Snare tuning: reggae sound

[Filthy]

Can anyone give me some tips on how to get that 1/2 timbale, 1/2 snare sound you always hear on reggae albums? I have been experimenting with head tension and snare tension at the throw-ff, but I'm just not getting that real rootsy, reggae/ska sound.
I would imagine that the sound originally came from a combination of low-end drums and low-end recording, but it is perfect for the reggae vibe.
Any tips would be appreciated.

[jayp]

If it where me ide use a side snare with the snares off or a timbale, but I'm sure you can get the sound your looking for with just 1 drum but I'm not the one who knows ;-D

[zambizzi]

This is pretty easily achievable by just doing a rim shot very close to the edge of the snare. I was actually doing this last night at band practice...sounds very authentic on my snare since I do no muffling and play it wide open.

[Boomka]

Can anyone give me some tips on how to get that 1/2 timbale, 1/2 snare sound you always hear on reggae albums? I have been experimenting with head tension and snare tension at the throw-ff, but I'm just not getting that real rootsy, reggae/ska sound.
I would imagine that the sound originally came from a combination of low-end drums and low-end recording, but it is perfect for the reggae vibe.
Any tips would be appreciated.

Use a metal snare drum, not too deep (5 or 5.5"), put a single-ply head on (you can even go clear) and crank the top and bottom heads very tight. Tighten up the snares and hit rimshots.

[Rockingfreakapotamus]

good tip for that timbale/snare hybrid sounds = use a 12 strand or less snare wire.

Rule is, more snare strands, the more snare you hear, the less snare strands, the more drum you hear.

x

[Fett2oo5]

I have found you can do this with just about any snare. As stated above the best way to achieve it is to land a rim shot with the tip of the stick halfway between the middle and the rim. Don't bring your hand back toward you, just change the angle of the stick in order to hit it off-center. Experiment with your snare and see where the "sweet" spot is.

[Drifter in the Dark]

Another option, notably used used by Kelly Vargas on Sublime's album 40 oz. to Freedom, is to place a timbale to the left of your snare drum and use it for fills. DW Piccolo Toms can also sound really good in a reggae situation (Check out Gene Lake's playing on Me'Shell Ndegeocello's "Love Song #1", from Comfort Woman)

[Garvin]

(Check out Gene Lake's playing on Me'Shell Ndegeocello's "Love Song #1", from Comfort Woman)

Alright Drifter! First person I've seen talk about Me'Shell Ndegeocello on the forum... Awesome albums, and always great players...

[criz p. critter]

I'd say number one is to just keep the snares off. I guess there's different "reggae sounds" out there, but seems like the Carlie Barrett sound is just snares off.

[burnthehero]

I can nail that sound with my 5.5" x 14" steel shell snare drum. It's pretty simple. Just crank the hell out of the batter head, same with the reso head but not as tight as the batter, and let the snare wires hang free. And as others have said, get a rim shot half-way between the rim and the center of the drum.

[Red Menace]

I ran into a similar situation the other day in the studio. I needed a ringing reggae snare for the verse and a fat rock snare for the chorus.

I took my buddy's crappy metal snare and tightened the hell out of the reso side and cranked down the batter side a little less. I got a night crisp snare sound but it still wasn't the ringing old school snare I was looking for. I solved this by using the butt end of my stick on my left hand and hitting by the rim, not quite a rim shot because I needed a roll out if it. Sounded great on the recording. I can't wait to hear it with the rest of the band in the mix.

[drummadan]

I'd say number one is to just keep the snares off. I guess there's different "reggae sounds" out there, but seems like the Carlie Barrett sound is just snares off.

the Carlie sound is to tune the skins real tight on both ends and snare stays on ......lllrl near the rims...this is due to Carlie not having the real knowledge of tuning drums,turned out to be a great reggae sound....

[uniin]

i think this may help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DRRiWN9qkw

[cobamnator]

Put a Remo Diplomat (THIN head) on the BATTER. Either coated or my favorite, Remo Renaissance Diplomat.

I put Remo Renaissance Diplomats Batter (7.5mm) drum heads on BOTH sides of the snare, put a 12 strand wire, tuned the bottom head REALLY tight to Dry out the snare, and you will enter Reggae Nirvana.