The Andante Next Gen (NG) Reactor Snare Drum represents the latest evolution in Andante’s long-standing tradition of drum manufacturing excellence. Designed for modern marching bands, pipe bands, and drum corps, this next-generation snare features a fully redesigned bottom assembly that allows the shell and bottom head connection to float freely. This innovation significantly enhances projection, responsiveness, and dynamic range, delivering a consistently powerful and articulate sound.
 
Handcrafted at the Andante Drums factory in County Down, Northern Ireland, the Next Gen Reactor combines cutting-edge technology with meticulous craftsmanship. The use of high-quality materials and innovative engineering ensures exceptional strength, reliability, and tonal consistency, making this drum a dependable choice in both competitive and demanding performance environments.
 
Lightweight alloys are used throughout the hardware to significantly reduce the overall weight of the drum. This results in improved comfort and reduced fatigue during long rehearsals, performances, and competitions, while maintaining the robust feel expected of a professional-grade instrument. The overall design is stylish, practical, and built to withstand the rigours of regular marching use.
 
The top head assembly is engineered for ease of tuning and durability, featuring a newly profiled top tension ring with a 20-screw helicoil tension system. This design promotes a clear, focused sound while reducing the risk of head damage. The drum is fitted as standard with an Andante Core-Tec Elite snare drumhead on the top and a clear bottom drumhead, providing excellent response and tonal clarity straight out of the box.
 
A self-levelling internal top snare mechanism is housed within the top assembly, making tuning straightforward and precise. The two-point adjustment system offers self-equalising height and self-aligning tension, producing Andante’s trademark pitch stability and clarity across the playing surface. The free-floating shell construction consists of two layers of 3-ply birch, reinforced with a 3-ply birch ring, enhancing brightness, responsiveness, and overall tonal definition.
 
The redesigned bottom head assembly incorporates a 12-screw bottom tension ring, a new suspension ring profile, revised snare guards, and re-engineered bottom snare strainers. The bottom snare system features multiple swivel points for ease of tuning, two-point linear adjustment, four-point levelling to the head, and single-point tension adjustment, allowing for fine control and precision setup.
 
Top and bottom in-line snares ensure a highly responsive and even playing surface, making the drum comfortable and predictable under the sticks. An integrated carrying handle with hook system is fitted as standard for added convenience. An adjustable leg rest is available as an optional extra, allowing players to tailor the setup to their individual comfort and playing style.
 
Finished with a tough, durable oven-baked powder-coated metal finish, the Andante Next Gen Reactor Snare Drum is built to endure demanding use while maintaining a professional appearance. This is a truly modern snare drum that fuses innovation, sound quality, and reliability, setting a new standard for performance in the marching and pipe band world.