Changing Heads & Tuning a Snare! Remo P77 vs. Controlled Sound

I replaced the head on my snare drum recently, and thought it would be a good chance to document the process! I had the Remo P77 on my Tama Starphonic Brass snare, and changed it out to a Remo Controlled Sound.
I tend to lean toward a medium-high tuning on my snare, since I like the stick response and "crack" in that range, and have been experimenting with different heads to bring out the best in the brass snare shell. After seeing the Remo P77 being used by a lot of drummers that I follow, I wanted to give it a try, and really liked the durability and focus it has. However, I'm looking for something just a little brighter and with more sustain, so I'm giving the Controlled Sound head a try.
Let me know what you think about the snare sounds and tunings in the comments, and share your snare tips and preferences as well! If you would like to learn more, check out my blog at www.alexmaydrums.com, where I'm publishing weekly tips on drums, recording, and music production.
*All clips except for the outro only have light subtractive EQ, no compression, and are a blend of SM57s on snare top and bottom, AKG 214's as overheads, and a Shure Beta 91 on kick.
------------
If you've enjoyed the video, please subscribe, and let me know what else you would like to see more of!
Shoot me a message if you’re interested in jamming or some session work, I’d love to help!
I play Tama Superstar drums with a 22” kick, 12”,14”, and 16” toms, and a Tama Starphonic Brass 14"x6.5" snare. For cymbals, I use Zildjian 14” K Hats, 18” & 20” Medium Thin Crashes, a Sabian 21” AA Raw Bell Dry Ride, and an 18” Agazarian China cymbal.
Microphones Used:
Shure SM57s and SM58s: Snare top and bottom, 16” Floor tom
Sennheiser MD421: 12" Tom
Shure Beta 91A: Kick In
Shure Beta 52a: Kick Out
AKG C214’s: Overheads
*All running into a Focusrite Clarett 8pre and Saffire Pro 40 interface

[@alandanielw]

That's a serious snare dude!

[@danlc95]

That med high tuning on the C.S. is nice!

[@1thess523]

I just switched from the Controlled Sound to a Powerstroke 3 which is lively and adds a nice crack. I play a Yamaha Musashi Oak 13x6.5 and i have the head set at 89 on the drum dial.

[@AlexCreatesMusic]

I'll have to give the Powerstroke 3 a shot, I just put a Controlled Sound X on my 13" Maple Pork Pie, which is pretty similar to the Musashi. Deep 13" snares sound great!

[@elijahsacco]

Having a more open-sounding head that can be darkened and deadened by dampening is always a more versatile option in the studio

[@jcdrums2798]

i play the CS coated on my ludwig black acrolite 14x5, she sound good...but i will try the P77.

[@that-avr-drummer]

My go to is a coated ambassador, but sometimes I use the coated control sound. Here, the control sound won hands down in my opinion.

[@danlc95]

Those are the only two that I use as well.

[@jasielmaoz9626]

What would you recommend between remo controlled sound and evans hd dry if the sound you are going for is more attack?

[@AlexCreatesMusic]

Good question! I would say the HD Dry has a little bit more attack, due to the vents and double ply head.

[@1thess523]

I just switched from a Controlled Sound X to a Powerstroke 3 and there is way more attack, even my son was like "oh man that sounds better and it's louder"

[@cyberdaniel82]

What head are you using on the reso side? Thanks!

[@AlexCreatesMusic]

Just an Evans Hazy 300 on this one. Thanks for watching!

[@notforyoutube]

P77 control sound wins 🏆

[@mcTOOSH1]

Not a true comparison is it though …. I’d like to hear the powerstoke 77 without the gel

[@notforyoutube]

P77 wins all day

[@droa1403]

Innecesario que hables tanto, toca y ya .