I have the ebony coated version of this on my 14. I've used these heads since the 80's and have taken a bit of ribbing over it from other drummers. "So you like the sound of cardboard boxes huh?" Is what I usually get. But I've found these tune up beautifully and last much longer under regular use. Great video as always my thumpification brother. You're truly inspirational.
Ross Gillis I use the uncoated red ones one the 10 and 13 rooms on my little premier artist birch club kit. They control the ringing and make them perfect for small venues and smallish outdoor gigs.
That groove you play on the medium tuning section... it's amazing by itself, but your sound just makes it superior. Please keep making us all better drummers man. Can't get enough of your knoledge yet !
ROB! Just put this head on a 14x6.5 Pearl Masters today. Friend had it laying around and let me take it home. I was blown away! Gotta admit, I had already tried to talk myself into not liking it based on what others had said. When I first put hands on it I was shocked by how dead it sounded. Literally, sounded like a shower curtain. But there is something unique about it once it is on the snare. It can be tuned JAW and sound gushy without needing any external dampening, but where it really shines is when it is cranked up a bit. It cuts a lot of the higher registers outta the snare and you get a deep, warm, woody pop. It's durable as hell too. Can barely tell I was playing on it. Definitely keeping this head in the rotation.
I’ve been a fan of these since the 80’s and I can tell you, the reasons you gave for liking them are spot on. Disregard the silly comments that “they sound like cardboard boxes” as anyone saying that needs tuning lessons. I have the ebony coated on my 14x6 mahogany snare and it’s just perfect. Your snare is pretty deep too, so it shows just what this great head can do.
Man, I just saw one of your videos on Ted Reed's Syncopation book from 2009. It's so cool to see how much you've grown as a musician and in your career. You inspire us all, Rob. Cheers.
Well, I love the sound of this snare head BUT, more than that, I LOVE the sound of your playing it!! You give me ideas of how and what to play every time I hear you. Thanks!!
Great overview Mr. Brown. Been playing Evans hydraulic heads for over 20 years. They're currently on the 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18" power toms on my original 1986 Tama Superstar drumset. Massive fundamental tone from the hydraulics, and they last a very long time compared to all other heads (almost 2 1/2 years since last head change!}. I play with fat Corpmaster drumsticks and hit rimshots on toms, and these heads take the pounding and rarely detune. I upgraded all the batter hoops to diecast and the tuning stability is excellent. Keep up the outstanding work Rob! Subscribed.
This drum head has won my heart. I’ll be getting one quite shortly. By the way I absolutely love all of your videos. Your tips are very helpful and useful. Please keep them coming! 😎👍🏽
i just watched this video . about a month ago i broke my snare batter head so i saw this red evens head . after playing the original blue hydraulic heads on all my kit but the kick about fifteen years ago i snapped it up straight away . and you are correct . it is bloody fantastic . just wish they came in purple to match my new purple craze reference kit by Pearl. another great vid. thankyou
I have clear Hydraulics over EC resos on all my toms and the black Hydraulic non coated on my snare over a Hazy 500. Throw in the EMAD Heavyweight on my kick and my entire kit sounds phenomenal! #MaximumThumpification
Holy shit I’m in the process of changing all new heads and other then my reso 7’s on the bottom Toms it will be exactly the same as yours! Haha! As I read this I was like “holy shit! This guy knows what’s up.” Haha
I have almost the same on my kit. My snare is a ST Dry, and my other snare was a Blue Hydraulic, but it broke at 10 months and now I don't know if I want another Hydraulic for my snare. :/
I picked up two 22 inch EMAD and got just enough points to get one of these guys and an Evans shirt lol. Few more days and it will be here. I cant wait to try it out.
Ahhh! So excited...get a “new” kit on Saturday after being away for a couple of years and sir, you get me so pumped! I can’t wait to practice my doubles as you instructed! 🤘
I was researching what kind of heads to put on my grand daughters drums she recently got and this were high up on my list so far but I think this just put them at the top.
Used Hydraulics on all of my maple DWs to combat a serious acoustic problem and they sound great. I Remember these came from way back in the 70s with Steve Gadd using them on the Pearl Tom’s. The 360 technology and design is a welcome plus. I’m using UV1 on all of my snares…big change! Sound I never knew existed. Great channel Rob.
I don't know about the other heads but I tried the hydrolic kick on a buddies kick and I was pleasantly surprised at how it sounded, especially with little to no internal muffling
Finally, someone that issue a low tuning that actually still sounds good. 99% of the time in videos when they “tune low” on a snare, it sounds absolutely terrible.
Dude that's about the coolest snare head/sound ever. I'm going to get one myself when they bring out the 13. I think I have a 13 inch snare.... Maybe I better go measure it...
Thanks for the review awesome video. I love the 2 key tuning method man, fast and easy. Also that Evans drum head seems like it could make any half way decent snare sound like gold.
They need to apply this UV-Hydraulic combo from snares to all their toms too! Love how low and punchy the Hydraulic heads are and am blown away by the durability of the UV heads. Currently have a Heavyweight Dry on my snare and it has that UV coating and it didnt show any stick marks for at least the first 3 months or so. That right there says it all. Evans, please add this UV coating to the entire Hydraulic line
Great video as always Rob, thanks for it. Not a head I see myself using very often, but I agree that the UV technology Evans is using is really incredible. I am glad they are spreading the use of the tech to other lines. I would love for them to do the same with the Etched method from the J1’s, say on the Calftones for example (just a thought Evans). The head does seem surprisingly responsive to your ghost notes, something I generally find lacking in two ply, pre dampened heads in general. If you are looking for that fat, 70’s sound out of your drum this head should do it quite nicely.
You can't quite tune this head up as high as a UV1 or a Coated Ambassador, but this thing is surprisingly versatile considering how thick it is. And yea, the snare response kinda surprised me.
@@phillipsnell7188 Thanks man, well, mine broke at 10 months and the coating was like new... I don't play that much, and even when I'm a hard hitter I'm not the hardest hitter. I don't know if I want to buy another one because it sounds great, or if I want to look for other heads.
@@phillipsnell7188 I probably got a bad one, but I'm afraid to buy another and to happen the same. My toms are all hydraulic too for 3 years and zero problems or dents.
Love this! Would love to get some opinions on this... for a low tuning setting, do you prefer this head or a UV2 with an ERing for muffling the sound a bit?
Hey Rob, I realize that this video is from 2018 but I’ll ask my question anyway. I read recent reviews that the top layer on these coated snare heads ripped or cracked very easily, after not too many days of playing? Thanks 😊
Yo Rob! I've got myself a Red Hydraulic to replace my 30+year old blue hydraulic head. (Long lay off from playing but starting again and renovating my old kit. What I'd like to know is what snare side head did you have on when you recorded this video?
My entire kit has these in Red although I wish I would have bought the coated snare I have one regular clear and the snare feels funny to me not too bad but I am used to coated skins always on my snare. I had a new HD dry on it before I might switch back or bite th bullet and get another new skin. I am extremely happy with these and will be playing these for some time not to mention my kit looks amazing with these on. I have played remo most of my life I really like Evans for feel and responsiveness I love my new hydraulics they are deep and thuddy if you pitch match the the reso and top they sing with the perfect amount off drop off no overtone issues. Use a tune bot you can’t go wrong!
Sounds like 1 stop shop! Very versatile, like the quick tuning aspect. Bro, I used to play the hydraulic heads back in the late 70's early 80's on a snare but did ok on the snare. That thing is fab wherever you tune it. Tnx for the tip, can always count on ya!
Hey Rob thanks for the lead on the moises app, love it. I use it for drum samples. Also love the new in-ears. They let more ambient drum sounds through so I can play to a click during band rehearsal. Thanks also will try the evans hydraulic heads!! Youre the best!!
Great sounding snare Rob, and cool ostinato groove on the med tension segment! I have never liked how Evans heads sound on my snares and I probably wouldn't try this one. I have a Gretsch 14x6.5 steel that gets a Remo Emperor, and a 14x7 Mapex Phat Bob, that also gets an Emperor. Cool Vid man; TY!
Great review as always Rob. What are your thoughts of the regular hydraulics for acrylic toms? As opposed to the EC2’s? I just picked up a new set of acrylics and looking for the right tom sound. Thank you!
Been wanting the blue one for a while but read a lot reviews on them breaking prematurely just after a little bit of playing. Wonder if Evans fixed that issue.
I’m actually planning to buy a new snare head. Thank you so much for uploading this video! It got me thinking about considering this drum head over the HD Genera Dry. 👍
On high tuning sounds particularly dry (Maybe that happens on all heads but not a percussionist here!) and on low tuning sounds pretty good for rock and OG funk... Greetings sir
I have hydraulics on my kit except my snare . May have to try that out as well. I've never thought of kinda deadening my snare so to say but I love them on my toms. Sounds awesome .
Just message them or comment on there stuff on Facebook or Instagram. They usually reply back and listen to what people are saying. I've been bugging them about making UV2 for awhile now
The 14" version of this is only $14 on Sweetwater right now. I ordered the black one. I've used hydraulic on one of my metal/punk kits since the 80s, and have NEVER used one on the snare. It's always been looked at as a cardinal sin. However... since this is specifically designed as a snare head, and it comes with Rob's approval... I'm all in. Why not try it, right?
Update: Ok... I got it and installed it on my 14 X 5.5 7 ply birch (10mm thick) snare. Well... I really like it. Is it my favorite??? the jury is still out, but it's a nice dark sounding head. Which I expected with it being hydraulic. I'm running Puresound 30 strands on the snare, and I will say that I need to fiddle a bit with the strainer when finding new tunings for it. I've even had to mess with the snare side head tension to minimize the wonky sympathetic snare buzz. However... when tuned up right... it sounds pretty darned good, and is a nice cheap option for a new snare sound.
*HEY FRIENDS! A bit late, but still as promised. Check out the new Evans UV Red Hydraulic snare head and drop a thought below!* 🔴🙂
Rob Brown sounds Dope! Really enjoyed the video! All tunings sound amazing! Nicely done ✅
Rob Brown great now I have to get a 14 inch snare lol
I have the ebony coated version of this on my 14.
I've used these heads since the 80's and have taken a bit of ribbing over it from other drummers.
"So you like the sound of cardboard boxes huh?" Is what I usually get. But I've found these tune up beautifully and last much longer under regular use.
Great video as always my thumpification brother. You're truly inspirational.
Ross Gillis I use the uncoated red ones one the 10 and 13 rooms on my little premier artist birch club kit. They control the ringing and make them perfect for small venues and smallish outdoor gigs.
Ross Gillis they just sound so fat and perfect
That groove you play on the medium tuning section... it's amazing by itself, but your sound just makes it superior. Please keep making us all better drummers man. Can't get enough of your knoledge yet !
The coolest drummer on YT AND a seinfeld fan? This is too much win for me
ROB! Just put this head on a 14x6.5 Pearl Masters today. Friend had it laying around and let me take it home. I was blown away! Gotta admit, I had already tried to talk myself into not liking it based on what others had said. When I first put hands on it I was shocked by how dead it sounded. Literally, sounded like a shower curtain. But there is something unique about it once it is on the snare. It can be tuned JAW and sound gushy without needing any external dampening, but where it really shines is when it is cranked up a bit. It cuts a lot of the higher registers outta the snare and you get a deep, warm, woody pop. It's durable as hell too. Can barely tell I was playing on it. Definitely keeping this head in the rotation.
I’ve been a fan of these since the 80’s and I can tell you, the reasons you gave for liking them are spot on.
Disregard the silly comments that “they sound like cardboard boxes” as anyone saying that needs tuning lessons.
I have the ebony coated on my 14x6 mahogany snare and it’s just perfect. Your snare is pretty deep too, so it shows just what this great head can do.
Man, I just saw one of your videos on Ted Reed's Syncopation book from 2009. It's so cool to see how much you've grown as a musician and in your career.
You inspire us all, Rob.
Cheers.
Thanks for that encouragement, man. Pace! ✌🏽🙂
Well, I love the sound of this snare head BUT, more than that, I LOVE the sound of your playing it!! You give me ideas of how and what to play every time I hear you. Thanks!!
I was floored by its sound at the highest tension. I was surprised who lively and crisp it sounded. Will definitely be putting one on my snare. :)
Great overview Mr. Brown. Been playing Evans hydraulic heads for over 20 years. They're currently on the 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18" power toms on my original 1986 Tama Superstar drumset. Massive fundamental tone from the hydraulics, and they last a very long time compared to all other heads (almost 2 1/2 years since last head change!}. I play with fat Corpmaster drumsticks and hit rimshots on toms, and these heads take the pounding and rarely detune. I upgraded all the batter hoops to diecast and the tuning stability is excellent. Keep up the outstanding work Rob! Subscribed.
Thanks much! Welcome to the channel 🙂
That head sounds great at all three tunings. Beautiful Yamaha kit! Thanks for the review.
This drum head has won my heart. I’ll be getting one quite shortly. By the way I absolutely love all of your videos. Your tips are very helpful and useful. Please keep them coming! 😎👍🏽
i just watched this video . about a month ago i broke my snare batter head so i saw this red evens head . after playing the original blue hydraulic heads on all my kit but the kick about fifteen years ago i snapped it up straight away . and you are correct . it is bloody fantastic . just wish they came in purple to match my new purple craze reference kit by Pearl. another great vid. thankyou
Love that Evan's hydraulic head! I am going to get one. I wished it came in green...thanks for the demo!!
Awesome sounds from that head! Thanks for showing it off!
Yup, I've been putting hydraulic's on my drums since the 80's!
Mark Richer damn thats epic
I'm loving that
sound when it was time to the floor nice pop and I am a fan of it being Red
I have been looking for a new snare head, this is just what I am looking for.
I have clear Hydraulics over EC resos on all my toms and the black Hydraulic non coated on my snare over a Hazy 500. Throw in the EMAD Heavyweight on my kick and my entire kit sounds phenomenal! #MaximumThumpification
Holy shit I’m in the process of changing all new heads and other then my reso 7’s on the bottom Toms it will be exactly the same as yours! Haha! As I read this I was like “holy shit! This guy knows what’s up.” Haha
I have almost the same on my kit. My snare is a ST Dry, and my other snare was a Blue Hydraulic, but it broke at 10 months and now I don't know if I want another Hydraulic for my snare. :/
Man, that snare is killin it, and so are you man!
There is so much personality in your hi hat work. Thank you.
I picked up two 22 inch EMAD and got just enough points to get one of these guys and an Evans shirt lol. Few more days and it will be here. I cant wait to try it out.
Your the only one on here that makes sense man !! Dig all your Vids n learned !!
Ahhh! So excited...get a “new” kit on Saturday after being away for a couple of years and sir, you get me so pumped! I can’t wait to practice my doubles as you instructed! 🤘
Hope your new kit's a red one 😉🔴
I am definitely gonna be getting one of these soon! We are about release an EP and self record. This is awesome! Thanks man!
I was researching what kind of heads to put on my grand daughters drums she recently got and this were high up on my list so far but I think this just put them at the top.
Just come across this vid. Not sure how I missed it. Gettin one of these for my red Radio King
Been eye-ing 👁 one of these. Sold now. Great review man.
Used Hydraulics on all of my maple DWs to combat a serious acoustic problem and they sound great. I Remember these came from way back in the 70s with Steve Gadd using them on the Pearl Tom’s. The 360 technology and design is a welcome plus. I’m using UV1 on all of my snares…big change! Sound I never knew existed.
Great channel Rob.
I have the hold set..10.12.14.16.18 in red..and another 14 snare in blue..looks and sounds great..
That head is FANTASTIC!!!!
Rob! Love the shirt! Hilarious!
I don't know about the other heads but I tried the hydrolic kick on a buddies kick and I was pleasantly surprised at how it sounded, especially with little to no internal muffling
I have been using hydraulics for years! Awesome heads!
Amazing, what ride is that? Sounds beautiful
Finally, someone that issue a low tuning that actually still sounds good. 99% of the time in videos when they “tune low” on a snare, it sounds absolutely terrible.
YOUR GHOSTS ARE SO CREATIVE
Dude that's about the coolest snare head/sound ever. I'm going to get one myself when they bring out the 13. I think I have a 13 inch snare.... Maybe I better go measure it...
Do i have to put the same oiled 2 layered head underneath snare or toms to avoid sustain and buzzing?
Oh yeah!!! I love the low tuning!
Thanks for the review awesome video. I love the 2 key tuning method man, fast and easy. Also that Evans drum head seems like it could make any half way decent snare sound like gold.
They need to apply this UV-Hydraulic combo from snares to all their toms too! Love how low and punchy the Hydraulic heads are and am blown away by the durability of the UV heads. Currently have a Heavyweight Dry on my snare and it has that UV coating and it didnt show any stick marks for at least the first 3 months or so. That right there says it all. Evans, please add this UV coating to the entire Hydraulic line
Great video as always Rob, thanks for it. Not a head I see myself using very often, but I agree that the UV technology Evans is using is really incredible. I am glad they are spreading the use of the tech to other lines. I would love for them to do the same with the Etched method from the J1’s, say on the Calftones for example (just a thought Evans). The head does seem surprisingly responsive to your ghost notes, something I generally find lacking in two ply, pre dampened heads in general. If you are looking for that fat, 70’s sound out of your drum this head should do it quite nicely.
You can't quite tune this head up as high as a UV1 or a Coated Ambassador, but this thing is surprisingly versatile considering how thick it is. And yea, the snare response kinda surprised me.
How do these compare sound wise to clear 2pl batter snare heads..eg. Emperors.
Low to medium low tuning is what I’m going for 🤝 thanks
I just put a blue one on my snare and i love it! It cancels out that annoying overtone. Solid sound.
Was it durable?
@@jonhattanrai eventually the coating starts to diminish. But still has a good sound.
@@phillipsnell7188 Thanks man, well, mine broke at 10 months and the coating was like new... I don't play that much, and even when I'm a hard hitter I'm not the hardest hitter.
I don't know if I want to buy another one because it sounds great, or if I want to look for other heads.
@@jonhattanrai wow. You must be killing it. I've had mine on roughly a year and a half. No problems.
@@phillipsnell7188 I probably got a bad one, but I'm afraid to buy another and to happen the same.
My toms are all hydraulic too for 3 years and zero problems or dents.
Love this!
Would love to get some opinions on this... for a low tuning setting, do you prefer this head or a UV2 with an ERing for muffling the sound a bit?
Hey Rob, I realize that this video is from 2018 but I’ll ask my question anyway. I read recent reviews that the top layer on these coated snare heads ripped or cracked very easily, after not too many days of playing? Thanks 😊
VANDELAYYYYYYY!!!!! 😂😂😂
Thanks so much for the video, especially going through the different tuning. That was very helpful!
Keep rockin!
🤘😎🤘
🥁🥁🥁
They do sound so much better and I'm just a beginner at this too!!!
Yo Rob! I've got myself a Red Hydraulic to replace my 30+year old blue hydraulic head. (Long lay off from playing but starting again and renovating my old kit. What I'd like to know is what snare side head did you have on when you recorded this video?
What are you using for reso heads
I’ll check out that Evans snare head... you gotta let me know where you got that killer T-shirt! Diggin’ it! 👍
Bangin man! Vanadelay industries!
Hey can you tell me what sustain/exho/reverb you are using during the recording? I keep hear the runout of it after you stop playing.
I love your passion...... I am not a stalker. Honest.
Rob is the hydraulic head good for a metal snare drum
6 minutes in before I noticed the AV t shirt. Awesome.
shout out to Vandelay Industries!
The world's leading importer/exporter
I have always wanted to pretend to be an architect
Man that snare sound amazing in all 3 phases
Man, I would love to hear your band.
What head you using for Snare Side ?
My entire kit has these in Red although I wish I would have bought the coated snare I have one regular clear and the snare feels funny to me not too bad but I am used to coated skins always on my snare. I had a new HD dry on it before I might switch back or bite th bullet and get another new skin. I am extremely happy with these and will be playing these for some time not to mention my kit looks amazing with these on. I have played remo most of my life I really like Evans for feel and responsiveness I love my new hydraulics they are deep and thuddy if you pitch match the the reso and top they sing with the perfect amount off drop off no overtone issues. Use a tune bot you can’t go wrong!
Does it work with brushes?
Sounds like 1 stop shop! Very versatile, like the quick tuning aspect. Bro, I used to play the hydraulic heads back in the late 70's early 80's on a snare but did ok on the snare. That thing is fab wherever you tune it. Tnx for the tip, can always count on ya!
Rob, Do you adjust the snare side head when you adjust the batter head? Or is the snare side left at the same tuned level.
I’m immediately going to get that drum head and that Seinfeld shirt.
You never mentioned brush response. Hello!
Thanks!! I love it! Do you know if it was made for 13" snares? I was checking on some web sites and only find the blue coated for 14... thanx
Hey Rob thanks for the lead on the moises app, love it. I use it for drum samples. Also love the new in-ears. They let more ambient drum sounds through so I can play to a click during band rehearsal. Thanks also will try the evans hydraulic heads!! Youre the best!!
Great sounding snare Rob, and cool ostinato groove on the med tension segment! I have never liked how Evans heads sound on my snares and I probably wouldn't try this one. I have a Gretsch 14x6.5 steel that gets a Remo Emperor, and a 14x7 Mapex Phat Bob, that also gets an Emperor. Cool Vid man; TY!
Excellent tutorials & advice. Where can I get one of these heads in the UK 🇬🇧? Thanks
Just put the black one on my maple Gretsch snare drum. I'm thinking of putting one on all my snare drums, they're that good.
Great review as always Rob. What are your thoughts of the regular hydraulics for acrylic toms? As opposed to the EC2’s? I just picked up a new set of acrylics and looking for the right tom sound. Thank you!
Wow - the low example blew me away - are you doing any eq'ing or compressing on it? Sold. Gonna try it out on my 10" and 13" snares.
Oh yesss, time for head swaps.
All three tuning ranges are phenomenal! Evans has done it again! Did you have to eq it to control the ring back?
Nope. What you saw is what you got, man. Straight off the mics👌🏾
Was that a live custom kit in the gig video? If so, what’s your thoughts on those drums?
That’s a Yamaha Phoenix kit. Crazy expensive. Sounds awesome. They are very heavy in weight drums.
That was a Live Custom at the club, yea. It's their house kit. I love the LCs, man. One of the thumpiest kicks out there.
Big Rob! I just bought an old Slingerland Radio King and I’m thinking about slapping one of these on it. Whatcha think? Sounding good,bruh...
Since i got this head my ghost note suck its to thick for fancy stuff i try to get use to it because its sound amazing
Been wanting the blue one for a while but read a lot reviews on them breaking prematurely just after a little bit of playing.
Wonder if Evans fixed that issue.
it took me a minute to notice the shirt LOL. AWESOME!
Hello thank you very much for this vid, can you advise me for resonant heads on toms which could go with UV1 Many thanks in advance
which reso head do you suggest?
Great video! I love your Vandelay Industries t-shirt!!
Would you recommend putting the hydraulics on just the top, or top and bottom of the drums?
I would recommend on just the top.
Would you say these heads lowered the snare volume slightly?
Compared to a single ply head, yea. But not enough to worry too much about, and certainly nuthin a mic can’t make up for.
Such a hot head!
Lovin' that red color and that great sound
Great drum head looks great too
Do know when they'll make one for in 10" snare
Very cool head. To be fair tho, I'm pretty sure that snare would still sound good with Saran wrap on it 🤔
I’m actually planning to buy a new snare head. Thank you so much for uploading this video! It got me thinking about considering this drum head over the HD Genera Dry. 👍
It's cool even if just to have for an option. Grab one!
I love the mid tunning 😁
On high tuning sounds particularly dry (Maybe that happens on all heads but not a percussionist here!) and on low tuning sounds pretty good for rock and OG funk... Greetings sir
I have hydraulics on my kit except my snare . May have to try that out as well. I've never thought of kinda deadening my snare so to say but I love them on my toms. Sounds awesome .
Im not too keen on hydros on snares. No low level response :(
I hope they come out with a 13" soon. Id love to get that sort of tone with my 13"x7" snare. Cool demo as always.
I'm sure there's at least a 50/50 shot that we'll see a 13" in the future 🔴
Just message them or comment on there stuff on Facebook or Instagram. They usually reply back and listen to what people are saying. I've been bugging them about making UV2 for awhile now
what resso head did you use?
Rob you are too cool man, oh and I have that vic firth leather stick bag you have in the background too! I love it lol
The 14" version of this is only $14 on Sweetwater right now. I ordered the black one. I've used hydraulic on one of my metal/punk kits since the 80s, and have NEVER used one on the snare. It's always been looked at as a cardinal sin. However... since this is specifically designed as a snare head, and it comes with Rob's approval... I'm all in. Why not try it, right?
Update: Ok... I got it and installed it on my 14 X 5.5 7 ply birch (10mm thick) snare. Well... I really like it. Is it my favorite??? the jury is still out, but it's a nice dark sounding head. Which I expected with it being hydraulic. I'm running Puresound 30 strands on the snare, and I will say that I need to fiddle a bit with the strainer when finding new tunings for it. I've even had to mess with the snare side head tension to minimize the wonky sympathetic snare buzz. However... when tuned up right... it sounds pretty darned good, and is a nice cheap option for a new snare sound.
Just ordered a black one for my TAMA stagestar share drum
Hopefully the 13" will come out soon.