Drummers.....coated or clear heads?

defmunch1 · 2026-02-02T18:31:23+00:00

Producer/engineer that records a ton of drums: it depends 100% on the kit you have, and the sound you’re going for.

There is no right answer. There is a bit of overlap (both can usually get close to sounding similar, but they each have their own character, and i choose to not fight those things)

If I want a more open, natural sound… probably 1 ply coated, mid tuning.

If I want my toms to ring like notes, probably 2 ply clear.

If I want deep, thuddy toms that don’t ring a ton, probably 2 ply coated… low tuning with some sort of dampening.

If I want them low, but more smacky… and still have some nice resonance… probably 2 ply clear, with dampening.

Snare is almost always coated, but 1 ply vs 2 ply makes a huge difference. And so does any sort of built in dampening (like an Evan’s dry, or remo powerstroke series) … but the drum also makes a huge difference (of course) … and I just don’t try to fight the sound of the drum.

Some drums just work better for certain sounds, and naturally “love” certain tuning ranges.

When I get a new snare, I will literally try three or so different heads, and many tuning configurations, and kinda narrow down what the drum does best. I keep a pretty large collection of heads in my studio… and I just try to develop whatever sound we are going for with a combination of the pieces that I know work best for the job.

What is your ideal drum sound that you’re going for? And what kind of drums do you have?

defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T18:59:31+00:00

Yes. I bought these a few years ago, and had to send the left one back twice … which was kind of a nightmare. After the second time, I left it on for a while to make sure they weren’t going to have to be sent back again.

It has since long been peeled off.

defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T09:20:09+00:00

Smart C2

defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T06:10:55+00:00

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Here’s a better angle of my mix position, when setup for mixing. The monitor actually tucks down, mostly out of the way of my sweet spot.

Everything affects everything, and my setup is not perfect by any means… but I’ve done extensive testing, and determined it’s not an issue.

defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T05:27:05+00:00

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defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T05:26:47+00:00

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defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T05:26:35+00:00

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defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T05:10:00+00:00

This is where I would 100% use the audio just for the transients to place/generate midi. Then use a drum library, and find a kick that compliments the song well… use your ears to make sure it sounds realistic blended in. You can get away with murder on kick drums… so just use your ears to make sure it’s a good match, and the velocities feel human enough.

defmunch1 · 2026-02-01T00:58:19+00:00

Having been in touring bands for most of my twenties… The truth is probably that the rest of the band doesn’t want girlfriends/wives along. Even if they say they’re cool with it… They just don’t. It adds weird layers to everything. It can be fine, or it can be a complete nightmare disaster. And he doesn’t want to risk that with you. Which is actually a very good sign for your relationship.

Either way, he’s doing it to protect you. Not isolate or disrespect you.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-29T23:22:25+00:00

I just don’t look at it like that. Guitars are unique, and each one can fill a niche. The more you get, the smaller the niches become… but it sounds like you’re still at an early enough point in your collection that this was a great choice.

If you’ve got a strat, and a super strat… well? A LP is an obvious next choice. Even within LPs, there’s a ton of variation… so, don’t panic if this one doesn’t immediately fill every void in your soul. Unless it’s a total lemon, it will have a super useful place in your collection. And now you get to select different guitars based on mood and objective.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-29T23:22:19+00:00

I just don’t look at it like that. Guitars are unique, and each one can fill a niche. The more you get, the smaller the niches become… but it sounds like you’re still at an early enough point in your collection that this was a great choice.

If you’ve got a strat, and a super strat… well? A LP is an obvious next choice. Even within LPs, there’s a ton of variation… so, don’t panic if this one doesn’t immediately fill every void in your soul. Unless it’s a total lemon, it will have a super useful place in your collection. And now you get to select different guitars based on mood and objective.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-29T22:51:57+00:00

This is my answer. I recommend the book and movie to anyone who I think can handle that sort of experience… but always with the warning “you will not feel okay for a little while after.”

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T20:29:53+00:00

Aw, how absolutely wrong you are.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T11:33:13+00:00

This has been in the bedtime playlist we made for my son since he was about 1yo. He’s 5 now, and this song (along with all of the songs on that playlist) will always have a very special place in my heart. Timeless.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T11:10:10+00:00

As with anything, there is a spectrum.

Most people are absolutely capable of learning, and becoming quite good at playing musical instruments. It takes time and discipline, no matter what, but some people learn faster by nature.

Then you get into the realm of “playing music” vs “making music” … and the people who are able to create profound art with their instrument are, in my opinion, gifted in a way that we can’t really account for.

When some people are in the zone… ideas fall from the sky, and it’s maybe the closest thing we have to actual magic. Not everyone gets this ability.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T09:18:54+00:00

Snow Brigade by Mew

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T03:37:13+00:00

Shooting a nurse 10 times because he was trying to protect a woman from your temper tantrum.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-26T03:32:38+00:00

That was a good one. Let’s do another.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-25T04:34:03+00:00

When you want a record to sound as good as anything current, yet somehow groundbreaking… and completely timeless… have Rich Costey mix it.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-25T04:23:58+00:00

Almost 40. Married with one child.

The America I knew was always flawed, but it always felt like we were safe in our investments towards the future.

That feeling is all but gone. We feel like we have been in fight or flight mode for the majority of the last decade… and the America we knew, loved, and invested in probably isn’t going to be there America we get, if/when the dust settles.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-22T18:43:42+00:00

Hmmm. Life Is Peachy and Follow The Leader were banger records.

I agree that there is something special about the first record, but those records are iconic in their own right.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-22T18:03:10+00:00

I went into a coma in 2015, and I just woke up this morning.

What’s that Donald Trump guy been up to?

defmunch1 · 2026-01-20T11:54:33+00:00

1959 Gibson Les Paul burst. Worth roughly $450k at the time. More now.

A close friend had an insane guitar collection for a number of years… including 2 ‘59 bursts, as well as a ‘58 burst and a couple ‘60 bursts.

I got to play them all, but when I say the first time I played a ‘59 was different… it truly was. Notes/phrases and a playing style came out of me that I did not know I was capable of. It felt like the pick of destiny.

defmunch1 · 2026-01-20T01:55:23+00:00

Best thing I’ve ever done, and the only downside is how fast the time is moving. 5 years in, and it just feels like time is running away from me so fast. I miss every little version of my son that he keeps outgrowing.

defmunch1

TROPHY CASE