Our Brownie Drum Recipe

"At its core, you want drum shells to breathe."

For almost two decades Cameron Brown has studied and analyzed the results of hundreds of his drum builds. After an exhausting amount of experimentation, data collection and rigorous testing, Cameron has acquired a keen understanding of drum shell sound dynamics, helping answer questions such as:

• How does shell material and thickness impact sound?
• Which sound dynamics are altered when installing a reinforcing ring?
• How do slight variations in bearing edge contours effect drum head reactivity and oscillation?

Questions like these are essential to answer when striving to build the greatest sounding drums imaginable. The library of information gathered in the Brownie Shop along with feedback from countless clients has given us the ultimate Brownie build formula. 

Taking a page from vintage drum builds of the 1920s-1960s, the significance of drum shell resonance became increasingly apparent. Most vintage drum shells were constructed with thin ply shells primarily made of poplar, maple and/or mahogany. To help maintain the integrity and roundness of these shells, reinforcing rings were installed in the majority of shells during this era. With this type of shell construction in mind, and the addition of proprietary techniques and a modern twist, the Brownie build formula was born. Extremely resonant and thin low-mass shells complimented with specifically installed reinforcing rings has proven to be the answer for optimal drum tone and dynamics. 

Using our proprietary technique of reinforcing ring installation, we literally EQ overly resonant drum shells to form a perfectly balanced instrument. During this process, each drum shell endures a series of tests to determine all of its natural characteristics. Next, each ring is installed at very specific pressures to manipulate the shell's vibration capability. Rings may be easily pushed in by hand or more extreme hammering rings into place. Our spectrum of ring installation pressures is determined by many factors such as: the shell's natural tonal characteristics, dimensions and any particular shell features we wish to highlight.

At its core, you want drum shells to breathe. Beginning with thick and rigid shells leaves little room for variety. The thicker the shell, the more narrow the shell's sound dynamic potentiality. The Brownie recipe is quite the opposite. We begin with highly resonant drum shells and install reinforcing rings to soften the resonance and dial in the shell's decay, sustain, pitch and fundamental note.

The second most important ingredient in the Brownie build formula are our perfectly crafted bearing edges. Each edge is precisely cut and tailored to EQ shell dynamics even further. Bearing edges are where drum shells communicate with drum heads. This interaction is imperative in transmitting the shell's sound characteristics to our ears. Flawlessly contoured edges are essential for optimal sound dynamics, playability and drastically simplifies drum tuning. With our method of creating incredibly precise edges, you can kiss difficulties tuning drums goodbye! Just like our reinforcing ring installation process, bearing edge contours are specifically crafted to suit each individual drum shell. 

With an optimally EQ'd shell and perfectly formed bearing edges, further fine adjustments in overall tonal qualities and characteristics are achieved with drum head choice and tuning preferences. Following our recipe of 20 years in the making, has ultimately crafted the most palate pleasing Brownie drums imaginable. What are you waiting for? Treat Yourself to a Brownie.