Topic: Mellow sounding drumheads - any suggestions?

[Big Yummy]

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?

[Don Elkington]

Remo fiberskyn?
Remo coated ambassadors?

[Ryan Smith]

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.

[Big Yummy]

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.

[Chip Donaho]

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. 

[Bill Bachman]

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.

[Big Yummy]

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?

[Chip Donaho]

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.

[Bob Dias]

+1 on the Aquarian Studio X's.  Single ply, both coated and clear, they do a nice job. Very responsive, minimal overtones. 

[Tim van de Ven]

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.

[Big Yummy]

I used Fiberskyns many years ago. The fibrous layer delminated from the mylar. Is that still a problem?

[Tim van de Ven]

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.

[Jim Martin (cavanman)]

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