Ever tried to get that thunderous, cutting snare sound that powers your favorite metal anthems? It’s a quest many drummers embark on, but finding the perfect snare drum head for metal can feel like navigating a sonic minefield. You want that punch, that clarity, that controlled sustain that cuts through the heaviest riffs, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. Do you go thick or thin? Coated or clear? Single-ply or double-ply? It’s easy to get lost in the jargon and end up with a head that just doesn’t deliver the aggression you crave.
This is where we come in. We’re going to cut through the noise and show you exactly what to look for. By the end of this post, you’ll understand the key features that make a snare drum head ideal for metal, and you’ll be equipped to choose a head that will make your snare drum sing – or rather, roar – with the power of a thousand guitar solos. Get ready to unlock that killer metal snare tone you’ve been dreaming of.
Top Snare Drum Head For Metal Recommendations
- Heavy Duty Snare Drum Heads: These snare heads balance durability and sonic response with advanced overtone control provided by precision-drilled dry vents; coated for added durability and extended life
- Balanced Response: Made with a coated outer ply of 5mil film and an inner ply of 7.5mil film, plus a 2mil control ring on the underside of the head and dry vents around the perimeter to eliminate stray overtones
- Heads for the Complete Kit: Be prepared for your next big performance or practice session with Evans, offering a wide range of heads for snare batter, snare side, tom batter, tom reso, bass batter and bass reso
- Superior Design: Shop our whole collection of products including drumheads, drum pads, drum and cymbal mutes, drum keys, stands, dampers and more
- Evans: Our drumheads and percussion accessories are designed to help drummers play at the highest level and made to fit the needs of every style of drummer
- COATED DRUM HEAD - 14" snare batter drum head made using two plies of film. An outer ply of 7mil and an inner ply of 10mil film
- EDGE CONTROL - Edge Control technology pre-EQs the sound, removing troublesome mid-range overtones that muddy the snare drum's sound
- REVERSE DOT - The reverse dot is mounted on the underside of the head for extra durability, focus and attack without getting in the way of brushes
- ALSO AVAILABLE - Also available in a single ply version with the reversed dot and a two-ply version without the reversed dot
- MADE IN THE USA - For over 60 years, Evans has been a pioneer in drum head manufacturing and design. Regarded for high quality and consistency all Evans drumheads are proudly designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.
- LAYER OF OIL: 14" drum head with a thin layer of oil between two plies of blue film to suppress unwanted overtones
- TWO PLIES: Two plies offer consistency and durability for longer playing time
- EARLY ROCK SOUND: A fat, deep and short sound pioneered by early 70's rock and roll
- EXCLUSIVE LEVEL 360: Exclusive Level 360 Technology collar design ensures proper contact between drum head and drum shell
- MADE IN THE USA: All Evans drum heads are designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA
- COATED DRUMHEAD: This coated drumhead is made for use as a drum set snare batter.
- FOR DURABILITY, FOCUS, ATTACK: Evans Heavyweight snare drumheads are made with two plies of 10mil film, plus a 3mil Reverse dot in the center of the head for even more durability, focus, and attack.
- LEVEL 360 TECHNOLOGY: All Evans drumheads feature Level 360 Technology to provide ease of tuning, extended pitch range, and optimum quality of sound.
- EARN POINTS: Evans Heavyweight coated drumheads come with a code which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA: All Evans drumheads are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA.
- TWO PLIES OF FILM – The 13” Evans Genera HD Dry coated snare drum head is made using two plies of film, a 5mil outer ply and a 7.5mil inner ply, that yields an aggressive rimshot and balanced response.
- VENT HOLES – The HD Dry features small precision-drilled vent holes around the edge of the drum head that eliminate stray harmonics, control sustain and tighten the sound.
- OVERTONE CONTROL – A 2mil overtone control ring on the underside "floats" with the head, eliminating excessive overtones and controlling sustain. This snare drum head barks live yet is ideal for the studio.
- LEVEL 360 TECHNOLOGY – A Level 360 collar allows the white snare drum head to seat itself properly and in turn provides a head that is easier to tune and a wider tonal range for a sound that is studio ready.
- MADE IN THE USA - For over 60 years, Evans has been a pioneer in drum head manufacturing and design. Regarded for high quality and consistency all Evans drumheads are proudly designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.
Evans 14" Clear 200 single-ply snare side head will enhance sensitivity for softer dynamics and brushwork, while reducing sustain for greater articulation.
Evans snare side Clear 200 heads feature a single ply of 2mil film.
For over 40 years, Evans has been a pioneer of drum head manufacturing and design. Known for innovative designs such as EMAD, EC2S, and the Hydraulic series, Evans drum heads are made in the USA in a state of the art manufacturing facility. Acquired in 1996 by D’Addario and Company, the global leader in musical instrument accessories, the Evans brand is synonymous with quality and consistency.
- 14" Clear snare resonant drum head made using a single ply of 2mil film
- Single ply offers enhanced sensitivity
- Great for softer dynamics and brushwork
- Also available in 10", 12", and 13"
- SINGLE PLY FILM - Made using a single ply of 5mil film.
- GREAT RESPONSE - The 5mil, single ply film offers great snare response at high dynamic levels.
- IDEAL FOR - Evans Clear 500 drumheads are best suited for deep drums or heavy rock performances.
- LEVEL 360 TECHNOLOGY: Evans bass heads utilize Level 360 technology, providing ease of tuning, extended pitch range, and optimum quality of sound.
- MADE IN THE USA - All Evans drum heads are designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA
- LAYER OF OIL: 14" drum head with a thin layer of oil between two plies of blue film to suppress unwanted overtones
- TWO PLIES: Two plies offer consistency and durability for longer playing time
- EARLY ROCK SOUND: A fat, deep and short sound pioneered by early 70's rock and roll
- EXCLUSIVE LEVEL 360: Exclusive Level 360 Technology collar design ensures proper contact between drum head and drum shell
- MADE IN THE USA: All Evans drum heads are designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA
Snare Drum Heads for Metal: Unleash Your Inner Beast
Choosing the right snare drum head is a big deal for any metal drummer. It’s the part that makes contact with your sticks. It makes the sound. A good snare head helps you get that powerful, cutting tone you need for heavy music. This guide will help you find the perfect one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for snare drum heads, keep these things in mind:
- Durability: Metal music is loud and fast. Your snare head needs to be tough. It must handle hard hits without breaking. Look for heads made with strong materials.
- Attack: This is how sharp and clear the initial sound of your hit is. Metal drummers need a strong attack. It helps the snare cut through loud guitars.
- Tone: The tone is the overall sound quality. For metal, you want a bright, focused sound. Some heads offer a fatter sound, which might work for certain metal subgenres.
- Volume: You need a head that can produce enough volume. It should be heard over distorted guitars and loud bass.
- Control: While you want volume, you also need to control the sound. A good head will have a clear tone without too much unwanted ringing or overtones.
Important Materials
Most snare drum heads are made from Mylar. This is a type of plastic. Different thicknesses and coatings change the sound.
- Single-Ply: These are thinner. They offer a brighter sound and more resonance. They can be less durable.
- Two-Ply: These are thicker and more durable. They produce a fatter, more controlled sound. They often have less sustain (the sound ringing out).
- Coated Heads: These have a thin coating on top. This coating helps to warm up the sound. It also reduces some unwanted overtones. Coated heads are popular for their feel and their ability to take a rimshot well.
- Uncoated Heads: These are clear. They give a very bright and open sound. They have more natural sustain and resonance.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way a drum head is made really matters.
- Ply Thickness: Thicker plies (like two-ply) generally make the head more durable and less prone to overtones. This is good for loud music.
- Coating Quality: A good coating is applied evenly. It should not chip or wear off easily. Poor coating can affect the sound and the look of the head.
- Reinforcement Rings: Some heads have built-in rings. These rings are often on the underside. They help to control unwanted overtones. This gives you a cleaner, more focused sound. This is a big plus for metal.
- Rimshot Edge: The edge of the head where the rim is located is important. A well-made rimshot edge can handle repeated hard hits without tearing.
User Experience and Use Cases
Metal drummers use snare heads in many ways.
- Heavy Rock and Hard Rock: Drummers here often want a bright, cutting sound. Single-ply coated heads are a good choice. They give good attack and volume.
- Thrash Metal and Death Metal: These styles need a very powerful and focused snare sound. Two-ply heads are often preferred. They offer durability and control over overtones. Some drummers might use heads with reinforcement rings for maximum control.
- Progressive Metal: This genre can be more varied. Some drummers might want a more open sound. Others need a tight, controlled sound. Experimenting with different ply counts and coatings is key.
- Live Performance: For live shows, durability and volume are most important. You need a head that can withstand the rigors of the road and the stage.
- Studio Recording: In the studio, you have more freedom to choose a head for its specific tone. A head that sounds great on tape is the goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the best snare drum head for fast double-bass drumming in metal?
A: For fast double-bass drumming, you need a head that responds quickly and has a controlled sound. Two-ply heads are often recommended. They offer good durability and help to reduce unwanted ringing, so your snare sound stays tight and punchy even during intense passages.
Q: Should I get a coated or an uncoated snare head for metal?
A: For metal, coated heads are generally preferred. The coating helps to warm up the bright tone and reduce some overtones. This gives you a more focused and controlled sound that cuts through the mix better. Uncoated heads can be too bright and ringy for many metal styles.
Q: How does ply thickness affect the sound of a metal snare drum head?
A: Single-ply heads are thinner. They have a brighter, more open sound with more sustain. Two-ply heads are thicker. They produce a fatter, more controlled sound with less sustain. For metal, two-ply heads are often chosen for their durability and ability to control overtones.
Q: What is “attack” in relation to a snare drum head?
A: Attack refers to how sharp and clear the initial sound of your drum hit is. Metal drummers need a strong attack. It helps the snare sound cut through loud guitars and other instruments. A good snare head for metal will have a pronounced attack.
Q: Are reinforcement rings important for metal snare heads?
A: Yes, reinforcement rings can be very important for metal snare heads. These rings, often on the underside of the head, help to control unwanted overtones and sustain. This results in a cleaner, more focused, and punchier snare sound, which is crucial for metal music.
Q: How do I know if a snare head is durable enough for metal?
A: Look for heads described as “heavy-duty” or made with thicker plies (two-ply is a good indicator). Brands known for making durable drum heads are also a good sign. You can also read reviews from other drummers who play loud music.
Q: Can I use the same snare head for both live shows and studio recording?
A: Yes, many drummers do. However, for studio recording, you might want to experiment with different heads to get the perfect tone for the song. For live shows, durability and volume are usually the top priorities.
Q: What is “sustain” and why is it important for metal drummers?
A: Sustain is how long the sound of your drum hit rings out. In metal, too much sustain can make your snare sound muddy. Drummers often want a controlled sustain. This means the sound is clear and focused, not overly long. Two-ply heads and heads with reinforcement rings help control sustain.
Q: How do I choose the right size snare head?
A: Snare drums come in standard sizes, most commonly 14 inches in diameter. Measure your existing snare drum’s diameter to ensure you buy the correct size head. The head should fit snugly onto the rim of the drum.
Q: What are some popular snare drum head brands for metal?
A: Some of the most popular and reliable brands for metal drummers include Remo, Evans, and Aquarian. These brands offer a wide variety of models designed for durability, attack, and tone that work well in heavy music.