Rogers DYNA-SONIC - User Manual

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TUNING YOUR ROGERS DYNA-SONIC SNARE DRUM

Fig. 1

ON OFF

Strainer

Fig. 2

Fig. 4

Fig. 3

Fig. 5

Continued on the other side

1. Use even tensioning: Loosen all tension screws

(using half turns at a time) in a sequence pattern (Fig. 1)

until all tension on the head is relieved. Then re-tighten all

tension screws (again in sequence) with ngers or drum

key until the screw head collar contacts the hoop sur-

face. This will level the hoop and head evenly against the

bearing edge of the shell, and puts the head 90% in tune.

2. For the top (batter) head: turn each tension screw in

sequence with a drum key in one half turns. Repeat this

sequence until you have completed four half turns total.

3. For the bottom (snare) head: using the same proce-

dure described above, turn each tension screw with the

drum key - but this time a total of ve equal half turns.

4. (Fig. 2) Using your ngers, tighten the adjuster screw

on the snare frame end (A) only to the point where the

tension stops the snares from rattling (a small

adjustment) Do not use a screwdriver, or over-tighten.

5. (Fig. 3) The snare frame (B) should be cen-

tered inside both of the snare “gates” (C) on the

bottom hoop. With strainer lever to the “ON” position,

check that both the strainer end and butt end of the

snare frame sit centered inside the gates of the hoop.

6. (Fig. 4) With the strainer lever ON, turn the snare

strainer knob (D) counter clock-wise until the snares

are loose (no snare rattle when drum is tapped).

Now, turn snare strainer knob clockwise until the

loose snare rattle disappears and drum sounds crisp

when tapped with a drum stick. NOTE: the high

sensitivity of the Dyna-Sonic snare frame system

produces reactive snare response at all dynamic

levels, and can be tweaked to suit personal preference.

7. As a nal check, tap lightly with a drumstick one

inch in from the edge to check approximate pitch at

each tension screw (Fig. 5) If any one tension screw

sounds higher than the others, loosen it ¼ turn. If any

one tension rod screw sounds lower, tighten it ¼ turn.

Unlike conventional snare drums, your Dyna-Sonic

snare drum is a uniquely-engineered and highly sensi-

tive instrument. The oating snare assembly provides

super-reactive snare response at all levels of touch - from

a whisper, to full thrust play. With both heads tuned well,

the Dyna-Sonic snare drum will deliver the full-bodied

tone & unprecedented dynamic response that have made

it the most sought after drum since its introduction in 1961.

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Summary

Tuning Your Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum

Use Even Tensioning

Loosen all tension screws in sequence until head tension is relieved, then re-tighten evenly.

Tune the Top (Batter) Head

Turn each tension screw in sequence with a drum key for four half turns total.

Tune the Bottom (Snare) Head

Turn each tension screw in sequence with the drum key for a total of five equal half turns.

Adjust Snare Frame Tension

Tighten adjuster screw on snare frame end until snares stop rattling, avoid over-tightening.

Center the Snare Frame

Ensure the snare frame is centered inside the snare gates on the bottom hoop.

Set Snare Strainer Knob

Adjust knob counter-clockwise until snares are loose, then clockwise until rattle disappears.

Final Pitch Check and Adjustment

Tap drum edge to check pitch at each screw; adjust tension screws if pitch differs.

Adjusting Your Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum

The Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Rail System

Explains the unique floating snare frame that allows separate tension control for reactive response.

Adjusting the Snare Rail System

Instructions for adjusting snare tension for maximum response, fine-tuning between 'choked' and 'live' sounds.

Summary

Tuning Your Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum

Use Even Tensioning

Loosen all tension screws in sequence until head tension is relieved, then re-tighten evenly.

Tune the Top (Batter) Head

Turn each tension screw in sequence with a drum key for four half turns total.

Tune the Bottom (Snare) Head

Turn each tension screw in sequence with the drum key for a total of five equal half turns.

Adjust Snare Frame Tension

Tighten adjuster screw on snare frame end until snares stop rattling, avoid over-tightening.

Center the Snare Frame

Ensure the snare frame is centered inside the snare gates on the bottom hoop.

Set Snare Strainer Knob

Adjust knob counter-clockwise until snares are loose, then clockwise until rattle disappears.

Final Pitch Check and Adjustment

Tap drum edge to check pitch at each screw; adjust tension screws if pitch differs.

Adjusting Your Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum

The Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Rail System

Explains the unique floating snare frame that allows separate tension control for reactive response.

Adjusting the Snare Rail System

Instructions for adjusting snare tension for maximum response, fine-tuning between 'choked' and 'live' sounds.

Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications
Usage Features
Tuning the Drum
Adjusting the Dyna-Sonic Snare Rail System for Maximum Response
Maintenance Features

The Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum is a custom-built, uniquely-engineered, and highly sensitive instrument, renowned for its super-reactive snare response and full-bodied tone. Introduced in 1961, it has become a highly sought-after drum due to its innovative design and dynamic capabilities.

Function Description:

The Dyna-Sonic snare drum features a "floating snare assembly" that allows the snares to contact the bottom head evenly without stifling its vibration. This design provides a live, resonant tone with superior sensitivity across all dynamic levels, from a whisper to full thrust play. Unlike traditional snare drums where the snare wires and cords are strapped directly across the bottom head, which can "choke" the head's vibration and tonality, the Dyna-Sonic's independent snare frame allows for separate control of snare tension. This separation prevents the snares from pinching the edges of the head, resulting in a more open and vibrant sound. The "throw-off" lever on the strainer raises and lowers this free-floating frame, enabling precise adjustment of snare contact. This unique system allows drummers to fine-tune the interaction between the snares and the drum, creating a wide variety of snare personalities, from a dry, crisp snap to a loose, growl-ly tone, or anything in-between.

Important Technical Specifications:

The core innovation lies in the "Dyna-Sonic Snare Rail System," which consists of an independent snare frame that floats above the bottom head. This frame is engaged or disengaged via a strainer lever, which lifts or lowers the frame to make contact with the head. A knurled tension knob on the strainer allows for micro-adjustments of the snare tension, enabling precise control over the snare response. The snare frame itself is designed to be centered within "snare gates" on the bottom hoop, ensuring even contact and optimal performance. The drum's construction emphasizes even tensioning of both batter (top) and snare (bottom) heads to achieve the best sound.

Usage Features:

Tuning the Drum:

Even Tensioning: Begin by loosening all tension screws (using half turns in a sequence pattern, as shown in Fig. 1) until all tension on the head is relieved. Then, re-tighten all tension screws (again in sequence) with fingers or a drum key until the screw head collar contacts the hoop surface. This levels the hoop and head evenly against the bearing edge of the shell, bringing the head to approximately 90% in tune.
Top (Batter) Head Tuning: Turn each tension screw in sequence with a drum key in one-half turn increments. Repeat this sequence until a total of four half turns have been completed.
Bottom (Snare) Head Tuning: Using the same procedure as the batter head, turn each tension screw with a drum key, but this time for a total of five equal half turns.
Snare Frame Adjustment (Fig. 2): Using your fingers, tighten the adjuster screw on the snare frame end (A) only to the point where the tension stops the snares from rattling. This is a small adjustment; avoid using a screwdriver or over-tightening.
Snare Frame Centering (Fig. 3): Ensure the snare frame (B) is centered inside both of the snare "gates" (C) on the bottom hoop. With the strainer lever in the "ON" position, verify that both the strainer end and butt end of the snare frame sit centered inside these gates.
Snare Strainer Knob Adjustment (Fig. 4): With the strainer lever ON, turn the snare strainer knob (D) counter-clockwise until the snares are loose (no snare rattle when the drum is tapped). Then, turn the snare strainer knob clockwise until the loose snare rattle disappears and the drum sounds crisp when tapped with a drum stick. The high sensitivity of the Dyna-Sonic snare frame system allows for reactive snare response at all dynamic levels, and can be tweaked to suit personal preference.
Final Pitch Check (Fig. 5): Tap lightly with a drumstick one inch in from the edge to check the approximate pitch at each tension screw. If any one tension screw sounds higher than the others, loosen it 1/2 turn. If any one tension rod screw sounds lower, tighten it 1/2 turn.

Adjusting the Dyna-Sonic Snare Rail System for Maximum Response:

Strainer Lever ON (Fig. 6): Place the snare strainer lever in the "ON" position.
Snare Frame Centering (Fig. 7): Ensure the snare frame (B) is centered on the bottom head and within the snare "gates" (C) on the bottom hoop.
Loosen Snare Tension (Fig. 8): Turn the knurled tension knob on the strainer (D) counter-clockwise until there is no snare sound while in the "on" position.
Fine-Tuning Snare Contact (Fig. 9): Tap the batter head lightly, moving from the rim across the head, while slowly turning the tension knob clockwise. As the snare frame moves closer to the snare head, you will hear a "buzz" as the snares begin to touch the bottom head. Continue raising the frame until the snare sound comes alive. Use personal preference to "dial in" the desired sound. If the knob is over-tensioned clockwise beyond the tuning range, a low sound will indicate the snares are choking the bottom head. At this point, stop adjusting and back-off the tension (counter-clockwise) until the desired sound returns. The Dyna-Sonic is extremely sensitive, so minimal adjustment is often sufficient to transition from a "choked" to a "live" sound.

Maintenance Features:

The manual implicitly suggests that proper tuning and adjustment are key to maintaining the drum's performance. Regular checks of tension screw pitches and snare frame centering ensure optimal sound quality. The design, with its independent snare frame, simplifies maintenance by isolating snare tension from head tension, making it easier to troubleshoot and adjust specific components. The robust construction and precision engineering are designed for longevity, provided the user follows the recommended tuning and adjustment procedures.

Rogers DYNA-SONIC Specifications

General

Brand	Rogers
Model	DYNA-SONIC
Category	Drums
Language	English