What snare batter are you using for "some" control, but not too dry?

BigDinSD

Gold Member
Can anyone recommend a snare batter with some control, but not too much?

Right now, I have an Evans HD Dry on my DW Collectors Maple snare - 14".
It's nicely in tune, and cranked a lil tight, but that's my flavor.

It has a controlled tone, but rather dull. I did bother do some research and noticed choices such as the ST. I prefer a 2 ply head, and want to avoid moongelly at this time.

My only knowledge in snare heads is Evans, so please bear with me.

As always, you guys know your stuff, so all is appreciated!
 
I have that same head on my Vaughncraft Steambent maple.
But I have also used the ST, super tough, as well. Like them both.
 
Most of my snares have Evans Power Center Reverse Dot batter heads for a slight control, but I also use Evans G1 coated and Remo coated Ambassadors.

Dennis
 
PS3 also recommended by the GC guys. Do you know how the Focus X and PS3 compare to the HD Dry?

They are both 1 ply versions of the HD. All 3 have thin rings on the inside, just the PS3 and focus x are one ply.
If you're looking for more sustain and still want 2 ply you'll want to try something like a ST or Emperor X.
 
Before you go and buy another head have you tried to tweak your snare to lose the dryness?

You can tune down your reso head a bit or even with your batter.
Also you can loosen your strainer to lose some dryness.
Just sayin'.

OR, just throw a remo coated ambassador on it and call it a day.
 
I like the Evans ST (Super Tough) not the dry version. Bright but controlled, with suffieicient decay, rarely a need for tape or gel. Yet it has plenty of life and openness.

I use it on just about all of my snares.

Bermuda
 
I have the ST dry and the HD dry and they are very similar in tone
dry but from right above the drum you can hear the ringing harmonics...
very mic friendly - excellent for recording

from 5-10ft away the tone is truly dry, no audible "ringing" what-so-ever
just a solid crack with body

I really like them - but they are definately "dry"

Remo Coated Controlled sound reverse dot:
I always had to use some sort of muffling with this head
very ringy but nice fat attack and good durability

Remo Coated Emperor:
This is a great snare head as far as balance between dry and ringy.
If you are used to the tone of a coated ambassador this head may
sound a tiny bit dull but I have heard from several people that attended
Namm this year that this is becoming the preffered head among many drummers
today. I have used this head on several of my snares and it does deliver the goods.

My suggestion would be to try the Coated Emperor and if it is still too ringy
after trying several different tunings then try the Evans ST dry.

Remo coated ambassador:
Many people still love this head for it's awesome sensitivity and feel.
but usually needs some form of modest muffling to control all those overtones
and sustain. There is a reason this is the most recorded head in history.

Remo Emperor X:
Despite this heads thickness (20mil) +5mil dot it has plenty of sustain
but lacking the higher harmonics it's more of a "bong" than a "ping" sound
I got best results with a full on remo ring. This head really activates the snares
for tons of "crack" but feels really I mean really stiff - like a table top stiff.
Definately needs additional muffling IMO.
 
Before you go and buy another head have you tried to tweak your snare to lose the dryness?

You can tune down your reso head a bit or even with your batter.
Also you can loosen your strainer to lose some dryness.
Just sayin'.

OR, just throw a remo coated ambassador on it and call it a day.

Thanks drummers!

I've had to tighten down the reso because my Puresound Custom Pro Steel wires have a gnarly (do we still use that word nowadays?) vibration - almost ugly at a looser tension. It was the only way to neutralize it, but I like 'em tight. I also find those wires require some tightening to bring out some brightness.

Yeah - I think DW equips them with their version of the Ambassadors. They do sing, but I have to break out the moongel for my personal taste.
 
Remo coated emperor X's are pretty nice, just like the coated controls, but its an emperor head, the reverse dot pretty much eliminates 60-80% of the ring, with my snare at least.
 
Evans EC Reverse Dot. I love that as a snare better head. When struck, it rings for about half a second. I use it on both of my snares. Peace and goodwill.
 
PS3 also recommended by the GC guys. Do you know how the Focus X and PS3 compare to the HD Dry?
I have never used the HD Dry so I can't say.
I like the Focus X on wood snares and the PS3 on metal snares. JMHO
 
Evans EC Reverse Dot. I love that as a snare better head. When struck, it rings for about half a second. I use it on both of my snares. Peace and goodwill.

I like the reverse dot too, that's what's on my snares that don't have the ST. :)

Bermuda
 
I have the ST dry and the HD dry and they are very similar in tone
dry but from right above the drum you can hear the ringing harmonics...
very mic friendly - excellent for recording

(some text omitted)

Remo Coated Controlled sound reverse dot:
I always had to use some sort of muffling with this head
very ringy but nice fat attack and good durability

Remo coated ambassador:
Many people still love this head for it's awesome sensitivity and feel.
but usually needs some form of modest muffling to control all those overtones
and sustain. There is a reason this is the most recorded head in history.

Great Textbook info Spectron!

2 great single ply heads there. I'm thinking 2 ply at the moment...
 
aquarian studio x , not as dry as focus x, plus i use a studio ring for some songs when i need it to sound dry then take it off when i dont need it.
 
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