DW tom batter options.

mrbling · #1 07-25-2010, 07:30 PM

ive not really experimented with heads on drums before, only heads ive used were pro tones > remo CS now my DWs with stock heads.

im looking for some new batters but dont know what i want/what would work. want to get this right so im not wasting £50-60.

im either thinking

Evans EC2s

or

Remo coated ambassadors or emperors but dont get what the difference is and what these 2 will give me.

any help here guys??

bobdadruma · #2 07-25-2010, 09:16 PM

First you have to decide what sound you are after.

Basically, drumheads come in single and double ply, coated and non coated, muffled and non muffled.

Clear heads have more ring and sustain than coated.
Single ply heads have more sustain and they produce a higher pitch than double ply.
Muffled heads have less ring and sustain. Muffled heads come in both coated and non coated, Single and double ply.
Both single and double ply heads come coated and non coated, muffled and non muffled.

There are also thin and thick single ply heads that are coated and non coated.

The sound and tuning possibles are almost endless!

What sound are you after?

The fact that it is a DW kit is a small consideration in the equation!

The manufacturers all make similar heads.
There are comparison charts on their sites.
Aquarian has a good one on their site.

Explore and have fun.

mrbling · #3 07-25-2010, 09:33 PM

well i know the basics of heads what their made of etc i just dont know how they affect the sound. im looking for a deep low tom sound, i dont know how to describe it though really.

bobdadruma · #4 07-25-2010, 09:37 PM

OK, Deep and Low
Do you want it to be a deep, low sustained sound, or a short and punchy deep and low sound?
Can you link an audio sample?

mrbling · #5 07-25-2010, 09:50 PM

i think punchy would best describe it.

im a massive muse fan and love the sound of their drummers toms.

heres a vid from youtube with the album audio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPE9u...feature=avmsc2

mrbling · #6 07-25-2010, 09:50 PM

ive found that he uses emperors though, with a mix of remo and aquarians

bobdadruma · #7 07-25-2010, 10:03 PM

Excellent tune!
It is hard to say what head configuration was being used because of the sound processing on the recording.
The drums did have punch but they also had warmth and sustain.
They sounded like they were tensioned medium or there about.
I would guess coated double ply on top and clear single ply on the bottom.
Coated Emps over clear Ambs or the like.
I think that his snare batter was a Remo PowerStroke 3 or the Aquarian equal. I use those on a few of my snares. I like them a lot.

mrbling · #8 07-25-2010, 10:14 PM

thanks bob youve been a great help, also do you know what the stock dw reso heads are similar to. im thinking of going for emperors now :P

yh it is a great song :D

bobdadruma · #9 07-25-2010, 10:18 PM

I only know that they are custom made for DW by Remo
Are yours coated?
If you take one off and feel it you can tell if it is a double ply.
If they are old they are due for replacement anyway.

mrbling · #10 07-25-2010, 10:26 PM

ive had the kit 2 months from new so there fine. they are 1 ply so im guessing they are similar to clear ambassadors.

bobdadruma · #11 07-25-2010, 10:30 PM

In that case coated two ply batter heads will give you a deeper warmer sound.

mrbling · #12 07-25-2010, 10:34 PM

thanks bob, youve been a huge help.

RDrums99 · #13 08-04-2010, 07:22 AM

I'd say go with Remo emperors over clear ambassadors. pick up a pack of moon gels too and you'll get the toms right where you want them

mrbling · #14 08-04-2010, 09:57 PM

already got some moon gels laying around :D. i have decided on the emperor batter now just need to get around to buying them