Do You Know What Drum Heads Lars Ulrich Uses?

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Lars Ulrich, the legendary drummer of Metallica, is known for his powerful and precise drumming style. His choice of drum heads plays a crucial role in achieving his signature sound. In this article, we will delve into the specific drum heads Lars Ulrich uses, exploring their characteristics, how they contribute to his sound, and the broader impact on his drumming. We’ll also touch on his overall drum setup and the factors influencing his choice of equipment.

Overview of Lars Ulrich’s Drum Heads

Lars Ulrich is renowned for his meticulous approach to his drum kit, ensuring each component contributes to the overall sound he desires. His drum heads are a key element in this setup, providing the durability and tonal quality required for Metallica’s high-energy performances.

Preferred Brands and Models

Lars Ulrich primarily uses drum heads from Remo, one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. His go-to models include the Remo Emperor, Remo Ambassador, and Remo Powerstroke series. Each of these heads offers distinct features that cater to Ulrich’s demanding playing style.

1. Remo Emperor: Known for their durability and warm tone, Remo Emperor drum heads are double-ply, making them well-suited for heavy hitting. They offer a balanced combination of attack and sustain, which is ideal for both live performances and studio recordings.
2. Remo Ambassador: These single-ply heads are celebrated for their bright, open sound. They provide a more resonant tone compared to the Emperor series, making them a versatile choice for various drumming styles. Ulrich often uses Ambassadors for their clarity and dynamic range.
3. Remo Powerstroke: The Powerstroke series features built-in dampening, reducing overtones and producing a focused, punchy sound. These heads are particularly effective for the bass drum, delivering a powerful low end that complements Metallica’s intense music.

Drum Head Selection for Different Drums

Snare Drum Heads

The snare drum is central to Lars Ulrich’s setup, providing sharp, cutting beats that drive Metallica’s rhythm. He typically uses Remo Ambassador Coated heads for his snare drum. The coating adds a slight muffling effect, giving the snare a crisp, controlled sound without excessive overtones.

1. Coated Ambassadors: The coating on these heads enhances their durability and adds a touch of warmth to the sound. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent tone throughout demanding performances.
2. Snare Side Heads: For the resonant side of the snare drum, Ulrich often uses a Remo Ambassador Hazy. This head is thin, allowing for greater sensitivity and response to the snare wires.

Tom Drum Heads

Lars Ulrich’s toms are a vital part of his drumming, providing depth and power to his fills and solos. He generally opts for Remo Emperor Clear heads on his toms. These heads offer the right balance of durability and tonal richness, making them suitable for aggressive playing.

1. Clear Emperors: The clear version of the Emperor heads delivers a bright, punchy sound with plenty of attack. This is ideal for cutting through the mix in a live setting.
2. Tuning and Maintenance: Proper tuning is essential for achieving the desired sound from toms. Ulrich ensures his heads are evenly tensioned to avoid unwanted overtones and maintain a consistent pitch.

Bass Drum Heads

The bass drum provides the foundation for Metallica’s music, delivering powerful, resonant low-end beats. Lars Ulrich uses Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear heads on his bass drum, which are designed for enhanced low-frequency response and minimal overtones.

1. Powerstroke 3: These heads feature an internal dampening ring, which controls overtones and focuses the sound. This results in a punchy, deep bass drum tone that is essential for Metallica’s music.
2. Front Bass Drum Heads: For the resonant side of the bass drum, Ulrich often uses a Remo Powerstroke 3 Ebony. This head provides a dark, controlled resonance, complementing the attack of the batter head.

See Also: A Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning Drum Heads

Influence of Drum Heads on Sound and Performance

Tonal Characteristics

The choice of drum heads significantly influences the tonal characteristics of Lars Ulrich’s drum kit. Each head type contributes to the overall sound in different ways:

1. Warmth and Resonance: Double-ply heads like the Remo Emperor provide a warm, resonant sound, which is essential for the depth and power in Ulrich’s drumming.
2. Attack and Sustain: Single-ply heads such as the Remo Ambassador offer a bright, clear attack with ample sustain, allowing for dynamic and expressive playing.
3. Controlled Overtones: Heads with built-in dampening, like the Remo Powerstroke series, help control overtones and produce a focused, punchy sound, especially crucial for the bass drum.

Durability and Reliability

Given the intensity of Metallica’s performances, durability is a key factor in Ulrich’s choice of drum heads. The Remo heads he uses are known for their resilience, withstanding heavy hitting without compromising sound quality.

1. Double-Ply Construction: The double-ply construction of the Emperor heads provides added strength, reducing the likelihood of damage during intense playing sessions.
2. Coated Surfaces: The coated surfaces of the Ambassador heads enhance their durability while also contributing to a warmer tone, making them ideal for the snare drum.

Versatility and Adaptability

Lars Ulrich’s drum heads are chosen not only for their sound but also for their versatility across different musical contexts. Whether in the studio or on stage, these heads provide the consistency and adaptability needed for high-level performance.

1. Studio Recording: In the studio, the clarity and precision of the Ambassador heads help capture detailed recordings, while the controlled overtones of the Powerstroke heads ensure a clean bass drum sound.
2. Live Performance: For live performances, the robust construction and powerful projection of the Emperor and Powerstroke heads are essential for delivering Ulrich’s signature sound to large audiences.

Overall Drum Setup

Drum Kit Configuration

Lars Ulrich’s drum kit is iconic, featuring a combination of Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, and, of course, Remo drum heads. His setup includes a variety of toms, a powerful bass drum, and multiple snare drums, all carefully chosen to complement his playing style.

1. Tama Drums: Ulrich has long been associated with Tama, using their drums for their durability and superior sound quality. His kit typically includes a range of tom sizes, allowing for a wide tonal palette.
2. Zildjian Cymbals: Zildjian cymbals provide the bright, cutting sound needed to match the intensity of Metallica’s music. Ulrich’s setup includes a variety of crash, ride, and hi-hat cymbals, each selected for its specific tonal qualities.

Cymbals and Accessories

The choice of cymbals and accessories is also crucial in achieving Lars Ulrich’s sound. His preference for Zildjian cymbals and various hardware components plays a significant role in his overall drum setup.

1. Crash and Ride Cymbals: Ulrich’s use of crash and ride cymbals from Zildjian contributes to the sharp, explosive sounds characteristic of Metallica’s music.
2. Hi-Hats and Effects Cymbals: The selection of hi-hats and effects cymbals, such as china and splash cymbals, adds to the versatility and dynamic range of his drumming.

Tuning and Maintenance

Maintaining the drum kit in optimal condition is essential for delivering consistent performance. Lars Ulrich pays close attention to tuning and maintenance, ensuring his drum heads and other components are always in top shape.

1. Regular Tuning: Regular tuning ensures that each drum produces the desired pitch and tone. Ulrich often retunes his drums before performances and recording sessions to maintain consistency.
2. Head Replacement: Frequent head replacement is necessary to avoid wear and tear. Keeping fresh drum heads on the kit ensures a consistent sound and reduces the risk of head damage during performances.

Impact on Drumming Style

Influence on Technique

The choice of drum heads has a direct impact on Lars Ulrich’s drumming technique. The specific characteristics of his heads allow for precise control, enabling him to execute his signature drumming style effectively.

1. Dynamic Range: The versatility of the Remo heads allows Ulrich to explore a wide dynamic range, from subtle ghost notes on the snare to powerful, resonant tom fills.
2. Articulation and Clarity: The clarity and articulation provided by the Ambassador and Emperor heads enable precise playing, essential for Ulrich’s intricate patterns and fast-paced rhythms.

Adaptation to Musical Genres

While Lars Ulrich is primarily known for his work with Metallica, his choice of drum heads allows him to adapt to various musical genres. The tonal qualities and durability of the Remo heads make them suitable for different styles, from heavy metal to more subdued, dynamic music.

1. Heavy Metal: For heavy metal, the power and projection of the Emperor and Powerstroke heads are ideal, delivering the aggressive, driving beats required for the genre.
2. Other Styles: The versatility of the Ambassador heads makes them suitable for other styles, allowing Ulrich to explore different musical expressions when needed.

Conclusion

Lars Ulrich’s choice of drum heads is a testament to his attention to detail and dedication to achieving the perfect sound for his drumming style. By selecting Remo Emperor, Ambassador, and Powerstroke heads, he ensures a balance of durability, tonal quality, and versatility. These drum heads play a crucial role in shaping Ulrich’s powerful and precise drumming, contributing to Metallica’s iconic sound. Whether in the studio or on stage, the right drum heads are essential for delivering the dynamic and expressive performances that define Lars Ulrich’s legendary drumming career.