DRUMMER CAFE

Lots of things can influence the way a drum sounds of course (hoops, depth, heads, # of lugs, edges), but too my ears, the bigger differences between brass and steel tends to be that the overtones in steel are much brighter and cutting compared to brass.  The stainless steel snare that I have has an absolute full/gutsy sound that will knock your head off, and the overtones are really bright and prevalent.  I do considerr it a very full sounding drum (not necessarily warm though). The brass snare in the same size, is not quite as bright in overtones (thus contributing to the percieved warmness), and doesn't quite have the same punch as the stainless steel.  Both are great drums, but very, very different. 

So after all those nebulous descriptions, I think it really depends more on the drum itself, but all things being equal, the overtones of steel will be brighter than brass in my experience.  What steel drum are you comparing?

Otay.

Here is a clip of three snare drums.  One of them is brass, one steel and the other?  Can U guess? 

http://www.woolyinc.com/3snares.m4a

I agree with you Paicey.  I prefer my steel Supras over my Pork Pie Big Black brass snare.  I think steel is warmer, and has a broader range than brass.  I dont mean to slam brass-I just prefer the steel tone overall to brass.

At the risk of asking a stupid question:

Are you sure that your Supra has a steel shell?  My understanding is that Supra's have been offered with brass, bronze, and Ludaloy (primarily aluminum) shells - but not steel.  (There are, however, the metal snares that Ludwig has been selling in recent years with imported steel shells, the LM300 or LM302 models.  However, I've always seen those specifically marketed as steel-shell drums, but not marketed as "Supra-phonics.")

Do the magnet test - hold a magnet up to the shell, and if it's made of steel, there will be a strong attraction.  If it's Ludaloy, bronze, or brass, there will be little or no attraction.  Your description of the drum being 'warmer" than brass makes me think it is Ludaloy, not steel.

My experience:  all things being equal, steel shells sound brighter, and often sustain longer, than brass shells.  However, not all steel snare drums are created equal - the choice of shell material does not trump other design characteristics, head choices, or tuning.  The same holds true for brass shells - my 6.5x14 Yamaha brass snare sounds fuller to me than any Pork Pie "Big Black" snares I've played.  (That's not to knock the PP brass snares in any way, tho - I think they're fine drums, but I do hear a difference.)

As always, YMMV.

Felix...I must be losing my hearing.  All three of those snare drums sound virtually the same to me.  What heads do you have on them?

Well, they are all tuned pretty close with single ply aquarian heads.

The first drum is birch.

The 2nd is brass.

And the third is steel.

Ok, ive been listening. Weve come to the decision that we liked the first and the last one best. I know you think im making this up in defence of my view points but dam, i liked the first one alot!, it reminds me of steel!. I cant make up my mind over birch and steel, this will be an all day affair. Thanks for the sound clips felix!. Dear god, now for the next three months ill be posting is birch better than steel topics .

God felix, i like the birch!. I DONT like birch drums at all! but the snare sounds FAT, wide, punchy, VERY NICE. Ok, im burning the midnight oil for a 6x13 birch snare, or steel?, ya, its birch, but it might? be steel unless i get birch. Im pretty sure ill get either steel or birch. By the end of the night ill have blown computer speakers .

Excellent examples, Felix. Thanks for posting!

I have to admit I'm also partial to the Birch.

BTW, please tell us that's not your normal speaking voice.

-bruce