DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

Hi, fellow Sonor peeps!

Hope this can be useful to others as well.

I'm recording over the weekend and can't decide which batter heads to use for the 13" and 16" toms of my SQ1. Currently I have clear pinstripes on them. They sound great for gigging, but I'm worried they might be a bit too dampened and "attack-y" for the studio. The other options I have on me ATM are the stock coated ambassadors (still fairly fresh) and clear emperors.

For extra context, the music being recorded is a bit on the aggressive side and I am going for a big organic sound, open and punchy.

Any experiences and suggestions from SQ1 players would be much appreciated.

I’m not an SQ1 player but a big fan of clear Remo Ambassadors, top and bottom and have used that combo on many different kits. Nice and open tones. You can always add dampening if you need to reduce overtones.

I used to use Emperors over Ambassadors on the toms of my Birch Designers (and now using that combo on my Phonic and SQ2 kits). Always sounded great, both live and recorded regardless of the style of music, so that's the option I'd suggest. Should be able to get that open and punchy sound without too much of a problem with those.

That said, I'd suggest Coated Emperors if you're worried about the clear heads being too "attacky", as the coating will soften the attack slightly and add a touch of warmth to the sound.

I agree with Scott on the clear Emperors over clear Ambassadors. That's what I have on my Sonorlites and my SQ2s.

Amb/Amb or Emp/Amb. Can't go wrong.