Tuning my snare

[Rufio32]

So question. I have a 13 x 7 snare and I can't get it sounding how I want it to. I'm trying to get a nice lower sound out of it, but there's way too much ring. As far as tuning the heads goes, what's the best way to get rid of ring? Should I have the bottom head tighter? I know I can put tape on the heads and otherwise, but I would imagine with this much ring there's a different way I can tune the heads to lose a lot of it. Thanks all!

 

[Brian L]

i know exactly what ur going through man. i have a 13 by 7 ddrum s2 maple snare. basically, i tuned it alittle everyday, and everyday, i noticed i was getting alittle closer to the sound i wanted. so i think the number one rule for tuning a snare is to take ur time and mess with it. see what kind of results u get from each tune and keep that in mind as u progress. also a big thing i noticed, is that the chains on a 13 by 7 snare, even when barely tweaked...can make it into a snare good for metal to a lower sound probably better for softer rock music. but i love my snare. :mrgreen:

 

[Rufio32]

That helps. Thanks man. I really ought to pay attention to my tuning results. Also, my snare is Ddrum also. The dominion series, 8 ply Maple. I've seen the D2's, but I've never heard of S2. Is that the series?

 

[Timekeep69]

You might want to check your bearing edges, they may not be truly flat.

 

[Rufio32]

Good idea. I'll have to check them for sure. Thanks!

 

[AmnestysLowEnd]

Are you getting all the lugs to the same pitch/tone? This is really important part of tuning, if you don't you will get an overly ring-y, annoying tone.

 

[Rufio32]

Well I don't have a perfect ear, but I try my best to kept them the same. But maybe one came loose. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

 

[Brian L]

according to musiciansfriend, its a s4 apparently. thats where i got the snare anyway. i could have swarn it was a d2 or an s2, something with a 2. i need to probably go over my snare with a drum dial, just to maybe clean up the sound a bit.

 

[Rufio32]

Right on. I guess that'd help me out too. A drum dial. Pretty Good investment? I've never used one.

 

[ThePloughman]

Lousy investment, really.
And what sort of heads are on the drum to start with?
Try 1.5 turns on top, 2 turns on bottom, above finger tight. Work up to it.

 

[Rufio32]

My batter is EC reverse dot by Evans and the reso. I think is just a clear emperor by Remo. I'm not totally sure because I can't keep my drums at home. Unfortunately apartment life isn't drum friendly. But anyway, I'll give that a try. 1.5 on top and 2 on bottom.

 

[metldrummer2112]

Just a suggestion for a head that reduces ring, Evans HD Dry

 

[Timekeep69]

Drum Dials only insure that the head is tensioned evenly. It doesn't actually help in tuning the drum.

 

[Brian L]

Drum Dials only insure that the head is tensioned evenly. It doesn't actually help in tuning the drum.

couldnt have said it better myself.

 

[AmnestysLowEnd]

Drum Dials only insure that the head is tensioned evenly. It doesn't actually help in tuning the drum.

It does in the sense that a well seated head will be easier to tune as well as stay tuned longer. While you can do this with out one, I find that it is a good investment because it helps you understand the physics of tuning. By physics of tuning , I mean it helps you see how much adjacent lugs effect each other.

 

[Timekeep69]

Drum Dials only insure that the head is tensioned evenly. It doesn't actually help in tuning the drum.

It does in the sense that a well seated head will be easier to tune as well as stay tuned longer. While you can do this with out one, I find that it is a good investment because it helps you understand the physics of tuning. By physics of tuning , I mean it helps you see how much adjacent lugs effect each other.

True, but people assume that it's a drum tuner when it's not.

 

[AmnestysLowEnd]

Drum Dials only insure that the head is tensioned evenly. It doesn't actually help in tuning the drum.

It does in the sense that a well seated head will be easier to tune as well as stay tuned longer. While you can do this with out one, I find that it is a good investment because it helps you understand the physics of tuning. By physics of tuning , I mean it helps you see how much adjacent lugs effect each other.

True, but people assume that it's a drum tuner when it's not.

Well with most people they are better off using the dial as a tuner vrs their ears, at least until they get the basics down. :lol: