Black Beauty Snare Options

[Melodeath]

My band and I are planning to get a nice snare for our next album recording this summer. So, a Black Beauty seems like the obvious choice. However, from what I understand, there's a bunch of different options/versions of the black beauty, and I'm wondering if anyone has any opinions/suggestions.

Definitely 6.5x14

I think we will go for smooth shell over the hammered.

I think the P85 supraphonic is standard/most common so we will probably go with that. I've heard the P86 is nicer?

Triple-flange or die-cast... I've tentatively decided on triple-flange, but I really don't know the difference here

Imperial or tube lugs? Don't know what to go with here. I think in theory the tube lugs will let the shell resonate more, but some people don't hear a difference anyway? The imperial is more "classic," as I believe the tube lugs are a newer thing?

We typically like dryer sounding snares, not ringy pings, but I think I'd rather get something that can be dampened with moongel or the right head than something that is too dry. That would be more versatile overall.

Thanks

 

[acappa]

Hi! I own a 6,5x14 hammered at the studio. The amount of ring will depend on the skin and how tight is you reso head. For me it´s a no brainer snare

 

[Deathmetal616]

Triple-flange or die-cast... I've tentatively decided on triple-flange, but I really don't know the difference here

Flanged rims tend to have more higher harmonics and a more distinct sound than the die cast ones. Die cast are a little bit more "dead" and have a more precise tuning behavior.
They also have less sustain due to the tighter tension.

in short: die-cast is more tight and dead sounding while flanged is more open and natural.

 

[Melodeath]

Flanged rims tend to have more higher harmonics and a more distinct sound than the die cast ones. Die cast are a little bit more "dead" and have a more precise tuning behavior.
They also have less sustain due to the tighter tension.

in short: die-cast is more tight and dead sounding while flanged is more open and natural.

Is there one that is more standard/usual? I was under the impression that die cast is a newer thing, but don't know if that's accurate

 

[Melodeath]

Hi! I own a 6,5x14 hammered at the studio. The amount of ring will depend on the skin and how tight is you reso head. For me it´s a no brainer snare

Thanks. Even the Controlled Sound is too ringy for me. I'm going back to the HD Genera Dry

 

[acappa]

I have a genera too on it, but in the end I feel like I´m killing the tone a bit, gona try a powercenter

 

[mva801]

Regarding the snare heads, I always go with a thinner head, like a controlled sound, and control the ring with a moon gel or two. The initial brightness and smack you get out of the thinner heads - I find anyway - is MUCH nicer under the mics. Those HD drys always sound more boxy to me. Moon gel for the motherfuckin win.

 

[Melodeath]

Last album we used a Controlled Sound with FOUR moongels on top and one or two on the bottom. The problem was the tone was too different and unpredictable with each hit. Whether you'd get a great, dry hit, or one with a nasty, but quickly cut-off ring, was seemingly random. Granted, it could have been the fault of the cheap snare, but I never had that issue with the HD Genera Dry

 

[Mago]

Also worth to mention:

No idea how dead you want your snares, but bare in mind of much of the ring the guitars/overheads/vocals eat anyway. You don't need it nearly as dead/controled as you think you would.

Moongels for the mofo win indeed!

 

[~BURNY~]

Die cast looks infinitely better for what it's worth.

 

[JeffTD]

Remo CS and a snareweight would be my first try on a 6.5" deep, Black Beauty (die-cast). Really hard to go wrong there.

Might also be worth picking up some lug locks like these.

 

[mva801]

^^^ Whoa that snarewheight looks interesting. I'm assuming you have one? Can I get a book report on that beast?

 

[mva801]

Last album we used a Controlled Sound with FOUR moongels on top and one or two on the bottom. The problem was the tone was too different and unpredictable with each hit. Whether you'd get a great, dry hit, or one with a nasty, but quickly cut-off ring, was seemingly random. Granted, it could have been the fault of the cheap snare, but I never had that issue with the HD Genera Dry

That's odd. The CS is probably the most recorded snare drum head to ever exist. I only ever need 2 moon gels at the most.

FWIW 90% of the time I hear inconsistent sounds out of a snare, it's because the drummer is inaccurate or it's losing it's tuning.

But hey if the HD heads work better for you, go ahead and use em.

 

[Melodeath]

That's odd. The CS is probably the most recorded snare drum head to ever exist. I only ever need 2 moon gels at the most.

FWIW 90% of the time I hear inconsistent sounds out of a snare, it's because the drummer is inaccurate or it's losing it's tuning.

But hey if the HD heads work better for you, go ahead and use em.

It wasn't a high quality snare. Just the stock one as part of my PDP kit. It would sometimes happen even if you hit the snare right in the center haha. It didn't really wind up being a problem on the recording, but it was annoying as hell regardless while we were trying to tune it to get the sound we wanted (and maintain consistency song to song). But yeah that never happened with the HD Genera dry. I didn't even use moongels with that head. I'm sure the CS works fine for other people, but it left a sour taste for me. Of course, I'm willing to try it on a nice snare like a BB

 

[kaomao]

Remo CS and a snareweight would be my first try on a 6.5" deep, Black Beauty (die-cast). Really hard to go wrong there.

Might also be worth picking up some lug locks like these.

Never saw this snareweight!
I should check it out!

 

[JeffTD]

^^^ Whoa that snarewheight looks interesting. I'm assuming you have one? Can I get a book report on that beast?

I don't own one but I have a few friends who swear by it, Sam Pura being the main proponent of them. General consensus is that it does what a moongel does without the downsides and with some extra heft added.

 

[Melodeath]

Damn guys, now I don't know about triple-flange versus die-cast...