Gavin Harrison here!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gibeachhead

what kind of Throne do you use?

for the last couple of years I've been using the Porter & Davies BC2 saddle on top of a Gibraltar base (because it goes quite low). If you're not familiar with the BC2 tactile monitoring system they're well worth trying. Basically - every time I hit he bass drum - I can feel it inside the stool top.

Hi diydidi

what is the intervalic relationship between your top/bottom snare drum heads?? Do you tune bottom tighter? how tight can I go?

Yes the bottom head is tighter than the top - according to my tuning device it tells me that they are about a whole tone apart. It's quite hard to hear the actual pitch of the bottom head...plus most of the time it's completely muted by the snares pressing against it so it kind of does a different job anyway. Tuning the bottom head really high will change the way the snares respond.

Hi pixelbreaker

I'm looking at buying a new china soon and I'm trying to recall my favorite china sounds from songs. One of the songs that sticks out most in my mind is the end of Halo where you do that groove (makes me want to get up and dance every time that I hear it). Do you happen to remember what china you used on that album?

Yes it was a Zildjian Z Custom China 18". Now discontinued but you might be able to still find one.

Hi communion

What's the level you prefer to keep in each drum tracks during recording in logic? and do you avoid clipping in the master bus?

I like to put about 75% into each track - get a good healthy signal but leave room for dynamics. The Apogees have a 'soft limit' button so it will never go 'over' digital maximum. It's important to not go over 'zero' on the master bus. All the others you can go over without distortion or clipping.

as you mentioned that you use the mic pre in mackie, how do you boost enough gain signal into your rosetta 800?

First I setup the amount of signal coming into the desk and get an optimal gain structure by checking each channel in solo to see if it's too low or too high. I can boost or reduce the amount being sent to the Apogees by the bus faders so it doesn't change the channel level. I monitor independent of those gains with the B Mix Level.
It's very important to get this right otherwise you could be sending too much amplified noise - or over driven signal into the computer.

Hi Mathman

A question about your kits. What is your reasoning behind having medium shell toms and heavy shell bass drum, rather than the same type for each drum. What are your thoughts about the Sonor vintage shells. You played the prolite kit on the videos? Do you prefer maple or birch or?

I'm always experimenting with shell thicknesses. My previous kit had the 'thin' shells for the toms, 'medium' shells for the floor toms and 'heavy' shell for the bass drum. Now this new kit has all 'medium' shells for all the toms and 'heavy' shell for the bass drum.
The 'medium' shell thickness is how the old Sonor Designers were made - and I still have an old Designer set which i really like the sound of - so that was my thinking process this time round. I've played many 'vintage' shell Sonor sets (and they've all been really nice) but if you really hit them hard and want to use thick heads on them (like Remo Vintage Coated Emperors) they don't really like it. In Porcupine Tree sometimes I tend to play pretty heavy - and I wanted a shell that could handle that.
I prefer Maple for the toms and bass drum.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam Sanders]

Hi Gavin

So do use ProLite drums now and not SQ2?

Cheers

Sam

[cramin2]

Hi Gavin (again!),
Regarding your recently announced Canadian tour with Sonor, are you allowed to give us more information on it? Will you be bringing Rick along? Have you any other tidbits on it, or is it too early for that?

[Nils]

Hi Gavin,

I recently got into a Studio in Berlin to record our new Album so I decided to get a new set of bottom heads on both of my snaredrums.
When I put the snares back on I noticed that when I pulled them off they where still buzzering in a way they do as if they where still on. So I adjusted them a little looser and then they didnt work in any way. Because we were playing very loud music and I did not play the snare with the snares off I put them back to the tighter level.
But so far I was not able to adjust them so I can use both sounds. I tried to keep the lever very loose then tighten the snares and the tighten the lever until the snares work but I failed with this method.
So I wanted to ask you how you adjust your snares after mounting them off completely.

I really appreciate that you answer all our questions
Thank you very much Nils

[PearlDrummer1993]

Hi Gavin!!!

This is my first post here, as I am a new member and all, but I wanted to first thank you for how much you've inspired me and influenced me and so many others with your playing and genuine love of music. I know you receive a lot of questions about the custom Zildijian bells you cut from broken cymbals, but as I have no broken cymbals, and don't wish to disassemble my other ones, I was looking to create a similar sound. I am thinking of a getting a 5 pc version of the Paiste Cup Chimes but have a question. What kind of stand do you use to mount yours? Is it a custom stand Zildijian made for you. I was wondering because it looks similar to the one Paiste has for theirs, but instead of holding all 5 cymbals horizontally in a row, yours has 2 on the top and 3 on a bottom row. Just wondering if you could provide any insight. Thank you so much in advance and best of wishes. :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Sam Sanders

So do use ProLite drums now and not SQ2?

At the moment I'm playing an SQ2 set.

Hi cramin2

Regarding your recently announced Canadian tour with Sonor, are you allowed to give us more information on it? Will you be bringing Rick along? Have you any other tidbits on it, or is it too early for that?

The full details (for those who hadn't seen the announcement) are here http://gavharrison.com/news.php
Unfortunately Ric and boys won't be joining me on the clinic tour.

Hi Nils

I recently got into a Studio in Berlin to record our new Album so I decided to get a new set of bottom heads on both of my snare drums.When I put the snares back on I noticed that when I pulled them off they where still buzzering in a way they do as if they where still on. So I adjusted them a little looser and then they didnt work in any way. Because we were playing very loud music and I did not play the snare with the snares off I put them back to the tighter level.
But so far I was not able to adjust them so I can use both sounds. I tried to keep the lever very loose then tighten the snares and the tighten the lever until the snares work but I failed with this method.So I wanted to ask you how you adjust your snares after mounting them off completely.

It could be that your bottom heads are not as tight as they were before you changed them. As you're hitting the drum pretty hard the bottom head is bowing out and touching the snare wires. It's a problem I've encountered many times with certain snare strainers. The last few weeks I have been playing with the new Sonor "Dual Glide" strainer and I believe it's the best strainer I've ever used. It also has a good long 'throw' so I haven't had the problem you described. I understand that the new Sonor strainer will be sold separately so you might be able to retrofit it to your drum.

Hi PearlDrummer1993

I am thinking of a getting a 5 pc version of the Paiste Cup Chimes but have a question. What kind of stand do you use to mount yours? Is it a custom stand Zildijian made for you. I was wondering because it looks similar to the one Paiste has for theirs, but instead of holding all 5 cymbals horizontally in a row, yours has 2 on the top and 3 on a bottom row.

The holder that I use is made up of Sonor "Basic Arm" pieces. http://www.sonor.com/pbas/Sonor_FE/s...nk-n_katid=966

I had to have it modified so that the lower three mounts had threads that went all the way down to the bottom - and that way I could have two different heights.



cheers
Gavin

[Sam Sanders]

Are you gonna change to ProLite or stick with the SQ2? Because I think you should stay with the SQ2s myself :) ALLLSSSSOOO will you be at London Drum Show this year? Not performing as such, maybe mooching around looking at new products and stuff? :)

[Clay_C]

Hey Gavin! It's me again! I was listening to "Sentimental", off of FOABP, and came up with a question. What time sig is the intro in? I think it is 4/4, with the piano playing dotted eighth notes, but I am not sure.

[SheLovesMyDrums]

Hey Gavin I'm kinda new on this site just like I'm new to drumming. You've been a huge source on inspiration for me in PT mostly. I love your style and you phylosophy about drumming and music in general. I used to play a lot of guitar, like for 6 or 7 years, but the thing is, to be a "good" guitarist, you have to play fast, to shred, etc... That means countless hours of forced practice and that's just not what I want. Same thing with drumming. I've seen an interview of you saying that huge solos and all that didn't impress you as it was just practice and practice and so on. That's exactly what I've been thinking since I started getting interested in drumming years ago. What's really cool is that soft snare just at the right place, etc... That's what creativity really is. I wanted to have a drum kit for the past 3 or 4 years but couldn't because of money and space. So I just bought a Pearl Vision 6 pieces along with Sabian's Xs20 and I'm impressed. Have you tried it? If so what do you think about the kit?

Hope I can see you with PT in Quebec City soon! :P

[ingvald]

Hi Gavin!

Love your playing! It inspires me a lot!

Just a little question...( i am not into copying any others sound or style but i am just experimenting so i am a little curious! :) ) I love your tom sound, so... when you tune... what is the intervallic relationship beetwin the bottom and the top head?

Thanks! :)

[David Floegel]

Originally Posted by ingvald

Hi Gavin!

Love your playing! It inspires me a lot!

Just a little question...( i am not into copying any others sound or style but i am just experimenting so i am a little curious! :) ) I love your tom sound, so... when you tune... what is the intervallic relationship beetwin the bottom and the top head?

Thanks! :)

You will find the answer on www.askgavinharrison.com :)
This question has been asked a few posts before also

[deadwing_007]

Hi Gavin. I've been playing with your signature stick for the last few months and I really like the weight and balance of it. It is by far the heaviest stick I've ever consistently used on set, but I feel like I've tried much lighter sticks that actually felt like they required more effort than yours.

I'm not crazy about the grip on the sticks, as it tends to cause the beginnings of blisters forming on my hands if I use them for an entire night of a rock gig. Do you know if there is a plan in the works of Vic Firth releasing a version without the grip?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sam Sanders

Are you gonna change to ProLite or stick with the SQ2?

Right now I have a new Blue Tribal SQ2 at home - but I will doubtlessly be playing some ProLite sets on my up coming drum clinic tour of Canada



Hi Clay_C

I was listening to "Sentimental", off of FOABP, and came up with a question. What time sig is the intro in? I think it is 4/4, with the piano playing dotted eighth notes, but I am not sure.

yes it's all in 4/4 with the piano playing a syncopated dotted 8th note rhythm at the start.

Hi SheLovesMyDrums

So I just bought a Pearl Vision 6 pieces along with Sabian's Xs20 and I'm impressed. Have you tried it? If so what do you think about the kit?

Sorry but I've never played one.

Hi ingvald

when you tune... what is the intervallic relationship beetwin the bottom and the top head?

there isn't an exact interval between the top and bottom heads. I can tell you that the bottom head is a bit tighter than the top.

Hi deadwing_007

I've been playing with your signature stick for the last few months and I really like the weight and balance of it. It is by far the heaviest stick I've ever consistently used on set, but I feel like I've tried much lighter sticks that actually felt like they required more effort than yours.I'm not crazy about the grip on the sticks, as it tends to cause the beginnings of blisters forming on my hands if I use them for an entire night of a rock gig. Do you know if there is a plan in the works of Vic Firth releasing a version without the grip?

Yes I feel like I work a lot harder with light sticks - especially playing quite loud music. I don't think they are available without the grip. I guess you could try scraping it off with a knife and see how you like it without the grip?

Cheers
Gavin

[JakkP]

Hey Gavin, I was listening to the Anesthetize DVD and I noticed how Porcupine Tree incorporate one song into another, like in What Happens Now where a guitar riff is very similar to the song Anesthetize and the lyrics for the chorus in Normal are the same in Sentimental. I was wondering why this is. Are there some links between the songs?

[Dustondrums]

Hi Gavin!

What's your comfort distance between the pedals of your Speed Cobra?

[UE Nastasi]

Hi Gavin,

Is there anything the US (United States) fans can do to petition Sonor to do a Prolite Experience tour in the US, you are already going to be on this continent for the Canadian tour, specifically the New Jersey/New York area.

Thanks
UE

[kalabuchnok]

Hi Gavin,
Sorry for my english, I'm french and I have not worked hard enough at school : I preferred to play drums on my table rather than listening to my teacher...

First, I want to thank you because you are part of the drummers that makes me love drums and work this beautiful instrument.

My question is about your 5 customs chimes : I know that you cut some A custom crash but do you cut always for the same size (and bell's crash=tune) or the 5 chimes have different size ? how do you defined the place of each one in your kit (Hi to low) ?
Do you come in France for giving drum clinic ? You could give me English lessons at the same time.
I hope to be understandable ; thanks to be here Gavin,
and thanks google talk...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JakkP

I was listening to the Anesthetize DVD and I noticed how Porcupine Tree incorporate one song into another, like in What Happens Now where a guitar riff is very similar to the song Anesthetize and the lyrics for the chorus in Normal are the same in Sentimental. I was wondering why this is. Are there some links between the songs?

Just some fun with continuity.

Hi Dustondrums

What's your comfort distance between the pedals of your Speed Cobra?

Do you mean the distance between the left and right pedal? The gap between them is 39cms at the back of the pedals and 43cms at the front....if that what you meant?

Hi UE Nastasi

Is there anything the US (United States) fans can do to petition Sonor to do a Prolite Experience tour in the US, you are already going to be on this continent for the Canadian tour, specifically the New Jersey/New York area.

you can ask your local drumstore to contact Hohner http://www.hohnerusa.com/ (the American distributor of Sonor) and Zildjian and request it.

Hi kalabuchnok

My question is about your 5 customs chimes : I know that you cut some A custom crash but do you cut always for the same size (and bell's crash=tune) or the 5 chimes have different size ? how do you defined the place of each one in your kit (Hi to low) ?
Do you come in France for giving drum clinic ? You could give me English lessons at the same time.

The original little bells were not cut from A Custom crashes - but old Avedis Zildjian crashes (with the small bell size found on this range: 13"-17") most of which them were from the 70's/80's. Yes the size pretty much determines the pitch of them. The biggest one is about 6.5 inches and the smallest is about 4 inches. I set them up left to right = low to high.
I made a drum clinic in France last year - but at the moment I don't have any more plans to make French drum clinics unfortunately.

Cheers
Gavin

[Dustondrums]

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison

Hi Dustondrums

What's your comfort distance between the pedals of your Speed Cobra?

Do you mean the distance between the left and right pedal? The gap between them is 39cms at the back of the pedals and 43cms at the front....if that what you meant?

Yes. That's what i meant. Thanks!

[Dustondrums]

I also like to sit very low, but sometimes i feel that the height of my snare is not comfortable. Could you share the height position of your snare drum?

[CameronADD]

Hey Gavin/Everyone! I've been following this thread for AGES and always meant to sign up...but only just have! :)

Gavin, didn't you record 'The Incident' at Monkey Puzzle Studio's in Woolpit, Suffolk? I literally live 10 or less minutes away and was wondering what you thought to it? Because I'm trying to find places to record drums and my band are trying to push me down the 'Drum Kit From Hell' route... Eugh...

Thank you! :)

Cameron.

[Troy McClure]

Greetings Gavin!

So stoked about your Canadian Prolite tour.

Do you still have your Blue Azzure Delites? What's your opinion of them? Do you notice a big difference between your old Delites and the new Prolites?

Are you enjoying the F1 season so far? It's been an incredibly unpredictable year.

Thanks!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Dustondrums

I also like to sit very low, but sometimes i feel that the height of my snare is not comfortable. Could you share the height position of your snare drum?

well of course I can tell you the height of my snare drum but it wouldn't really relate to your setup as I doubt we're exactly the same height, have the same body proportions and sit the same same distance away from the drums. My snare drum is set at 68cms to the top rim closest to me but it's angled back at me -8.3 degrees.

Hi CameronADD

Gavin, didn't you record 'The Incident' at Monkey Puzzle Studio's in Woolpit, Suffolk? I literally live 10 or less minutes away and was wondering what you thought to it? Because I'm trying to find places to record drums and my band are trying to push me down the 'Drum Kit From Hell' route... Eugh...

No I recorded the drums for that album at AIR studios in London. We did our writing sessions at Monkey Puzzle and I thought it sounded very good in there.

Hi Troy McClure

Do you still have your Blue Azzure Delites? What's your opinion of them? Do you notice a big difference between your old Delites and the new Prolites?

I don't have that Blue DeLiite kit anymore. It was one of the sets they loaned me in the States. I haven't really played the ProLites other than at the factory for the promo filming - but as far as I could tell they are the same - but with a few small hardware updates.

Are you enjoying the F1 season so far? It's been an incredibly unpredictable year.

yeah I love it.

I'm coming to Asia in October for a drum clinic tour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRxy-sQ1PLE
Oct 14 Tokyo
Oct 15 Taipei
Oct 16 Hong Kong
Oct 18 Bangkok
Oct 19 Manila
Oct 21Kuala Lumpur
Oct 22 Singapore
Oct 25 Beijing
Oct 26 Chengdu

cheers
Gavin

[JakkP]

Hey Gavin.
What do you think of the new Meshuggah album? Any tracks stand out to you?

[HutchinsonDrummer]

Hey Gavin,

Were you wearing GoPro's in that video of you advertising for your Asian clinic tour? One on your chest and one on your head?

[fromyesterday]

Anybody still using askgavinharrison.com?

I can't afford the current hosting so I've killed it. Per Analytics I was seeing 20-30 visits per day with a fairly high bounce rate. I haven't had the time to maintain this thing in years.

I'm sad to murder the project so if anybody wants to help me or take it over - let's talk.

If we all think it's pretty much worthless as a FAQ we'll move on.

[Arky]

@ fromyesterday

Yes, I was spending that website a visit every now and then. It's sad to see websites go.

Wouldn't it be possible to copy/move that FAQ content into a new thread here on Drummerworld/in a Drummer sub-thread? Just a thought.

[Swiss Matthias]

Maybe Gavin would even include it into his own website, as a FAQ submenu?

[JeffV71]

Gavin,

Very entertaining video promoting your upcoming Asian clinic tour - congrats! Maybe you should call it the "Please feed the drummer" tour (laughs!)

I was curious, in your recent home studio videos you've made for us, why there doesn't appear to be any overhead mics on your kit? Are you using a newer recording technique that doesn't involve traditional overheads? Also, I love the sound of that new SQ2 kit! No S-Hoops this time?

Lastly, have you found that you can use your new signature sticks in all styles of music, or do you still grab some lighter sticks once in a while?

Cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JakkP

What do you think of the new Meshuggah album? Any tracks stand out to you?

I haven't heard it yet.

Hi HutchinsonDrummer

Were you wearing GoPro's in that video of you advertising for your Asian clinic tour? One on your chest and one on your head?

yes exactly.

Hi JeffV71

I was curious, in your recent home studio videos you've made for us, why there doesn't appear to be any overhead mics on your kit? Are you using a newer recording technique that doesn't involve traditional overheads? Also, I love the sound of that new SQ2 kit! No S-Hoops this time?

My overheads (Neumann TLM103s) are just behind my head - like an extension of my ears. I started doing that during the recording sessions for the last PT album. You get a really nice picture of the whole kit that way and not too much cymbals. It's close to what I'm hearing sitting at the drumset. When I shot that video I hadn't got the S-Hoops installed yet. I was waiting for some of the sizes I hadn't had before. (5 hole 8") (6 hole 10") (8 hole 15") (8 hole 18").

Lastly, have you found that you can use your new signature sticks in all styles of music, or do you still grab some lighter sticks once in a while?

Yes so far I've used them for everything.

cheers
Gavin

[Nickropolis]

Hey there Gavin, I understand you'll be in Halifax, Nova Scotia in about a month's time for a clinic. I live pretty close to the shop and venue so chances are I'll see you there, just thought I'd say hi and early 'welcome to the east coast'.

[Gavin Harrison]

OK thanks Nick - see you there.

Gavin

[Kyle Fenton]

Hi Gavin,

Just wanted to thank you for the constant inspiration, education, and massive thanks to both you and Vic Firth for a great pair of signature sticks. They've really augmented and enhanced my playing, moreso than i thought just a pair of sticks could do. They're fantastically balanced and feel awesome whatever you're playing. I used to play 5As, and Rock for heavier stuff, but your stick is now all i'll need... Although 5As now feel like matchsticks. *shrug*

Actually, i do have a question. In regards to overriding and displacement, do you have a particular set of patterns you like to play or is it just as and when you do it/when the client asks? I'm currently involved in writing some quite intricate patterns with an original project, and they've asked for some displacement stuff, so any pointers would be helpful... Cheers a lot!

Kyle Fenton

[Netz Ausg]

Originally Posted by fromyesterday

Anybody still using askgavinharrison.com?

I can't afford the current hosting so I've killed it. Per Analytics I was seeing 20-30 visits per day with a fairly high bounce rate. I haven't had the time to maintain this thing in years.

I'm sad to murder the project so if anybody wants to help me or take it over - let's talk.

If we all think it's pretty much worthless as a FAQ we'll move on.

No way! I use that site fairly regularly. Wish I had the time to do anything on it.

Someone needs to step up!

[EvilDrummer]

Hello Gavin!

How do you get your ghost notes to be so articulate? Is it the few strands? I have a Sonor s classix 14x5 with die cast hoops that I tune pretty tight on the bottom and about two semitones lower on the top. I tighten the snare wires pretty tight but still loose enough to not sound like a tom on the weakest notes.

I use puresound twisted strands but I'm still experimenting on which ones to get. I'm going to try the 12 strand concert ones next.

Any advice on how to get that really articulate ghost note sound when it comes to tuning, head choice and playing style?

Any advice on how you get them so even? Are you playing them as soft as possible?

[Anhair]

Hellow Gavin!

Thank you for your gig in Russia this may! It was very interestig/

And I've got a question: is there a way I can get an original drum minus fo the PT song "Bonnie the cat" ? I've failed to find a place, where it could be bought

Thank you!

[Troy McClure]

Bernard should serioulsy consider changing the thread title to read: "Gavin Harrison here! (Don't ask for drumless tracks)"
:)

[Anhair]

Well, I understand I'm not the first one to ask such a question, but it's rather difficult to saerch through 146 pages :)
I just want to find out if there is such a track and where can I get it if there is:)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kyle Fenton

Just wanted to thank you for the constant inspiration, education, and massive thanks to both you and Vic Firth for a great pair of signature sticks. They've really augmented and enhanced my playing, moreso than i thought just a pair of sticks could do. They're fantastically balanced and feel awesome whatever you're playing.

Great - glad you like them I'm really enjoying playing them.

In regards to overriding and displacement, do you have a particular set of patterns you like to play or is it just as and when you do it/when the client asks? I'm currently involved in writing some quite intricate patterns with an original project, and they've asked for some displacement stuff, so any pointers would be helpful... Cheers a lot!

I don't have any particular patterns as really 'overriding' and 'displacement' are just concepts that you could apply to anything. Try taking any of your favourite rhythms and play them a 16th or 8th note displaced forwards or backwards. Sometimes it helps to write them out in the displaced position so that you can see and hear it as a 'new' rhythm.

Hi EvilDrummer

How do you get your ghost notes to be so articulate? Is it the few strands? I have a Sonor s classix 14x5 with die cast hoops that I tune pretty tight on the bottom and about two semitones lower on the top. I tighten the snare wires pretty tight but still loose enough to not sound like a tom on the weakest notes.Any advice on how to get that really articulate ghost note sound when it comes to tuning, head choice and playing style? Any advice on how you get them so even? Are you playing them as soft as possible?

If you feel like your snare drum is set up in a way to express articulate notes - then it's just down to your technique I'm afraid to say. Maybe try practising double stroke rolls on a pillow. I used to try to get the ghost notes whisper quiet - but whenever I heard a recording or a live board tape - I could never hear them inside the band. So I actually play them a bit harder these days - it kind of depends what other instruments are playing at the same time. You have to adapt to that on a song by song basis.

Hi Anhair

And I've got a question: is there a way I can get an original drum minus fo the PT song "Bonnie the cat" ? I've failed to find a place, where it could be bought

Sorry but I can't let that backing track out as it is a mix of the multi-track recording from the album (and it's owned collectively by the members of PT). There are 6 playalongs inside my book Rhythmic Designs of some of the tracks I made with 05Ric.

cheers
Gavin

[EvilDrummer]

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison

If you feel like your snare drum is set up in a way to express articulate notes - then it's just down to your technique I'm afraid to say. Maybe try practising double stroke rolls on a pillow. I used to try to get the ghost notes whisper quiet - but whenever I heard a recording or a live board tape - I could never hear them inside the band. So I actually play them a bit harder these days - it kind of depends what other instruments are playing at the same time. You have to adapt to that on a song by song basis.

cheers
Gavin

Aha ok, I've experienced that as well, if there are distorted guitars there is no point to play any ghost notes. I heard you play the sound of muzak beat here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx36b3cbwvs

I fell in love with that beat and I literally practiced it for a year and got it down on my electronic kit to a point where I'm happy with it and got that tight Tu pa pa tup, pa very nice but my acoustic snare just won't get that sound. The problem is that the ghost notes aren't short enough. I've played with the sound on my electronic kit and I've noticed that if you want that feel you can't use a loose snare it has to be really tight. The problem is that my acoustic snare doesn't seem to get the ghost notes short enough (or I don't know how to hit them properly).

In any way could you share what heads you are using and what model of puresound wires do you use? I really really want that ghost note sound and if I can get all the other variables out of the way I will know for sure if it's my technique. Does the cutting down of the snare wires do anything for the tightness or is it just for controlling the amount of snare wire sound?

BTW is there any chance to see you in sweden in the foreseeable future?

Thanks Gavin