Which drum types generally produce a better sound for metal or heavy music?
Most things I can find say Maple are best. What do you guys think from your xp?
Most things I can find say Maple are best. What do you guys think from your xp?
Good metal drums...Maple, Birch, beech?
- Thread starter maddnotez
- Start date
Loren Littlejohn
Lover of all boobage.
I personally like maple, but some of the higher end hybrid kits where it's a combination of woods are fantastic...
But they fucking cost a lot.
But they fucking cost a lot.
~BURNY~
Member
- Apr 20, 2005
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Not my experience at all. Pure maple sound great for anything but metal when it comes to toms and Kick drums unless the music remain very "open" imo. Maple snare can be cool but it's generally a hit or miss.
Birch is much easier to record and get under control. Bubinga seems interesting too.
Mahogany, definitely not great for metal ime.
Melodeath
Moonbow
I've been very happy with birch when jamming with a band, and the toms I get in recordings are absolutely incredible.
Thanks for the replies.
I used to have a PDP birch that I really thought sounded great minus the small tom sizes I had.
But my drummer is persistant on getting Maple.
A better set is a better set, but at the same time. If something other than Maple naturally sounds better for metal than we need to re-think.
Melodeath
Moonbow
Yes, mine is a PDP birch. I agree about the small tom sizes, but you can still make them sound HUGE.
Check this out. Go here: www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2012/01/horrendous_give.html and listen to Fatal Dreams, particularly near the end. Those are birch toms recorded with extremely cheap, chinese-made Red5 mics.
I'm not really trying to convince you - just giving real world examples. I've only owned a birch kit, but I'm completely happy with my tom sounds, and have never felt the need to replace those. Kick and snare I usually replace (but not because the drums sound bad haha)
BLUElightCory
Member
For hard rock and metal, birch, definitely. It's generally punchier and drier (read: less resonant/bassy/muddy) than maple.
The Tama Starclassic Performer is my favorite rock drum kit out there, and I've recorded a LOT of kits. They're just consistently great kits.
The Tama Starclassic Performer is my favorite rock drum kit out there, and I've recorded a LOT of kits. They're just consistently great kits.
Pipsymbol
Member
birch definitely!!!
I've been using sonor force 2007 birch for past 4 years with great results.
also small tom sizes are just fine for studio use if you ask me. they cut more easily through guitars. just tune them pretty low and you should be fine.
I've been using 10" + 12" rack toms and 14" for some time now without any problems.
I've been using sonor force 2007 birch for past 4 years with great results.
also small tom sizes are just fine for studio use if you ask me. they cut more easily through guitars. just tune them pretty low and you should be fine.
I've been using 10" + 12" rack toms and 14" for some time now without any problems.
Sloan
Sounds like shit!
had a $500 gretsch kit that was birch and really liked it. i'm no drummer, but all the drummers that used it complimented it.
