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Post by brenta on Mar 12, 2021 9:11:16 GMT -6
I know this is the guitar/bass/amps sub-forum but it seems like a drum thread fits here better than the recording gear sub-forum.
Right now I've got a 14x5 Ludwig Supraphonic as my main studio snare. I've got a few other more specific-case snares like a piccolo, but the supraphonic gets used on probably 90-95% of the drum recordings I do here. It's fantastic and versatile and all the drummers that come here love it, and it records great.
I've come across a great deal on 14x6.5 Ludwig Black Beauty. I could "upgrade" from the Supra to the BB for not much more money.
I know the correct and slutty thing to do would be to keep the Supra and buy the BB, but I don't think I can swing that financially right now.
So my question: would the BB be a better all-around studio snare than the Supra? The LM400 Supra is allegedly the most recorded snare of all time, and I love it. Can the BB do everything the Supra can do and more? I'm mostly recording all varieties of rock, but I want a snare that can do pretty much anything except for when I need something completely different like a piccolo.
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Post by mhbunch on Mar 12, 2021 10:43:39 GMT -6
Have a BB and an Acrolite. Used to have a 60s Supra but sold it last year.
The Acrolite gets used on about 98% of sessions.
I think the Supra would be a much more workhorse/everyday snare than the BB.
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Post by wiz on Mar 13, 2021 16:31:12 GMT -6
I owned both the supraand the black beauty.. I used the supra more
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Post by jeremygillespie on Mar 13, 2021 16:53:12 GMT -6
Keep the Supra!
Grass isn’t always greener 👍🏻
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Post by Ward on Mar 13, 2021 20:03:13 GMT -6
Supra. Most recorded snare drum in history, greatest snare drum in history. Can sound like anything, sounds different with every drummer, and always delivers.
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Post by brenta on Mar 15, 2021 13:11:13 GMT -6
You guys successfully extinguished my GAS, thanks! That might be a first on this forum. If anyone is looking for a 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty, Twin Cities Drum Collective has several b-stocks they are selling for $525. That's less than they go for used. They show a picture of the cosmetic blemish on each one and will ship you the specifc one you pick out: www.tcdrumcollective.com/ludwig-products |
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Post by svart on Mar 16, 2021 8:42:31 GMT -6
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.
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Post by srb on Mar 16, 2021 21:01:27 GMT -6
I'm in the market for a notable recording snare. My space is smallish, but I get very serviceable sounds.
(Some) metal snares have a tendency to 'overwhelm' just a skosh in my room. I'm using a Palmetto kit. It really is quite the thing in my space. Need more snare options.
I'd like something relatively tight...dry... with a quicker decay...wood, preferably.
Recommendations? Thanks.
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Post by svart on Mar 16, 2021 21:17:41 GMT -6
I'm in the market for a notable recording snare. My space is smallish, but I get very serviceable sounds. (Some) metal snares have a tendency to 'overwhelm' just a skosh in my room. I'm using a Palmetto kit. It really is quite the thing in my space. Need more snare options. I'd like something relatively tight...dry... with a quicker decay...wood, preferably. Recommendations? Thanks. 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. |
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Post by srb on Mar 16, 2021 21:35:03 GMT -6
I'm in the market for a notable recording snare. My space is smallish, but I get very serviceable sounds. (Some) metal snares have a tendency to 'overwhelm' just a skosh in my room. I'm using a Palmetto kit. It really is quite the thing in my space. Need more snare options. I'd like something relatively tight...dry... with a quicker decay...wood, preferably. Recommendations? Thanks. 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. ^^ And this is exactly why I posted on this thread. Thanks, svart! I'm a guitar guy first, but I know good drums when I hear them, but I need drummer perspective here! |
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Post by bgrotto on Apr 9, 2021 22:25:28 GMT -6
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.
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Post by Guitar on Apr 11, 2021 12:14:22 GMT -6
I own a 14x5 LM400 Supraphonic and a 14x6.5 Black Beauty. They are the best two snare drums I've ever owned.
The LM400 is more funky, soul, motown, general purpose, you can play breakbeats, anything, rock music obviously, jazz.
The 6.5 Black Beauty is probably louder, brighter, more scooped. It hits really hard and sounds "pretty" almost like a sample. Perfect for many styles including metal and heavy rock. Very sensitive to tuning and damping. The aluminum drums are a little more forgiving to these adjustments.
I use the black beauty 90% of the time for my recording. But I do love the LM400. You could do just about anything in a studio with these two snares, in fact there was a Sonic Scoop article stating that.
Right now I have a Gretsch Taylor Hawkins steel snare set up for something different, more dry and rough sounding, a little closer to the Acrolite idea if we're talking Ludwig.
One thing I will say is don't buy the imitation Black Beauty drums, they don't sound the same, get the real thing. I had a Pork Pie BOB that ultimately had to go, finally stepped up to the real thing, and don't regret it at all. Yes, it was expensive and I did buy it on B stock as well, which is recommended to save a few hundred.
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Post by mcirish on Apr 15, 2021 15:10:21 GMT -6
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.
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Post by brenta on Apr 16, 2021 9:07:09 GMT -6
I've read a lot of good things about the Pearl Sensitone but I've never had the pleasure of recording one. I think it's the go to snare for Chad Smith. I need to get my hands on one and give it a try.
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Post by Guitar on Apr 16, 2021 17:45:47 GMT -6
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.
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Post by robschnapf on May 2, 2021 12:36:35 GMT -6
I really like the Pearl Ian Paice model snare.
And for an affordable black beauty style snare, The Pork Pie BOB. Put on die cast rims and a smaller strainer
and boom sounds real good....
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Post by Ward on May 3, 2021 5:56:12 GMT -6
I really like the Pearl Ian Paice model snare. SNIP Great snare! Is it a Supraphonic clone, or just sounds like it? |
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Post by svart on May 3, 2021 8:25:18 GMT -6
I really like the Pearl Ian Paice model snare. SNIP Great snare! Is it a Supraphonic clone, or just sounds like it? The supra is aluminum. The Ian Paice is steel. |
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Post by Ward on May 3, 2021 11:22:41 GMT -6
Great snare! Is it a Supraphonic clone, or just sounds like it? The supra is aluminum. The Ian Paice is steel. I see! |
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Post by phdamage on Jun 5, 2021 20:35:51 GMT -6
As a drummer and a recording engineer who owns both, I greatly prefer the BB.
Neither are my most used snare but I’d choose my BB 9 times out of 10 over the Supra. It just feels more controlled to me.
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Post by robschnapf on Jun 6, 2021 15:37:33 GMT -6
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.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2021 19:20:12 GMT -6
Is there a reason to buy older or newer ones of any of these? I expect the tensioning is a bit smoother now.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Sept 20, 2021 12:37:14 GMT -6
Is there a reason to buy older or newer ones of any of these? I expect the tensioning is a bit smoother now. 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. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2021 13:47:24 GMT -6
Is there a reason to buy older or newer ones of any of these? I expect the tensioning is a bit smoother now. 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 will not make blanket assumptions! Just you never know with classic stuff that is still made. In many cases, the newly-made version is "slightly disappointing" and in other cases, there's really no reason not to buy new. |
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Post by svart on Sept 20, 2021 14:29:35 GMT -6
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.
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