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How to Get the Best Sound Out of a Snare Drum

Getting the best sound from a snare drum depends a lot on the kind of snare. A metal snare drum can give a sharp, loud sound with a tendency to ring more than other types of snares. A wood snare has a soft, warm sound. Thin snare drums should have a higher pitched sound. All of them can be adjusted a bit to change the sound.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get a heavy snare drum with a head coated in white. This should cut down on a ringing sound. This is standard for a snare drum, even if you have different heads for the rest of your drumset. A thick bottom head can help as well, though this head should not be coated.

    • 2

      Use a ring muffler. This can either be a clamp mechanism or something that lays on the snare drum itself. A common method is to cut a ring out of an old snare drum head around an inch wide and lay that on the snare drum. An even cheaper method is to stick a piece of duct tape on the top or bottom of the head.

    • 3

      The website drumjunction suggests venting the snare. This involves drilling holes in the side and creating a gap in the shell. This lets the air out of the shell faster and makes the bottom head louder.

    • 4

      Check the snare on the bottom. If the snare buzzes a lot, lay the snare flat against the drum. Always replace a broken snare.

Recording Music

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