Review – Pearl Dennis Chambers Signature Snare Drum (2023 Model)

December 7, 2023

Here’s the latest review from our sister-site Drummer’s Review featuring a new-for-2023 Dennis Chambers Signature Snare Drum from Pearl Drums.

Filmed October 2023 (scroll down for recording & equipment details).

Featuring…

14″ x 6.5″
4-ply Maple w/4-ply Re-Ring shell,
Pearl STL Swivel Lugs (10 Top, 8 Bottom),
Pearl SR-300 Philharmonic Snare Strainer,
3 x 6 Strand Snare Wires,
Evans Heads Fitted Throughout – G12 Batter / 300 Snare Side,
Pearl MasterCast Hoops.

UK RRP: £1084.00

Pearl says...”Drumming legend Dennis Chambers’ updated Signature Snare drum incorporates unique features from his previous models in an instrument that delivers unparalleled versatility, sensitivity, and sonic possibility. Not merely another drum bearing a legendary name, the new Dennis Chambers snare drum is tonally versatile enough to deliver a wide variety of sounds in any performance space. Designed to draw the best elements from Dennis’ first two Pearl Signature snare drums in a single package.”

For more details, head to: www.pearldrum.com

Recording Details:

Filmed at Paul Caboche Studios (Cornwall UK).

Microphone List:

Snare Top: Electrovoice PL80
Snare Bottom: Electrovoice PL80
Over Head wide: AKG C414B (pair)
Centre Over Heads: AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Front Centre Room : AEA R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Mic
Wide Room Mic’s: sE2200T Tube Mic’s (pair)

Recording Process:

Microphone Pre amps: 16x Rupert Neve Designs 5052

Pre amp outs to Avid HD analog to digital converters connected to Avid HDX card

Recorded into Pro Tools Ultimate latest version running HDX cards mounted in an Apple Mac Pro 2019 16core.

Audio Template Details:

No EQ:

Direct microphone sound – no EQ either pre or post recording applied from the Neve 5052 Pre-Amps EQ section.

Basic EQ:

Basic EQ setting using the EQ section of the Neve 5052 mic Pre-Amps. No post recoded EQ or processing applied.

A Note From Paul…

“The microphones were set up with the overheads and room mic’s measured to the centre of the snare drum to keep the phase of any stereo pair in phase. The AEA R88 MK2 mic’s being stereo mic’s had no issue with phase but the front centre room mic and centre overhead where aligned with each other to keep the same stereo image. The phase reverse switch was engaged on the bottom snare mic to correct the phase between the two snare mic’s. Hi pass filters only used on the overheads. The Electrovoice PL80 mic’s have very little proximity bass boost so can be considered a pretty flat representation of the snare drum. Every effort was made so that the NO EQ sound example audio on the video was as true a representation of what the drums sounded like in the live room. The live room of the studio has been treated to also provide a neutral sound close to the drums with the room mic’s then giving a true representation of what the drums sound like in the room. Using 16 identical Mic Pre amps also helps with electrical phase so there is no difference between tone and phase of the Mic Pre amps. The brief for recoding the drums was to give as true a representation as possible of what the drums actually sound like and to then give examples of what can be done to the sound of the drums.”

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