Difference between Chrome and Wood Snare

[sinnoid]

Hi All,

Im totally new for drums,
btw im going to purchase 1 snare drum first before I register a course
but I found something abt chrome and wood.

I like old hiphop and 60-80 disco and RnB.
Is there any difference to make that kind of sound with 2 different drums that I mentioned
above?

 

[Razorzedge]

Hi there Sinoid!
the characteristics of a Chrome/metal snare is that the natural resonance tend to lie within the higher tones giving you more overtones and an overall sharper sound (based on the same depth and size drums)... Chrome snares in my POV is pretty good when you want those sharp precise beats cutting through... actually i feel that with the Genre that your playing that the wood snare would do you good since you might want the warmer overtones that a wood snare would provide... another tip is the denser the wood the warmer the sound...

p.s. writing this while still being half asleep any added input will be greatly appreciated lol

 

[sinnoid]

Thanks alot!
appreciate!

^_^

 

[beboptang]

Hi sinnoid,

I agree with Razorzedge that a wood snare would be more appropriate for the style of music that you play. Though I've seen chrome or metal snares used in R&B gigs, particularly, the newer R&B. It's a preference thing. As Razorzedge mentioned, metal snares cut through better. So maybe drummers that play for Beyoncé at a huge stadium will use a metal snare to cut through more; compared to a drummer playing for Aretha Franklin in an enclosed concert hall.

Types of drum skins and the tuning also play a part in the tone of the snare. You can try different ways of tuning and different heads to get the sound you want. Also note that in CD recordings, the sound of drums is somewhat coloured with the recording engineer's EQ-ing, so it's not always possible to get the exact sound you want ya?

Happy experimenting!

Peace,
beboptang