Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did | Season Five, Episode 21

From bespoke, “heirloom” accessories to trendy, jingly sound sources…from “game changing” problem solvers to premium, limited edition signature products. The industry wants to sell us stuff (that we often don’t need) with the promise of helping us on our musical journey. Maybe it’s the subconscious message that we’ll find inspiration in a new thing that ultimately convinces us to make a purchase. Or maybe it’s the need to fit in and be able to share photos and videos with the latest and greatest new gear in hopes of attracting more attention. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that you need that one product so you’ll be prepared when the time comes to use it, thinking that the gear gets the gig. Simply put- this is a disease.
PATREON:
This season is made possible by our Patreon supporters. Join us on Patreon for access to exclusive content such as Cymbal Sounds, our long awaited cymbal series, and MUCH more: sladl.ink/Patreon
PRODUCTION PARTNERS:
GIK Acoustics (sonic treatment): sladl.ink/GIK
AKG Audio (microphones): sladl.ink/AKG
Evans Drumheads: sladl.ink/Evan...
ProMark Drumsticks: sladl.ink/ProM...
Signal chain:
Mics - Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB & OctoPre - MacPro w/Pro Tools 2022.5
Recorded at 48kHz / 24bit
Overheads: (Matched Pair in Glyn Johns - Cardioid) AKG C314 sladl.ink/C314...
Snare, Toms: AKG C518M sladl.ink/C518M
Kick Drum: AKG D12vr sladl.ink/AKGD...
NOTE: The interludes in this video have been mixed and contain post-production EQ, compression, and reverb.
Acoustic Treatment:
GIK 242 Acoustic Panels: sladl.ink/GIK242
GIK 4A Alpha Pro Series Diffusor/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIK4...
GIK Evolution PolyFusor Combination Sound Diffuser/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIKE...
GIK Tri-Trap Corner Bass Trap: sladl.ink/GIKT...
Drums:
Pearl Masters Maple Custom Extra w/1960’s Ludwig Acrolite
Cymbals:
22” Jesse Simpson clone of old Zildjian A, 15" Zildjian Kerope Hihats
Drumheads:
Snare: Evans G12 / Snare Side 300
Toms: Evans G1 & G12 Coated / G1 Clear
Kick Drum: Evans UV EMAD / EQ3 Coated White Reso
Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production & Consulting: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media
👂🏼👉🏼🥁
Leave your questions, comments, suggestions, requests down below and don't forget to subscribe!
*NOTE: Troll comments will be deleted. You're welcome to disagree with whatever you like but let's keep the conversation civilized and focused on drums.
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Sounds Like a Drum is a CADENCE INDEPENDENT MEDIA production
For more information, visit www.cadenceindependent.com
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[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We'll also add that we stand by our assessment of the products that we've featured on Sounds Like a Drum. These ARE truly innovative products that offer real value by solving problems and creating opportunities for drummers.

[@BadChizzle]

I believe that’s true. One of the companies told me how happy you made them. That’s the Coolest! Making a product is not easy, in so many ways. Helping someone out, who is putting their stuff out there… and they’re not a huge long established company, has got to feel great, when you believe what you’re saying. 👏🏼❤️✨

[@terrydrums]

Here’s what drives me nuts: Jazz has the lowest market draw than any other style of music. Hence, jazz musicians usually make the least money. Yet, the cymbals that are usually marketed as the best for jazz are the most expensive!

[@ericstearns170]

That's because jazz musicians are elitists. 🤣

[@terrydrums]

@@ericstearns170 Wow.

[@kennethtaylor964]

@@ericstearns170 What is wrong with wanting the best for what you are doing? Taking pride in your tools is a sign of craftsmanship.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Zildjian Has more options for jazz and bebop drummers than other types of music as far as symbols are concerned. That’s so annoying I haven’t heard Stan Getz or any of those guys on the radio in a long time I wish to have more options for the heavy rock layers

[@thebetterdrummer]

Hey @terrydrums! Part of that reason is because the cymbals marketed towards jazz drummers actually take more time to make (hand hammering, custom bell shaping, etc.)

[@bradchoi9679]

I went from using a dw Collector's Series kit to a Yamaha Stage Custom kit (yes, the inexpensive one) because the dw's are just too heavy for me to carry around anymore (I'm old). Funny thing is, NO ONE has come up to me to tell me, "Man, you need a better kit" .... and I'm talking lots of my peers, too! Bottom line: A great player can hide the fact that they are playing a crappy kit, but even the BEST kit in the world cannot hide a crappy player.

[@daltonidaho]

Played a gig at a theatre recently where the house kit was a Yamaha Stage Custom birch in piano black and it looked and sounded great (coated G2 heads on the toms). I really don't think a more expensive kit would've sounded any better!

[@jorymil]

Stage Customs are inexpensive, but they're built really well with good attention to detail.

[@Jrenglehorn]

I'm such a lover of the Stage Customs. I'm convinced there is nothing better at that price point.

[@dartthewarrior]

I sold my Mapex M-birch 6 piece w/ snare (pre “meridian” rebrand) for a custom 3 piece kit (no snare) and that was one of my biggest regrets. Three times the price for half the drums and the Mapex sounded light years better and tuned a hell-of-a-lot easier.

[@bjorn_moren]

I did the same thing as you, now also playing a Stage Custom kit. Absolutely adequate for any professional situation. What series of drum kit you get has less impact on the sound than most people would like to admit. As long as you get to a base level where the shells are round, even and durable, and the hardware is durable, you're fine. Stage Custom is way beyond that point. If you sound pro or amateur depends 99% on choice of heads, choice of drum sticks, tuning, and how you play. I'd put my money into great cymbals instead, because those you can't tweak.

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

One of my favorite money saving tips: Watch videos for cymbals you already own if you're tempted by an online posting. Related: Mix and match those cymbals as hi-hats (that patreon video was a good one) to experiment with what you've got.

[@andrewdavis2871]

I love going into brick and mortar to hear the cymbals before I buy and the used cymbals are usually the best buy.

[@zikandgroovefr]

Great tips in my opinion. 👍

[@jeffreywegener8841]

I had “ anxiety “ I need K Constas , Instanbull anniversary. No I have a vintage Tosco ( no a a Sabian b8 different) & some good old As . Took them to the local cymbalsmith 300 bucks done ✔️. Thanks .

[@derekinksetter11]

I love the idea of looking at potential purchases as solutions to a problem. One of the things I always do when tempted to buy some gear that I think I want is to ask myself "is the lack of holding me back from somewhere I want to be?" If the answer is no, then I don't make the purchase. That said, there's still some value in experimenting with new sounds, tools, etc.

[@nathanwalsh3028]

As a teacher I always tell my students remember you started doing this because it was fun and it was fun because it sounded cool and it was exciting to do. Don't ever limit yourself as far as sounds, that's why we got into this thing. Also remember anything can be a drum. Anything!! Years ago I went to my local junkyard and bought some brake drums off some old 1970s vehicles. Didn't matter the vehicle the point is they're heavy and I was able to mount them on a cymbal stand through one of the holes that you would Mount them on a wheel and guess what the best Zill Bell you ever heard in your life. Cost me five bucks and a little of time removing the rust and painting them. So $10 if you want to include paint. Also a table saw blade sounds awesome too and it has a hole in the middle so you can mount that also. Anything's a drum dude!!

[@davidfrancis5514]

Won't ever forget this: years ago when it came time to buy my first kit, my drum teacher said the kit itself and shell material doesn't matter so much, that it's more about choosing heads that you like, learning to tune correctly, and practicing to be able to play. I took it it to heart and definitely find this to be true, BUT it's easier said than done. It takes time to learn your particular kit and trial and error when it comes to heads and certainly tuning. But it really makes all the difference. That being said, I've always struggled with tuning by ear. About a year ago I bought one of the electronic tuners and it really helps to dial things in. It was one of those, "Wow, wish I had bought this sooner" moments. Thanks for all the great content in your videos.

[@ianpaddick2003]

And it's easier to tune a reference series vs say an export

[@davidfrancis5514]

@@ianpaddick2003 or my slightly out of round 70s Ludwig toms. :)

[@amullan88]

This is brilliant advice! My first kit was cheap and TERRIBLE; one of those 'kit and stock cymbals for a low low price' beginners kits. Couldn't afford anything else and God damn, it didn't take me long to realise that my friends with more money who were bought top of the range kits to start on were losing out on having to learn their instrument completely. Having to rely on tuning, dynamics, experimenting with dampening etc. Honestly that cheap as dirt kit taught me so much more about achieving a decent sound than an expensive kit could've. Added bonus: when I finally upgraded, that kit meant a million times more to me and I knew what the hell to do with it. TLDR; BUY A CHEAP, CRAP KIT AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE IT SOUND GOOD

[@JustHazardous]

My first kit was a Frankenkit - not one piece matched another. Weird clamps to hold stuff on & it looked like crap. But I loved it, because I got to play! And just as you've said, Andrew, it taught me way more about how to get the sound out of the drums that I wanted than if I was able to go out and buy a nice, new kit. Better (more expensive) drums really don't make the drummer sound better, but a drummer can make a poor kit sound good with their playing.

[@drumyogi9281]

Interesting perspective. I had one of those kits. A CB Drum Kit. I had it for 6 years. I am glad that I got rid of it because it sounded like garbage. The heads were nearly impossible to tune as the bearing edges were cheap. The lug tubes were probably stripped so it was very hard to turn some of them. The cymbals would bend with the lightest touch. I didn't know any better until I got a Pearl kit which was like upper lower end. It was quite a bit better in those regards. Good gear is worth it. It has been about 22 years since I first got that CB. I bought a much better kit years after that Pearl. Been happy ever since.

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

@@drumyogi9281 I actually have a CB700 kit that I corrected the bearing edges on and fitted with quality heads and they sound great. I paid just over 100 bucks for them at Music Go Round. They have the wristwatch style lugs and I rewrapped the ugly red with an orange sparkle and they are a super good sounding and nice looking set of drums. That's just me though. Cheers. Sometimes, a good home and a loving owner is all a mutt really needs to be the best friend you will ever have.

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

I am right there with you Andrew. We have much in common based on your shared experience.

[@drumyogi9281]

@@EarthtonesCymbals It is definitely something I should re explore. I think now that I am 35 I could appreciate cheap gear. When I owned that CB I was in like 6th-11th grade I think so I was probably a bit unappreciative about the possibilities as I was young. I also didn't know what came with good gear. It sounds to me coming from you two and a few other youtubers it can be a very enjoyable aspect of the hobby. For instance I have been drooling over these Istanbul Agop 30th anniversary cymbals for probably 6 years. I really want them but it is very hard to justify buying them. You got me started to think about my current crash and busted splash. I can get some pretty good musicality out of them. Sounds like a similar scenario. Appreciating what kind of music we can make with what we got.

[@Djpaulyt]

Guy with the nicest kit at the gig is always the newest

[@Tomdrumsandcycles]

Spot on. It’s extremely hard to do, but always interesting with cymbals to try and avoid knowing the prices, as often you can end up liking something that’s mid range more than the high end stuff. The newest equipment also can’t be that important given we all listen to music from before some of this stuff existed.

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Great again. There’s a difference between what you know & what you really know. You have articulated this the latter . Thanks .

[@toddfeathers421]

Thank you, as always, for saving me money

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You’re very welcome! If you haven’t yet, please consider supporting our efforts via the Patreon and we’ll share even more insight, inspiration, and perhaps some additional ways to save money while getting more value. Cheers!

[@Twannnng]

I saw the title and the preview screen and instinctively thought this was going to be a video where you name and shame some useless things you've bought. I should have known that you would be classier than that! Advertisers prey on the feelings of "I'm not good enough, my gear isn't good enough", but I feel like I've just watched 15 minutes of someone saying "You ARE good enough, your gear is fine". Thanks for being one of the most consistently informative, honest, and in-depth music channels on KZbin.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You get it! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the episode and leave this comment. We really appreciate it!

[@PC-je4es]

I appreciate you tackling this subject. I think we all live with GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). The best remedy for that is to go take on an Advanced Igoe Challenge or dig into a NARD book right before you want to purchase something you know you want but do not need. Usually takes care of itself. :)

[@nayrdrumr]

Great information fellas. Rolex and Timex both tell the same time

[@coloradofotomatt]

Hold my meat bats. I've seen this in the photography industry as long as I've been shooting ('78). I laugh and cringe at some of the things I bought in the early years. I smile now at my college photography students going through the same phase. Sales is sales is sales. 🤑

[@brent3760]

Cody, the Mr Roger's of KZbin drum world. And that's an amazing complement that I am making! He is the voice of reason and talks about what truly matters. Wanna be good? Sure nice equipment is what everyone wants, but practice and improving your skills is what truly matters. There is a reason why Elvin Jones and Tony William's are legends. Not because of their round badge kits and Istanbul K's, but rather their extensive practicing and living their instrument. Great video! And I as well have fallen for this. Mostly with cymbals. It's a freaking addiction sometimes!!! $$😳

[@allanshookphoto]

I started playing drums 30+ years ago, and I've always thought that drum "stuff" was always advertised or marketed as being louder, bigger, heavier, more powerful, faster, and will cut through the mix more... If I went with all that advertising, I'd be playing at 160+bpm, at 140+dB, constantly smashing out 32nd notes, full volume, on every drum and every cymbal. The audio engineers would hate me.

[@instdjp]

Thanks for another insightful and informative video. You consistently provide well thought out, well presented and the most pertinent information on the subject matter available on the internet.

[@paulkennedy4920]

I was about to pull the trigger on some roto toms but signed up for Stanton's Drum Academy instead. Totally made the right choice.

[@steevidrums]

Just want to comment on the growth of the channel. I’ve been subscriber for about 6 months or so, but in that time I’ve seen the views grow and grow. I hope it continues!! Such a great resource for acoustic drums.

[@BadChizzle]

Hello guys! It’s me again, but I’ll make an effort to stay in the area of more logic and related to the episode. Prolly told you, but I bought a new Supraphonic, but was very disappointed with the attention to detail of the build. Sent it back for a refund. Then… as a gift from above, I found a person auctioning an 80s Supra and picked it up for $135 plus tax and shipping. This… was magical… and taught me a lesson learned in an unusual way. Sure I had to replace a part on the muffler and replace some lugs… but after also adding some new heads… I came out with a better snare drum… For far less money… and didn’t need to even think about the rubber gaskets, because the older models had none. (I had asked you a question about that issue). This new used L400 even came with a clamshell case in very nice condition! It’s hard to put into words, how much happier I am after finding this auction… and putting in a little work and time to create what is a better and much more personal drum to me now. Thank you for all the work you guys put in here! You guys really do help people learn and make better choices. Also… wherever you two are, Ben and Cody… the room is smarter and much better cause you’re there. ( From the Heart! )✨ Your Guitarist, learning drums… friend, Charles

[@keithmacmillan9871]

Excellent video on a topic that really needs addressed

[@michalostv9725]

Another great episode, I appreciate how this channel inspires on ideas. What helps me to evaluate a new purchase is to ask myself - Do I use the current equipment I have to the maximum of its capabilities? If we are honest, the answer is usually no. What is great, that even entry level drums are good enough these days you rarely need to upgrade with a proper maintenance and handling. You can also relax more on a gig when you know that your drum set does not cost like a used car. But we have all been there, imagining to have the high-end drums of our heroes to sound like them. In reality, it is all about playing and tuning.

[@famitory]

drum companies advertising at me makes me want to get a steambender, sliproller, cymbal lathe etc. more than buying the drums themselves. the primal urge to Make A Thing is powerful, even if it's a thing I don't actually need.

[@ristretto24]

Exactly the way I feel.

[@famitory]

very related: you can make a slip roller out of galvinized fence post pipe much cheaper than you can buy a real one and it works well enough to make drums out of 1/8" cold rolled steel.

[@frankspikes7858]

Great video. I find that when I get the sound I want then I'm satisfied. Even if the product is entry level or low budget. After playing drums for 30 plus years and sitting down to plenty of drums in multiple situations. I have come to find I don't need some multi thousand dollar drums. Good heads, and good tuning makes the difference.

[@ericg01]

Again, right on the money (pun intended)! In a world of marketing and influencers, you guys are refreshing.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! We encourage everyone to challenge the companies making claims of “changing the game” and offering “ultimate solutions” to back these up with fact.

[@ericg01]

Hours and hours of conversations we could have with all of this. From experience, there is also the disinformation that a lot of these "game changing" and " innovation" fact create. It can get pretty foggy for a lot of drummers.

[@mcmarine777]

The industry survives exclusively because the FOMO Factor. I’m 52 and have almost the same FOMO as I did when I was young, but i havea better grasp on the reality of purchases now & definitely have a more refined judgement for what I “need” rather than “want”.

[@DavidEpstein]

I think everyone needs to here this message every so often to realign their values. I have definitely bought a lot of gear I didn't need, but I think I've gotten better about buying things I will enjoy playing whether or not I really "need" them. I think the biggest trap was when I was younger and really did start to "need" more professional gear, that I didn't really know what made sense to buy. Online shopping didn't exist, so it was catalogues or in-store. I went through too many cymbals, kits, and snare drums before I had a good idea about what kind of player I was, and what my sound was. I think I only really started to get to know myself as a player a decade or so after college.

[@A3woodworks]

I remember one day thinking "Hey! They should make tension rods with finer pitch threads so you have more control over tuning." I even mentioned it to my dad, who is not a drummer at all, and we both thought it was a great idea. Then about 4 years later, I was working as a drum tech and a some of our guys had those DW kits with the tension rods with finer pitch threads on them, just like my idea that I thought would be so great. Turns out it's just a major pain and makes it take forever to change heads and tune the drums. Also, I've never had any trouble tuning drums because they have normal tension rods, and neither has anyone else. Yet another "innovation" that solved a non-existent problem, and in practice was worse than the way it was before. DW seems to have a lot of these types of innovations.

[@jeremyedwards3388]

Thank you so much for your content, all of your videos I've watched has been helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to make this channel

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey Jeremy! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. This really means a lot to us. Cheers! -Ben

[@pcgkjrn]

The drum and cymbal companies need a new “gimmick” every couple of years to generate revenue. Making money is what it’s all about. First it was mahogany shells then maple then birch, beech, bubinga, birch bubinga and so on. And it’s the same with cymbals and hardware. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for progress but against the subtle pressure of “you need this” to sound or play better. Excellent video as always👍

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

The key is to recognize what’s valuable innovation vs. gimmick and not throw out the good ideas just because we’ve failed to identify the problem that it solved or the opportunity that it creates. Keep an eye out for the companies that continually deliver on their promises and are willing to do the work rather than slapping a new label on something with more expensive packaging and calling it “premium”.

[@byrondickens]

1) Will this fill in a hole for me? 2) Is it a hole that really needs to be filled?

[@Aloha967-tree-fo-wer]

At very first, just as you had the foresight for, my response to the introduction was when I have money I add to my drums, no matter if I know how to play it yet. Then you caught me off guard, touché. Subscription added.

[@danistheguy]

Great video guys, spot on. I've definitely been guilty of fear based buying!

[@MartinBellamyMBDrums]

SUUUCH a good video! I totally agree with the point about the equipment doesn’t make you any better of a player. Sure small tweaks and upgrades can make it easier to do certain things. But yeah!

[@waynebaker2452]

As far as used equipment I never buy anything I can’t sell for at least the same price. With inflation factored in it’s not hard to do.

[@lancenicholas8520]

Gotta love the Evans add in the middle of this video

[@carrotsoup7264]

For me I had a similar experience with 7A sticks. I don't know why but I was convinced that playing thicker sticks was good, sounded better, and that sticks would last longer. Even drummers told me my sticks where toothpicks. I tried lots of sticks and to make it work, but always came back to 7A.

[@jamesdennett196]

Fellow 7A player here. At 6'2“ and 80kg, I sometimes feel a bit of a wuss for not using 5s like every other drummer out there, but fact is I just get along better with my 7s.

[@MeTuLHeD]

You may prefer 7A's for any number of valid reasons. But hitting a drum with a lighter thinner stick definitely creates a different timbre than hitting it with a heavier thicker stick. Especially hitting a snare drum. I know that doesn't necessarily translate into sounding "better", which is entirely subjective. But it definitely sounds different.

[@karlplaysdrums]

What works for you, is best for you!!🙂

[@johnrobinson8323]

7As it is. Gotta go with what is comfortable for you to play. Now I use 5As and 5Bs because that's what I'm comfortable with. 🥁❤️

[@Bangarang0037]

Needed this one . Thanks for making this.

[@vedantturbhekar3198]

Thankyou so much for posting this with constant struggle of thinking about buying K Customs, Buying Masters, etc etc. This is an eye opener for me as last month I had a gig and the FOH engineer told me that you should have mentioned in Backline, the company could have sent you K Customs and Reference series, but I rather got my own kit to the venue as I was more comfortable playing on my kit and I was used to the sound and feel of my own kit more than what backline provides even when it comes to high end kits while performing gigs I would consider my own kit to play gigs, it's late 90s premier drums with all maple wood and all die cast hoops which we rarely get to see it nowadays. Also I use A custom hi hats with Z custom dyno-beats bottom hi hats loud and musical as hell. 1984s Paise Rude, Paise 20 inch ride from 1998 and Sabian extra heavy ride from early 1990s. It makes me happy when I play my rig rather than sitting on another rig with hiend equipment. I would consider my own kit to gig with. Also I understood it's not the Drums it is the Drummer.

[@frankfertier34]

" late 90s premier drums with all maple wood and all die cast hoops" there is only one model that matches the description: the extra rare Signia Marquis: top end drums, though I prefer the staple "Signia Maple", with triple flange hoops and re-rings. (I own a big bunch of these shells, selling one topaze kit and one Sapphire)

[@vedantturbhekar3198]

@@frankfertier34 actually it's Premier XPK Cabria all Maple Shells with Die Cast Hoops, Sounds really great! And records with ease.

[@Bingbing611]

I wish I watched this 30 years ago

[@jcdrums2798]

tout ce qui n'est pas nécessaire, est tellement plus beau!

[@frankfertier34]

tu m'étonnes ! le problème c'est très rapidement le manque de place. Sinon je confirme: une "Le Soprano original" à 9000 patates ne sonne pas forcément mieux qu'une WLX d'occase bien réglée.

[@troofchatta5584]

Excellent topic. My biggest buy was a dw x-hat that I've used twice and is now boxed up with the rest of my drums in storage. I did love trying the open hand approach when I did and one day I'll continue that expensive notion

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Nows a good excuse to take it out and play with it. I'll admit part of mine is being used to hold a second splash.

[@ericstearns170]

$50 drum key!?! Son, you're behind the times, what I've got here is a Uranium plated Titanium key. And it's yours for the low low cost of $175.99. 🙄

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Ah, but it just so happens that we have in our possession a priceless, one-of-a-kind solid FOMOdium key and it tunes drums like you wouldn't believe...😉

[@varmutantvibes5669]

I'm sure you said some great things, but I just like listening to your snare sound.

[@CD-gk9ix]

Good video.. many times we psych ourselves into finding a solution to a problem which doesn't exist.

[@Avedis-G]

This is such a great point. I had a DW5000 kick drum pedal that I used for at least 15 years. I finally replaced it with the new “upgraded“ DW9000 pedal. I had that 9000 pedal for 10 years and not one time did I ever get it dialed in. And in the studio I would always revert back to the 5000 series. Thanks for the video!

[@glennbeckman7815]

I didn't know i had an OLD AND LOUSY model,until the NEW AND IMPROVED model showed up. Great life lesson in general. Gotta go, UPS knocking, I have to sign for my new Zildjean K Constantinople Rennaisonce Ride to replace my lousy K Custom Dark ride😊

[@peteyaskovic5567]

So funny that this video came up! I almost pulled the trigger on trading in my beloved Keller kit I built 10 years ago with my own hands for a new and beautiful Mapex kit. It would have been emotionally based in that it would appear more professional (all in my head) on stage as I'm playing bigger shows now. Long story short my wife and my band mates said I should keep what I have. It sounds great, it fits my look and at the end of the day it looks great on stage under the lights...

[@frederickbaugher8361]

The difference between great, expensive gear, and not so great gear is the amount of time it takes you to achieve a good result. I can get a great drum sound on a cheap kit but it’s going to take me much longer to achieve that goal, then it would say on a Yamaha custom maple kit, the other reason to buy expensive gear is reliability. If you were gigging night after night, you were going to need a kit with hardware that is going to last. So it’s really not about the sound but reliability and time and effort required to get a great tone, if you can get a great turn on that you’re satisfied with on your current kit then there’s no need to upgrade because in the end the only thing that counts is the sound.

[@williamfotiou7577]

I just came across an Acrolite that is approximately from '77 that was cheap and needed some tlc. I bought it and made it a project and MAN it sounds good. I thought of it as nostalgic since I started playing in '76. The problem is: it's snare #20. But i only have 3 drum sets. 😁

[@jonashellborg8320]

Awesome video! I notice exactly this, how much influencing is going on about drum products. I’ve been hit with the notion that there is always going to be better gear out there than what I currently own. And I have to accept that this is not a real problem. For example, I currently only own a Pearl Export drum kit. I plan to keep using this kit for gigs, recordings until I run into an actual problem. There is a lot of hypothetical problems I’ve seen, maybe they hold tuning worse than others, maybe less low end than other blah blah. But when I’ve played it, people have danced to it, got paid whilst using it. Also, funny observation: I noticed most youtube influencers are in a small, sound treated studios. And I play gigs in medium to large rooms, with zero microphones. It’s so important to be in charge of our own journey I find, and think what problems we actually have vs ones we just have in theory.

[@carlocesta8304]

Thank you!

[@sammcdouall4849]

This extremly high price for rare gear makes me think of used Brady Drums. There snares are selling for over $6000 now, while other Australia drum companies are still making similar high quality drums from aussie hardwoods for less than $1000.

[@geraldware5968]

Another GREAT episode!! Let your actual needs guide what you play and buy.

[@scottklop]

Thanks for the wise words. Great reality check.

[@BatManWayneCorp]

This video is great general buying advice, not just for drum gear 💪

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our videos these days have themes that extend far beyond drums and music.

[@alanpassmore2574]

Keep the nice kit for the studio and use a mid range budget kit for live.

[@sleepwhenimdead9667]

Thanks for the interesting thought experiment! Definitely revealed some things I’m tempted to purchase for dubious reasons. A lot of purchases/upgrades I’ve made have been functional. Sometimes function/aesthetic merge and it works really nicely. Then there’s the piece of my brain that says I need 3 different tools for dampening. If I don’t spend $150 on some fine dampening products, I’ll be missing out!! Or, the towels I’ve been using work just great and it’s a little silly to get wrapped up in how many choices there are. All of it is valid. More options can be helpful. But is it necessary? Not really. Give me one wood snare and one metal snare- that takes care of pretty much all of it.

[@johnreardon4944]

I own a live blues venue in Japan. I provide quality gear for pro bands that come to play. This video makes me feel good about my buying decisions. I have expensive things, but I also bought them because they are useful musically. Also, I'm good at getting the gear I NEED on auctions and at recycle shops. I have a Pearl Reference Pure kit, 22 10 12 13 16, that I got on auction for $1500. Does it work well in my venue? Hell yes! I'm a drummer who tunes well too. I have an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI box for bass guitar into the amp and mixer. $200. It was a game changer in sound quality. My 1969 Fender Super Reverb was $1600. It sounds amazeballs as does my Fender Hotrod Deluxe which I bought used for $600. And as any audiophile will tell you, get the best speakers. That's where you can't be cheap. I bought a new full set of QSC powered speakers for around $6500. Oh! And an Audix D6 bass drum mic. All my cymbals are 70's Zildjians and the hardware is all 1990s black label. What I have, as Cory mentioned, is flashy, but is also legitimately useful for our sound. My venue is popular because of the quality sound, focus on the performer's experience, and friendly atmosphere. Nobody cares about the gear. I'm winning because it's always about the music. Do drummers enjoy playing and lust over our Reference kit in Brooklyn Burst? Sure they do! But it's the sound that makes them want to play better. And I've learned so much about tuning, tone, and getting my sound from this channel! Thank you always, Cory! My venue is not a gimmick. It's the real deal where musicians have lively conversations about SOUND! It's all about the right gear for the right music. And playing techniques. And having the a sound tech who is also on the same page is invaluable. Life is good.

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Ok, I'm not buying a Pearl masters drum kit, got it. I already own two kits.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

If you’ve got two kits that do the job and provide you with what you need, definitely don’t go wasting money on a Pearl Masters kit or any other for that matter.

[@jeremyschneider9531]

I'm a cheap SOB, so this stuff is a harder sell for me. Most of my gear I bought used, and been pretty happy. I have more snares than I need, but I got to try several different things and only spent ~$100 each on them. I did buy my baby blue Gretsch Renown 57 Bop kit new, on a great sale. Man, I love that kit. Honestly though, not because it SOUNDS way better than my other, used, lower-mid grade kit, but because it's so beautiful. I did buy a hihat mounted shaker and tambourine new, and I'm glad I did. So all in all, I've been pretty happy with my purchases.

[@11000038]

As a guitarist I totally agree. I think can I tell whether they are playing a Gibson or just another twin humbucker? Or even a Tele or strat eq'ed. I just bought a used Les Paul copy at £270 Inc a case. It's fantastic and inspiring. Build quality superb. I have also just acquired a used Mapex Meridian kit and actually sanded down the rubbish cymbals. That all sounds great. I made a point of only getting used gear. Again addictive all in for less than £1000. Knacked 10 year old cars start at what price?!

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Guilty as charged. I was convinced I needed high end Zildjians. Now have. They sure are pretty. But that don't make me Bernard. 😪

[@grahamroden8897]

Great video, I’m guilty of all of the above. I bought a copper snare and some PST 8’s last year as an early 40th present. The snare is fabulous but it’s scary to use so I go to my default Premier Modern Classic. The PST 8’s are also fabulous and are as nice as the set of A Customs I acquired over a decade.

[@dennishritz4677]

Thanks for the video!

[@montearnstam6827]

I really enjoyed this video. I always admire the thought you all put into your videos. My attention span due to today’s media doesn’t always afford me the mental bandwidth to dedicate to really diving into all the information you all present. But as a drummer and a creative person I really admire your dedication to providing useful information to us music folks! Thanks yall

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

A valuable lesson that is best learned sooner rather than later. Gear heads will be very depressed when confronted with this conversation. Remember...the drummer is the most important part of the equation. Do the best you can, with what you have, right where you currently are.

[@richboshart1201]

Drum manufacturers are hating you right now!!! Seriously, great discussion and points. This should be self-intuitive, but some of us do get caught up in buying new gear, just because we want something new.

[@johnbmx4christ]

I'm now scared that I don't have enough. I need everything terry bozzio has. Thanks allot guys. 😁

[@11000038]

10 companies all making 10 ride cymbals. The choice is bewildering. The anxiety of whether to spend £100 or £400 stressful. Me I just took the sandpaper to my existing catalogue company ride. A couple of hours and it's now unique, great sounding and great looking cymbal. Best of all it's free. My hihats got the same and one is a crash.

[@vandavis000]

Great video guys.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

"How about some nice left-handed sticks, and some brushes with a press roll attachment?" :)

[@jerrygamez5723]

Thank you for the video.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You’re quite welcome!

[@DroctorKloebner]

"we're gonna focus primarily on the tactics that are coming at us and muddying the waters..." *ads start playing

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Can you think of a clearer way to make the point?

[@DroctorKloebner]

@@SoundsLikeADrum no, eventhough I hate youtube ads, that timing was just perfect.

[@flacoironside3544]

I still have and use the cymbals I got from my grandparents when I was a teenager. Im over 40 now. Cymbals are too expensive

[@barrybecker3706]

Bravo!!!!

[@The_Other_Ghost]

If you are really addicted to the product idea, then buy used or off brand. They might not sound exactly the same or need a part replaced, but the exact same feeling can be had even when you saved (especially if the ride cost over $600).

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Yes and no. We believe in supporting the brands that do the work- that's how you keep these brands in business. When opting for off-brand versions to save money, you often get what you pay for. If it's worth having, it's probably worth saving up for.

[@drumdad1242]

You guys do really great work, thank you.

[@SuperDrdirty]

This is all industries though. Tech and apparel especially. I use all the drum gear that I buy. Trends never really affected me.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Oh for sure! We're not saying that any of this is unique to our industry. In fact, if you take a macro look at each of our episodes, there are some much larger themes that extend far beyond drum sounds. Cheers!

[@aakkoin]

First thing that came to mind was the wooden rim-thing you attach to your snare to play cross-stick...

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That’s a perfectly valid product that has a lot of benefit for certain players and in certain scenarios. We’ve featured the X-Click here before and really dig it.

[@aakkoin]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Well, alright. I trust your opinion. What if you put that thing on a tom...🤔

[@oneinfinity]

Best buying experience I ever had was switching for my cheap Millenium rack to a Gibraltar rack. Made my setup so much more ergonomic and efficient in an instant and really improved my comfort while playing a lot. Worst buying experience: Snare Weight. First of all I had to buy an expensive extension because it didn't work with die cast hoops, and even then it only dampened the snare ringing a little bit. I still have to use additional moon gels to get it to sound the way I want.

[@sneaky_general]

When I bought 14" New Beat hats because they were "industry standard" and hated them. Played dozens of other hats until i realized 14" K traditional was my sound.

[@TOMPDUDE]

Well said Cody. Well said. This is the way.

[@robclaytondrums531]

Great advice Cody. Great grooves too BTW!

[@JJPercussion1]

Love this 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@mattmiddletonmusic]

This is less an indictment of the music products industry and more of a commentary on consumerism in general. The same concepts you mention are applied to everything from cell phones to T-shirts to houses, etc. A great deal of the responsibility for aspirational buying falls on the consumer, especially in the world of online drum forums, where this kind of thinking proliferates in a way that is beyond the abilities of even the most savvy marketing departments in the industry. Look at the explosion in popularity of consumer rating sites and mechanisms like Yelp, Trip Advisor, Amazon, etc. “It’s got 5 stars!”. Manufacturers can benefit if their product is trendy, but they’re not the ones driving it. Manufacturers didn’t make vintage American drums cool again, drummers did that. The enormous popularity of vintage gear actually works against the aims of modern manufacturers. Secondary markets (used gear) are entirely consumer driven.

[@CrappyProducts]

I think for me having the best possible gear makes me play better frankly because I feel better about it so I'll put in more work, more energy and more effort in each gig if I feel good about it. Having said that, it's all for my own benefit since most people don't really recognise the difference between a Brady and a Pearl Export

[@InYourDreams-Andia]

Cool post, and I'm in the 'new kit for new inspiration' camp, but I've had my Pearl kit for 30yrs, so it's time to change. Also, in any market, there will be the early adopters, that snap up gear to try/review to be the 1st. Then all the way thru to the latent buyers, that get the goods after its been 'verified' by the general market. And progress in any form is incremental, so that 'new' feature may add up to a whole better thing, which accumulates over time. I also know that on any kit I will play the same- ish chops etc, and that's where real development is.. In the skill set.

[@bencarter6702]

Always useful advice. I have been drumming once a month or so for our local church for 4 years. Huge music fan who came to the kit late in life. Started with a second hand DXP Fusion kit. Retail $600. Second hand $150. My wife eventually thought the cymbals were tinny so we spent about $400 on a pack of Kazans. Down from $700! The rest is sticks, rods, brushes. For percussion there's two tambourines, shaker, bongos, triangles, cowbell. I get the point. Always more we could want. But what will it add and how often will it really be used? A store bloke talked me out of felt mallets for this reason. Personally? I'm always pulled in a few directions. New chimes? Congas? An e-pad? Rototoms? For the record I'm a big Genesis fan. Plus Marillion, YES, Pink Floyd, King Crimson... you get the idea. My head is often in the Bill Bruford zone. Or, in a more modern sense, the Gavin Harrison zone.

[@andreagatti6334]

Nice video, thanks :)

[@Kyp031]

I recently bought the starclassic walnut/birch in tamo ash finish and I'm glad I did. I had the last kit over 20 years gigging. Without that time with an old kit and learning I wouldn't have made a good choice. Nice gear is awesome but I think a level of maturity and appreciation is needed to get such an instrument. Not cuz someone else has it. That's stupid lol

[@ukymon]

Love the honesty of your content. Keep it up guys.

[@kcjacks5180]

Same as people buying their golf game! I have a 2nd hand Pearl Soundcheck. I bought new heads, I think I tuned it right. I think it sounds great. But without listening to my kit, others say I'll need a better kit to gig or record. My instructor even said, without hearing it, will never sound good. Idk.

[@renz-ey707]

I've had Pearl Soundchecks for 11 years. The way you play them, the hardware you have, your head choice, and how they are miced and mixed are the biggest factors in a great sound

[@kcjacks5180]

@@renz-ey707 that's awesome. So you gig and record with them? One of the practice venues I play at has a very expensive custom Pork Pies. And my Soundchecks sound a lot better.

[@renz-ey707]

@@kcjacks5180 I do! They've done me right over the years. And that's hilarious; thank you for sharing.

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Talking about golf. I was at the driving range with a $2.00 club (it might have been free) hitting them further than a highschool/ college kid with new clubs.

[@kcjacks5180]

@@The_Other_Ghost yeah I played for years with my dad's old clubs from the 70s. Held a 5 handicap until shoulder damage. Friends spent thousands of dollars on equipment and never got down to a 5.

[@rooftop.voter542]

This episode was unexpectedly based

[@thedrumdoctor]

The problem with the whole musical instrument industry is that it’s forced to reinvent the wheel to stay alive. Very few truly innovative products arrive in the sea of ‘new’ products released each year. I work in the music retail industry so see it from the inside. A lot of the time you see a new product and ask yourself, “why? How are we going to sell this reinvention of the wheel?” A great example in recent years are Promark sticks. How many variations of finishes, shaft design etc do we need? The truth is, no where near as many as Promark’s R&D people believe. Hence, there has been a cull in their stick range. Too many choices for customers when in reality, they just want a more durable product. That’s the bottom line; customers have better things to do with their cash than spend frequently on breakables. Yes, they know there is an expectation of maximum life expectancy for a consumable product, but likewise, they know when a product isn’t lasting as long. Anyway, this video hits the nail on the head and reflects a harsh reality for the diminishing world of music retail.

[@elvissanchez8985]

I agree to everything said in this video, but…when you play and hear the real deal instruments, like any Moog, or an American precision bass vs the knock offs, they might look similar, but, man, they are not the same!

[@KeatingJosh]

I've been lucky that I've basically managed to grow and improve with my "upgrades" but it is food for thought

[@jtf9670]

yeah you see all the bells and whistles on buddy rich's 42 piece kit and understand why he sound so good /sarcasm/

[@walidelaref881]

Thank you for this video , i always believed new inovations are all about sales and have no real impact on a serious drummer as all iconic drummers in the past used the simplest gears 👍🏼

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You’re welcome, though let’s not go throwing innovation out the window. Innovation isn’t just about sales, it’s about improving upon something and we’ve all benefited from innovation in drumming and our daily lives. Best to keep an open mind while also engaging in critical thinking. Cheers!