4, 6 or 8 ply shells for recording.

[blackcom]

I'm trying to decide what kind of drums to go for in a recording situation.

The Pearl website claims 4 ply is most ideal for recording as it has more "fullness and resonance" then 6 and 8 ply shells. However, it is also claimed that thinner shells (4 ply) have less volume. And "less volume" makes me think of overheads bleeding more into the close mics.

Anyone here with experience using 4, 6, and 8 ply shells for recording?

-Does the 4 ply shells "usually" sound better when close miced?

-Will 4 ply shells usually generate more overhead bleed in the close mics due to the lower volume then the 6 and 8 ply shells?

[corworld]

I can't see how the number of plys would contribute to mic bleed. The mic position, room, heads and tuning, not to mention the player will have way more effect. Focus on those four things first.

Old Ludwigs were 3-ply and they record great.

[True North]

A traditional 6 ply shell from Keller is pretty frickin thin. You can get all of the resonance you want out of that type of shell. You really also have to take into account how thick each ply is.

Plys don't necessarily tell the whole story. skins, room, mics, room positioning and most importantly the players touch will all weigh more heavily in the final outcome.

I like a more focused sound for recording rock/pop/funk. A great player will make any decent professional kit sound like gold.

[biggator6]

good thing nobody uses those puny little 3-ply drums that those lud-something guys used to make.
"-)

[Hamburg58]

Ludwig 3 ply. All the way.

[Will J]

I just did some recording with a drummer that used the Ludwig Logo heads "heavy" ply, and they sounded great. Pretty aggressive player and straight forward rock music. I guess a lot depends on the player and the style of music. Good luck!

[biggator6]

Pretty sure the thread was referring to shell thickness, not heads...
"-)

[Everyman]

Well, there's arguments for either, really. I feel that resonance is seldom a problem with a well-made, well-tuned drumkit of any size, so I prefer projection over resonance in pro-level kits.

My current favourite kit is my Pearl Reference Series, which actually uses variable materials and ply configurations. The idea is that each one is made as a separate instrument, to optimize the characteristics inherent in each.

The 10" tom is 3 plies birch/3 plies maple, the 12" is 6 plies maple, the 16" is 2 plies maple/4 plies African Mahogany and the kick is 2 plies maple/6 plies African Mahogany. And I'll tell you this much: I will never use a kick without Mahogany again...haha...it sounds killer.

[emkay]

Normal rule of thumb, or stick in this case-
the thinner the shell the lower the timbre
the thicker,the higher the timbre.

[biggator6]

Pearl Reference Series

seriously nice drums... ain't cheap, but seriously nice.

Of course, then there was that whole article in MD with all the major drum makers - who unanimously put 'shell material' about 4th in importance of what makes a drum sound good. They all put 'head choice and tuning' as 1 and 2.
"-)