Snare Drum Materials
Welcome to Part 2 of our How to Choose a Snare Drum Guide
The basic types of materials for the shell of snare drums are wood and metal. For some, there is not much difference between the sound of a wooden snare drum and a metal one. However, those who have discriminating ears know that a drum with a wooden shell produces a warm, round, and full-bodied sound while a metal snare drum creates a more sharp and harsh sound.
Sound Properties and Characteristics of the Different Wood Snares
There are three common kinds of wood employed for the shells of snare drums: maple, birch, and African mahogany. It should be noted here that many drum companies utilize a cheaper kind of mahogany or Luan to provide an inexpensive drum that is the least attractive compared to the other kinds of woods and the sounds produced are less pleasing to the ear.
African Mahogany
Some companies employ African mahogany, which has been found to be suitable for music that accentuates the low frequencies. The low frequencies in African mahogany snare drums have been observed to be extremely rich while their middle frequencies are smooth. However, the high frequencies are relatively weak with a little roll-off.
Maple
The maple snare drums are usually suitable for all-around applications because they have smooth high and middle frequencies with low frequencies that are a bit stronger. Maple Snares are said to have a even tone with the most equal distribution of the sound spectrum.
Birch
Birch snare drums are strong in both the low and high frequencies but a little bit weak in the middle frequencies. Because of their very appealing natural finish, maple and birch snare drums are the most popular. Birch Shells in general are good for recording because of the weaker mid ranges which acts as a counter to a dynamic microphones noticeable mid range bump in the way it records.
Sound Properties and Characteristics of Metal Snare Drums
The usual types of metals utilized for the shells of snare drums are steel, aluminum, copper, and bronze, with steel being the most common. Steel snare drums have been observed to create a bright sound with a sharp attack. Copper snare drums have lower harmonic tones and a quick attack. Brass produces a loud and bright sound with a quality that is situated between that of metal and wood. Aluminum has been known to create clean and crisp sounds.
It has been found that aluminum and bronze snare drums have quick attacks but do not have the sharp high frequencies of steel and brass drums. If you prefer a less sharp sound that is warmer, you can opt for the bronze and aluminum drums. However, if you desire brighter sounds, you can choose the steel and brass drums.
If you want versatility, the brass snare drum is for you. It is most commonly used for recordings and you can introduce a lot of changes by utilizing wires and hoops. Copper snare drums can produce excellent sounds but they are not that versatile and steel and brass drums are capable of doing everything that copper drums can. Aluminum snare drums provide you with stronger cracks that are arguably more pronounced when compared to brass drums. Steel snare drums are endowed with some ring but this can be made to sound drier by using wires, hoops and muffling.
Continue to Part 3 : Snare Drums for Each Type of Music
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