Or the 5th option. You could buy heads that are designed to take that overtone ring out like the Evans Genera Dry or Remo Powerstroke 3 that give you a great phat drum sound, without tuning gimmicks that can cause your head to wear out faster and possibly warp your hoop, or the need for using external muffling devices that actually choke the sound of the drum.
Never mind those snare drum sounds...I'm most impressed by his BASS drum sound! Finally, a bass drum that doesn't sound like you're beating soggy pound cake. This has TONE.
Another great example of why I love this guy. Not only a great demo, but invaluable "road tips" from experience. The doughnut (yellow drum) is my favorite today.
Great job Nick, thanks for the sharing. One thing that should be pointed out though. When de-tuning the 3 lugs make sure they're not the lugs closest to the strainer.
Great tuning tips Nick...always love your Playing. I'd like to contribute that detuning for a phat snare sound , I found works best with triple flanged hoops and not die cast. My 2 c worth. Cheers.
I must have found that same youtube video that you found on the tight bottom head and detune the 3 closest lugs on the top. Been using that, and also the BFSD and Remo O rings. Lots of options! Thanks for confirming these techniques with this great video.
Love Nick ... Great tips. I love the George Costanza (Seinfeld) reference ... from a guy who reminds me of john lovitz LOL. I use a trick like the wallet trick. I take a very small hand towel or wash cloth , fold it over and lay it on the snare just like the wallet was. It pretty much stays on. Sometimes i'll use a small piece of tape just to keep it from sliding off. It works well.
I took an old used 16" double ply head from my floor tom and cut the rim away leaving a 14" head sized piece. It's just the same as a big fat snare drum but you can make it for free.
I do the same at my studio and it works well! Problem is whenever the snare becomes Phat it loses its attack so you mic placement/technique becomes even more crucial
I'm changing my snare and floor tom over the next couple hours and thats what I'm going to do. I dont use mics so that wont affect me. (ha ha). Just a basement drummer.
Those rings are magical. I got some evans erings and they are amazing on the snare and toms to bring out a lot of low, phat sounds, gets rid of overtones great.
I use the Remo rings and love them. i have the set of two 14", one thin, one wider.. Uts great to have that option when your band goes into a mid tempo song like "Angel of Montgomery" and you can hang the ring off your floor tom leg and throw it on to get an instant fat sound. I do think you may have to tune a drum down a bit if it is too high pitched to begin with to get a deep tone. I like the Remo rings more that the idea of the BFSD because you get that stick on head attack and it doesn't get too mushy. Although the classic muffled 70's sound can be as mushy as it gets!
To get a similar sound to the big fat snare product invert a spare 14" head onto the drum. If you are like me you have more than one old head lying around which will work just fine.
I can’t quite put this together in my head. Do you mean cut the head out and or just slap it on top of the head you’re using and use it as a dampener, or something else?
Jake Becker I cut the head from the hoop after the section where it curves. Place the head onto your snare upside down. I’ve been doing this for years with a clear Pinstripe head. I don’t think I’ve ever thrown out an old head in my life. That’s ALOT of heads! I even have an entire set of Joey Jordinsons used heads. I think he only used heads for maybe 2 shows when he was with Slipknot.
I never use the first technique despite what some (Evans drumheads) and others say because it does damage the rim over time by warping and the heads break or stretch quicker. I use a spare head upside down, Big Fat Snare drum, O rings or some cut to shape paper or thin cardboard. Also I have spare snares for specific sounds. Also electronic triggers or pads for those occasional times you can't use all drums or have time to change.
I like how each of the snares are a different kind of phat and thuddy. If it were me, I'd use the yellow snare on, say, verses, and either the black wallet snare or white snare on the chorus. Especially if you're pushing the beat during the choruses.
take the third technique and also put a Evans staccato disc inside the drum you get a super dry super dead Fat Sound which is actually kind of cool to use for an auxiliary snare
I’ve had a problem with my snare where it sounds like a tenor kind of, with the “snare sound” in the background almost. I’ve tried retightening the strings and a bunch of other things, but can’t get it back to normal. Was just wondering if anyone here had any ideas.👍🏻
I've used the "wallet" trick for a while now at church. I leave mine folded though, and maybe leave a third of it hanging over the edge. If I want it really dry, leave the entire wallet on the head. It does work really well.
This vid gave me an idea... An all snare drum kit. Well, except the kick. What do ya think? Lol. It could work. On a serious note, this was a pretty good vid, although I'm not a fan of the bottom three lug tuning trick. Just my opinion, but I can tune my snare higher or lower pretty fast without the fear of jacking my shell or hoop up.
Alan Slimak probably not, because tom sounds go after more tone and sustain and pitch, rather than the short crack of a snare. The first technique can also probably damage your drums over time. You generally want to keep your tension even around the drum.
My favourite way is just laying another head upside on top (like the BFSD). Pretty much sound exactly like the BFSD but it's cheaper (considering you can recycle used heads).
Brant Parsons makes a good point in that it should not be the 3 lugs closest to the snares. Some drummers have their strainer in different positions. I think it is noteworthy. S
On the reso side yes. Then also slip a business card under the wires. That eliminates ALL reso wire bleed except there's just a bit left from my 8" tom (10" tom causes zero buzz tho, might have to replace that 8" with a 12"--or gate the snare mic, which is notorious for cymbal bleed anyway, but that's a new subject.)
Hey, any recommendations for my Gretch Snare drum as its probably about 3-4 years old now, its got that really old, stick marked, grey accents all over the skin of it because of all the use from over the years. But I've realised recently that the snare drum just sounds very very Tinny and stale, almost like when you're hitting your own pockets thats full of change (If you get what I mean). Is this a sign for me to finally save up and buy a new snare drum or can this be fixed using these methods in the video?
Let me just repeat something already said many many times. An old head, preferably undented, and a razor is all you need. I started doing this around 20+ years ago( because I'm a genius) And the the thicker the head, the deeper the tone/pitch becomes. I would actually use a thin cloth or rag, before coming up with the old skin idea. But the skin works great because it stays put...I wonder who the first person was who thought of this....and when... probably some hippie in the 60s.
Maybe its just me but i loved the sound of the snare on the first one, before you detuned the three lugs. After that i wasnt a big fan but idk i guess i like a sharp sound
First thing Al Jackson would do is take out is wallet and lay it on the snare - the WHOLE wallet. Plus, he apparently had a lot more cash in it than you do. LOL!!! Nice video - thanks.
xpjv if that were true nobody would play real drums anymore. Electronics have their place but in a band setting live, it's not the same and can never be the same.
xpjv although the use of samples in studios is common, tracking live drums, at least for the pros is still the norm. If you don't have the equipment to record live drums, electronics are a better option. At least it's a live drummer playing high quality samples instead of a computer playing those samples or a live drummer playing crappy sounding drums. I have had an electronic kit for 16 years and love what it can do but they are almost too perfect and can sound robotic. Nuance is what makes a mix come to life in my opinion. Not everyone agrees though.
You can tell he's a drummer, look how thin his wallet is.
Ha. Haha. Hahahaha.....*cries
Virgil owns a state with horses...the most expensive I own is my PC.
David Belanger Sir you got a point, xD
Oof
Big Radio ain't that the truth brother! Lol
Or the 5th option. You could buy heads that are designed to take that overtone ring out like the Evans Genera Dry or Remo Powerstroke 3 that give you a great phat drum sound, without tuning gimmicks that can cause your head to wear out faster and possibly warp your hoop, or the need for using external muffling devices that actually choke the sound of the drum.
As a vintage country player, this thud sound brings me back to the old days of country. Thank you Nick.
Never mind those snare drum sounds...I'm most impressed by his BASS drum sound! Finally, a bass drum that doesn't sound like you're beating soggy pound cake. This has TONE.
Another great example of why I love this guy. Not only a great demo, but invaluable "road tips" from experience. The doughnut (yellow drum) is my favorite today.
Nick, I swear you are the MAN when it comes to drumming. You have help me so much in my journey of drumming.
Great job Nick, thanks for the
sharing. One thing that should be pointed out though. When de-tuning the 3 lugs make sure they're
not the lugs closest to the strainer.
Nick: I loved your percussion and drumming on Calling All Stations. As a long time Genesis fan I loved every song you played on. Thanks.
kick sounds absolutely fierce
great video! Nick's one of the finest drummers out there, and a great singer as well. 20+ years listening to his records.
Oooooooh I'm imagining how fat of a sound Bill Gate's wallet would produce.
Blkjakk hahaha right! Or Warran Buffet.
Donald Trump's just contains a whole bunch of ready-made IOUs
mrpositronia Baaahaaaaahaaa!!!!!!!!!
Hahaha
Morbidly obese kinda phat.
Thanks for this tutorial nick & the sweetwater folks!
Great tuning tips Nick...always love your
Playing. I'd like to contribute that detuning for a phat snare sound , I found works best with triple flanged hoops and not die cast. My 2 c worth. Cheers.
What are THOSE hi-hats!? MAN I want those!
seems like a meinl byzance dark hi hat... pretty cool hats !!
Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Medium Hi-Hats 14" i think
They look like 15s instead of 14s
I was gonna say the same thing! Pretty sure they are the Meinl 16" extra dry hats
MusicJamin330 meinls whole line of extra dry hats are phenomenal
I must have found that same youtube video that you found on the tight bottom head and detune the 3 closest lugs on the top. Been using that, and also the BFSD and Remo O rings. Lots of options! Thanks for confirming these techniques with this great video.
Love Nick ... Great tips. I love the George Costanza (Seinfeld) reference ... from a guy who reminds me of john lovitz LOL.
I use a trick like the wallet trick. I take a very small hand towel or wash cloth , fold it over and lay it on the snare just like the wallet was. It pretty much stays on. Sometimes i'll use a small piece of tape just to keep it from sliding off. It works well.
I took an old used 16" double ply head from my floor tom and cut the rim away leaving a 14" head sized piece. It's just the same as a big fat snare drum but you can make it for free.
Yes!!
I do the same at my studio and it works well! Problem is whenever the snare becomes Phat it loses its attack so you mic placement/technique becomes even more crucial
I'm changing my snare and floor tom over the next couple hours and thats what I'm going to do. I dont use mics so that wont affect me. (ha ha). Just a basement drummer.
Beautiful drumming!
Those rings are magical. I got some evans erings and they are amazing on the snare and toms to bring out a lot of low, phat sounds, gets rid of overtones great.
Is that Lars' drumset?
GoodKevin111 he plays on trash cans
Those hats sound AMAZING!
Quick somebody isolate the "That's pretty phat sounding." at 5:05 and put it in the middle of dub track or something.
And add "Even more thud" at 8:15.
Leaving a comment for if someone does it
I want to use it as a pre- breakdown line and just hit the most brutal breakdown in the world
Somebody please do this ^
James Helfrich the breakdown or the dubstep idea
I love how the 4th snare sounds
Brilliant Nick‼️
Please make a review of the Pearl Eliminator Redline cause you guys make the best reviews for drum products lol
The yellow one sounds the best IMO.
I use the Remo rings and love them. i have the set of two 14", one thin, one wider.. Uts great to have that option when your band goes into a mid tempo song like "Angel of Montgomery" and you can hang the ring off your floor tom leg and throw it on to get an instant fat sound. I do think you may have to tune a drum down a bit if it is too high pitched to begin with to get a deep tone. I like the Remo rings more that the idea of the BFSD because you get that stick on head attack and it doesn't get too mushy. Although the classic muffled 70's sound can be as mushy as it gets!
...that trick you slide a stick under the snares to tune bottom head is a real cool idea !
why didn't I think of that years ago 🤔
Great job Nick !!! Paisan !!!! I was really interested in the high hat cymbals can you tell me about them ?
Thanks, Nick, this is helpful
I use the Big Fat Snare Drum "Steve's Donut" & it's a great product too.
To get a similar sound to the big fat snare product invert a spare 14" head onto the drum. If you are like me you have more than one old head lying around which will work just fine.
Bruce Hewat this is the route I typically take to achieve the fat sound. I've found the older the head the fatter the sound!
Like put it in upside down?
Yup, so the rim of the head (that sits on the outside the bearing edge) points upwards instead of downwards
I can’t quite put this together in my head. Do you mean cut the head out and or just slap it on top of the head you’re using and use it as a dampener, or something else?
Jake Becker I cut the head from the hoop after the section where it curves. Place the head onto your snare upside down. I’ve been doing this for years with a clear Pinstripe head. I don’t think I’ve ever thrown out an old head in my life. That’s ALOT of heads! I even have an entire set of Joey Jordinsons used heads. I think he only used heads for maybe 2 shows when he was with Slipknot.
I never use the first technique despite what some (Evans drumheads) and others say because it does damage the rim over time by warping and the heads break or stretch quicker.
I use a spare head upside down, Big Fat Snare drum, O rings or some cut to shape paper or thin cardboard. Also I have spare snares for specific sounds. Also electronic triggers or pads for those occasional times you can't use all drums or have time to change.
6:43 ...and that guy with umbrella :D
🤦♂️
Can you do a review of the Tama Starclassic Bubinga drumset?
Awesome video Nick! Do you have a bass drum tuning video???
George Costanza mentioned!
The "Big Fat Snare Drum" does it for me.
Excellent video Ty!
I love this guy!
Tony Williams Yellow--the only way to go, baby! :)
dogmart isn't that thing gorgeous!
Sounds great!
Thx it work well for my export series can i do same for my tom?
I like how each of the snares are a different kind of phat and thuddy. If it were me, I'd use the yellow snare on, say, verses, and either the black wallet snare or white snare on the chorus. Especially if you're pushing the beat during the choruses.
take the third technique and also put a Evans staccato disc inside the drum you get a super dry super dead Fat Sound which is actually kind of cool to use for an auxiliary snare
I’ve had a problem with my snare where it sounds like a tenor kind of, with the “snare sound” in the background almost. I’ve tried retightening the strings and a bunch of other things, but can’t get it back to normal. Was just wondering if anyone here had any ideas.👍🏻
This guy is very likable.
I know this is a snare drum video but what are those hi-hats he's playing? They sound incredible
I think they're Meinl Byzance Extra Dry
I've used the "wallet" trick for a while now at church. I leave mine folded though, and maybe leave a third of it hanging over the edge. If I want it really dry, leave the entire wallet on the head. It does work really well.
This vid gave me an idea... An all snare drum kit. Well, except the kick. What do ya think? Lol. It could work. On a serious note, this was a pretty good vid, although I'm not a fan of the bottom three lug tuning trick. Just my opinion, but I can tune my snare higher or lower pretty fast without the fear of jacking my shell or hoop up.
the yellow snare does it for me!
The Seinfeld reference was extraordinary XD
How many turns do you do on the bottom and the too head ? I really like how the first snare sounds but I can’t get to sound like that
I wish I could figure out how to get the Alex Van Halen "Diver Down" and "1984" snare drum sound!
Randy Woolum
Easy Randy, remo black dot with
duct tape on top head.
Google it 4photo-
will detuning the three lugs damage the shell or rim?
I didn't know Jon Lovitz played drums!
Wade Lucas I knew he reminded me of somebody but I just couldn't figure out who. Thanks! Hahaha!
What about remo ring on the first snare (the one with loose hoop bottom).
How'll sound?
Hey Nick... Can the techniques you used on the first snare also be applied to the toms for similar results?
Alan Slimak probably not, because tom sounds go after more tone and sustain and pitch, rather than the short crack of a snare. The first technique can also probably damage your drums over time. You generally want to keep your tension even around the drum.
I'm guitar player and a frustrated drummer too LOL. BTW i like the first snare tone
Yellow drum shell is the deepest in my opinion!
interesting how you mount the snare drum can you explain? ive always put hoop at the bottom of the right angle
dwexoticmaple was just wondering the same
My favourite way is just laying another head upside on top (like the BFSD). Pretty much sound exactly like the BFSD but it's cheaper (considering you can recycle used heads).
Brant Parsons makes a good point in that it should not be the 3 lugs closest to the snares. Some drummers have their strainer in different positions. I think it is noteworthy. S
BFSD is great too...
Is it true that if you loosen the 2 lugs closest to the wires you eliminate snare buzz?
Jack Jekyl sort of not completely I find though :/ try out moongel or gaffer tape if you wanna try and kill some overtones
Does the tightness of the heads affect the ammount of snare buzz?
Jack Jekyl Not too sure tbh but I don't believe so
On the reso side yes. Then also slip a business card under the wires. That eliminates ALL reso wire bleed except there's just a bit left from my 8" tom (10" tom causes zero buzz tho, might have to replace that 8" with a 12"--or gate the snare mic, which is notorious for cymbal bleed anyway, but that's a new subject.)
not so sure about the first one. wouldnt that warp the shell? or possibly even crack it if its wood..
You can use the gel window stickers or sticky hands
Thanks a lot
Plz make a video on how to get a snappy snare sound
Been doing the wallet technique since high school. lol Nice. Love it.
The wallet actually sounds the best. Is it supposed to be empty or full ?
Not sure how practical is it playing .
If you're a musician it's probably empty
Thanks so much , I'm new to drums, Aldo dude you sound like Cassie cassum
@SweetwaterSound what hats are being used?
I luvit! Thank u!
can the first technique be applied to a 8-lugged snare drum? if so, how?
et si on ajoute des pieces dans le portefeuille ça fait tambourin ?
👍 Useful!
Hey, any recommendations for my Gretch Snare drum as its probably about 3-4 years old now, its got that really old, stick marked, grey accents all over the skin of it because of all the use from over the years. But I've realised recently that the snare drum just sounds very very Tinny and stale, almost like when you're hitting your own pockets thats full of change (If you get what I mean). Is this a sign for me to finally save up and buy a new snare drum or can this be fixed using these methods in the video?
Depends what music you’re playing.
60s snare drums had a tighter, crisp ,cracking sound
The 70s were much more deep and dead.
White snare drum has a deep fat sound!
Anyone know if that's the 15" or 16" Byzance hat?
What are those Hi hats..
John Bonhams snare sound. NICE!!!
my fave is getting a ludwing vintage marching drum with thick ass heads
what hats ? 15" Extra dry thins?
in my opinion the first technique probably can damage the drum edges
that's why I use metal snares
Indeed, I wouldn't do it too
I'm afraid of the warping
yes warps the rim to if its a flang rim
You'll break the head first...
Let me just repeat something already said many many times. An old head, preferably undented, and a razor is all you need. I started doing this around 20+ years ago( because I'm a genius) And the the thicker the head, the deeper the tone/pitch becomes. I would actually use a thin cloth or rag, before coming up with the old skin idea. But the skin works great because it stays put...I wonder who the first person was who thought of this....and when... probably some hippie in the 60s.
the yellow on downbeat and white ghost notes... but how?
God bless Udo Masshoff.
Maybe its just me but i loved the sound of the snare on the first one, before you detuned the three lugs. After that i wasnt a big fan but idk i guess i like a sharp sound
What if I just want a Fat snare sound?
If you want to get a phat snare sound refer to the Udo Masshoff snare tuning technique. Simple. Respect. S
That can't be good for the edge though. Super uneven tension in one spot. Over time I feel like that is going to cause a problem.
First thing Al Jackson would do is take out is wallet and lay it on the snare - the WHOLE wallet. Plus, he apparently had a lot more cash in it than you do. LOL!!! Nice video - thanks.
I use a Vintage A on my snare. If I layer it with an Evans Hydraulic, my face changes shape. It's beefy.
hats?
putting a bandana on your snare also has a similar effect to the big fat snare drum
Isaac Van Doren I use a small cleaning cloth sometimes and it seems to work well.
i've done this in the past- it tends to bunch up on me (especially when doing ghost notes or buzz roles). But it is easy.
who else is a producer here just ripping these snare samples lol
OfficialZephireEDM you must feel really cool by ripping these snare samples lol
circusreturn what's wrong with that? If I had a sampler I'd be ripping off of tons of videos. It's a new world.
It’s just a room mic and a lav mic
It's a new world lol... imagine if no one took the time to learn how to tune and record drums. You "producers" wouldn't have shit.
You ain't a producer lol
Electronic drums sounds more punchy. + they were recorded w/high quality mics, & best environment! result is superb, comparing to real set.
xpjv if that were true nobody would play real drums anymore. Electronics have their place but in a band setting live, it's not the same and can never be the same.
For live, I agree. but for the studio, will argue..
xpjv although the use of samples in studios is common, tracking live drums, at least for the pros is still the norm. If you don't have the equipment to record live drums, electronics are a better option. At least it's a live drummer playing high quality samples instead of a computer playing those samples or a live drummer playing crappy sounding drums.
I have had an electronic kit for 16 years and love what it can do but they are almost too perfect and can sound robotic. Nuance is what makes a mix come to life in my opinion. Not everyone agrees though.
exactly what I mean. real & electronic alone will defenately tell real is better..
Electronic drums are nothing compared to real thing.
Why he touch the snare after he plays it everytime.
To bless it I guess