I wasn't really sure which sub heading this would go under so I'll just go with equipment. I finally go my new snare all put together and can't figure something out. When I play in the center of the drum it sounds pretty good, but as I play more towards the edge of the drum it has a lot less snare and way more ring. Is there any way to fix this? I will probably be posting a video of it tomorrow if you want to actually hear what it sounds like. Also just in case your wondering I have Evans MX White batter head and the MX5 snare side head.

I would say the ringing is coming from the bottom head. Evan's heads are notorious for ringing. Which in an outdoor performance situation. it's a benefit, as a personal drum inside can be quite annoying.

First, I would try adding a little damping to the bottom head. maybe just a wrapped up paper towel taped to the bottom. Or (don't laugh) a maxipad. Yeah I know but they do work in a pinch.

Second. if you push forward to the edge you get more ring less snare response. Most lines now slide to the right edge over the strainer so you get more snare response.

It could be a tunning issue. But usually when it rings like that its the bottom head. Play with dampening. experiment with different stuff thats half the fun of having a personal drum.

I have that head setup where I teach, and we have the same issue. As stated above, it's only a problem if it's a drum only for personal use, as that ringing is fairly annoying. Some of the things that seem to work are using a dampening pad on the bottom head, as well as maybe not tuning the bottom head as high. If it's a personal drum, having the bottom head reefed isn't really all that important. It seems to me that the MX5 head only starts to ring when it's in tune with, or higher than, the top head, so tune it a little lower and the ringing should stop.

For the ring, if you just don't want a pad taped to your bottom head you can shell out ~$10.50 for an Evans Staccato Disk -- slips under the plastic ring inside the Evans snare-side heads.

I wouldn't have bought one. However, my snare was a floor model and the store had put one in it, so I saw no reason not to use it. Works very nicely: no ring and no noticeable damping of snare response.

Like someone said above, tune the bottom lower than the top. I always use this for drum set too. I really don't like using dampening except for some in my kick. IMO, dampening kills the sound, especially for one drum. I can see using it in a whole line, though, because it won't COMPLETELY kill it since there's 8 or so players...but even at that, I don't see why tuning can't get around this, unless you want a sound that isn't all that natural..

I didnt read any other posts so sorry if I just restate whats been mentioned....but You have to tune the bottom head lower than the top and when you do maybe crank the top just a hair higher....That's what i did with mine and the ringings gone.