Demystifying Tom Tuning in Real-Time

[@VikingDeathMachine]

How this channel only has 100K subs is beyond me. Production is top notch, the info is always relevant and it’s presented well. No click bait thumbnails or fluff either. They are giving away content that most people would pay for while others are trying to sell some “miracle” method or “untold secret” that’s just crap. Keep up the good work.

[@marcpompette7431]

Again, this channel has the uncanny ability of knowing exactly what I'm thinking at the time a new video drops. Concerning, yet appreciated 👍

[@DrummerRIP]

This is a fantastic format. I appreciate the calling out of a medium tuning. I’ve always struggled with the differences in tuning vocabulary (low, medium, medium high, etc) This slowed down approach is amazing. Digging every moment! Thank you! 10 out of 10!

[@philbradshaw8053]

Yep it's crazy man which is why I have never bothered with tuning gadgets. Every drum is different, even if they appear identical. You definitely have to trust your ears. Very good tip to try experimenting with de-tuning one or more tension rods. Really enjoy this channel, thank you and happy drumming 😂👍

[@Kalhaedron]

It so fun to explore the tuning ranges of all drums :) And as you said, just experiment.

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

I just put a new set of Onyx heads on my toms, and, in the spirit of Sounds Like A Drum, I played around with the tension on the resos, lowering the two rack toms about an eighth of a turn all around. Since I'm still breaking in these babies, I'm going to give this a try. The Onyx heads sound way better than I expected them to, by the way. Also, when I'm checking tunings, I like to gently put a fingertip in the middle of the head to attenuate (most of) the overtones. When tuning up new heads, I like to use two tuning keys at once to tune the opposite lugs simultaneously. As always, thanks, Cody and Ben, for all the work you do, and for continuing one of my favorite channels!

[@Michael_Stipend]

Great info. There really is no substitute for getting in the weeds with your drums and finding out what they can do. Trust your ears, not comments on forums.

[@chadb1000]

Glad to see this topic covered! Yes it can take some time to experiment, especially on bigger kits but so worth it. In my opinion its as important as learning to tune your kit. Knowing your kits limits and what its capable of opens so many possibilities.

[@dimcad]

This video was really important to me knowing I'm on the right path in my tuning skills. Appreciate getting into the weeds of tuning and seeing some of the same things I experience.

[@adrumwhisperer]

This makes me think of Roto-Toms, where all tension rods are adjusted together and the only contribution to the sound is the head tension (no shells, or resonance head). That may make an interesting video. Maybe a head comparison video because this would give a clear distinction of head variation (ply thickness, depth, coating, stripes).

[@keithstory-rj6mf]

I've never played around with mine like that. You could sure experiment for hours on it! Very cool. Think I got most of it but I'm watching again! Glad to see this new one!

[@Joethedrummer]

Fabulous. Very insightful. Very challenging to keep putting out stuff like this without blowing a lot of hot air

[@ILikeWafflz]

10:58 I had noticed this quite early on in fiddling with my drums. In light of that I started setting "finger tight" as the point when the washer stops moving freely when you wiggle the tension rod. Then I at least know my starting point is defined specifically by the pressure the rod is applying to the rim.

[@pinelybones]

Would you guys ever do a longer comparison video between all the available [Evans] heads for Snares, Toms, and Bass Drums? (in their own videos)

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We’d be open to doing this! Due to the massive undertaking on the production side, we’d need some video sponsorship support to help make it happen. Please be sure to communicate your interest to D’Addario regarding such a comparison on our channel.

[@pinelybones]

@@SoundsLikeADrum oh that’d be so awesome 😄 I definitely will

[@poxcr]

The folks over at Timpano Percussion did this a few years ago for Evans, Remo and Aquarian heads on both snares and kick drums. Definitely worth watching!

[@rmauran]

This was great, and I can't wait to start playing around with my studio kit! You mention using grease on a stiff tension rod. Try rolling the tension rod on a bar of soap, Ivory is a good one. The soap does won't attract dust and grime the way grease does.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! Regarding soap, this is something we avoid because it can attract moisture. We've had great experience over the years with a small amount of white lithium grease inside the lug/on the end of the tension rod. Some people swear by beeswax or paraffin wax. In the end, the key is to make sure that the tension rod and lug threads are cleaned first and then lubricated in a manner that will allow them to function reliably.

[@dustinkirker5622]

I have always tuned by ear and always have loved playing with tunings too. Honestly i dont "seat" heads now. I put them on and tune to my desired sound.

[@BCSchmerker]

+soundslikeadrum *I've optimized drum sizes for the ｔｕｎｅ－ｂｏｔⓇ tuner configuration: Racks 6", 8", 10", 13"; Floors 15", 18"; Kick 22".*

[@juantesonepercusion]

nice tango playing on that demo ;)

[@vincentyau0202]

It is very interesting since my church is using the same drum head Evans UV2 but has no sound like you just show me. I am putting on the Yamaha Stage Custom. I believed during the tuning (or before), picking the right head with your drum kit is very important. Basically I don't like the Evans UV2 sound. I wish I can get some support as well! Thanks for the video.

[@Camcodrummer]

This is all fine and yes you should and will tune a drum this way. But IMO people don't start out correctly ,especially when changing heads. I never tune with both heads able to resonate. I always mute the head not being tuned. Only after i get to where i want them to sit will i adjust as you are in this video. I think too many people start out not seating heads correctly, not tuning " each head" and then micro tuning to get what your looking for. For one the method allows you to be consistent in your tuning no matter the drum.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Yes, seating a head is key and there are other important considerations as well as alternative approaches to isolating the sound of one head or even the area adjacent to one lug vs. another. We’ve made other videos on seating heads, starting from scratch, isolating overtones, etc.

[@Camcodrummer]

@SoundsLikeADrum I thought that you have done other videos. I only say it hoping people read and ask the questions. Link the other videos so people can learn the whole process and figure out what works for them.

[@poxcr]

I don't think this was ever intended to be a video teaching how to tune a drum.

[@SPACEMAN_fkYT]

I never used tune bots or other gadgets. My tuning was and is always done by ear.

[@poxcr]

Tunebots are awesome because, unlike other gadgets, they actually listen to pitch. Once you find a tuning you like on a given drum with a given set of heads, a Tunebot makes it easy to record what the pitches were so you can quickly replicate the tuning. They are also great for quickly tuning a complete drumset to an specific interval and use that as a baseline, after which you can then take it anywhere you want by ear. I would say relying on gadgets is a bad idea for someone just learning how to tune drums, however a Tunebot is a great time saver if you already know what you're doing tuning wise.

[@simone5753]

Hear Hear!​@@poxcr

[@KaiOwensDrums]

Playing almost entirely vintage drums has taught me to ignore the feel of each lugs stiffness because that will quickly lead you in a terrible direction on some drums hahaha

[@lukebutler2751]

I hope there’s pasta in this video 🍝

[@kkupsky6321]

Start by not playing Pearl.

[@scottapthorpe6172]

What a ridiculous comment, pearl make some of the best drums in the world... I can tell straight away by that comment, you are very immature in your drumming journey..

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Easy now- many of us can remember when we were earlier on in our drumming journey. This sort of polarized, even tribal mindset about brands is so common. Some will outgrow it, many will not.

[@kkupsky6321]

@@SoundsLikeADrum yea I know. It’s not like I’m sponsored. Just busting yer balls. Great videos always and love yer work.

[@kkupsky6321]

@@scottapthorpe6172 you also don’t sense sarcasm. I was just kidding. I know they make great instruments. Sorry for busting balls. I’m just being a smart ass throwing shade. Does make me remember when my dad told me he’d only ever get me Gretsch or Ludwig haha. It’s a kinda thing that is taught and not natural. I think I have some pearl stands and one of their double pedals. Like arguing over maple birch and mahogany…

[@poxcr]

@@kkupsky6321 LOL! Right? Maple, birch, mahogany, plastic, steel, brass, copper, glass... they're all mostly the same once you learn how to properly tune a drum.