[benji01]

I need tuning help. My toms sound OK right now, but I want perfection. I want my rack tom to be a definitive mid tone between the snare and floor tom, and I want the floor tom to be 1 step away from rediculously boomy.

[full metal]

as I was saying on one of the other post the trick to this is getting new bottom heads along with the right top head.

I wanted to not only make them sound better but look better as well.

I put double ply ebony heads on the bottom and a pinstripe on top with no muffling tuning the bottom head not real tight but enough that there is no ring to them and then tuning the top to the sound that you want.

but with that thicker bottom head it will give the tom more resonice to vibrate and send the tone thru and it will give the tom a nice deeper sound and none of that nasty ringing sound to it.


the heads is one of the things that almost everybody forgets about when talking about tuning.

also there is a patern to tuning your toms when you crank down on the lugs.
it should be like a star patteren, making sure that almost all your lugs ar the same tension.

[gyutae]

The standard on the internet is Professor Sound's Tuning Bible. I don't know the link off the top of my head though. Anyone have the link? It basically goes into everything related to drum tuning.

[Davenhurst]

I've found this German site:

http://sdd-dlt.de/dtbible.htm

Is that it? Google can provide you with a translation.

[Davenhurst]

I also refer to this page sometimes:

http://www.drummingweb.com/tuning.htm

[Davenhurst]

Originally Posted by Davenhurst

I've found this German site:

http://sdd-dlt.de/dtbible.htm

Is that it? Google can provide you with a translation.

Ah wait, maybe you meant this one:

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/

[gyutae]

Yep, that's the one. Thanks for the link, Dave.

That site has done me wonders in terms of tuning the kit.

[capitalist_junkie]

I guess this place is as good as any to ask my own question about tuning . . .

I am absolutely hopeless when it comes to tuning by ear!! I'm pretty tone deaf, and have a difficult time picking up differences in pitch. Now if my drums are REALLY off, I can tell, but once I get close, I have a very difficult time finishing the tuning job. How can I develop better ear-tuning ability?

Is it possible to use an electronic/battery operated tuner? I have NEVER seen a percussionist use one, but it would make my life so much easier if I could. What kind do you guys reccomend, if there are any?

[AvengedDrummer]

there are drum dials... which check the individual tension for each lug. That might help but I dont have any experience with one.

[Davenhurst]

Originally Posted by AvengedDrummer

there are drum dials... which check the individual tension for each lug. That might help but I dont have any experience with one.

I tried one when we did our last album but I couldn't stand it. The tension at each lug was exactly the same, but it didn't seem to necessarily make the drum sound any good. I really think it's about developing an ear for it and choosing the right heads for the sound you want to be hearing.

It takes a long time and sometimes seems hopeless, but one day you'll suddenly realise you know what you're doing, or at least that you're moving in the right direction. Don't rely on gizmos to do it for you, take the time to be the master of your instrument.

Wax on, wax off.