Studio Snare--Supraphonic vs Black Beauty

I owned both the supraand the black beauty.. I used the supra more

Supra. Most recorded snare drum in history, greatest snare drum in history. Can sound like anything, sounds different with every drummer, and always delivers.

I have the Black Beauty an Acrolite and had a supra. Sold the supra as I felt it was a generic sound. Kept the Acrolite because I paid almost nothing for it and they're going up in price. The Black Beauty is the winner of the bunch.

However, I also have 6 other snares: Pearl masters maple, Bell brass, tama hammered copper, pearl hammered brass floating, stave walnut, tama bubinga.

Of all of them, I use the Black Beauty, the bell brass and the Pearl maple the most.

Honestly, as a drummer going on 30 years, recording dozens of different snares for 25 of that, the material is only 15-20% of the tone. The head choice, bevel, and overall size of the drum are the parts that really define the tone.

I prefer remo emperor X heads with the CS dot with a small moongel on the logo on a 14x6.5 snare. Tune it up to between D and G and you're there.

If you want really dry, try an acrolite. The thin aluminum is quite dry but I find that they're picky about the heads you choose. A black beauty is going to be loud no matter what head you choose and they're a lot less picky but the rim bevel makes them sing for days and they really need ring control.

We've had a Pearl Steve Ferrone model (basically a BB clone) at my shop forever, and for years it was the most-used. These days I've been reaching for a wider range as my tastes and experiences get a bit more refined, but I'd still recommend that Pearl Ferrone as the perfect first and only studio snare for a shop looking to start its collection.

I have a LM400, a 14x6.5 Black beauty and a Pearl Sensitone Bronze 14x6.5. Surprisingly, The Pearl is the best of the bunch. If I had to narrow it down to the Ludwigs, I would go with the BB. More versatile and can get a bit deeper sound when needed, as long as it is a 10 lug.

I have a Sensitone Aluminum 14x6.5, that is excellent. It's kind of a "sweet" sounding drum but its loud and articulate, good for rock music. I'd like to try the steel one for some reason.

Great snare! Is it a Supraphonic clone, or just sounds like it?

I see!

I think if you do lots of different kinds a of music it’s not an either or.
Personally I like having a bunch of different snares.
You can see what sits in the track and what the drummer gravitates too.

Tensioning on my 70’s acro is the smoothest of any of the snares I own. Granted... the majority of my drums are from the ‘50s and earlier.

I came across another supraphonic for *too cheap to resist* and bought it. I'm still not in love with it though. I thought time would change my mind but it hasn't.

5" deep supras don't do it for me; they lack the body needed to round out the reedier HF stuff. I strongly prefer the 6.5", which is the classic bonham supra depth and for me at least is my benchmark for all-purpose studio work. And, as with any instrument, it's best to play a few and pick the one that best speaks to you, because although they are pretty darn consistent, you will still usually find one outta five just pops a bit better.

As for BB options, there are a few million at this point, but in my opinion (and fwiw i own about ninety thousand snare drums), the only two that matter are an *actual* Ludwig Black Beauty (differing vintages/designs yield differing results but they're all kinda great in their respective ways) and the now-discontinued Pearl Steve Ferrone, which is the end-all/be-all of studio staple snares. That drum has won more snare shootouts than anything else in my embarrassingly-large collection.

Beyond that, I think every studio should have an Acrolite (i've outfitted mine with a big-ass 40-strand wire and it sounds fabulous0, and one good deep-ish (6.5" at minimum) wood snare, and you'll have most bases covered. If you come into a buncha money, then add a deep copper or bell brass option. Then, if you come into even more money, add a Dunnett titanium 🤣

Another good 'all arounder' option is a good Gretsch COB (or the like).  I've got a Brooklyn hammered model that sounds excellent, and it beat out some vintage models i was comparing it to when deciding what to purchase, but it's worth noting that those come standard with die cast hoops which can be a dealbreaker/dealkiller on certain drums (bleck die cast rimshots 🤮), so play it a bit and make sure it's doing what it needs to do.

Yep, the Ferrone is a 6.5.

I have a few different BB variations in different depths; they all have their strengths and weaknesses, with the possible exception of that Ferrone, which for some reason just seems capable of doing anything. That's a danged special drum, and a steal considering I only paid around $300 for it.  I don't know what they go for these days, but if it's still under $500 (or hell...even $700!) I would heartily recommend these as a no-brainer studio snare.