How to make a "CHEAP" Drum Set sound PRO! Ft.

[@jonashellborg8320]

My experience is for sure that learning to tune better and learning to strike the drums and cymbals better makes a huge difference. Those skills are useful for both lower and high end drums and cymbals. And yes the maple gum sounds amazing. But if you’re in a pub, it’s not sound treated, you have cheap microphones, you haven’t played for long, it’s a loud 4 piece rock band, the maple gum kit won’t help you more than the Roadshow would. For a high quality studio recording, i’d definitely consider the maple gum kit. Excellent video! Really enjoyed watching it.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

I think when it comes down to it, the price of a kit doesn’t matter. I have a Gretsch Energy Kit that sounds amazing. As long as you have nice drum heads and can tune them good, then you’ll be rocking hard. Imo, it’s the cymbals that matter the most (despite the Wuhan B20 cymbals sounding good for the price).

[@zedtozer0788]

This make me assume youve never had or played a really nice set. Gretsch energy will never sound as good as the USA line or a masterworks. It may sound great, but dont be fooled, the pro level or studio kits DO sound better.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

@@zedtozer0788 I never said that it sounded better. What I’m saying is that while drum sets like a Gretsch Energy or Pearl Roadshow don’t sound as good as a Gretsch USA Custom or a Pearl Reference Pure, they can still get you through when you’re just starting out on drums and gigs.

[@ryanmoyers-drums5159]

Man how do you tune the Gretsch Energy Snare! I own a kit and have had a terrible time with that fuka

[@brandonmclendon5368]

@@ryanmoyers-drums5159 I tune it by using Rob Brown’s tuning method. I also put dampening like a wallet or tape.

[@jaygardner7036]

I have the same kit bro

[@DrummerDudeRon]

True... For me... what makes a good kit.... good heads, good tuning, good snare and cymbals... great video!

[@NintenDub]

For me, what keeps me alive is oxygen. And water. And good food and a roof over my head.and money. But that's just me and my personal take that's totally unique to me

[@honyovk]

I still have my first drum kit (shells) my dad bought for me in the early '90s back when I was in second grade. Its rebranded, but Pearl factory made. I have played on everything from a "Costco" kit to a custom $15k kit I was lucky enough to even be in the same room with. My old '90s shells still sound amazing to this day. I have taken very good care of them over the years and it just goes to show, even a budget kit a dad buys for his young child can withstand the test of time. I remember in the mid 2010's touring with a band I was in, being asked if they were custom shells, because at that time, those big, loud 1990's drums looked so bizarre to newer, younger players. I agree with these guys, as long as the shells can physically hold up to the playing style, they could last forever and sound amazing - given they are treated properly. No matter the price point.

[@Dmonsterparedes0625]

My first drum set was a middle range sunlite, added same snare set up and evans g2 on the toms and then later ec2s. It did wonders to a cheap cheap drum set

[@maxmaximus8323]

I have a TKO brand kit. The hardware is really good, the shells are real good, as well as the finish. I changed the stock heads with Remo ambassadors and tuned them really nice. They sound almost as good as my Rogers kit I've had new since 1977, and it's still in excellent condition.

[@coryburns13]

I'm a guitar player and this is like comparing the Gibson Les Paul to the Epiphone Les Paul...but the point of those is usually that the setup is what makes a great instrument...and from the standpoint of a guitar player that is looking to buy a drum set for his basement jam space, this is truly enlightening. Thanks guys!!!

[@PineknotterJim]

Guys - Thanks so much for this video. I’ve been out of drumming for about 20 years and thinking about getting back into it. The new products are amazing to see and the way you guys break it down is so appreciated!! Well done!!

[@Soulofkaleb]

Get back in the saddle brother! Do it!

[@maxmaximus8323]

Do it, I did and I'm loving it.

[@rkaylor5769]

Ok TAMA bros, we need to do our own.

[@Jmilillo]

Yes

[@thechroniclesofadventure]

Yes

[@ivanbajovic3476]

Absolutely

[@jerielcruz9985]

Yes

[@nutellamitquark]

Yes

[@AnyManProjects]

Awesome comparison, Guys! Thank you so much! Drummed for 15 years in my younger days, now 52 I'm getting back into it for exercise and hobby. Bought the Roadshow based on reviews and your video... thank you again!

[@DODrumming]

Older drummers that are fortunate enough to step up in terms of kit and cymbal quality when they later buy their own kit, quickly forget what their first kits were like and how easily they were trashed, haha! I must have played on beat up heads and cymbals for years before realising that I needed to change the heads. this video was great fun, nostalgic and humbling at the same time. No matter what you can afford to play, this video perfectly sums up the spirit of playing drums. For richer or poorer, better or worse.... I do.

[@COOP3RDRUMM3R]

Love this comment! Adam and I really wanted it to be a video that was inspiring to anyone to love what they have and know they can get great sounds even without a huge budget!

[@imjoezi8776]

@@COOP3RDRUMM3R where u at Casey we miss u dawg 😭

[@JohnnygSawyer]

Great comments on this stream. I have wanted to make this video for quite some time! I have been playing and teching for the better part of 50 years. I have learned over time how to make a lower end kit sounds leaps and bounds better by sanding any burrs off the bearing edges, head combinations, snare wires etc .. I have multiple high-end kits including two Pearl Masters kits, DW kit and a Pork Pie kit but, I played the Sunset Strip with an 80's Pearl Export kit. I swapped the cheap heads for quality REMO heads and changed the snare wires for Noble and Cooley or Blasters wires. I'm not a fan of gel or muffling except for the pillow in the Bass Drum. As you covered, the extra money you save you can invest in a better throne (buy high end thrones people, your back will thank you years down the road) and better cymbals and hardware. Stick to your personal budgets and HAVE FUN ! Awesome video Coop ! P.S. If possible, buy high end hardware used. This will save you so much $$

[@stanfordkoch1271]

Good cymbals are a bonus too, you can notice some difference in hardware and it all depends what the brands bring out as an entery level kit and a pro kit

[@alfred-mi2wt]

A few years ago, I spent over $2000 on a Pearl Reference shell pack. I could never tune the damn thing. It looked okay as far as the finish. It was called Root beer. I now own a Yamaha kit and this five-piece set up only cost me $800. This kit kicks ass! It's easy to tune and the toms sound awesome. I was surprised how well the snare sounded. My reference kit didn't even come with a snare! I'm now looking at a DW kit and I'm only interested because the seller has a lot of cymbals with this one.

[@WEllisMusic]

Ok so my first drum kit was a 1979 slingerland 10 piece with zildjian cymbals and hardware included. Also still had the original heads on it and original stands when I bought it for $490. Crazy collectible kit today. Dude didn’t know what he was selling he just wanted it out of his house

[@jimszikk775]

Credit to both of you guys for being experts on hiding your fails over and over again, many times by switching between grooves when your talent falls apart.

[@adventurellama7444]

I did the same with my Yamaha stage customs. Sound’s just as good as my DW collectors set

[@jasongonda]

Nice video! Purchased roadshow here in the 🇵🇭 after 39yrs of existence. Been a drummer for almost 30yrs but w/o a kit. I just listen to music, float the drum part in my head, then goes to the studio & play what I just heard. Honestly, I already upgraded the roadshow that I bought after watching this. Bought the same heads but in Amazon because there are no UV2 here. Voila, it really sounded way better. Thanks Man! 🥁🇵🇭👍

[@Sam3103s]

Let’s go these video with Adam are bangers. Thank you to both of you.

[@wameres]

I think the warmth was added from coating versus the clear stock heads. I think putting clears on would be a closer comparison.

[@43dukedog]

I have upgraded my Road show with hydraulic heads ziljian I series 18 “ crash ride and 14 “ trash crash , Paiste 7 14 “ high hats wuhan 10” splash and 16 “ China and evans eq 4 22” bass drum batter pearl export snare throw off and pure sound equalizer snare wires with Evans 300 reso head drums sound great in my studio

[@soko1450]

My wife bought me a low end Ludwig kit. First kit I’ve had in 20 years. Swapped out the batters for Evans Onyx, hd dry snare and emad kick batter. Sounds as sweet as my old $2000 Tamas.

[@Stereojockey]

This is a very cute couple. I love when partners have a shared hobby, and their chemistry just proves how valuable that shared interest is.

[@joeovermoe2124]

That Masters Maple sounds AMAZING!!!

[@lucaschn.7059]

Youre the beste off all!!

[@bendertheoffenderbending9370]

Loved the video!!! this reminded me when I started playing drums in 1993, I bought a Power Beat drumset, saved for almost a year (I was 12 back then) never changed the cymbals just bougth 3 Sabian B8,a 18 inch chinnesse, a 16inch crash and a 10inch splash (by the way I stil have them) few Years later I started a band.. by then I had taken some lessons, learned about heads and tunning. During those years I met a guy who had a Tama Rockstar drumset, but it was in very poor condition, never changed the heads, didn't know how to tune. Once on a school festival he said we were going to use his drumset, but he didnt arrived, so the sound guy asked me to set mine. We spent almost 1 hour seting it up, microphones, cables, audio check up and he said "that drumset sounds really good, what brand is it?" when I said "Power Beat" he looked really surprised hahahaha... 3 hours later this Tama dude arrived and was pissed cuz my cheap drumset was on the stage, so he demanded to take mine down and set his. When he started playing the sound guy was like "dude tune your drums" , took them like 45 min just to get it sound "acceptable" hahahaha when he approached the drumset and saw how bad the heads were he said "dude take your drumset off the stage and let us set the previous one yours sound like shit and he replied "but it is a Power Beat and this one is a Tama" ... the sound guy just rolled his eyes and said "sure, but yours sound terrible".... to this day (25 years later) this guy has not got over this hahahaha. Definetly, good quality heads, good tuning and good playing makes huge difference. cheers from Mexico!!!

[@alsdrumhang]

Adam: *employs beast mode* Roadshow brass cymbals: 🥵😵‍💫🤯😭😫😖

[@nicksburson1]

The masters sounded really really good. The road show was good. Roadshow with a masters snare coild be the call.

[@timrix94]

You can make the stock heads sound expensive too just by adding Vinyl material underneath the rim from one side to the other and then tune it. Also going for a lighter stick makes it sound mint too! For those of you who cant afford I hope this helps, super cheap fix for cheap stock heads.

[@dkerwood1]

I play on house kits for almost every gig I have, so my personal kit only comes out of the basement a handful of times a year. Because of this, I sold my beautiful $2000 maple shell kit that I absolutely adored and bought an old Export for practice and gigging. I used the money from the nice kit to upgrade my cymbals (which I do bring for a lot of my house kit gigs). After that, I bought a Ludwig Breakbeats kit and darn if that ridiculously tiny kit doesn't feel just as good to play as my nice kit did. I'm now selling the Export and hope to use the proceeds from that to buy another nice crash. Moral of the story- if your goal is a "pro" sounding drum kit, you can absolutely get there without a $1000+ budget.

[@batouttahell454]

Hope your saving for later if this is your living.Pension too!!?

[@KyleCastroTheDrummerBoy090613]

Great sharing my dear friend Mr Cooper!! Love and respect Kyle!! 😊🥁🇵🇭

[@curtisjones9555]

I took a Premier kit, put Evans heads on them and stuffed the kick. I think it sounds great. But...I played a kit that was made by an Italian percussion instrument crafter OMG it was like playing a Maserati. It was used and being sold for 3 Gs. There is a lot to be said for high quality/crafted kits

[@JamSakeMusic]

that first drum kit was personal LMAO it turned into a "damage the hi-ha" contest 🤣

[@SteelCity570]

First video I found with someone specifying what kind of reso heads to use lol I’m new and have a cheap kit but didn’t know what to use for the reso heads

[@robertorguez8148]

Great video guys

[@megustalapizzaxd2463]

BRO TOOK HAND HAMMERING TO SERIUSLY WITH THE PEARL CRASH

[@chrisjames810]

Earthworks Microphone really help to make a kit sound good

[@StrictShot_]

I have the road show, it’s an older model, but the simbal was 10 5-7” cracks, that zigzag , best f@cking fx simbal ever

[@jpsaenz12]

4:33 was hilarious

[@justinwillms17]

I’d love to see Eloy Cassagrande take whirl at those roadshow heads and pearl cymbals 😂

[@terrybillington2482]

love your honest truthful post . spot on guys you are 100 % correct. superb.

[@oubrioko]

As soon as something goes wrong, the _BOOM_ memes and hastags are going to be relentless

[@intense0excellent]

I hope somebody sponsored you both for this video. I was on the fence for this kit, but I think my mind has been made up. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@abayneshtufa5287]

The chip is nice

[@intertubicular]

I can make any drum kit sound mint. Drum heads and cymbals are huge, but It really does come down to the drummer though. Kind of like the guy with a $15,000.00 guitar that can't play for squat. It's knowledge, technique, and musical experience.

[@Aspirintax]

Just as guitar tone is mostly pickup, the tone of a drum is mostly head and tuning ability. Wood and cost has little to do with it. At the end of the day the magic is in your skills and talent. This should be inspiring to all musicians..

[@dertodeshorst6294]

13:09 Funny coincidence: I use the same Pillow for Training speed and Technique😂. Poor pillow seems to get beaten a lot around the world.

[@hiptoalieu]

That kick sounded really really good!

[@amauri0511]

I like that 😍

[@NLind]

6:07 - Don’t forget the Paiste Sound Edge hats!

[@hiptoalieu]

I really liked the RoadShow once the Evans were on!!

[@rafalvarezsevilla]

you converted the cymbals into hand hammered =D

[@MG-pw7jp]

Love your content Cooper. Can you please tell us how you tune your kits? I have tried to get the same sounds your kits make but haven't been able to do that.

[@SkittleKicksPlays]

There are drum dial based tuning gauges you can buy and that is useful when your jam/recording environment isn't sound controlled . Traditionally drums are tuned in 4ths.

[@fkbuki]

Been drumming for 20 years, I learned long ago that it's not the kit it's the drummer that makes it sound good

[@richardvila3]

Enjoy your time and effort

[@davidpalacios9086]

this is fun to watch

[@adriandifazio3154]

i’ve had a roadshow for 6 years and i think i’ve done a good job at making it sound good so i feel no need to buy a high end kit, even though that would be sick.

[@MicahJoelDrums]

Don't throw away the cymbals! Make stacks or something. If you don't use them I WILL!!! lol! Great video!

[@jonn443]

New good heads and quality cymbals will make a decent kit sound Great.

[@nukeproof6543]

In live concert, master maple still make a big difference l.

[@jackdixon8444]

Awesome video! Really really honestly good content, thanks

[@thefatboy__goneslim7376]

using drum honeys also works magic on cheap sets

[@iodfusj]

In most cases I like the sound of the cheap one with upgrades better than the expensive one

[@AdeyLRoberts]

my left ear enjoyed this

[@cleantecs8603]

If you can tune your kit with the right heads you can make a intermediate kit sound almost identical to a $5000 dollar kit. Save your money! Get good cymbals though and save on the expense hardware!

[@_FullerFYI]

Pretty cool that Edward Snowden was willing to sit down a put this video together.

[@marchean83]

My 6 yo is slowly growing out of his junior set. Which drums should I choose for him Pearl, Tama or something else? I'm considering lower budget sets.

[@robertfinch6602]

I’ve always wanted a Spaun Drumset

[@RockNDrums650]

Yeah I still rock a Pearl Soundcheck series. Evans Emad2 on the kick. Evans EC2 on the toms. Evans Reverse Dot on the snare. Evans 300 on bottom paired with Puresound Twisted Snare wire. I've upgraded from the stock snare to the Pearl Heritage Brass snare. Same head and wires kit 👌 Currently, I'm taking a break from the drums and ended up selling cymbals. But, itching to play again. Cymbals and the snare imo shouldn't be cheaped out

[@jozefkukucin3267]

they look like a happy couple

[@stanfordkoch1271]

Good heads, well tuned and a good set of mics and you wont notice what the price is. Without mics it can be noticable but not much i guess

[@P-J-W-777]

Wouldn’t changing he bottom heads improve the sound even more or just remove the bottom heads so they sound a bit more like concert drums?

[@stevethepirate]

thanks guys! helpful!!

[@lukeromito]

Nice video, I was debating about buying a new drum set or buying new cymbals once I get the money. I am excited to watch this video, but I am on the middle of a recording now. I play a Ludwig accent kit and am looking at a pearl decade maple, but I have to save up for a while.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

I’d say get the cymbals and keep the Accent kit. You can make a cheaper drum set sound good, but it’s impossible to make cheap cymbals sound good

[@lukeromito]

@@brandonmclendon5368 yeah, I have some intermediate cymbals, but I will probably start with the cymbals.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

@@lukeromito If you want, look at the Wuhan cymbals. The B20’s sound really good

[@lukeromito]

@@brandonmclendon5368 I have planet z’s and an a custom, I would probably save up and get some more a’s, but thanks. After the Wuhan cymbals that came with the kit, I don’t think I could play a Wuhan again.

[@JohnnygSawyer]

Luke you're smart, invest in pro cymbals 🤩

[@anonymousdogg1559]

I would have loved to buy a master sound, but just like everyone likes leather from Italy more than any other country, I like my $5k+ drums made in either Europe, or the Americas. Basically I’d rather have a Sonor or DW same price because of where it’s made. My personal take on it. If you agree drop a like. Btw the Matsersound is manufactured in Taiwan while Sonor is made in Germany and DW IN USA

[@timgough942]

Hi, great vid. I'm confused about where you were using the G1? could you explain? and can you recommend ride and hats that aren't too expensive?

[@cmg3988]

Subscribed! new drummer here

[@tomkelsey2303]

Never understood why you would spend the bucks on one of those "Twuddy-Duddy" Evans Emad heads and put it in the kick, only to throw in a pillow as well. 😅

[@Slumberss]

everyone is talking bad about the initial set up and i would love to have it! i LOVE playing the drums its just a shame i cant afford any!

[@wildbricksck6922]

Is Sweetwater a trusted website?

[@gvader8573]

What do drummers think about the Hydraulic heads? Does it give a good sound having that oil in between the 2 ply?

[@hammerjoe33]

Ok imma spill the beans, im looking to buy an tama imperialstar 22", im looking for a deep low sound, and the highs a bit sharp. Good choice? Any tips? Lotta drummers out here😊

[@TheBikerx13yo]

Did you cut a small hole in the head to out that little pillow in?

[@debagusadi3626]

Nice drum. Nice drum

[@rfosnot]

do you know what you torqued the heads to? (using the drum tuning tool)?

[@gillespoulin465]

Master 4000$ ouffff😮

[@Mastonc]

Ok DW bros we need to do our own

[@ddeboy002]

I'm just a drum head banger in my basement having fun-not even in a band. 1500.00 was my spending budget. I almost went digital as the drum set can be programmed to sound so different without spending 1000s of dollars on other drums.

[@brentdhedrick]

Put a K&N sticker on every head. Bam, you got yourself a 2000 horsepower, million dollar kit!

[@ninogurneyfernandez5532]

When i got my first pearl kit i wondered why they taped my heads and placed a pillow inside now i remember why

[@davix8669]

Just try to put some ISS or Optimount to the Roadshow to ear some improvement 😎

[@skyesdlimit]

it has bigger difference if u hear it closely. the expensive one is much better in terms of sound quality.

[@rotaryrevivalist5095]

I would bet a significant amount of money you couldn’t tell the difference in a full song mix.

[@harryrathien1082]

The title of this video should be " how to make any kit sound like the box it shipped in".

[@normlor]

I OWNED A VERY CHEAP 2ND DRUM KIT BUT ONE ASPECT OF THIS WAS I ALSO BOUGHT A $20 SNARE FROM A GARAGE SALE. THIS WAS MY DOWNFALL. HAD I BOUGHT A DECENT SNARE FROM ANY GOOD-QUALITY SUPPLIERS, I BELIEVE THIS WOULD HAVE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. YOU CAN SCREW AROUND WITH TOMS AND THE BASS DRUM BUT A CHEAP SNARE WILL KILL ALL YOU DO!!

[@eunaosabiamaseufiz]

Excellent

[@theREALchubert76]

I bought the RoadShow because I'm cheap and I'm new to drumming. The chain on my kick pedal broke within 5 minutes. I wasn't even playing just kinda messing around.

[@tonedrumming]

Cool video 🤙

[@shaby62]

What a fantastic video! I too would like to use this drum setting in my videos 🥁❤️

[@beyondthegatetv567]

Lol that floor Tom head is done.