I have a practically new Ambassador on my birch snare drum and it sounds absolutely horrible. It's the reason I found this video so I can find something better. I'm not saying you're wrong, just wanted to reply as it's crazy how one person's worst can be one person's best. Obviously a lot of factors that determine the outcome.
Yes the drum it’s on plays a huge part. I used to find ambassadors too ringy. On my Benny Greb snare it sounds way better than any other head. Prob because the drum is so warm that it needs something thin to bring its tone out.
I was shocked and amazed at how this head sounds I also like the powerstroke 3 but this definitely was one of my favorite sounding heads in this comparison.
I just put a coated Diplomat on my snare (13x7 Pork Pie Little Squealer) for the first time, thanks to this video, and I am super stoked about the sound. I don't think I've ever said that about my snare before. I've always used 2-ply heads in the past and had a lifeless thwacky snare. I never would have considered Diplomats before, not even as tom resos, because I thought they'd ring forever. They do ring a little, but not as much as the Ambassadors, and the ring is much more pleasant. I feel like I'm hearing the actual tone of my drum for the first time. And the sensitivity is blowing me away. I can hear EVERYTHING I do on the snare, for better or worse. I think this change will be good for my playing because now I can hear all of my sloppiness and inconsistency. Finding the right heads for my sound has been a long, expensive, and ultimately unsuccessful process of trial and error. Thanks to this video and Drumeo's similar comparison of Evans snare heads, I was able to make an informed choice for once. Thank you so much.
Hi nuynobi, wow thank you for this comment! We are glad it helped you! The ring the Diplomat delivers is more in the "high mids" range where the Ambassador is in the mid range, this gives you a crispier sound. Some heads just don't sound the way you expect them to! Greetings
1. Thank you for demos like this. Getting all the heads side-by-side is the only way to make good comparisons. 2. Is it just me, or does the Ambassador Fiberskyn really bring out a different character? I thought it made the drum sound much throatier and a bit vintage. I really dug it.
I think the ambassador fiberskyn is my favorite... warm, dry, dark with nice attack and tons of character, all while still a great general snare sound. Not too unique, but so so sweet
Is this the same as the Fiberskyn 3 FA? I bought one back in the late 90s but only put it on my 14"x5.5" steel snare in late 2018. It has less ring and pop than a coated Ambassador but doesn't dull it, and adds a little more low end body. Nice.
Well done! Always been a fan of Remo Heads! Love the Emperor X have one on my 13"x5" Tama Starclassic Metal Snare Drum. And Love the Powerstroke III...have one on my 14"x5" PDP MX Snare Drum. Remo Rocks!!
My go to is an ambassador, but I have a brand new emperor laying around and I might put try that tomorrow. Awesome comparison, wish more shootouts were like this!
whoooaa.. emperor x really sound the worst here lol. i used emperor x for couple years and i love it tho, really durable head. now i am using ambassador, a great all around head. might try controlled sound x soon. great video!
the suede and the emperor vintage were good for an all around medial ground. good control, some overtones but not too many, good for recording and live. one was brighter than the other offering the dynamics between heavy open and lighter. the fiberskyns are nice too
I love the sound of the first one (Diplomat M5). It sounds very good even without damping. My problem is that in my opinion concert snares sound bad at small volume when they are damped (especially on the outer part of the drum). Even if they are damped only a little bit (only one piece of moon gel for example). But without damping they sound bad at high volume. :D So this drum head maybe can help me to get a better sound. I will try it and combine it with the Hazy Diplomat on the snare side at my Yamaha GSR-1450.
Wow, what a great video. I haven't tried much apart from ambassador coated for decades after trying a clear pinstripe and emperor that I didn't like. Now I will buy a couple of these, the CS and ambassador X, surprised I didn't like that emperor X coated. Glad I didn't buy it, thanks!
Great comparison! I like the Powerstroke 4 & 77 for their punchiness and small amount of ring, but those Emperor vintage heads make me the happiest. That's the snare sound I'm chasing.
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer No. Play one in person on a well tuned snare and they're great. Open tone with that controlled ring is awesome on certain snares in the right room. It's just that they're expensive. An Ambassador or Controlled Sound does everything I need. Add a half Moongel or even a piece of plain white paper 3"x4" with just enough tape to hold it to the head. Effective and basically FREE. It's more subtle than the Moongel and allows the head to vibrate more evenly.
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer PS4 is good if you have a cheap snare. With better snares it hides all the character. Coated Ambassador is still best if you want to know what a snare can do. I put a PS4 on a $200 Tama Metalworks steel snare and on a $700 Brass snare. They both sounded so close I could barely tell them apart while I was playing them. Ambassadors on both and there was no confusing the 2 snares. Thats a PLUS for Tama quality but also demonstrates the importance of the heads and proper tuning.
I keep it simple, coated ambassadors all around (except bass) as they showcase the sound of the shell, and are relatively cheap. If you need a more dull or tamed sound for a song, just throw on a moon gel.
I love my Ambassador, but that CS dot is speaking to me! Also the Ambassador fiberskyn and the Powerstroke 3, 4, 77, and Emperor and Vintage variant are also in my top picks!
Careful with getting controlled sound w/ reverse Black Dot heads. Remo has had to use a different adhesive on the head due to the pandemic, and the dot ends up falling off inside the drum.. Remo does send out a new head for free, but it's happened to EVERYONE that owns one recently.
Many people love the Powerstroke 3, it sounds really great and neutral, it just says what it needs to say and bye, no resonance or sustain. But my problem with it is that it's too neutral for me, it lacks character, that's why I go with either Controlled Sound, Ambassador Reinassance or Diplomat.
This is something I've been needing for years, it's so hard to compare when one player records in a studio, but cranks the wires too tight. Then listen to another where they recorded using a bloody microwave for a microphone. Thank you :)
Fantastic video! Thank you so much for putting this together! For my playing, Ambassador and Controlled Sound has worked best. But there are many cool sounding snare heads from Remo!
Keep in mind that some have more attack and high overtones added at the same time, but if you put a dampener ring around the edge, you would get a full attack and full drum sound without the overtones hiding/muddying up the added attack. Hope that made sense! And I assume they were tuning all the heads the same tension. For my application I actually want the Remo Ambassador Renaissance for the following 3 reasons: It has a bit more attack that the normal remo coated ambassador but still has some of the warmth of a coated and it is 10ply so it is much more durable than 7.5 mil but not dead/no overtones like the two ply heads. In this video though, it does not sound that good because of too many overtones, most people won't like the sound and I agree, but slap a thin ring around the edge and it would sound great, with attack and warmth. At least this video gives enough info that one can proximate what head they want to start with and then go from there...
Awesome arguments to Ambassador, a head I don't like it too much but if I'd go with Ambassador, Renaissance is the best of them all. I'm a Diplomat man or Pinstripe, Powerstroke is for metal players like Lars going Powerstroke 3!!!
Overtones + fundamental = drum sound. Overtones are your friend, they’re 50% of your drum’s sound and contain the musical harmonics, character of your drum’s timbre. You want to control overtones with good tuning and as little gaffers tape as necessary. You don’t want to eliminate overtones or you’d be left with a very unmusical fundamental note. Every one of the heads in this video sound good and none have additional dampening. My least favorite heads are the Powerstroke 3 and the Pinstripe (for snare drums anyway, P3 is a fantastic kick batter and clear Pinstripes sound good on toms). For snares use a head with no internal dampening, you can always add dampeners. For recording purposes an Ambassador, CS, or Emperor are your best options.
Excellent comparison. From my experience, this video accurately represents the characteristics of the heads. I wish more comparison videos were like this. For me, I like the Emperor Vintage the best.
Hi Tod. Thanks for your comment, I'm happy to hear that you found this video to be useful!
@Connor Pearson The traditional or just "Emperor" sounds better but to me, they are my least favorite Remos. Diplomat kick ass, especially Diplomat M5 :D
Bah..buy kevlar heads for best response
Edit: LOVED this demonstration though!
Controlled Sound Coated 😍😍
This comparison is worthless, because it's nowhere shown that he uses the same tension on the different drumheads.
0:08: Diplomat Series: Bright Tone, Long Sustain, and lower durability (thinner)
0:08: Diplomat M5
0:16: Diplomat Coated, warm and full sound *BEST OPTION FOR SOFT PLAYING*
0:25: Diplomat Skyntone, warm and soft attack
0:34: Diplomat Fiberskyn, warm, calf-like sound some prefer
0:42: Ambassador Series: Bright Tone, Long Sustain, and standard durability
0:42: Ambassador Coated, *INDUSTRY STANDARD* in drum heads, *BEST OVERALL OPTION*
0:51: Ambassador Suede, warm, mid-range tones
1:00: Ambassador Renaissance, warm, open tones, lots of overtones
1:08: Ambassador Vintage: Extremely Versatile provides the sensitivity of Diplomat Coated, midrange of Emperor Coated and durability of Ambassador Coated drumheads.
1:17 Ambassador Fiberskyn: warm, calf-like, thicker than the diplomat fiberskyn
1:25 Ambassador X Coated: enhanced attack, wider midrange tone, increased durability
1:34: Ambassador X14: the X coated but mores sustain and an enhanced feel of rebound on the sticks
Not Shown:
Ambassador Classic Fit: available clear, coated, and ebony
Ambassador Starfire: popular resonant head with beautiful metallic look
Ambassador Ebony: dark tone, and more open, standard for bass drum resonant head
1:43: Controlled Sound Series: Warm and Focused Tone, Medium Sustain, Extended Durability
1:43: Controlled Sound Coated Black Dot: focused mid range tones with more durability
1:51: Controlled Sound X:
2:00: Powerstroke Series: Warm and Dampened Tone, Short Sustain, and Standard Durability
2:00: Powerstroke 3, also known as P3 Coated: focused mid and low tones, with subtle attack: a *GREAT BASS DRUM OPTION*
2:09: Powerstroke X: highest durability of any 1 ply drum head, lots of overtone and sustain control
2:17: Powerstroke 4: warm sound, controlled sustain, focused low end tones *BEST SNARE OPTION FOR OVERTONE HATERS*
2:25: Powerstroke 77: warm and crisp, produces controlled tones and projections
2:34: Pinstripe Series: Dark and Dampened Tone, Medium Sustain, and Maximum Durability: the *INDUSTRY STANDARD* for *great* toms
2:34: Pinstripe Coated: great mid-range tones with lower end, has overtone reducing agent
2:42: Emperor Series: Warm Tone, Medium Sustain, and Maximum Durability: *BEST DURABILITY*
2:42: Emperor Coated: great warm and open tone and durability
2:51: Emperor Vintage: enhanced mid and low range tone
2:59: Emperor X: Xtreme Durability, popular among the world's hardest hitting drummers *BEST SNARE FOR HARD HITTERS*
Hope this Comment Helped. Took me too long.
How long did that take?
Thanks so much
my hero
0:42: Ambassador Coated, INDUSTRY STANDARD in drum heads, BEST OVERALL OPTION (naa... still too much ring)
@@morinmacias3907 as Stewart Copeland said, "if there's too much ring or not enough ring, it's all personal preference"
I like that ringy high snare a lot... but I also like the Emperor's dampening.
7 years later and this video is STILL the ultimate buying guide for Remo heads. You need to be sponsored.
Remo should pay you for this sick demo. Thank you.
TalkShowHost Haha! Well actually we partnered with them and they gave us all the snare heads we needed for this demo :) Thank you for your appreciation!
@@Timpanopercussion this video is a godsend! Please do a remo bass drum version.
@@LochNessAnthony It'll take some time but the Bass Heads are on their way (thanx to Remo) ;)
@@Timpanopercussion Best news ever!!! I can't wait.
@@Timpanopercussion Great because changing out bass drum heads to find out they don't suit your drum sound is expensive if going by trial and error!
Btw I love Remo heads on my snare and Tom's but I do love my Evans Emad 2 batter on the bass drum.
Diplomat M5 0:09
Diplomat 0:17
Diplomat Skytone 0:26
Diplomat Fiberskyn 0:34
Ambassador 0:43
Ambassador Suede 0:51
Ambassador Reinassance 1:00
Ambassador Vintage 1:09
Ambassador Fiberskin 1:17
Ambassador X 1:26
Ambassador X14 1:35
Controlled Sound 1:43
Controlled Sound X 1:52
Powerstroke 3 2:00
Powerstroke X 2:09
Powerstroke 4 2:17
Powerstroke 77 2:26
Pinstripe 2:34
Emperor 2:43
Emperor Vintage 2:52
Emperor X 3:00
Double yeah!
They missed one of Remo’s best drum heads, the Black X. Amazing dry tone with incredible feel and durability. I put it on my13”x6” steel snare and cannot stop playing it. I love my PS3 Fiberskyn and Controlled Sound, but man, the Black X is amazing on metal snares.
Ledgend
After years of watching this video I just got that the go in order from the thinnest to the thickest drumhead
One of the best comparison to date ! and i have seen many !! Congratulations
Thank you! It's a lot of work but it pays off! Which head did you prefer?
I would say, the Diplomat M5, Ambassador & Controlled Sound without specific order. Thank you again !
Timpano percussion emperor x and ambassador.
Never mind. Not the Emp X!.Emperor. Ambassador and Ambassador X.
Los signos de exclamación deben ir pegados a la palabra que la antecede
0:43 Ambassador
1:26 Ambassador X
1:43 Controlled Sound
2:43 Emperor
powerstroke 3 ?
Hands down the best Remo comparison video out there. Everything I was looking for, with no fluff. Well done! (Bonus points for the C&C!)
+Robert Tetrault thanks Robert! We appreciate your positive feedback
Timpano percussion it would be cool if u could do a tom or bass head comparison
It would be cool indeed! Let's see what we can do..!
Yes, please! I especially wanna hear between Powersonic and Powerstroke Pro!
I like how you do only a short clip, with kick and hats and then end with a role. Really helps hear the difference in heads.
Thank you! We appreciate your feedback
I'm amazed at how good the Diplomat M5 sounded!
the best sound ''controlled sound'' and ''powerstroke3'' :)
I have both better but I powerstroke3 of controlled sound :)
I'm gonna order up the powerstroke 3 for my daughter's new drum set. She's got the Controlled Sound Black Dot on her practice snare which sounds good, but I think I'm gonna get the Diplomat M5 for that one so she can practice her drumline music since it sounds very similar to the high tension marching snares.
agreed
I think that this video really doesnt make justice to the emperor x... I have an Emperor x on my snare (metalic shell though 14"/5.5) and it sounds high and cracky without overtone... In this video it sounds low resonating and kinda "wobing" to me...
Lol literally going back and forth which one to get
This is amazing. THANK YOU!
0:25 Diplomat Skyntone
0:34 Diplomat Fiberskyn
0:43 Ambassador
1:43 Controled Sound 10+5dot
2:01 Power Stroke 3 10+3ring
2:17 Power Stoke 4 (2)7.5+3ring
2:43 Emperor (2)7
2:51 Emperor Vintage (2)7.5
We need this same video, but with every head tuned to the same pitch instead of tension. Great video!
Agreed!
The best (snare) drum head comparison on the entire Internet - thank you!
Ambassador Fiberskyn! So versatile and durable from my experience, got that unmistakable slightly Latin percussion snap!
When I clicked the video I expected to hear no difference, but man, it's so clear. Thanks for this!
Hi Stanko, you're welcome!
Powerstroke 3 2:00
Powerstroke 4 2:17
Thank you for this great comparison. Manufacturers don't consider that by expanding their product line, they create confusion about which model to purchase.
Emperor and the Emperor X sound amazing! and they really take a beating
0:43 Ambassador
1:43 Controlled Sound
1:51 Controlled Sound X
2:00 Powerstroke 3
2:09 Powestroke X
2:17 Powerstroke 4
2:26 Powerstroke 77
2:34 Pinstripe
2:43 Emperor
2:51 Emperor Vintage
3:00 Emperor X
Diplomat Fiberskyn , Ambassador Renaissance , controlled sound , power-stroke 3 , power stroke 4 , and emperor had the best sounds
Got a Remo Ambassador Renaissance on s Sonor Prolite 14x6 and it’s killer.
Ambassador Fiberskin was the best by far.
The Ambassador Fiberskyn sounds great. I'll be getting one to try.
I scored an old Remo Legacy LA snare head in a stack of heads i bought 2nd hand. Sounds good on a few different snare drums.
@@Customwinder1 Legacy heads are great. Nothing Remo makes is a perfect match. I have one Legacy LA and I can still use it and every snare sounds great with it. Cant say that about Evans.
@@Assimilator702 ah good to hear someone else still has one kickin around . Like you said it makes any snare drum sound great . I still swap it around and trybit on all my drums.
Scored all sorts of different heads buying used and have an Evans G1 on a snare drum and it doesn't sound too bad. I prefer Remo or Aquarian.
You have a great day mate 👍
This is an excellent video. You should do another comparing tom batter heads. Maybe on a 12” or 13” tom. That would be super helpful.
The first one is the best imo
I love all of them! Remo snare heads are the best to my ears
So much time and work to provide this most valuable service for us Drummers. Thanks to you, I have learned a lot about these Remo Drum Heads...... Thanks and Blessings my Canadian Drum Brothers!
Very impressively consistent and tight playing also! (And I love those K hi-hats)
Thank you again Zenon! We had to be consistent! We also love these K Light hats.
Been playing the Ambassador X for a year now. Best snare head ever. Really responsive and is good for every genre of music. Plus, it’s a bit thicker, so it last longer.
0:34 Diplomat Fiberskyn
0:43 Ambassador (coated)
1:26 Ambassador X (coated)
Since I've already experienced how the Ambassador X made my Pearl Masters Custom 14x5 really useful with almost no dampening, I now believe I have to try the Diplomat Fiberskyn. Very nice upload, THANKS! 1:08
I wish you had included clear and black suede finishes, but this is still a very well made, extremely useful video. My favorite of the heads demoed here is the Controlled Sound.
That’s how you do a comparison video!!! Love the reference points so I can jump around as needed too. Thank you for doing this. I’m sure it took some time.
Hi Tony, it took sometime indeed but someone had to do it right? Glad this helped you!
Just what I was looking for. Thanks so much!
My second post here, I have saved this vid. Although not accurate for all snare drum types it is a very valuable tool to get a very good idea of the sort of sound you are trying to achieve. My personal choices are 1 emporer. 2 controled sound. I appreciate the effort you have gone too , to produce this video. Well done. I love the groove. BTW.
The best snare head comparison on the entirely Internet! Impressive! Thank you!
Hi there, thank you! We really appreciate your feedback
Most helpful Remo Snare Head comparison on the web. Thanks!
This comparison is insane!!! The best I've ever seen! Hats off!!! WOOOW
Hi Dany, glad you enjoyed!!!
Every comparison should look and sound like this. Great job!
Hi Sergio, thank you for the kind words!
Best comparsion ever made 👍
Hi there, thanks you for the kind words! :)
There are so many heads...by the last one I had already forgotten the sounds of the previous ones...
I have a practically new Ambassador on my birch snare drum and it sounds absolutely horrible. It's the reason I found this video so I can find something better. I'm not saying you're wrong, just wanted to reply as it's crazy how one person's worst can be one person's best. Obviously a lot of factors that determine the outcome.
Yes the drum it’s on plays a huge part. I used to find ambassadors too ringy. On my Benny Greb snare it sounds way better than any other head. Prob because the drum is so warm that it needs something thin to bring its tone out.
Diplomat M5 is my favorite
I was shocked and amazed at how this head sounds I also like the powerstroke 3 but this definitely was one of my favorite sounding heads in this comparison.
I prefer the "pop" you hear from the Vintage A, Fiberskyn A and Renaissance heads. Such a great sound
Always used the controlled sound, sounds great on my 13x7 steel snare.
I just put a coated Diplomat on my snare (13x7 Pork Pie Little Squealer) for the first time, thanks to this video, and I am super stoked about the sound. I don't think I've ever said that about my snare before. I've always used 2-ply heads in the past and had a lifeless thwacky snare. I never would have considered Diplomats before, not even as tom resos, because I thought they'd ring forever. They do ring a little, but not as much as the Ambassadors, and the ring is much more pleasant. I feel like I'm hearing the actual tone of my drum for the first time. And the sensitivity is blowing me away. I can hear EVERYTHING I do on the snare, for better or worse. I think this change will be good for my playing because now I can hear all of my sloppiness and inconsistency.
Finding the right heads for my sound has been a long, expensive, and ultimately unsuccessful process of trial and error. Thanks to this video and Drumeo's similar comparison of Evans snare heads, I was able to make an informed choice for once. Thank you so much.
Hi nuynobi, wow thank you for this comment! We are glad it helped you! The ring the Diplomat delivers is more in the "high mids" range where the Ambassador is in the mid range, this gives you a crispier sound. Some heads just don't sound the way you expect them to! Greetings
1. Thank you for demos like this. Getting all the heads side-by-side is the only way to make good comparisons.
2. Is it just me, or does the Ambassador Fiberskyn really bring out a different character? I thought it made the drum sound much throatier and a bit vintage. I really dug it.
Our pleasure mcdrums87! And yes, we read many comments here saying that some heads sound different than expected.
I like that one, After watching Jared's Evans head comparison, I need to rest my ears
I think the ambassador fiberskyn is my favorite... warm, dry, dark with nice attack and tons of character, all while still a great general snare sound. Not too unique, but so so sweet
Is this the same as the Fiberskyn 3 FA? I bought one back in the late 90s but only put it on my 14"x5.5" steel snare in late 2018. It has less ring and pop than a coated Ambassador but doesn't dull it, and adds a little more low end body. Nice.
Same here pal
Perfect beat and fills for a sound check 🔥🔥👍🏾
the emperor vintage is amazing
+1
I agree but i'm not sure about the tuning range in comparison to an ambassador or a CS
Y'know, the Pinstripe sounded way better than I thought it was going to.
And by the way.... THANK YOU FOR THIS!
Hi Eric, your welcome! Yes the Pinstripe is surprising as most people use it on toms rather than on snare drums
Well done! Always been a fan of Remo Heads!
Love the Emperor X have one on my 13"x5" Tama Starclassic Metal Snare Drum. And Love the Powerstroke III...have one on my 14"x5" PDP MX Snare Drum. Remo Rocks!!
Hi there, thank you for your comment. Glad it helped you make a choice!
My go to is an ambassador, but I have a brand new emperor laying around and I might put try that tomorrow. Awesome comparison, wish more shootouts were like this!
Thanks for the kind words!
Nice and informative! Thank you. The emperor x sounds horrendous though. Wth is going on with that head?
Damn that pinstripe sounded good
The best in my opinion are
1. Emperor 2:42
2. Controlled Sound 1:42
3. Ambassador X 1:25
Ambassador Fiberskyn for jazz 1:16
diplomat m5 sounds so fucking good
I know right?
Agree. Pretty thin though, as a heavy hittter I wouldn't use one
Excellent comparison!
Thanks Gregory! do you have a favorite?
The Emperor and Emperor Vintage are hard to choose between. I think the Emperor wins for me.
Would love to hear the differences with one moon gel on the heads.
Best Drum Heads comparison video on RUclips M8, Cheers! Emperor all the way for me personally.
Thanx CragieSea, glad you liked it!
whoooaa.. emperor x really sound the worst here lol. i used emperor x for couple years and i love it tho, really durable head. now i am using ambassador, a great all around head. might try controlled sound x soon. great video!
Still watching this masterpiece
Thank you for making this. This made me realize I prefer the sound of thinner heads.
You're welcome Smash Mouth. Glad it helped you!
Smash Mouth yeah but can you play rock with them?
the suede and the emperor vintage were good for an all around medial ground. good control, some overtones but not too many, good for recording and live. one was brighter than the other offering the dynamics between heavy open and lighter. the fiberskyns are nice too
Super video! Coated CX for me. Been using them for a while and love them.
This is a great video. A video with a 4 or 5-piece set with the different heads on the toms, performing a roll around them, would be so amazing.
I love the sound of the first one (Diplomat M5). It sounds very good even without damping. My problem is that in my opinion concert snares sound bad at small volume when they are damped (especially on the outer part of the drum). Even if they are damped only a little bit (only one piece of moon gel for example). But without damping they sound bad at high volume. :D So this drum head maybe can help me to get a better sound. I will try it and combine it with the Hazy Diplomat on the snare side at my Yamaha GSR-1450.
Ambassador Renaissance RA-0014-SS 1:04
Controlled Sound 1:45
Emporer 2:43
Diplomat Skyntone, Ambassador Fiberskyn, Ambassador X, Powerstroke 4, and Powerstroke 77 are my favorites
That Diplomat m5 was everything
Wow, what a great video.
I haven't tried much apart from ambassador coated for decades after trying a clear pinstripe and emperor that I didn't like. Now I will buy a couple of these, the CS and ambassador X, surprised I didn't like that emperor X coated. Glad I didn't buy it, thanks!
Helped me actually choose between all of these. Thanks a lot mate, absolutely amazing video, really helpful.
(For those asking, i got the Ambassador)
Excellent! You guys do the BEST comparison videos on RUclips. Thank you!
And you make the BEST comment! Thanks a lot!
Well done!! I look forward to more of these.
Thank you Gottliver!
Hi there. We just did the Evans snare drum head comparison! Enjoy.
ruclips.net/video/mEuLwjBPLxk/видео.html
Hi there. We just did the Aquarian snare drum head comparison! Enjoy ;) ruclips.net/video/zF9xNsHLyK0/видео.html
Great comparison! I like the Powerstroke 4 & 77 for their punchiness and small amount of ring, but those Emperor vintage heads make me the happiest. That's the snare sound I'm chasing.
Hi Chris, glad it helped you!
Kinda like the snap of the first CS! Great comparison video-thx.👍
I came away loving the P4 and P77. Great video.
Ambassador vintage = St. Anger
😂
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer No. Play one in person on a well tuned snare and they're great. Open tone with that controlled ring is awesome on certain snares in the right room. It's just that they're expensive. An Ambassador or Controlled Sound does everything I need. Add a half Moongel or even a piece of plain white paper 3"x4" with just enough tape to hold it to the head. Effective and basically FREE. It's more subtle than the Moongel and allows the head to vibrate more evenly.
@WhoDarestheMAN gamer PS4 is good if you have a cheap snare. With better snares it hides all the character. Coated Ambassador is still best if you want to know what a snare can do. I put a PS4 on a $200 Tama Metalworks steel snare and on a $700 Brass snare. They both sounded so close I could barely tell them apart while I was playing them. Ambassadors on both and there was no confusing the 2 snares. Thats a PLUS for Tama quality but also demonstrates the importance of the heads and proper tuning.
WhoDarestheMAN gamer That’s your opinion buddy. They’re the industry standard for a reason. And you sound like a TROLL.
Fuck no
My favourite is the P4 and the P77. It really has a lot a muffling especially without moongel, it has no ringing and it just has a bite to it.
Thank you brother! That triplet roll is really nice on top of everything else.
You are totally professional.
I keep it simple, coated ambassadors all around (except bass) as they showcase the sound of the shell, and are relatively cheap. If you need a more dull or tamed sound for a song, just throw on a moon gel.
Very true.
The powerstroke 3 probably the best for recording a consistent tone in the studio.
This video is amaaaazing! I wish there were comparisons like this of every drum/head/cymbal, etc. it’s perfectly executed!
Hi Corey! Thanks for the comment :)
COrey, we think you might be interested by our new Aquarian snare drum head comparison video ;) ruclips.net/video/zF9xNsHLyK0/видео.html
I love my Ambassador, but that CS dot is speaking to me! Also the Ambassador fiberskyn and the Powerstroke 3, 4, 77, and Emperor and Vintage variant are also in my top picks!
Careful with getting controlled sound w/ reverse Black Dot heads. Remo has had to use a different adhesive on the head due to the pandemic, and the dot ends up falling off inside the drum.. Remo does send out a new head for free, but it's happened to EVERYONE that owns one recently.
@@DavePainkiller Thanks for the heads up. I never liked reversed dots, I prefer them above the film just in case something happens to it.
Wow! Thank you for this excellent comparison.
Nice, p77 current fave but very nice on all vintage ones and digging all the emperors
Many people love the Powerstroke 3, it sounds really great and neutral, it just says what it needs to say and bye, no resonance or sustain. But my problem with it is that it's too neutral for me, it lacks character, that's why I go with either Controlled Sound, Ambassador Reinassance or Diplomat.
i got the controlled sound but the power stroke 4 sounds so amazing.
I chose drumheads long ago, but I just enjoy listening to this video. Dude plays solid!
Excellent comparison video.
Remo drum heads are outstanding.
And the winner is the coated Ambassador 10mil based on this tuning and this mic and mix. IMO
This is something I've been needing for years, it's so hard to compare when one player records in a studio, but cranks the wires too tight.
Then listen to another where they recorded using a bloody microwave for a microphone.
Thank you :)
Thank you for the kind words zeefour! Glad it helps you
Very well done! Ty for this! I liked diplomat m5 the most!
Ambassador fiberskin and Emperor vintage are my favorites.
i ageee
i agree
REGGAE
Ambassador Reinassance 1:00
Pinstripe 2:34
Fantastic video! Thank you so much for putting this together! For my playing, Ambassador and Controlled Sound has worked best. But there are many cool sounding snare heads from Remo!
Same!
Great source! Ambassador Fiberskyn (1:16) and Emperor Vintage (2:51) sound near identical. Vintage is tiny bit brighter.
Pinstripes sound great! Underrated snare drum head
Keep in mind that some have more attack and high overtones added at the same time, but if you put a dampener ring around the edge, you would get a full attack and full drum sound without the overtones hiding/muddying up the added attack. Hope that made sense! And I assume they were tuning all the heads the same tension. For my application I actually want the Remo Ambassador Renaissance for the following 3 reasons: It has a bit more attack that the normal remo coated ambassador but still has some of the warmth of a coated and it is 10ply so it is much more durable than 7.5 mil but not dead/no overtones like the two ply heads. In this video though, it does not sound that good because of too many overtones, most people won't like the sound and I agree, but slap a thin ring around the edge and it would sound great, with attack and warmth. At least this video gives enough info that one can proximate what head they want to start with and then go from there...
Awesome arguments to Ambassador, a head I don't like it too much but if I'd go with Ambassador, Renaissance is the best of them all. I'm a Diplomat man or Pinstripe, Powerstroke is for metal players like Lars going Powerstroke 3!!!
Overtones + fundamental = drum sound. Overtones are your friend, they’re 50% of your drum’s sound and contain the musical harmonics, character of your drum’s timbre. You want to control overtones with good tuning and as little gaffers tape as necessary. You don’t want to eliminate overtones or you’d be left with a very unmusical fundamental note. Every one of the heads in this video sound good and none have additional dampening.
My least favorite heads are the Powerstroke 3 and the Pinstripe (for snare drums anyway, P3 is a fantastic kick batter and clear Pinstripes sound good on toms). For snares use a head with no internal dampening, you can always add dampeners. For recording purposes an Ambassador, CS, or Emperor are your best options.
Love the dry crack of the diplomat m5 and powerstroke 3
This is great, please do this for toms too
Thank you! Well it seems that we have a demand for that... let's see what we can do!
That's awesome
Powerstroke 3 and 4 sounded so good!
Finally a comparison video that does just that!! Great, and actually informative job!
Hi there, thank you for the kind words! ;)
I like the way they were presented. great video
Hi Rudog47! Thank you for the kind words