Tuning Drums

E-Dogg777 · 01-14-2005, 10:23 AM

I have a simple 3-tom set-up and was wondering what I need to tune them to...is there a certain note or just whatever you want to tune them to...I know how to tune them just not what to tune them to...thanks in advance for your input.

Insane Drummer · 01-14-2005, 11:05 AM

There is no note value they are to be tuned to, anyone who says otherwise doesn't understand the concept of two drum heads. Now the idea is to tune the toms to 3rds, high to mid is a 3rd, and mid to floor is a 3rd (high to floor being a 5th). Although this does not have to be exact.

E-Dogg777 · 01-14-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insane Drummer

Now the idea is to tune the toms to 3rds, high to mid is a 3rd, and mid to floor is a 3rd (high to floor being a 5th).

Awesome....so let's say that my snare is used as a tom; from that to the first official tom, is that a third as well?

And what about the bass drum in relationship to the toms...any particular tone or just a deep thud?

jesusfreak86ca · 01-14-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-Dogg777

Awesome....so let's say that my snare is used as a tom; from that to the first official tom, is that a third as well?

And what about the bass drum in relationship to the toms...any particular tone or just a deep thud?

For my toms I have a 5th between the mounted and first floor, and an octave between the first floor tom and the second floor tom. Granted I start out pretty high in the mounted.

Bass drum is just about preference. Some people like a really pointy sounding bass, some a loose sound, etc. It all really depends on your style

E-Dogg777 · 01-14-2005, 03:27 PM

Once again this is awesome....I tuned mine by ear and they sound so much better...They were tuned to sound like a blues chart...not on purpose that's just the way they sounded....I-IV-V progression....that's what it sounded like...lol...but thanks again!!!

Insane Drummer · 01-14-2005, 10:37 PM

I use a rather tight bass drum, it actually sounds very good. It also plays nicely, with the nice tension.

natedawg5280 · 01-14-2005, 10:46 PM

I'm sure this has been posted but it is not on this page of the drums sub forum.. how do i do it?

Insane Drummer · 01-14-2005, 11:58 PM

This topic comes up so much, I am just going to sticky this one.

I will worry about merging (if I want to) later.

LWatford · 01-15-2005, 01:25 AM

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

**+Donny** · 01-15-2005, 07:54 PM

Tuning toms is the devil. I hate it. Do they have some sort of cheating electric tuning aids like the guitarists get to use?

Insane Drummer · 01-15-2005, 08:31 PM

Yes Donny they do... It can tell you the exact tension of each lug and other fun things. It also costs a good bit of money.

**+Donny** · 01-15-2005, 10:59 PM

That's stupid. Devilish drums. if I had better ears and more patience, I could do this..

jesusfreak86ca · 01-16-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insane Drummer

Yes Donny they do... It can tell you the exact tension of each lug and other fun things. It also costs a good bit of money.

are you talking about the tama tension watch? I don't know how much they cost but tama gave each member of our percussion section at the university one. Granted we only have 4 percussionists. They are awesome. They measure the tension of the drum head and allow you to get perfect tuning each time. Real handy for the studio. And our timpani which go out after each use...hahaha

Insane Drummer · 01-16-2005, 08:23 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/42459

They are running about $75 right now (I used to see them for $100+).

**+Donny** · 01-16-2005, 09:15 PM

Oh, btw, tell me about drum heads. You said you can't tune them to a specific note. Are you actually get two notes out of it, or what?