10 Reviews: Best Snare Drum for Recording (Apr 2024)

Gretsch is a heavyweight in the world of instrument making. They have created an inexpensive snare drum for drummers of all levels with their Renown Series snare drum. This is a 145.5-inch maple shell drum. The Gretsch Renown sounds fantastic at all tunings. With lower tuning, there is a wonderful degree of the body that you lose significantly with higher tensions, which is expected given the 5.5-inch depth. Overall, this is a fantastic small maple snare drum that is suitable for a wide range of musical genres, from rock to jazz.

Really impressed with the ROI on this drum. Opened it, tuned it up and was blown away by the sounds I was getting. It's quickly becoming a go-to for gigs and recording!

by Caleb Coleman

The drum on the Design Series snares is tuned to medium, which means that a light stick-hit will bring it to life with a subtle attack that fades with a harmonic ring from the brass shell. When the strainer is removed, the drum comes into its own, producing a rich, deep backbeat. The drum is lively and warm, yet it can be utilized in any style. It will also record as if it were a dream. The Black Nickel Over Brass snare is a real knockout, both acoustically and aesthetically.

Well-made, great looking drum. Straight out of the box it sounded great. Used it the first time for a live performance that was being recorded for a podcast. Sound man requested no changes in the drum. Live performance and the podcast sounded great!

by Steve

Tama has created a gorgeous maple drum. This is a 13-inch drum, rather than the standard 14-inch diameter that we associate with snares. This snare has a bright and poppy tone. It’s wonderful for rimshots and quick backbeats, thus it’d work well with punk or metal. If you want to play loud and appreciate your snare strikes on 2 and 4, this is the snare for you. This drum is best suited to music that needs a distinct backbeat.

The more I play tis Tama 13" snare, the more I like it! Great sound, and it has the punch you want when you want it.

by Paul

This is a 1 mm thick shell drum with a depth of 6.5 inches and a diameter of 14 inches. The shell is composed of brass, although the entire weight is rather light for such a deep snare. The Big Black works well with most tunings, but it shines when turned up nice and tight. At this level of tension, it’s simple to get crisp rim shots that cut through the mix of any band. For the price, this is a nice metal snare drum.

The pork pie "bob" is a really good, versitle drum. Very similar to bb sonically. Pork pie specializes in making affordable snares that sound great and can be used in all situations.

by Doug

The Yamaha Recording Custom drum line was created in collaboration with famed studio drummer Steve Gadd. These drums are flawless in both sound and look. A lot of thought has gone into how these drums sound when they’re recorded. Brass is richer and warmer, but it’s also ringier, looser, and less controlled. The brass shell has a brighter tone and a more diverse timbre. Aside from these features, the series’ versatility and range are further enhanced by the availability of a variety of sizes.

Great snare. Finally got one and could not be more satisfied.

by LA

Ludwig’s Supraphonic is often mentioned in internet reviews as one of the best snare drums available. The Supraphonic comes in 5-inch and 6.5-inch sizes. Ludwig created the Supraphonic’s shell from aluminum and coated it with chrome for a sleek appearance. This drum has a wide range of tuning options and produces a fantastic crack when tuned up in pitch. The drum has a lovely natural ring to it. This drum can produce anything from a Buddy Rich buzz roll to a powerful and quick backbeat.

This snare is an industry standard as we all know. After unboxing it and tuning up with the stock heads and throwing it under my mic"s I am reminded why I wanted to get another of these after having played on one 30 years ago. Even tone, articulate and smooth it shines in a bunch of different tuning ranges. Love it!

by Alonzo Villarreal

The shells of the WFLIII Generations are made of 6-ply Maple/Okoume with hand-finished 45-degree bearing edges for optimum head contact, custom WFLIII springless lugs, Remo ambassador heads, and 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops for the maximum full-bodied attack. Cross-grain shells are heat-pressed for strength and roundness. Hand-finished 45-degree round-over bearing edges offer optimum head-to-shell contact, and hand-hewn snare beds assure exact snare contact on all snare drums.

The Merlin snare drum is built on a 10.5mm thick 20-ply cold-pressed shell composed of superior quality wood and birch. A beautiful face veneer of black tulipwood with hand-inlaid maple pinstripes completes the shell. Shells are precisely round, well-made, and well-presented. In fact, it was flawless. The tuning feels smooth, and the tension rods spin effortlessly, allowing for both sharp attacking and fat slappy-deep beats. The Merlin will provide you with a versatile and professional sound.

[...] Well this Merlin snare has officially impressed me beyond my highest expectations! The tuning range is huge and very satisfying at every tension. I am quick to try different batter heads for various applications, but much to my surprise, I'm still using the original single-ply head that came with it. This is my favorite snare drum ever. Kudos to The British Drum Company for such an amazingly musical snare drum.

by Matt, F

Each Black Beauty is crafted from a single sheet of 1.2mm brass that has been fashioned into a seamless, beaded shell. Each drum is outfitted with 2.3mm steel triple-flanged hoops, ten of Ludwig’s renowned Imperial lugs, a P85AC throw-off, and clear resonant heads. The result is a well-rounded, metallic, and warm tone. Black Beauties are a studio favorite because they provide a lot of projection while being very responsive.

Just recorded with it on many different types of music and it sounded great. Took me awhile to dial in. By the time i got it to studio, it was great. One moon gel and engineer was very happy. G-2 on top, stock reso. It was great!

by Doug

This exquisite work of art is a high-end professional snare drum with a 3 mm brass shell. The 6.5-inch shell produces a warm wood-like sound and allows the drum to sing in both low and high tuning. Drum legends such as Steve Ferrone like this drum. This drum is of exceptional quality. Every stroke is precise, making it an ideal snare for jazz or even an orchestra. It is strictly for pros or amateurs with large sums of money.

After hearing all the hype about this drum I decided to try one out, and all I can say is all the rave reviews are spot on. It is my current go to out of my 50+ snare drums. Great body and crack, with a very controllable ring. You won't be disappointed if you love metal snare drums. Worth every penny!

by Brent McLaughlin