quieter snare to recommend

[LAG]

A drummer friend plays his piccolo snare hard and it cuts way too loud in the mix. Besides asking him to hit it lighter for the 29th time, is there a particular snare or head to recommend that is quieter?

[TrooperFarva]

If he won't listen to you when you ask him to turn down, he sure as hell won't take any suggestions on what drums to use.

Think of it like this, if he said he didn't like the tone of your Fender, and recommended getting an Ibanez bass to replace it, would you?

You may just have to give him an ultimatum, "Quiet the F down, or I'm leaving the band"

[rfclef]

ain't there a variety of muffler/mute type things to use on the one he has?

[Deacon_Blues]

A drummer hates to hear he should play with a lighter touch. He probably likes to play as hard as he does because he likes the sound of it then. You're probably just disagreeing about what sounds good. What does the other band members say about this issue?

I personally like high-pitched, tight and loud piccolo snares, but it depends of course on the music whether it fits or not...

[nsmar4211]

The overtones are probably what's driving you nuts.
Get some dampner rings (look like old heads with the centers cut out so they are just a ring about an inch wide......actually you can use old heads for it if you're broke) and put them on his head. Or try those gel things they sell. Actually, you can just use those gel window clings they sell as decorations. Just be careful, the red ones stain the heads quick. Try to find clear ones.....my drum set currently has easter bunnies as mufflers cause they were the only clear ones I found

Or maybe put a shield around him? One of those plexiglass things?

[steve66]

Originally Posted by nsmar4211

The overtones are probably what's driving you nuts.
Get some dampner rings (look like old heads with the centers cut out so they are just a ring about an inch wide......actually you can use old heads for it if you're broke) and put them on his head.

These (donuts) work well, I am sure you drummer has some old heads sitting around. I have been using this trick for over 15 yrs. Just a little piece of tape holds it down to the drum head. If your drummer plays miked or is going to record, have him try this also

[RedemptionBass]

I would tell him to just ditch the snare completely.


MORE FLOOR TOMS!!

[LAG]

All good advice fellas. Thanks much!

[Lonnybass]

You can also tape a handtowel or washcloth to the head and it will act as a damper.

Lonnybass

[jtc_hunter]

Originally Posted by Lonnybass

You can also tape a handtowel or washcloth to the head and it will act as a damper.

Lonnybass

that is exactly what our drummer does . That way he doenst have to change what he is doing that much, but it cuts it way down to a better volume and gets rid of the "ice pick in the ear" effect. Hankerchief, washcloth, terry cloth rag, etc. They do make lots of "pretty "colors

[LowBSix]

If you like his style of playing.... Leave him alone; that's part of his sound.
I suggest ear plugs for everybody even if he didn't have a crackin' loud snare...

[Phalex]

Does he tell you what strings to use? My drummer also has an "Atomic Snare Drum" but he's an awesome player. Let him play what he wants or find a new drummer.