When it comes to snare drum tones that define an era, few stand out quite like the crack of Aaron Comess’s snare on “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors and the explosive ring of Matt Cameron’s snare on “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden. These aren’t just great drum sounds—they’re iconic textures that shaped how rock snares were recorded and mixed throughout the 1990s.

In this breakdown, Adam and Tony from Drum Center of Portsmouth dive deep into what makes these snare sounds so memorable, how they recreated them in the studio, and what gear and techniques you can use to capture similar tones at home.

An iconic snare drum sounds are more than just good tone—it’s a musical voice. It’s a sound that enhances the song, defines the groove, and gives the recording personality. Both “Two Princes” and “Black Hole Sun” do this perfectly: one is bright, funky, and open, while the other is dark, powerful, and unapologetically ringy.

To nail the distinctive pop-rock snare sound of “Two Princes” Adam and Tony started with a Yamaha Maple Absolute Hybrid kit and focused heavily on the snare. The original track famously used a 14x4.5 Brady Jarrah Ply snare, a drum known for its high-pitched crack and open tone.

Since Brady drums are no longer in production, they used a Stanton Moore Drum Company “Spirit of New Orleans” Acacia snare—a close tonal match with a sharp, articulate attack and lively resonance.

The key to this sound is tuning. Aaron Comess fought to keep the snare bright, ringy, and full of life—a sound that stood out against the heavily dampened snares of the era. The batter and resonant heads were tuned high, with snare wires tensioned just enough to stay crisp without choking the drum.

Cymbals and Setup:

• 13” Zildjian New Beat Hi-Hats (vintage)
• 16” & 17” A Custom Crashes
• 20” A Custom Ride

Microphones Used:

• Snare: Lauten Audio Snare Mic, sE Electronics SE8
• Kick: sE Electronics BL8 & Earthworks DM6
• Overheads: Lauten Audio LA-320 Tube Condensers
• Room: sE Electronics Voodoo VR2 Ribbon (Blumlein pattern)
• Ambient: Earthworks QTC30s

With a touch of room reverb, this setup perfectly captured the snappy, buoyant energy that makes “Two Princes” instantly recognizable.

For the grunge-era masterpiece “Black Hole Sun” the goal was a completely different sonic personality—big, open, and full of natural ring.

Matt Cameron’s original recording used a 14x7 Keplinger Stainless Steel snare, and the recreation used an identical model (minus some hardware differences). The drum was tuned to a medium-high pitch, with a Coated Emperor batter and Hazy Ambassador resonant head. No dampening was used—just pure, unfiltered tone.

This sound celebrates what many drummers try to control: the ring. That sustained overtone gives the snare its haunting, atmospheric character, perfectly matching the mood of Soundgarden’s music.

Cymbals and Setup:

• 15” Zildjian New Beat Hi-Hats
• 18” A Thin Crash
• 22” Zildjian K Dark Medium Ride

Microphones Used:

• Snare: sE Electronics V7X & SE8
• Kick: sE Electronics BL8 & Earthworks DM6
• Toms: Lauten Audio Tom Mics
• Overheads: Lauten Audio LA-320 Tube Condensers (drummer’s perspective)
• Room: Earthworks QTC30s
• Additional Close Mic: Lauten Audio Snare Mic (for punchy midrange tone)

The result? A raw, live snare tone that feels explosive yet musical—an unmistakable hallmark of Cameron’s playing and Soundgarden’s sound.

To capture the essence of both snare sounds, we paired the snares with high-quality Yamaha drum kits. For “Two Princes,” a Yamaha Maple Absolute Hybrid provided a versatile, balanced platform, allowing the snare to cut through with clarity while maintaining a musical overall kit sound. For “Black Hole Sun,” a Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple Kit offered the perfect resonance and sustain to complement Matt Cameron’s Keplinger snare, delivering the depth and projection necessary for a powerful 1990s rock tone. These kits aren’t just support—they shape the overall vibe of each drum sound, giving the snares a natural space to sing.

Both of these iconic snare tones share one fundamental secret: space. The magic isn’t solely in the drum itself—it’s the combination of the room, microphone selection and placement, and the mixing decisions that bring the sound to life. Without the proper environment and careful capture, even the best snare can fall flat.

On “Two Princes" the crisp, punchy character comes from a defined reverb tail that adds just the right amount of shimmer, giving the snare its instantly recognizable pop and snap. Every strike is articulate and funky, yet musical, cutting through the mix without sounding harsh. In contrast, “Black Hole Sun” leans heavily on the natural resonance of the snare, combined with subtle compression and minimal dampening, creating a rich, haunting tone that feels almost alive. The room itself becomes an instrument, allowing the snare’s ring to bloom and linger in a way that adds depth and atmosphere to the track.

In both cases, microphone technique and blending played as significant a role as the drums themselves. Close mics captured attack and detail, overheads and room mics captured natural ambiance, and thoughtful layering ensured that the snare could sit perfectly in the mix. The result is that each snare isn’t just heard—it’s felt, giving the songs their unforgettable sonic signature.

Whether you’re drawn to the crisp, funky snap of Aaron Comess’s snare on “Two Princes” or the massive, resonant ring of Matt Cameron’s snare on “Black Hole Sun,” both of these iconic drum tones are achievable when you pay close attention to key elements like tuning, microphone choice, and room acoustics. The character of a snare comes not just from the drum itself but from how it interacts with the sticks, the room, and the recording setup.

Start by experimenting with higher snare tunings to capture clarity and articulation, and pair that with minimal dampening to allow the drum’s natural resonance to shine. Consider microphone placement carefully—close mics for attack, overheads for shimmer, and room mics for depth and ambience. Thoughtful use of reverb can help recreate that expansive, almost cinematic quality heard on these classic recordings. With some patience, experimentation, and a good ear, you’ll be able to uncover your own interpretation of these legendary snare tones while adding your personal touch to them.

To capture the distinctive character and tonal detail of each iconic snare, we paired the drums with carefully selected cymbals and a professional microphone setup, highlighting every nuance from attack to ring.

Looking to recreate these iconic snare sounds? Find the snares, cymbals, microphones, and drum kits featured in this showcase — all available now at Drum Center of Portsmouth.

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