Well, it totally depends. Tartaruga, you sound to me like the sort of musician who really cares about how the kit sounds, understands it as an instrument and has a clear idea of what you want. If you told me you wanted to use a full front head I'd certainly work with you to achieve that. If you're playing Jazz it's a more natural approach and as you say you don't need or want the click.

But there are also situations as an engineer or producer when you need to steer people in a certain direction in order to achieve what they want with the money they have available, and with their abilities in mind. A lot of musicians don't understand how their instrument works, and when you discuss their sound you find that they don't have much of an opinion about it. Personally I do think the resonant head is an important element and I do prefer to have one on there, but it's nice to have the option to mic inside it in situations where the room, the cymbals or the player make the spill uncomfortably harsh.

Of course, budget is a very real issue. A lot of bands expect to record the drums for a twelve track record in two days. But they turn up with the heads that the kit was sold with, and don't want to take the time or spend the money to sort the drums out. I never go to a drum session without clear and coated one ply and two ply spares for all the sizes they (and I) have. But we do live in a world where some people expect and even want to be sample replaced. Not if I can help it.

J

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www.jackruston.com

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