The ultimate guide to drum heads

Your drum shells, cymbals and tuning all play an important part in your sound, but the drumhead is where the stick actually meets the instrument. Change the head and you can dramatically change the character of the drum.

 

Drumheads come in a huge variety of materials, thicknesses, constructions and finishes. Some are designed to be open and resonant, while others deliberately reduce overtones for a tighter, more controlled sound.

 

Evans and Remo are two of the biggest names in drumheads, with extensive ranges covering everything from jazz and acoustic music to rock, metal, pop and studio work.

So, where do you start?

Before getting into specific brands and ranges, it's worth understanding some of the terminology you'll see when shopping for drumheads. Here is everything worth knowing before you get started!

 

Single-Ply Drumheads

 

Single-ply heads are made from one layer of film. They're generally more sensitive and resonant than double-ply heads, producing plenty of sustain and a more open sound.

They're a great choice if you want to hear more of the natural character of your drums and are particularly popular with players who don't need the extra durability of a thicker head.

Typical thickness: Around 7–10mil.

Ideal for: Jazz, blues, pop, lighter rock and studio work.

Tone: Open, bright, resonant and expressive.

Style: Sensitive and responsive.

 

Double-Ply Drumheads

 

Double-ply heads use two layers of film, giving them greater durability and generally producing a deeper, more controlled sound.

They're particularly popular with rock and metal players, or anyone who hits hard and needs their heads to withstand regular playing. The additional layer can also reduce unwanted overtones and give you a fatter, more focused sound.

 

Typical thickness: Around 14mil total, depending on the head.

Ideal for: Rock, metal, pop, gospel and heavier playing styles.

Tone: Full, warm, punchy and controlled.

Style: Durable with a powerful response.

 

 

Coated Drumheads

 

Coated heads have a textured surface that tends to produce a warmer, slightly more controlled character. They're particularly popular on snare drums, although coated tom heads are also widely used.

The coating can give you a little more warmth and focus while reducing some of the brightness associated with a clear head.

Typical thickness: Varies by model, from thinner single-ply heads through to thicker multi-ply designs.

Ideal for: Jazz, funk, blues, pop and general-purpose playing.

Tone: Warm, focused and musical.

 

Clear Drumheads

 

Clear heads have no coating on the playing surface, resulting in a brighter and more open sound with plenty of attack and projection.

They're hugely popular for toms, particularly in rock and pop, where you want your drums to cut through the mix.

Typical thickness: Varies by model, from thin single-ply heads through to thicker multi-ply designs.

Ideal for: Rock, pop, metal and live playing.

Tone: Bright, punchy, open and articulate.

 

Batter vs Resonant Heads

 

It's important to remember that a drum normally uses two heads.

The batter head is the one you hit. This has the biggest influence on the feel of the drum and is usually where you'll make your first choice based on playing style and desired tone.

The resonant head sits underneath the drum and plays a huge role in sustain, resonance and overall pitch.

You don't necessarily need to use identical heads on the top and bottom. In fact, mixing different heads can be a great way of fine-tuning your sound.

For example, a thicker, controlled batter head paired with a thinner resonant head can give you plenty of attack while retaining useful resonance and sustain.

The key is to make sure both heads are tuned evenly. A well-tuned drum should have consistent tension around the head, with the batter and resonant heads working together rather than fighting each other.

Evans have been developing synthetic drumheads for decades and have become one of the industry's leading manufacturers. Their range covers virtually every application, from traditional single-ply heads through to highly controlled multi-ply and pre-muffled designs.

One of the great things about Evans is how easy it is to understand the basic character of their main ranges.

 

Evans G1 Series

 

Style: Open, expressive and versatile.

The G1 is a classic single-ply Evans head, made from 10mil film. It's designed to give you a broad, open sound with plenty of sensitivity and sustain.

The coated version adds warmth, focus and depth, while the clear version emphasises the natural brightness and resonance of the drum.

 

Thickness: 10mil, single-ply.

Ideal for: Jazz, pop, rock, gospel and general-purpose playing.

Tone: Open, bright and resonant.

Style: Sensitive, versatile and natural.

If you want your drums to sound representative of their build and character , rather than heavily altering their sound, the G1 is an excellent place to start.

 

Evans G2 Series

 

Style: Versatile, punchy and durable.

The G2 is one of Evans' most popular all-rounders. Featuring two 7mil plies, it offers more durability and control than a G1 while retaining plenty of tone and sustain.

The result is a combination of depth, attack and durability that works across a huge range of styles.

 

Thickness: 2 x 7mil plies.

Ideal for: Rock, pop, gospel, funk and general-purpose playing.

Tone: Full, warm, punchy and balanced.

Style: The working drummer's all-rounder.

If you're looking for one Evans range that can cover a lot of ground, G2 is a very safe bet.

 

Evans EC2S Series

 

Style: Focused, controlled and powerful.

The EC2S takes the two-ply concept and adds Evans' Sound Shaping Technology. Rings on the underside of the head help reduce unwanted frequencies, giving you a more controlled sound with a defined attack.

The heads feature two 7mil plies, providing a combination of durability, depth and control.

 

Thickness: 2 x 7mil plies.

Ideal for: Rock, metal, gospel and live performance.

Tone: Focused, punchy and slightly darker.

Style: Controlled with plenty of attack.

They're particularly useful if you like the durability and depth of a two-ply head but don't want your toms becoming overly resonant.

 

Evans Hydraulic Series

 

Style: Fat, controlled and seriously punchy.

Hydraulic heads take a rather different approach. They use two plies with a thin layer of oil between them, creating a distinctive, damped response.

The result is a short, fat sound with plenty of low-end character and considerably less overtone.

 

Thickness: 2-ply construction with an oil layer between the plies.

Ideal for: Rock, funk, R&B and players looking for a vintage-style punch.

Tone: Fat, deep and controlled.

Style: Short, punchy and distinctive.

 

Other Evans Drumheads

 

Evans' catalogue extends far beyond the ranges above. Their bass drum selection includes the popular EMAD and EQ families, while specialist options such as Calftone offer alternative materials and tonal characteristics.

 

These ranges use a variety of different thicknesses and constructions, from single-ply designs through to multi-ply and pre-muffled heads. This means that whatever you're trying to achieve – from an open, natural jazz sound to a tight, modern studio tone – there's likely to be an Evans head designed with that application in mind.

Remo are another giant of the drumhead world. Their range is similarly extensive, with several instantly recognisable families that have become staples for drummers across practically every genre.

 

Remo Ambassador

 

Style: Open, bright and versatile.

The Ambassador is one of Remo's best-known drumhead ranges. Standard Ambassador heads use a single 10mil ply, giving them a responsive, open sound with plenty of resonance.

 

The coated version combines warm, open tones with bright attack and controlled sustain, while the clear Ambassador takes things in a brighter, more resonant direction.

 

For players looking for something with a more vintage character, the Vintage Ambassador offers a warmer, softer response while retaining the sensitivity and musicality that make the Ambassador family so popular.

 

Thickness: 10mil, single-ply for standard Ambassador models.

Ideal for: Jazz, pop, funk, rock and studio work.

Tone: Open, bright, warm and balanced.

Style: A classic all-rounder with plenty of versatility.

If you're unsure where to begin with Remo, Ambassador is an excellent starting point.

 

Remo Emperor

 

Style: Warm, powerful and durable.

The Emperor is a two-ply design aimed at players who want more durability and projection than a single-ply head can offer.

Standard Emperor heads use two 7mil plies, providing a total film thickness of approximately 14mil. The clear version delivers plenty of attack and projection, while Emperor Coated heads bring additional warmth and a more rounded character.

 

The Vintage Emperor takes this further, offering a warmer, softer and more vintage-inspired sound.

For players looking for even greater durability and a more powerful response, the Emperor X uses a heavier construction to provide increased attack, focus and strength.

 

Thickness: 2 x 7mil plies for standard Emperor models; Emperor X uses a heavier construction.

Ideal for: Rock, pop, funk, R&B and heavier playing.

Tone: Full, warm, powerful and controlled.

Style: Durable and punchy, with options for both modern and vintage sounds.

It's a particularly good choice for players who like the tone of a single-ply head but need something that can take more punishment.

 

Remo Pinstripe

 

Style: Fat, controlled and low.

Pinstripe heads are designed around a more controlled sound, with a strong midrange and low-end character.

 

They use two plies of film, with a thin layer of acoustic control agent between the plies to help reduce unwanted overtones.

They're a classic choice for drummers chasing that big, fat tom sound associated with rock and pop recordings.

Thickness: 2-ply construction.

 

Ideal for: Rock, pop, hard rock and studio work.

Tone: Fat, warm and controlled.

Style: Shorter sustain with plenty of low-end.

If your ideal tom sound is more "thump" than "ring", Pinstripe is well worth investigating.

 

Remo Powerstroke

 

Style: Controlled, punchy and versatile.

Powerstroke is a broad family rather than one single sound. Different Powerstroke models use different constructions and damping approaches to give you varying levels of attack, sustain and overtone control.

 

Many Powerstroke models feature a single or multi-ply construction combined with additional damping, depending on the specific version.

 

They're particularly popular for snare and bass drum applications where a focused, controlled sound is required.

Thickness: Varies by Powerstroke model and application.

Ideal for: Rock, pop, live performance and studio work.

Tone: Focused, warm and punchy.

Style: Controlled without completely killing the drum's character.

 

Remo Controlled Sound

 

Style: Focused, articulate and versatile.

Controlled Sound heads are designed to give you a focused, punchy response while retaining plenty of the drum's natural character. They're particularly well suited to snare drums, with the central Black Dot providing additional durability and helping to focus the attack.

 

The standard Controlled Sound uses a single 10mil ply, with the Black Dot adding extra reinforcement to the centre of the head.

They're a great option if you want more control than a traditional single-ply head, without moving to an extremely damped sound.

 

Thickness: 10mil single-ply, with reinforced Black Dot.

Ideal for: Rock, funk, pop and snare-heavy playing.

Tone: Focused, punchy and articulate.

Style: Durable, responsive and controlled.

 

Other Remo Drumheads

 

Remo's catalogue extends far beyond the ranges above. Their selection includes specialist options and different constructions designed to give you everything from increased sensitivity and resonance to greater durability and focused attack.

These include thinner and thicker options across the range, as well as specialist constructions designed for specific drums and playing styles.

 

This means that whatever you're trying to achieve – from a warm, vintage-inspired tone to a powerful, controlled sound for heavier playing – there's likely to be a Remo head designed with that application in mind.

 

This is one of those questions that doesn't really have a wrong answer.

Both Evans and Remo make excellent drumheads, and both brands cover a huge variety of sounds. In many cases, the better question isn't "Which brand is best?" but "Which construction is best for the sound I'm after?"

For example:

• Want an open, resonant sound? Try a single-ply such as Evans G1 or Remo Ambassador.
• Want more durability and punch? Look at Evans G2 or Remo Emperor.
• Want a controlled rock sound? Evans EC2S or Remo Pinstripe are strong choices.
• Want a fat, damped sound? Consider Evans Hydraulic or one of the more controlled Remo Powerstroke options.
•  

The important thing is to experiment. Drumheads are relatively easy to change, and trying different combinations can completely transform a kit.

If you're still not sure, here's a quick starting point.

 

I want a bright, open sound

Look towards a single-ply clear head. Evans G1 Clear and Remo Ambassador Clear both offer open, resonant characteristics with plenty of attack and sustain.

 

I want warmth and control

A coated head is a great place to start. Evans G1 Coated and Remo Ambassador Coated are versatile choices that add warmth and focus.

 

I play rock and hit hard

Consider a two-ply head. Evans G2 and Remo Emperor provide increased durability while maintaining plenty of tone and projection.

 

I want big, fat toms

Look at more controlled designs such as Evans EC2S or Remo Pinstripe. These can reduce unwanted high frequencies and give you a more focused, powerful sound.

 

I want maximum control

Consider a damped or pre-muffled design. Evans Hydraulic and Remo Powerstroke models can help tame excessive overtones and produce a more focused sound.

 

I'm recording and want natural drum tones

A single-ply head can be a great starting point because it allows more of the drum's natural resonance and character through. From there, you can use tuning and microphones to shape the final sound.

 

Choosing drumheads doesn't need to be complicated. Start by thinking about the sound you want, then consider ply count, thickness, coating and damping.

 

For an open and expressive sound, single-ply heads such as Evans G1 or Remo Ambassador are fantastic starting points. If you need extra durability and punch, Evans G2 and Remo Emperor are tried-and-tested choices. For a tighter, more controlled sound, options such as Evans EC2S, Hydraulic or Remo Pinstripe and Powerstroke can take you in the right direction.

Ultimately, there isn't one "best" drumhead – there's only the best drumhead for your drums, your playing style and your sound.