Drummer Cafe RSS Feed Drummer Cafe on Twitter Drummer Cafe on Facebook Drummer Cafe on YouTube Drum/Percussion eBay Auction Portal

+-Recent Forum Topics

Looking to upgrade to a better drum throne soon....suggestions? by Bart Elliott
May 21, 2012, 12:06 PM

Wood VS. Felt Beater by Tim van de Ven
May 21, 2012, 11:49 AM

My Remote Speedy Hat is on Jimmy Kimmel live tonight and tomorrow! by Todd Vierra
May 20, 2012, 09:09 PM

Cymbal Options that Sound Similar to Zildjan ZBT 16" Crashes by Scot Holder
May 18, 2012, 10:03 PM

Mas Y Mas by Bob Pettit (bongo)
May 18, 2012, 08:32 PM

ADVERTISEMENT

Topic: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?  (Read 923 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Big Yummy

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 1047
  • I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer!
Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« on: January 26, 2012, 12:01 PM »
My band has changed its sound so I want to change my drum heads to get a softer, mellower sound.

I play a jazz kit with a fairly light touch and don't use brushes.

I've played on a few kits in the past that had uncaoated heads on the toms and they sounded great, but I have no idea what heads they were.  Certainly not Remo dipolmats.

The one thing I hate is excessive high pitched whine coming from the drums as an after tone.

Any suggestions?

"Some people say I ain't so super groovy.  Why don't I leave the music alone?"  Black Uhuru

Offline Don Elkington

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 232
  • I'm a drummist AND a percussioner!
    • don.elkington
    • I have a simple little website.
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2012, 12:33 PM »
Remo fiberskyn?
Remo coated ambassadors?
"Technique is only a means to an end. The goal is to play musically, but some drummers lose sight of this and approach the drums strictly from a technical standpoint. Often, they become so fascinated with speed that they miss the whole point of music." ~ Joe Morello

Offline Ryan Smith

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 17
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2012, 03:53 PM »
If you want to reduce overtones you could try some combinations of Evans EC2 or EC resonant.

Lately, I've been going with a G2 Coated batter with EC resonant. 

The EC2 batters cut the overtones but have more sustain than some of the really dry heads.

Offline Big Yummy

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 1047
  • I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer!
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2012, 06:58 AM »
I'm using ambassadors now and I'm looking for something that's a bit more responsive to a lighter touch doesn't have as much crack in the sound.

I guess it's a trade off.  Anything that will give me the responsiveness I want is probably going to come with a lot of high-end whine in the overtones.
"Some people say I ain't so super groovy.  Why don't I leave the music alone?"  Black Uhuru

Offline Chip Donaho

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 3541
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2012, 02:56 PM »
Aquarian "Studio X" top heads on toms.
Aquarian "Regulator" heads on the bottom heads.
If you use a Drum Dial tune to about 85 both heads.
I used those settings to record a soft CD. Worked very good for me.  ;)
Craviotto-DW-Mapex-Slingerland
Paiste-Zildjian
"When you quit learning you start dying."-My Grandfather

Offline Bill Bachman

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 247
    • Bill Bachman
    • remotespeedyhat.com
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2012, 11:43 PM »
Pinstripes definitely mellow it out--think Steve Gadd. As for more articulation while playing lightly, that puts you back to the coated ambassador in my book.
Inventor of the Remote Speedy Hat: remotespeedyhat.com
Now offering SKYPE drum lessons!

Offline Big Yummy

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 1047
  • I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer!
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2012, 11:49 AM »
Aquarian "Studio X" top heads on toms.
Aquarian "Regulator" heads on the bottom heads.

Would a studio X head sound similar to any clear, thin head with a "zero ring" (thin circle of mylar) on top?
"Some people say I ain't so super groovy.  Why don't I leave the music alone?"  Black Uhuru

Offline Chip Donaho

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 3541
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2012, 07:25 PM »
When I was recording, some songs I used a zero ring just to change the sound. Other songs no zero head was needed. It was just a matter of my preferance to the sound I wanted. I've also used Remo heads for different bands. But I really like the Aquarian heads.
Craviotto-DW-Mapex-Slingerland
Paiste-Zildjian
"When you quit learning you start dying."-My Grandfather

Offline Bob Dias

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 488
  • mmmmm...staves
    • profile.php?id=100000627513765
    • Ugly Rumor
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2012, 11:38 AM »
+1 on the Aquarian Studio X's.  Single ply, both coated and clear, they do a nice job. Very responsive, minimal overtones. 
"It's O.K. if you only know three chords, but for God's sake, play'em in the right order" (H. Hill)

Offline Tim van de Ven

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 517
  • Making a living hitting things...
    • timothy.vandeven
    • timtacular
    • Tim's Website
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2012, 01:57 PM »
FiberSkyn FA heads, cranked up, using a bit of moon gel if you hear too much whine in the overtones.

I usually use FiberSkyn heads with no muffling, however trips to the studio require a gel on each head.

Offline Big Yummy

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 1047
  • I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer!
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2012, 09:36 AM »
I used Fiberskyns many years ago. The fibrous layer delminated from the mylar. Is that still a problem?
"Some people say I ain't so super groovy.  Why don't I leave the music alone?"  Black Uhuru

Offline Tim van de Ven

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 517
  • Making a living hitting things...
    • timothy.vandeven
    • timtacular
    • Tim's Website
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2012, 02:23 PM »
I used Fiberskyns many years ago. The fibrous layer delminated from the mylar. Is that still a problem?

From what I've seen, Remo has fixed that issue.

Offline Jim Martin (cavanman)

  • Cafe VIP
  • Posts: 1065
  • "And I do the Cha-Cha like a little sissy Girl"
Re: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2012, 12:22 PM »
From what I've seen, Remo has fixed that issue.

I hope they have - but as recent as a couple years ago I experienced the dreaded 'delamination' issue. I'm not that hard of a hitter so it wasn't improperly using the head choice.

If you have a clear sound in mind then I think the Studio X's are a very good choice.  I've always equated 'mellow' sounds with coated heads but if you are hearing clear, then go clear.

Jim
"I like-uh....dooo....da cha-cha..."

 


ADVERTISEMENT