Drum tuning bible

Tuning and Seatingon coated heads, but the overall presence of the slap is very bright in the upper register and carries through the mix verywell.o Ebony is in between the coated and walks that balance of properties between coated and clear and the stick slapdoes not have bright sandpaper like characteristics as found on coated heads. It produces a less of a high frequencyovertone resonance (“darker” tone).o 2-ply: These aid in durability and can also limit high pitched overtones. Often referred to as “muted” in tone, whenthey do not have a control ring adhered to them do produce lingering resonance and bright overtones the higher they aretuned. These come in multiple film weights depending upon the manufacturer.o Snare Side Heads are specifically designed to be thinner and should be the only style head used on the snareside of the snare drum. Thin heads enhance sensitivity and are brighter whereas thick heads are exactly opposite. Themost common weight is a 300 weight.ooHazy heads are generally both "bright" and have a stronger "midrange presence" to the sound.Glass heads are both brighter and drier than Hazy or other pigmented heads.o Thickness - In all cases thicker heads will be mellower and less sensitive than that of the exact same thinnercounterpart. For example, a REMO Diplomat Clear will be brighter and more sensitive than a REMO Ambassador Clear,the Ambassador being thicker than the Diplomat and both being single ply.o Etched – The finish of the film has rough sort of embossed surface and does not chip away as does true coatedsurfaces. Good examples of this are the Evans J1 and REMO Suede series of heads. These are favored for Jazzlike applications.Tom Batter Drum HeadsCategorized in 5 different categories, within each are subtle to very subtle tonal differences and can be used interchangeably with asimilar end result for sound. For example, in Category 1 a REMO Ambassador coated will sound very similar to an Evan's G1 orAquarian Satin Finish. However, between categories there are major sound differences.● Category 1 - Sensitive, good stick feel, open sound with good sustain and resonance. Single ply, not muffledmedium weight such asooooooREMO Ambassador - Classic open stock drumhead soundREMO Renaissance - A bit more presence than AmbassadorREMO FiberSkyn FA – Warmer than the above.Aquarian Satin Finish - Classic open stock drumhead soundAquarian Classic Clear Series - Brighter than aboveEvans G1 series - Classic open stock drumhead sound●Category 2 – A more mellow tone compared to single ply with overtones becoming less prevalent on the initialattack, stick feel and sustain are reduced slightly; A sound similar to placing an “O” ring around the head.Comprised of either single and 2-ply muffled or heavy weight heads, these can help warm up or round out the tone, yetretain an element of sustain with minimal high-pitched overtones. This would include heads such as theoooooooREMO Emperor (2-7mil plies)REMO PowerStroke3 - Single ply feel – minimized overtonesREMO FiberSkyn F1 – Warm and open – minimal overtonesEvans G2 - Slightly muted over Evans G1, open sound tuned high.Aquarian Studio-X Series - Warm overtones, single head feelAquarian Double Thin - slightly more responsive and open than Response 2Aquarian Response 2 - Focused sustain strong attack●Category 3 – Muffled and suitable for heavy wear concerns. This category is sort of limited. These all take theCategory 2 style heads and add a bit darker tone to them by have a section of the head adhered together like the REMOPinStripe, or add thickness to the film like the Aquarian Performance II. They also encompass almost anything with a"Power dot" on it. These produce a very short initial attack coupled with a very short sustain add bring out the lowfrequencies by minimizing upper register response.ooooREMO PinStripe - Excellent for that classic fat deep toneAquarian Response 2 – (yes bridges both Categories) Focused sustain strong attackREMO Control Sound - thick attack and wear resistant w/high-pitched overtonesAquarian Signature Carmine Appice – Strong attack, warm fundamental tone.● Category 4 – Very dry heavy muffled. There isn’t much competition in this category. These heads are as void ofovertones as they come, yet still produce a dark sound that enhances the depth of sound and a very focused attack.Classic 70’s sound.ooEvan’s Hydraulic Glass - Classic oil filled 2-ply.REMO PowerStroke4 - Like a REMO Emperor w/Underlay at outer edge.●Category 5 - Thin Single ply, not muffled and thin in weight. These are usually only suitable for an orchestral setting,http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id5.html (3 of 7)1/22/2005 4:11:41 PM