Ep. 36 Perfecting Snare Side Tuning

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Of all of the approaches to tuning that we’ve shared so far, the ruler method is one that we receive the most questions about so we deduced to create a detailed video walking you through the process of leveling the snare side head in order to achieve a wide range of snare sounds.
Like most of the methods we’ve covered, this isn’t at all complex but it requires attention to detail. Take your time and you’ll be rewarded!
Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media
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[@chrislightbody]

These are some of the best drum videos on the internet, keep up the great work

[@toomdog]

This^^^

[@C0zyDunt]

In over 40 yrs of playing, I never once thought about measuring the distance between bearing edge and hoop. Now it just seems so logical. The money I've spent on torque tools, dial gauges and it appears a ruler was the answer, well! As I said before if only this was around when I was starting out, the hours of heartache trying to get my drums sounding good, especially when there would be some funny with one particular head or another. Great job guys, really useful videos. Keep them coming.

[@nikdrown]

C0zyDunt nobody ever considered drummers to be the smartest breed did they 😜

[@C0zyDunt]

@@nikdrown I just like to hit things. Oh and shiny things.

[@mantzini]

Dont think you can go very wrong with a tension watch...

[@C0zyDunt]

@@mantzini I agree, but simply measuring is going to get you it a really good starting place. Drums and heads these days are so much better and more consistent compared to how they were back in the 70's and 80's. Sometimes you would get a new head which didn't want to behave, so you would be put it on, then taking it off and keep trying because you weren't sure if it was on correctly, so using a ruler, just so simple.

[@thetruthexperiment]

You have to watch out. There are some big time anti-tuner tool people. Not everyone has the best tonal ear. You can absolutely get good use out of any of those tools if you know what you’re doing. No question this is a crucial bit of information but the torque key is great if you’ve got clean and lubricated new quality lugs. I stopped playing bass as my primary instrument because o realized I couldn’t really hear the bass well enough. With drums there are so many things to think about even a torque key can come in handy. I just figured out how to get my snare batter to never ring when played in the center with no muffling whatsoever. For most people with great ears or ears so crappy they don’t even know they have a bad ears, special tools aren’t worth it but they all require technique to use properly.

[@hitherescotty]

Dude I just came here from the video about getting articulation at the edges of a snare and how happy am I to see you’re working on an 68 Acrolite, which is EXACTLY my snare. I love this channel so much

[@contramachina354]

Holy cow... I love this guy... He helped me fix the sound of my snare in a few minutes! Amazing! This channel is the absolute bee's knees.

[@Assimilator702]

This video popped up into my feed WHILE I was replacing a snareside head and encountered this problem. Time to remove that head again. Spooky.

[@johnreardon4944]

My brass 14x5.5 Pearl Sensitone Classic II really opened up after watching this video. It has brass die cast hoops too and you're also right about bringing up the two lugs on both sides. The four lugs next to them got turned up half as much. Didn't have to turn the four by the snare beds. Thank you so much for this video! Rock on!

[@jonneville2287]

I use the Tune Bot for all drum heads except for the snare side, as it doesn't seem to pick up the pitch of the head near the tuning rod accurately or consistently. For the snare side head I've been using the Evans Torque Key, but it doesn't always tension evenly either. Forget all the gadgets - just use a ruler! Who knew? Thanks for all the great tips.

[@superjablko]

Im here from a very beginning.. Your videos was something that was missing, whet I was young, starting on a drums, without music education. Love your work guys

[@vjmacintyre]

I tried this method on my 17-year old Sonor Force 3003 snare.. I applied it to both the batter and snare side heads, and it worked so well. Very impressed. My Evans torque key worked when the kit was brand new, but isn't much help now. I thought about dropping $90-120 on a head tension tuner (DrumDial), and I'm glad I didn't!!

[@sidmarks265]

Very informative. This method has great potential for troubleshooting and solving snare problems. Much appreciated and thank you.

[@thetruthexperiment]

I’ve played drums my whole life. Mostly a singer and guitar player, but this channel has so much information and almost all of it seems crucial. I’ve been asking real drummers about little details my whole life and this particular technique seems like it’s something you should absolutely know about it. Amazing.

[@offbeatdrumcompany2568]

I'm so glad you did an episode on this, your snare tuning video was first time I've ever heard of using a ruler to set the reso head and it really surprised me, simple yet effective. It was also part of why I decided to check out your other videos! I was curious what other little tips and tricks I had been missing out on!

[@maxsignori7660]

Finally someone who mentions this. I have an old Premier snare with 1.6mm hoops low profile. At some point I realized that the best tuning for the reso head was with the hoop almost flush with the shell. I thought it was kind of weird, the head was almost touching the snare stand. Only some years later I discovered that this was intentional, the hoop had been designed by Premier to ease the tuning of the reso head. No measuring, no tapping, just bring the hoop (almost) flush with the shell and you're done.

[@Sundaydrumday]

ya I have learned so much from you guys, and I played drums for about 15 years, took a 10 year break, came back and started playing again, as refreshers and for new tips on sound, its been alot of fun to dig into alot of these videos and apply them at home, thanks cliff

[@Brosenbrose]

I absolutely love this method. It ensures the best possible starting point for tuning the most complicated head of all and ensuring good snare bed, making sure those snare wires sound optimal. It's an easily measurable way of obtaining a starting point where everything is even and level, which is rule number one for tuning drum heads. Glad you went a little more in depth on this one.

[@richardhingle3634]

And to think it took 2 college degrees to realize: Knowledge builds your sound Rehearsal builds your technique These teachings are excellent. 58 years in and I learn more from this channel which only serves to prove we should never stop learning.

[@scottvelardo700]

Thanks for these videos!! I love that you’re not afraid to take the time - and the words - it takes to explore and express. Too many people stress keeping videos brief and printed text short at the expense of getting into any useful detail. Real communication is complex and wordy sometimes. I’m glad you don’t shy away from that. You cover as many bases as possible. And that’s what makes your content so useful to the rest of us. Now, I’mma go get my ruler!

[@Niklasvuo]

I've been playing for over 10 years and this is channel is the best I know. The tips and tricks you have is absolutely amazing. And the natural sound you have in the videos is perfect. Thank you so much. Keep up your awesome work! Looking forward for more every day!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Glad to hear it! Thanks so much for the support. Help spread the word by sharing your favorite videos with your drummer friends. Cheers! -Ben

[@TheMrfuzzyface]

Best most useful drum videos/channel I’ve ever encountered! Thank you so much!

[@simonvasey8546]

Can't believe I went back to watch this classic. I got a Ludwig LM400 for Christmas 2021 but couldn't get rid of the wrinkles by the snare beds without feeling that I was cranking the adjacent rods down. So grabbed a ruler and a quick review of this video. All sorted 😃

[@vitogobbo9338]

Very explanatory thank you! Im going to get a leveler:)

[@legendofthestrings1]

Dude I love watching your videos. I learn so much every time I watch. Of cores I"m a nubie and only have 43hrs on my set. But I came a long way in a short time with the help of several drum instructors on here. Now I want to go look at my snare and make sure it's setup like you illustrated. Thanks man. :)

[@davidsuprenant893]

Thank you for this great post.Ive been drumming since 1964.Have always struggled like a lot of people trying to get the perfect snare sound.Seems when you are playing a kit with smaller toms I always have a problem with small toms reacting from snare wires.Im definitely going to try this out.I think this is a great method. Something also worth mentioning, check the counter hoop and make sure it's not warped or the head. Recently bought a new snare,could not get it in tune.Took off the snare hoop and it was warped as well as the head.50.00 later I now had a good drum sound.

[@Hercules_Mavromatis]

I have this problem with my wires, where the wires on the left rattle, while the ones the right sit flat and choked. I am gonna give the ruler method a try. You are the only ones in the whole internet that address this problem. Thank you very much

[@Rockin_Ross]

Great tips here brother! I have a mahogany Gretsch snare that has no snare beds at all. It will by the end of the day as it's become my "Six Million Dollar Drum" project: Die cast batter hoop, mag throw off & butt plate upgrades & now a snare bed for better sound. With your ruler method here, my goal to make the drum Better, stronger, faster will be complete! Thanks for all you do for us "little guys" behind the kit.

[@Eatulater]

As usual, most excellent video. And thanks for voting!

[@betulaobscura]

I use the same method (and some variations) since I first started playing drums. It was my intuitive approach. That time I have no idea if it's wrong or right. It works then and works now. it is my favourite way to make drums sing.

[@russellroy5557]

I absolutely love every video on this channel, my eyes and ears have been opened immensely. You have amazing knowledge and insight that just instantly clicks with in my head. I have a 14 by 6 tama slp g bubinga snare. I purchased an aquarian ultimate snare tune up kit and applied everything I learned here from leveling the bottom head to tuning up and down in very short intervals trying to find my ideal sound. Can you please spotlight either my snare drum or the tune up kit? I need more videos as I have binge watched these like a Netflix series. Keep up the great work fellas

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

So glad to hear that you're enjoying the channel and found some value in the tutorials! If Tama hits us up, we'd be happy to work with them on some Snare Spotlights. Same thing goes for Aquarian. Cheers! -Ben

[@eliomccarthy9368]

I just bought a sweater from y’all because this information is priceless. Thank you so much.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks for the support! 👊🏻🥁❤️

[@jasonmare33]

the leveling of bottom rim ,the missing link! thanks man 30 years later haha

[@gordgibson6654]

Plain and simple, thanks Cody.

[@freethinkerAUS]

Amazing videos guys. You’ve changed the way I approach tuning and how I get sounds out of my kit

[@eddypalogrande6090]

This channel makes my day with every upload!

[@jacoblamantia4083]

Thank you for all of these awesome videos. I’ve been grinding studying these episodes like I’m preparing for my college finals haha. I think it is important to remember that even tuning or an even hoop doesn’t always = even tones across the lugs. However, with a snare I am focused on feel and snare response and this worked wonders. Thanks again!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You are so welcome! Glad you’re enjoying them and getting some value out of them. If you’re craving more, we just launched a Patreon that will include lots of additional exclusive content. www.patreon.com/soundslikeadrum

[@seamusobric]

Excellant work guys so happy to have watched this and learnt something. The difference between die cast and triple flange when tuning the resonant head, the way that snare came out just by leveling with the ruler.... Jaysus it sounds bootifull!!! 😉 💯 👆 😎 😎 😎

[@ArthurVint]

I just chanced upon this video and tried it on a snare that had always been finicky and this made a huge difference . Gracias

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We’ve got lots more where that came from! Be sure to subscribe and check out our other weekly tutorials. New videos every Tuesday at 12:30pm EST.

[@nospoon17]

You know your a drummer when the smell and feel of lithium grease puts a smile on your face.

[@drummersinger5324]

Buddy Rich said as tight as it can get . Right next to popping it. Is the way. I agree

[@adamwasthefirstman]

Something else new to try! Seems to happen every time I watch one of your videos. Great stuff!

[@TMPKNSS]

Thank you again. Always informative and never boring👍

[@danielbeach920]

A++ Great as always. Thanks guys. Understand this well enough to give it a try myself now. Keep up the great work.

[@ziccuj]

Watched a couple of your videos and simply had to subscribe. Heck, I'm not even a drummer, but I do have a few drum kits in my studio and I'm more than willing to learn more about them to get better sounds out of them. Cheers and all the best from Finland!

[@JxVarytiV0]

Awesome video, as always! Thanks a lot. I tried something similar after watching this video, I tuned my reso head close to the pitch I want, and then evened out the lugs using your method, and it worked like a charm! My snare definitely sounds better now. (I also tried the same method for my batter head, and I'm pleased with the result)

[@reddieseled]

I use the wrinkle release trick on even the snare side by pushing lightly. Just remember the 4 lugs on the snare beds will be a half step lower tune in general

[@donbelle7171]

You very helpful this a good idea 🤓

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Excellent Video!!!!!!!!!!! I love what how simplistic this is

[@Aring1969]

Awesome vid, can’t wait to try this on my snares, keep up the great content !

[@Aconite]

This video saved me. Thanks for making my snare sounding sick!

[@BlackArtBMX]

Great video as always. What do you think about this video idea: Difference between snare strand count and some tuning tips for each?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That’s in the plans! -Ben

[@ferraraxx96]

Hi guys. I’m having troubles trying to apply this method. I finger-tightened all the screws in the star-pattern and I started with the measurement of one lug, applying a bit of tension. When I try to level the next lug, it is almost the same height already (probably because it gets affected by the tension I applied to the first lug). As a result, the second screw remains just finger-tight and after 4/5 hours of playing, it comes completely off. Thank you in advance guys, you’re awesome.

[@simon9600]

super useful as always thanks

[@ruukasu71]

You dudes are awesome keep doing this! it would be great if you did a video on tuning and/or just overall maintenance of vintage drums

[@pyroeuropa]

Lithium grease? rdavidr approves :D

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

It’s the way to go!

[@tommonson3109]

I need to get to GC right away for some new snare side heads! Both my snares are getting the ruler!

[@mario7frankielee]

thank you i like your videos a lot everything is very logical/practical and still you don’t deny that there’s sometimes vodoo & magic which makes things (snares)sound outherwordly good!! but to know what we can do to make it for those powers easy to intermingle is very nice 🎉

[@joesantee2695]

Love the videos not enough guys spend time on the tuning of there drums...so many people are afraid of a little "ring" or tone they like the pizza box thing NOT COOL! keep them coming Thanks:)

[@jonathanreddish8590]

great videos! thank you.

[@areaboy777]

Great lesson Bro. Thank you.✌

[@jodywhite1971]

Zen and the Art of Snare Drum Tuning

[@RA2Music]

You know I thought I was meticulous in my tuning, but you really put me to shame. I never used this ruler method, but I need to change the snare side head on my primary snare and will try this method out. Thanks as always for the helpful information.

[@MeTuLHeD]

This video raises some questions for me. In a previous conversation, you objected to the use of a Drum Dial as a tuning aid. Perhaps I misunderstood, but that was my distinct impression. Yet in this video you are using the ruler in much the same way...as a tool by which to establish an objective baseline for head/rim alignment. The only difference is that the Drum Dial uses tympanic pressure to measure the same thing. Namely consistent tension around the rim. By the way, orchestral percussionists not only use the measurement 'triangle' you referenced in the video, but they also use Drum Dials to achieve even tympanic pressure as well as strobotuners to find a pitch.

[@BrianAndresMusic]

I would love to see you do a video comparing/talking about the difference between a die cast rim and a triple flanged rim. How it affects a snare, tom etc...

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

For sure! Check out Ep. 33 for some snare hoop comparisons and look forward to more kit-oriented stuff in the future :) - Cody

[@jebmcgovern3744]

for all yall trying this method out. I'd recommend grabbing a cheap wooden ruler from a place like wallgreens. They cost about about a 1.50 and have almost no edge to them to possibly damage your head. They also have less marking usually.

[@FredoughBreaksBreadWithYou]

hey. how about dynasonic snare drums? Their unique design prompts curiosity as to how a steel bar underneath can affect the sound, how it's supoosed to be set up and why some one would choose that specific snare drum in the first place? if you guys are ever seeking subjects for your next video, I figured this could make a cool topic and you guys would definitely offer the most insightful discussion on it. lovin' the channel

[@tayewalker1129]

Yes! Finally!

[@timlovegrove1097]

Love the channel, so much great information! Could you guys do something on smaller snares? I play a 12x5 and it's always been a pain to tune, different heads seem to make much more noticeable tone & sound differences than on larger drums. Would be great to see a video on smaller sizes, piccolo's etc. Keep up the good work!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! A lot of people have been bringing this concept up and it's made me curious - what sort of difficulties are you experiencing that are specific to smaller drums? - Cody

[@timlovegrove1097]

Hi Cody, so this month I accidentally bought a Remo Emperor Hazy instead of my usual Ambassador snare side, they're very similar but one is 5mm vs 3mm. Just from that change the tone is a lot thicker and it's less responsive, especially away from the centre. It didn't seat on the snare beds as well and won't tune up to the pitch I'm used to and - the snares sound really "splatty". That in itself is another tricky part - I've always found it hard to get a responsive sound across the head, possibly because the snare wires are harder to seat. I'm also not sure if they're the best wires for this drum - I'm using PureSounds, I think they're 16 strand (they're probably due replacement in all fairness!). It's a 2001 Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute 12"x5". I actually had to replace the lugs recently because a couple had split apart in the middle, from being over-tightened for a long time. Cheers!

[@ac34510]

So, you've mentioned the number of snare wires several times now...Any way that you guys could do a video comparing the different sounds you get from different widths of snare wires? Love these videos!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Yep, there's gonna be a snare wire deep-dive in the not-too-distant future. - Cody

[@gregdyer1380]

LOVE the deep info and tech guidance. I have 2 snares - one a wood hoop top and bottom, the other a Catalina Club snare. So both wood bodies. I want to understand more about the effect pitch will have on playing characteristics, response and tone etc.... for the batter and the snare side heads. I play a lot of jazz influenced, and latin/brazilian music with brushes. Maybe a bit niche, i realise. Can you fill me in?

[@underpressureman]

This may be a dumb idea but I just cant find any quality video's in this category, so can you possibly consider doing some Ludwig Snare drum shootouts, New(90's-Current) vs Old(80's-back)? What I'm thinking maybe is like Supraphonic vs Supraphonic, Acrolite vs Acrolite etc etc. Ive been curious for a long time to hear them side by side as I know a few people who are like, " The new Ludwig's don't even compare to the older one's! Drumbuster's myth busting series orrrrrrrr lol?

[@cartoune]

What are your thoughts on the AdmiralBumbleBee school of thought? He mentions that the star pattern adds different tension hot spots around the drum, which makes it especially difficult to seat the head if you're using die cast or wood hoops. He suggests that the best tuning method is two keys opposite to each other simultaneously going a quarter turn around the drum. Then the point of tension stays in the same spot and the hoops are "happier". I

[@TheGuizmo11]

awesome !

[@yourdrummer2034]

Rolled and formed hoops may not be perfect, so keep that in mind. Die-cast hoops should be more uniform if measuring. I use my Starett machinist scale but I measure the visible thread on the tension rods and I know I'm really close with that too. Great video!

[@arielscarpino8890]

very good the channel and each of the videos, it hurts that it is not in Spanish! It is not clear if the resonant patch is more or less tight than the whisk patch?

[@justinwillms17]

Interesting discovery when I did this. I noticed right away that the sympathetic buzz toned down a lot when I hit my tom. Does that make any sense? Lol My snare side hoop level was super wonky before I found this video.

[@Martin-kn6vc]

I'm glad you made this video. I saw a couple where you used the ruler, and didn't really understand what you were looking for/at. This is absolute gold! When you hit the drum after getting the bottom head level and it sounding decent, that was a really good illustration to why the ruler method is necessary for accurate and (seemingly) easier drum tuning. Would this method work for other drums if you wanted to be really specific, or would it be kinda pointless?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! By specific, you mean to get a similar sound based on a similar hoop height measurement?

[@Martin-kn6vc]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that haha. Yeah that is what I mean. I guess it would be a similar concept to what a drum dial does?

[@bryanholewski8049]

Very interesting and logical. What about using this method as a starting point when seating a new head on any drum??

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! You certainly can, and I do when using thin batter heads (or calf) to make sure things are level. With batter-thickness heads you do still have to tune the lugs and even everything out but it’s a good starting spot. -Cody

[@SONORSQ2guy]

I find a snare side without collar is easier because you don’t have to worry about the snare rim being perfect with the measuring tool.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We would approach it the same way since tension is still being applied and we want the hoop to match the contour of the bearing edge. It's also important to note that not all drums are as accommodating when it comes to no-collar snare side heads and those heads are also far less common at most stores.

[@GlitchComputer]

wait im not sure I understood the outer lugs comment at the end. Are you referring to the ones aligned to the snare bed?

[@andrewlau2939]

Hi! What about counting the exposed threads on a tension rod? Have you tried counting them to determine if they are more or less equal with ome another? High quality tension rods are pretty consistent in build, so the number of threads should be roughly the same.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That could work but we've found this method to be far easier to work with.

[@maninthezoo]

Great vids! Any tips on getting that perfect ‘knock’ sound on the snare without alot of snare rattle? Thanks!

[@patrickfarley8036]

A better tool for this job would be to use a 6" caliper as a depth gauge. You can find a cheap one at Harbor Frieght for under $10. It will be faster, accurate and more repeatable than a ruler! Removes the chance of falling off the flat of the head into the space bwtween the rim and the bead as you warned against! It is also a useful tool for many jobs in the studio, garage, shop or home, and in this application it is just a gauge for repeatability so a more expensive micrometer would be a waste of money.

[@C0zyDunt]

Could use it for measuring the depth of your wallet.

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

@@C0zyDunt My wallet measures in the negative range. Weird? How do you ever get even?

[@tommylittle5414]

So what about using a tensioning gauge or tension meter? Does that accomplish the same end result from a leveling standpoint?

[@tracktuary]

Great video as always, guys! Two questions: 1) Does it make sense to measure batter side of a drum, as well? I have a 10-lug snare, and every once in a while, I have a challenge tuning it. One or more lugs will sound higher in pitch, but seem looser in tension (squirrelly stuff as you call it). I wonder if that's due to me not being even throughout the tuning process. 2) Do you have recommended snare wires for a 14x5.5" Yamaha MCA? My focus is straight ahead jazz / bop. They are in need of being replaced. Thanks for all of the great info.

[@bitomorais]

Hi! I have a masters bcx 6.5x14 and try everything i see on your channel on it. My question is: 2 from 10 is so much more tighten than anothers to get the same measurements. Its the snare wires perpendicular lugs. If i send u a video from my snare, could u take a look? Drummers i know tune His snare as a rock and i have nobody to share my doubts. Thanks for all

[@danielcohn6884]

Sounds like a drum, please answer this question: Should we expect the measurement to be level all the way around, including between the highest/flat point of the shell, and the lowest point of the snare bed? This seems counterintuitive. Wouldn't we have to apply much less tension to the deeper snare bed tension rods to get the hoop sitting at the same height there as at the higher parts on the shell? I started following this guide on my snare but stopped when I noticed that the snare bed was lower and difficult to bring in line with the rest of shell without dramatic disparity in tensioning. PS: the answers beds on my drum aren't as wide the drum in this video, but they aren't much deeper. It's a Sonor Benny grebb signature. They're certainly not narrow cut outs like some drums.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey Daniel! Yes, you're looking to match the topography of the entire bearing edge, snare bed included. Be sure to watch the update to this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGO7o6d5bqeVh6M

[@Eurodrummer666]

Another question, what do you think about the 2 keys method to tune a snare?

[@pablomarin1947]

Could you put the option of subtitles in spanish? Or thats imposible? Your channel is amazing

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We don't do manual subtitles so everything is autogenerated. You should be able to adjust your language preferences.

[@thomaskleinhans2384]

Please do some stuff with different drum beater.

[@stephenmahlstedt8533]

I’m new to your channel and am binge watching these videos in attempt to make up for my (now obvious) complete lack of knowledge for how drums truly work and how to properly tune them. Thank you for producing these videos! I do have a quick question. Do you have any thoughts about using two keys on opposite lugs, as opposed to the single-key star pattern, for maintaining the same relative tension?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! I personally don’t do that because I’ve had too many drums that had a degree of resistance at one or more of the lugs that differed from the rest (especially older drums) so it was hard to tell if I was really tensioning them evenly. These days one key is enough for me, along with checking that the hoop is level to the drum as I go. -Cody

[@stephenmahlstedt8533]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Thank you for the reply. That’s a good point, and a reminder to me that it’s not about the number of turns. Cheers!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

I strongly recommend the use of two keys when first mounting a new head in order to keep the head centered. I’m less focused on resistance and more on balanced application of tension. It’s a subtle effect on some heads but far more dramatic on others depending on the collar shape and can make it far easier to clear the head later on. -Ben

[@bpooboi]

Can someone answer this please. When you finger tighten. Do you tighten as tight as you can with your fingers or do you finger tighten it to touch the rim??

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Usually about as tight as you can go by hand or at least until you start applying some noticeable tension to the drumhead. From there, the ruler method will help you get everything appropriately balanced. -Ben

[@stephenbott4470]

Two of my snares sound just monstrously good now! On the third, I noticed the hoop is dented in on one side. Any recommendations, besides "buy yourself a new hoop?" Thanks guys!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Glad to hear about those two snares! As far as the dented hoop, if it’s a dent rather than a warp, there’s not much that can be done. If it’s warped, you may be able to bend it back into shape but this is tricky and you run the risk of further damaging it. Triple flange hoops are quite inexpensive though. -Ben

[@HGH44309]

Guys, another great video! Please do a video dedicated to the right use of something like a Drum Dial. Because I think there’s a lot of misjudgment on what these things do, if they do all the tuning for you, help you fine tune or whatever. One could argue that a Drum Dial could do the job your doing with the ruler. Which I’m not so sure about as I had problems with these things in past.

[@Alfie94]

Very informative Could we use use the ruler method to tune the top head ? I mean for getting the same tension on every lug so the tune will even Thanks

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! Yeah, you can but since batter heads are thicker you'll still need to do some pitch-evening around the head afterward. I do however use this method any time that I'm using a super thin or natural-material (leather) batter head to make sure I'm staying even. - Cody

[@georgewalton7610]

Love what you guys are doing on here. My toms sound better than ever and my bass drum booms like thunder. Quick question, i just reheaded my black magic and tried this method. My die cast hoops would not let me level the head as suggested without the outside lugs becoming loose. Any suggestions? Your help is greatly appreciated, Thanks cody and ben!

[@georgewalton7610]

And as a side note, what is that cymbal i always see behind you guys

[@pedroahets]

🙌👌👏

[@bartoszdolewski4915]

So using DrumDial is similar to using a ruler? Are those 2 methods the same or one is superior to the other one?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

They’re really measuring different things so I wouldn’t compare them. I’m more of a ruler guy :) -Cody

[@only4crap]

how come this channel only has 16K subs? are there only 16K drummers on YT? =P

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Help spread the word!

[@aleharrison2714]

Hi guys! Great video as always! Just tried the "ruler method" on my supra. You say that you do this to have the bottom hoop "table top" like. But having the same distance between the edge and the hoop will give a hoop that follow the snare beds so it's not table top. This is what I see on my supra. Have I done something wrong? Thanks

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! You’ve got the right idea, it’s not about the hoop being like a table (though changing the lugs away from the wires can have a great effect on the behavior of the wires). The actual surface of the head however will be more uniform and the wires will love it :) -Cody

[@markdrum2392]

I can't remember the name of the company but somewhere out there in the abyss is a company that makes rims that have markers on the inside of the rim that indicate the position of the hoop. This eliminates the need for a ruler

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Man that's something i'd love to see!

[@markdrum2392]

@@SoundsLikeADrum They're called FlatHeadz and they're made by Eccentric Systems.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@markdrum2392 Way cool. Wish you could order snare side hoops separately and choose between different types of triple flange and die cast.

[@Eurodrummer666]

By the way, have you guys ever planned to compare several hazy snare heads to show the benefits of each?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

As in the different thicknesses? Potentially! -Ben

[@Eurodrummer666]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Yes, different thicknesses, and maybe materials, because I think some special models use a different type of Mylar, but I´m no specialist here.