What heads for Recording Custom kick?

[dan_zero]

hey guys...

i have a late 80's early 90's 20"x16" yammy recording custom kick drum.
it currently has the the original reso head (believe it or not) with a 10" hole in the centre, exectly what you would expect for a late 80's early 90's yammy drum. front head is a PS3.

to be honest i haven't even attempted a recording of it. but asking your opinions, what head combinations have you successfully tried with a 20" recording custom kick, and for what style of music? post audio clips if you have them.

this is my first 20" drum so i don't have a surplus of heads like i do 22"....
im open to all combinations. but please be specific as to what sound you would be attempting to achieve with each combination.

im probably looking at 2 more batters and 2 more resos, so that i have 9 possible configurations. Im not looking for a jazz tone, i have a different sized drum more suited.

hoping to cover modern country, modern gospel, pop rock, rock, and a more open gritty "live" sounding rock.

i know that the mics, preamp and compression play alot into the final sound. but i am only asking about drumheads for now.


thanks!

dan

[Rev. Robb]

A coated Remo Powerstroke 3 for the batter side and a coated Remo Ambassador for the resonant side should yeild you excellent results.

[dan_zero]

Originally Posted by Rev. Robb

A coated Remo Powerstroke 3 for the batter side and a coated Remo Ambassador for the resonant side should yeild you excellent results.

with a 5" hole?

[Rev. Robb]

Originally Posted by dan_zero

with a 5" hole?

With or without a hole and what size all depends on what sound you are after.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Originally Posted by Rev. Robb

With or without a hole and what size all depends on what sound you are after.

Ditto...that's my combination for just about everything. I do prefer no hole, but if you need one, cut a 4-5" hole...basically just big enough for the mic to fit through. I tend to offset them, but don't use any sort of template, just 30+ years of experience eyeballing the location of the cut.

If you really want to go for that 80s tone, slap a pinstripe on the batter head. Something a bit more open, try an emperor. Or, you can always use an ambassador on the batter and work through a zillion different means of internal padding....pillows, towels, etc.

I never worry to much with front head selection....something similar to an ambassador is usually what wins...color depends on the kit and what I'm using it for. Vintage kits just look great with a coated, white head. But, some Ludwigs just look great with a silver dot head.

If you do go with a PS3/amb combination...that on those birch shells sounds great with an RE20 mic just nearly touching the head...no hole.

m

later,

m

[StereoAtLast]

at 20" with either an evans emad or an aquarian super kick 3 (with a razor to trim off excess felt if necessary) you should be able to accomplish exactly what you're looking for, end of story no need to get that technical about it...