Turn any snare into a fully free-floating snare

The Z-Drums hardware ring is the heart of the fully free-floating system that makes any snare shell into an almost precision instrument in terms of tuning, pitch and head interval ratio.

This system saves you from the burden of finding the correct and ultimate ratio between the batter and resonance heads.
Although micro adjustments are possible, the major part of getting the heads to settle to the perfect relation to each other is done by this system.
You could call it an “auto-tuning” system.

The picture shows you the fully assembled system.
From there, all you have to do is take the top hoop off, place the resonance head in the bottom, place the snare shell, batter head and replace the top hoop.

Because this system is so forgiving when it comes to tuning the snare, all you have to do now is to equally tighten the top and bottom tension rods to the pitch you prefer.
No need for tapping around the head to check if all the rods give an equal tone.

Conventional snare vs fully free-floating

A conventional snare (drum) forces us to tune each head separately, including separate tuning points at each head (8,10, 12… times 2)
Because the tuning lugs are fixed to the shell of the drum, we are forced to tune one head at a time, and this conventional system does not compensate for micro errors in tuning.
The physics of a circular membrane instrument, compared to a string instrument with one tuning/tensioning point, dictates that it is virtually impossible to tune (perfectly).
Adding a second head, and there isn’t even a mathematical formula that can calculate what tension both heads should have.
Fisher’s study of 2014, Modal Analysis of a Snare Drum, confirms this.

We don’t ‘need’ to tune the heads separately; we are forced to do so.
The snare (drum) itself only asks for the correct tuning and correlation between the heads to sound great, proper, in tune, or have the desired sound.
Micro adjustments make the drum sound either good or bad. (overtones)
It is the macro adjustments that determine the overall sound of the drum, including good or bad.

This is a fact for all conventional snare drums, cheap and expensive.
A well-built conventional snare will be more forgiving, but will still have all the restraining attributes.
There are a lot of stories about band-aid solutions like: loosening a few rods, gel, tape, and who knows what more.
They are even used by the big names in drumming and recording studios.
These stories confirm that the mass-produced snare is a problem instrument, even the one that is the most recorded snare drum in the world!

By releasing the tune lugs from the shell and connecting the top and bottom lugs, you eliminate several inherited problems of a conventional snare drum:
– The hoop and head are not forced into multiple different tensions.
– The tune lugs are not fighting against micro errors in tuning.
– The micro and macro errors in tuning are not doubled by repeated tuning for both heads.

The Z-Drums tuning system also has the following advantages over a conventional snare:
– Head changes are easy, and no need to remove the wires.
– Shell changes are just as easy, making it a very versatile instrument.
– The type of hardware used (strainer/trow off) does not affect the overall sound of the snare.
– Because of a fully free-floating system, you will hear the natural timbre of the shell, either the wood type or metal used.
– Quick and easy tuning without the need for tuning devices; you can tune on the spot.
– Near-perfect tuning at every pitch, no need for micro-adjustment at both heads.
– The snare remains just as firsitile, or even more, than a conventional snare.

Z-Drums system compared to other floating systems

Based on the traditional Welsh tuning system, where the hoops are connected with a rope that tensions the heads, making it a floating system, we need to give the correct type name for the different systems.

WTS, which stands for Welsh Tuning System, uses a steel cable that connects special hoops and is tightened and loosened by a toggle mounted on the shell.
– This is a free-floating system because the shell sits between the heads and the tuning system is greatly separated from the shell, and the heads are tensioned by one system.

Zebra Drums uses tube lugs that are not fixed to the shell or another part of the drum or system. The shell sits between the heads freely.
– This system is a fully free-floating system because nothing is attached to the shell and the heads (hoops) are connected to each other.

Pearl uses a cradle that holds the special tube lugs. The shell sits on the cradle, and only the batter head sits on the shell.
The resonance head is tensioned on the cradle and can be tuned separately from the batter head.
– This is a floating system because although the shell is free from any hardware, the cradle forms a separate (free-standing) drum and the heads are isolated because of this.

Z-Drums uses standard (simple) double-ended tube lugs that are fixed on the other ring, which also holds the hardware (strainer/trow and end-plate);
The shell sits freely between the heads. There are no other bespoke parts used. All the tube lugs form one solid tuning block that corrects any micro-tuning errors.
– This is a fully free-floating system because nothing is attached to the shell and the heads (hoops) are connected to each other.

All these systems are unique in their own way. The Z-Drums system is unique in having a fully free-floating system where the tube lugs are connected to each other, forming one solid tuning block, but still sitting free and floating between the heads/hoops.
The rods need to be tightened at both ends but still divide the pressure over both heads at the same time.
Even though separate tensioning of the heads is restricted, micro adjustments are still possible.
(The use of correct batter and resonance heads eliminates the need for separate tuning to get the correct interval. The correct interval is created by the system)

Why Fully Free‑Floating Snares Are Superior

• Pure tone with no dampening from lugs or shell‑mounted hardware
• Improved projection and clarity
• More dynamic, articulate attack
• Stable tuning with fewer conflicting frequencies
• Quick shell changes for experimentation or custom builds
• Fast head changes without removing the snare wires
• Reduced mechanical complexity for more predictable tuning behaviour
• No need for band-aid solutions
• Reduced snare buzz and buzz caused by the drum set

Simple Installation

Place your shell inside the free‑floating chassis, tension your heads, and enjoy a fully liberated snare sound. No drilling. No shell modification. No compromise.

Shell Depth Compatibility

• Minimum depth: 5.5″

Tension Bolt Chart

• 5.5″–6.0″ shells → 42 mm bolts
• 6.5″–7.0″ shells → 54 mm bolts

Attributes

• Ring colour shown: Gold M5‑100
• System: Fully free‑floating, zero shell contact
• Materials: High‑grade metal hardware
• Compatibility: All standard snare shells (5.5″ minimum)
• Installation: No drilling or permanent modification
• Options: strainer and butt‑plate, hoops, tension rods
• Suitable for: Wood, metal, acrylic, and hybrid shells
• Not included: Snare wires and drumheads

Lead Time

All custom orders may take up to 3 weeks to ship.