Metal Drum Head Choice

[DeadOfKnight]

Hey I am doing some Metal drumming with a band I am forming, and I need some help on heads.

So Bass Drum Head Either:
Remo Pinstripe Clear OR
Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear OR
Aquarian Super Kick II OR
Aquarian Full Force OR
Make Suggestions

Snare Head:
Remo CS Coated OR
Remo Emperor X Coated OR
Make Suggestions

Tom Heads:
Remo Pinstripe Clear OR
Make Suggestions

Thanks in advance for your help
DeadOfKnight

[BLUElightCory]

Kick Drum Batter:
- Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear

Snare Drum Batter
- Remo CS (sounds great but doesn't last long)
- Remo Emperor (less crisp than the CS but lasts longer)

Toms
- Evans EC2 Clear (more attack, less sustain)
- Evans G2 Clear (more "tone" and distinct pitch and sustain)

[DeadOfKnight]

Ok, I think I will go with the Coated CS (Remo) for my snare. For resonant i'm thinking either clear ambassador (the classic) or clear emperor (thicker head, darker sound, if thats even a good thing? ). Also would like more tom and bass suggestions please if possible. Are the EC2s an EVANS Pinstripe? They both seem to cancel overtones etc

EDIT: Btw, just to give you some influences (to help with the choices), I like Slayer (Dave Lombardo), Metallica (Lars Ulrich), Mega, and Iron Maiden (Nicko McBrain)

[Nutmeg II.]

Originally Posted by DeadOfKnight

Ok, I think I will go with the Coated CS (Remo) for my snare. For resonant i'm thinking either clear ambassador (the classic) or clear emperor (thicker head, darker sound, if thats even a good thing? ). Also would like more tom and bass suggestions please if possible. Are the EC2s an EVANS Pinstripe? They both seem to cancel overtones etc

EDIT: Btw, just to give you some influences (to help with the choices), I like Slayer (Dave Lombardo), Metallica (Lars Ulrich), Mega, and Iron Maiden (Nicko McBrain)

EC2 are more like a Remo Power Stroke 4.

Toms Emporer on top and Ambassador on bottoms.

Snare PS3 or Ambassador with Ambassador Hazy or Diplomat Hazy.

Kick PS3 or PS4 and a PS3 balack as reso. Or a Evans EQ1 or EQ4.

The EMAD or the Aquarian head with the felt ring might be nice too.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

EC2 are more like a Remo Power Stroke 4.

Toms Emperor on top and Ambassador on bottoms.

Snare PS3 or Ambassador with Ambassador Hazy or Diplomat Hazy.

Kick PS3 or PS4 and a PS3 balack as reso. Or a Evans EQ1 or EQ4.

The EMAD or the Aquarian head with the felt ring might be nice too.

I know Dave Lombardo uses that Tom Setup, so I might listen to some solos on Youtube to get a feeling of his tom sound. Still make Suggestions peeps.

I have never heard of PS3 on the Snare (might be one to try out), but Ambassador on the snare is a classic choice, which sounds quite nice. This has quite thrown me on my snare choice

My friend told me the Aquarian Super Kick II was good, but he hadn't played it. On here two people have now suggested the PS3 or PS4, The 4 is a two-ply version right? Can anyone give me opinions on the PS3 or 4 for Metal Music? Also as with the Toms, Keep making suggestions.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

EDIT: I was watching some Dave Lombardo Solos, and I love his tom sound, but that is because he has such enormous drums. Ok he has an 8, a 10, and a 12 but he barely hits 'em, and when he does it doesn't sound as good. So I am thinking if I go with a "dampening" head, I can get a good sound out of my smaller toms :P

[BLUElightCory]

Originally Posted by DeadOfKnight

I know Dave Lombardo uses that Tom Setup, so I might listen to some solos on Youtube to get a feeling of his tom sound. Still make Suggestions peeps.

I have never heard of PS3 on the Snare (might be one to try out), but Ambassador on the snare is a classic choice, which sounds quite nice. This has quite thrown me on my snare choice

My friend told me the Aquarian Super Kick II was good, but he hadn't played it. On here two people have now suggested the PS3 or PS4, The 4 is a two-ply version right? Can anyone give me opinions on the PS3 or 4 for Metal Music? Also as with the Toms, Keep making suggestions.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

EDIT: I was watching some Dave Lombardo Solos, and I love his tom sound, but that is because he has such enormous drums. Ok he has an 8, a 10, and a 12 but he barely hits 'em, and when he does it doesn't sound as good. So I am thinking if I go with a "dampening" head, I can get a good sound out of my smaller toms :P

Stay away from Aquarian. I've A-B'd their heads against Remo and Evans and they performed poorly in my opinion.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Stay away from Aquarian. I've A-B'd their heads against Remo and Evans and they performed poorly in my opinion.

Really?

Everyone else who I have read that have tried them seem to think they are the best bass heads they have ever put on their drum. They sure do seem to sound nice

Can you expand?

[DeadOfKnight]

So I've been looking at the Evans website. They look quite good, and I heard a good video with EC2s and an EMAD in. So what do you guys think of this setup:

Toms: Evans EC2 (Batter) EC Reso (Reso)
Bass: Evans EMAD (Batter) EMAD Reso (Reso)
Snare: Evans Genera HD Dry (Batter) Glass 500 (Reso)

Give your opinions on this setup, and see relist making changes as you see fit. I would also love to see a Remo/Aquarian version of this list.

[BLUElightCory]

Originally Posted by DeadOfKnight

Really?

Everyone else who I have read that have tried them seem to think they are the best bass heads they have ever put on their drum. They sure do seem to sound nice

Can you expand?

Surely. My drum tech and I have been trying pretty much every combination of drum heads on the market for the past six years or so, and at one point this included trying some Aquarian heads. On kick drum (compared to the Evans EMAD and the Remo Powerstroke 3) the Aquarian Superkick sounding plastic-y and weak. The EMAD had MUCH better low end and the Remo had better focus and attack (and also better low end, though not as much as the EMAD). The toms were similarly plastic-y to my ears in comparison to Evans G2s, though it wasn't as much of a difference as it was on the kick drum. We didn't compare snare heads because the Remo CS is pretty perfect with my Black Beauty.

Keep in mind this is just my experience - If you have the time, you should go purchase as many heads as you can and try them out, this will go a long way towards achieving the drum sounds you're after.

And if anyone wants to pay for the postage, I have an extra 22" Superkick batter head you can have.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Kick Drum Batter:
- Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear

Snare Drum Batter
- Remo CS (sounds great but doesn't last long)
- Remo Emperor (less crisp than the CS but lasts longer)

Toms
- Evans EC2 Clear (more attack, less sustain)
- Evans G2 Clear (more "tone" and distinct pitch and sustain)

Well, seeing as now I know you are an expert on heads, I will probably with your suggestions. So Remo CS (Rev Dot?) it is. Like you did with the Snare and Toms, can you give the differences between EMAD/EMAD 2 and Powerstroke, not sure what to pick. Also with the Toms, I don't really like the open sound of the G2, so it's EC2s or Pinstripes, can you do the bracketed differences for those too please?

Sorry for asking for so much from your infinite wisdom.

[Nutmeg II.]

Keep in mind it is all about tuning the dam thing!

You could get a lot of tones out of a pair of Ambassadors on a tom, if you know how to tune.
Same with Emperors, but with a little different flavor.
If you don't know, go with Pinstripes and ductape or Evans Hydraulics.

The EMAD2 id double ply and there for has less tone/shorter sustain and more attack.

I don't like the EMAD at all. Strange feel and sound.
It might be a great thing for a 20" or 18" kick though.

Here in Euroland the EC/EC2 are more expensiv than the Remos so I would rather get a Emperor+Moongel or tape.

[BLUElightCory]

Originally Posted by DeadOfKnight

Well, seeing as now I know you are an expert on heads, I will probably with your suggestions. So Remo CS (Rev Dot?) it is. Like you did with the Snare and Toms, can you give the differences between EMAD/EMAD 2 and Powerstroke, not sure what to pick. Also with the Toms, I don't really like the open sound of the G2, so it's EC2s or Pinstripes, can you do the bracketed differences for those too please?

Sorry for asking for so much from your infinite wisdom.

The Powerstroke has a bit more punch and presence than the EMAD, while the EMAD has more low end "boom" - Like Nutmeg said, the EMAD II is similar to the EMAD but less resonant and more durable, with a bit more pronounced attack. If you're not wanting the extra low-end "boom" (and for metal you probably don't need it) I'd go with the Powerstroke 3 clear. Make sure to get a Falam Slam or some other type of patch if the drummer is playing double kick.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

Keep in mind it is all about tuning the dam thing!

You could get a lot of tones out of a pair of Ambassadors on a tom, if you know how to tune.
Same with Emperors, but with a little different flavor.
If you don't know, go with Pinstripes and ductape or Evans Hydraulics.

The EMAD2 is double ply and there for has less tone/shorter sustain and more attack.

I don't like the EMAD at all. Strange feel and sound.
It might be a great thing for a 20" or 18" kick though.

Here in Euroland the EC/EC2 are more expensiv than the Remos so I would rather get a Emperor+Moongel or tape.

I also live in Euroland in the UK (where everything costs a bomb more than anywhere else). But one of you says EC2 (ie a more focused sound) and one says Emperors/Ambassadors (ie a more open sound) lol. I think I am going with the more focused sound this time. Therefore is this a good setup?:

Bass - Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear
Toms - Remo Pinstripe Clear
Snare - Remo Controlled Sound Black Dot

[cortisol]

Hailz DeadOfKnight my recommendation to thee for drums of evil metal:

Kick - Evans EQ3 batter tuned low for some splat and open attack sounds bright and resonsive for double kick ... the sound of metal!! Mic with a dynamic mic either from the beater side or through the hole close to the pedal contact point.

Kick - Emad Reso this brigs out the lows of the reso head and cuts down a touch on the decay ... hole vents drum for fast response ... this I usually mic with a neutral condenser (2-3 inches off the centre of the head not at the hole) for a sense of air moving and low end without being too thuddy and slow. Again Metal!!!!

Toms - G2 batter for defined attack for fast fills and rolls ...Ya want a fast impression of the drum without the batter carrying too much of the susstain.

Toms - EC Reso to enforce the fundamental pitch and control overtones and makes your smaller drums sound bigger.

Snare - depends on the drum and the player! If you are hitting the drum hard and with a big stick but planting the stick into the drum rather than letting it leave the surface fast enough then you probabley need big thick remo's with dots. If you have a fast release and play for natural rebound then you can go for Evans or Remo and anything coated from a single ply on up depending on what the drum produces and the tuning you desire.

Snare - Evans Hazy 200 or 300.

I like remo but they are more inconsistant in their manufacture meaning you might buy a dud head but Evans doesn't have this problem.

Metal Horns,
cortisol

[DeadOfKnight]

I found a real deal on eBay for a whole set of Evans Heads; how does this sound for my requirements?

Toms: EC2 Clear Batter
G1 Clear Reso

Bass: EMAD

Snare: G2 Coated Batter
Hazy 300 Snare Side

They probably aren't the best choices but they are a steal-ish. If they are no good for my sound (where I need you guys) I will pay a bit extra for a better sound.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Stay away from Aquarian. I've A-B'd their heads against Remo and Evans and they performed poorly in my opinion.

The Aquarian Force I (medium weight 1 ply) is my favorite kick drum head so far, and I've tried many. Better projection, tone and attack than any Remo or (especially) Evans. Not to mention, it outlasted all other heads I've tried by far.

I'm not into 2 ply heads on kick (it might just be the kick I use), but love 'em on toms. 2 plies on kick tend to sacrifice tone and attack for deeper sounding low end, but that's just from the top end being muffled due to double plies. I don't like resorting to taping quarters or plastic chips onto a 2 ply BD head to get more attack.

[girlthatdrums]

Snare: For metal, definitely a coated Emperor X.

Toms: I like Hydraulic glass actually. Kinda 80s, but a nice attack to them.

Kick: SuperKick II, but if the drummer buries the beater, put an impact pad on it.

[DeadOfKnight]

OMG! So many different suggestions, I don't know what to do LOL

[girlthatdrums]

Well, I played some metal with some friends when they kept dropping drummers, and I got endless complements on my drum sound with those heads.

BTW, what kind of shell would it go on? The head recommendation I made was for 90s Ludwig Classics with thick 6 ply shells...

[DeadOfKnight]

I have no idea, some crappy wood, because it is a beginner kit lol. CB Drums. I wanna get a good-ish kit, but the damn things are expensive as hell, and my parents won't help. So anyone got any suggestions for a good sounding mid-range double bass (lol) kit, then I am up for suggestions (myself I have seen a 9pc Mapex M Birch Kit for £895, but even that will take me a good half a year to a year to save for. In fairness I am probably just being impatient :P). But, I heard the Hydraulics are very deadening, so I might try the Pinstripes/EC2s first then give the Hydraulics a go if they are still too resonant. Will definitely go with the Super Kick 2 but everyone is different on the snare, so I dunno yet.

Keep the suggestions and messages coming guys. Thanks again
Stephen

[Jax]

Pearl exports are good sounding for entry level kits. They're easy to find used and cheap in the States. Not sure about the UK.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by Jax

Pearl exports are good sounding for entry level kits. They're easy to find used and cheap in the States. Not sure about the UK.

Well that is a gem of knowledge , do they sound good? Because I have found multiple double bass kits at around the $500-$1000 mark (£350-£700) . Unfortunately they are all in America (hence the $ sign) and I'm guessing shipping costs a load, anyone know the prices? Please please please post more kit names which you can get a deal on like the exports.

Also keep the drumhead suggestions coming

[girlthatdrums]

The intermediate level ddrum kits can be had in a double kick configuration pretty cheap. They'd certainly be a step up from CB kits. Buy ddrum Dominion AMX 7-Piece 24" Double Bass Shell Pack | Shell Packs | Musician's Friend

Hydraulics can be deadening if you don't know how to tune. In fact, any head you put on any drum will make it sound like crap if you can't tune.

The reason I recommended Hydraulics for metal (I don't have them on my kit now because I'm not in any metal projects at the moment) is for the following reasons:

A) Forgiving on drums with bearing edge issues
B) Easy to get a good sound from them without precise tuning
C) They have a lot of attack, which is what you want from a metal kit
D) They can withstand the abuse of rough play

If you were wanting to head a kit for jazz, I would steer you toward a coated G1 or G2, but since you said metal, Hydraulics would be my choice.

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by girlthatdrums

The intermediate level ddrum kits can be had in a double kick configuration pretty cheap. They'd certainly be a step up from CB kits. Buy ddrum Dominion AMX 7-Piece 24" Double Bass Shell Pack | Shell Packs | Musician's Friend

Hydraulics can be deadening if you don't know how to tune. In fact, any head you put on any drum will make it sound like crap if you can't tune.

The reason I recommended Hydraulics for metal (I don't have them on my kit now because I'm not in any metal projects at the moment) is for the following reasons:

A) Forgiving on drums with bearing edge issues
B) Easy to get a good sound from them without precise tuning
C) They have a lot of attack, which is what you want from a metal kit
D) They can withstand the abuse of rough play

If you were wanting to head a kit for jazz, I would steer you toward a coated G1 or G2, but since you said metal, Hydraulics would be my choice.

I love the look of that Kit, especially in the orange , but unfortunately I live in the UK, and that website does not ship ddrum items internationally. I am going to attempt to fight the disappointment a go on a mission to find the kit somewhere else (at an equally reasonable price, which is unlikely in the UK). Might give the hydraulics a go then if you say so (you seem to know your stuff.)

[girlthatdrums]

I just posted that as a reference because I don't know any UK sites like that where you can buy gear. Do you have a local music shop? Check the ddrum site for UK dealers: ddrum - Acoustic Drums and Electronic Drum Products since 1983

[girlthatdrums]

BTW, what heads are on the CB drums now? If they are usable and you don't have any shows coming up where you would need to rehead them for, just use them for now and save your money. Reheading an entire kit can be pricey, and I'm willing to bet that with any head combo, you still won't get the sound you're quite looking for because the CB shells are not the greatest. (I think basswood?)

[DeadOfKnight]

Originally Posted by girlthatdrums

BTW, what heads are on the CB drums now? If they are usable and you don't have any shows coming up where you would need to rehead them for, just use them for now and save your money. Reheading an entire kit can be pricey, and I'm willing to bet that with any head combo, you still won't get the sound you're quite looking for because the CB shells are not the greatest. (I think basswood?)

Yeh, I know what you mean, and I have decided to save up for a kit first (half decent, I really love that ddrum kit, thanks for the info thats assuming that I can find one in the uk lol) So when I do get a kit, it's Super Kick II, probably Hydraulics, and only one left to figure out is Snare head.

[girlthatdrums]

I found a more direct listing for ddrum in the UK: ddrum - Music Shops in the United Kingdom

Any of those dealers should be able to get that kit for you. (and hopefully not be too far off from the price also!)