How to Make Your Drums Sound Great: Turbocharged Toms

[@sweetwater]

What’s in your dream drum kit? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to head over to Sweetwater for all things drums, percussion, and more! 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Drums-Percussion

[@monicajordan35]

Can you please tell me how you tune drums for country music

[@josegalindo1262]

Hey guys what cymbals were used on this vid. Specially the ride. I'm looking for a new ride cymbal...

[@danroberts7101]

@@josegalindo1262 Hi Jose, I've used Zildjian's 21" A Sweet Ride for years. I've used it for rock cover bands I've been in and Contemporary Christian in a church. Controllable, clean, great sound especially with nylon tip sticks. Might be worth a listen. For whatever my opinion is worth. Good luck in your search!

[@nicodrums98]

@@josegalindo1262 It looks like a Sabian HHX Legacy ride

[@JustinLinn1998JC]

Yamaha recording Custom lol

[@randywiedmer4656]

I love Nick doesn’t get to into his head or all “sciency” about tuning. Tried this on my floor Tom’s which I’ve always had trouble with. Made life so much easier. That’s Nick

[@drumtravelfun]

Nick's hair is entering Mike Mangini territory.

[@michaeljohnson8058]

His playing & vocals & hair will rock on tour with Mr. Big 🤘🏻

[@La_sagne]

im thinking dave lombardo from 30 years ago

[@grachisol8236]

It’s the Italian in him

[@lukemcallister06]

Vinnie Colaiuta?

[@codybrunner9638]

Dude I thought it was Mike there for a sec. Lol

[@welkerroad]

The “rock sound” is sweet. Perfect tuning!

[@DrStateDrums]

Nick is the man. So simple. I've been obsessing for years over getting my drums just right. This is like a no brainier. Can't wait to give it a shot at my gig this weekend!

[@AvStevieStevenJamesDrums]

Nick you have been an educator for me many years. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ZachBratland]

Nick always keeping up with his chops groove and talent!

[@gballmaier]

I have to say, I've heard some of the great drummers by people standards. But Nick D. Has one of the best chop combos I've ever CONSISTENTLY HEARD. He always plays stuff that makes me go- what we that he just did. So many of the greats out there, play the same stuff over and over. But Mr. D. Sounds great every darn time! Heck, it was nicks drum demos on Sweetwater that dazzled me into buying my first set. GREAT JOB, SIR.

[@ryanboyce3365]

Spocks Beard! He is a really good singer as well.

[@DG-sf9ei]

Thanks for posting. I see Ludwig stepped up their game and installed 8 lugs to the 16 floor tom, not sure if I was the only one phone calling them up about that, though they now fixed that error and also designed better tom mounts that can be bolted directly to the shell so the rim mounts aren't limiting the sound. I'll tell anyone from experience with these kits, if you take the wrap off these kits which can literally be executed in minutes, then Shellac finish them, you'll have yourself a beautiful natural drum kit that looks as good as their multi-thousand $$$$ Legacy, Classics...... etc. And they sound great too, just listen to this vid.

[@drummerjoey003]

Thank you Nick for the tuning tip. I’m definitely going to try it out on my kit.

[@Gk2003m]

The drums sound great for rock. Good job tuning, good explanations! I tune a bit differently, as I have a Yamaha Stage Custom set that’s designed for rock but I’m playing jazz. I take all heads off entirely at first. I then put the Diplomat resonant (bottom) head on, using your general process… then I tune it such that the head resonance is in concert with the shell resonance. No odd pitches or harmonics, just a single clear sound. From there I install the top head. (Using coated Ambassadors now, will be switching to Fiberskyn Diplomats in the near future.) That top head again gets the basic treatment…. then gets tuned and tweaked so that again we have a drum in concert with itself. The batter heads end up higher in pitch than the resonant heads. I just did my set this afternoon. They sound open and clear and musical. So much so that they register clean notes on a guitar tuner. I don’t use dampening or muffling. No need when they sound this good.

[@wilddrum78]

Nick I’m so very thankful for great people and musicians like you. Thanks so much for your knowledge in drums and caring for all of us. We need more people like you in this world. Forever grateful 🎶

[@WhaleBluePRS]

"Spock's Beard". For anyone not familiar with their music, I highly recommend you diving into their catalog. Nick D'Virgilio was their drummer for many years and is a great singer to boot.

[@lorenazure7116]

I have been using this method for years and it's just simply the best and easiest ways to tune your cans

[@stevenfederico2594]

The speed and accuracy is disgustingly amazing

[@williamschubele2542]

I would add visually checking the rim height against the corresponding head surface at each tension rod after you remove all the wrinkles. This verifies that the tension is relatively uniform around the entire head before the final adjustment of the tom.

[@gooddeal9160]

Thats the best sounding set Nick has played so far.

[@isMike999]

Nick is just TOO cool....LOVE Sweetwater.....rock on...

[@kchez5586]

I always start with the lowest drum first (floors) and work your way up. Nothing worse than starting too low on the first high tom and then when you get to the floor you can't get it low enough and have to start over.

[@brianfoster7486]

never thought of that - thanks. agree, and makes sense

[@Chessdrummer83]

I’ve looked up several tom tuning videos and it all didn’t make much sense, this was so much better what a great explanation thank you!

[@DavidePettirossi]

Very, very good method! It works and it's, at least to me, the most honest suggestion about tuning I've ever seen. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@carstonddrums]

Dream kit is a tie between a Gretsch renown and a Tama star classic birch!

[@blakegowan6623]

Talks the Talk like a legend....and plays like one too. Ambassador of drums.

[@boinknook]

I have a beautiful 6 piece silver sparkle element evolution. Sounds and looks beautiful! Those shells that nick is playing is 100% poplar wood in case anyone says poplar sounds low end.😏

[@theunconciousmind7314]

I love that detuned sound! ❤️‍🔥😃 it's just fun, everytime u strike it it make me smile 😃

[@tompass82]

My buddy bought this kit. It was tons of fun to setup. Great kit

[@mjm5081]

Thank you Nick and Sweetwater. Continued success and Happy Drumming!

[@tobytoxd]

THANKS!! Love all that you do and how musical you play and how you present music and gear and how you share your joy with it since my first Spock's Beard concert in 1999 in the Hafenbahn, Offenbach am Main, Germany! 💜🙏 ...that was a pretty long sentence but it's also nearly 25 years :D

[@kinserjosh]

Dream kit is Ludwig Green Sparkle Legacy Maple. 10, 12, 14 ft, 16 ft, 22 bd, 18 bd, with a 14x6.5 Black Beauty and 14x6.5 Supraphonic.

[@TXMusicDrummer]

I definitely prefer the two drum key method in tuning the drums. Also, I've been using RIMS style mounts for roughly 20 years, but I've gotten to the point that I don't like them. It's not that they don't work, but they're bulky, and they're not pleasing to look at on rack toms plus they do get in the way of tuning, especially when you're changing heads. Being that you're using the Ludwig, I'd replace the vibrabrands with Ludwig Atlas mounts or the INDē BR3 tom brackets. As for a dream kit, if money is no object, maybe an A&F copper kit.

[@benking9160]

Gretsch renown maple all the way, slim line isolation mounts look great and don't get in the way at all!

[@parkershippen5513]

I like INDE mounts, when I think about resonance it doesn’t make sense to eat up all the vibrations in grommets and loose mounts. It honestly makes more sense to have them mounted rigid or semi-rigid to a solid piece of hardware. You want vibration between the heads, not of the whole drum itself.

[@jonr9518]

I have my dream kit Pearl masters birch ...10.12.16 14 with 22x18 kick in emerald green to black fade ...the colour is the nicest ive ever seeen and everyone always compliments it and trys to buy it from me :)

[@tmaddrummer]

Great Hands Nick!!! Thanks and Blessings!

[@AaronKostin]

I recieved this kit for Christmas and bot Tom’s we’re out of level I had to sand them down using a piece of granite with sandpaper taped down to the granite and patiently spun them till they were flat on both sides

[@coindrummer]

Nick does a great job demoing this fantastic drum kit. I love the finish...the drum sizes are perfect and the sweet K Zildjian set is fabulous. All topped off with sturdy and stylistic Gibralter hardware. I want this kit!

[@La_sagne]

i had a ludwig element in 2008 or 2009. value/money it blew my mind

[@danroberts9050]

OK, it's yours! lol

[@Stavros_Meggos]

Nick is such a great drummer... I want some of his music in my mp3 player.. like yesterday :D

[@scottchilds5726]

Nice note balance in the set. Right on man, nice jam

[@alexsouza1750]

Always great to heard your videos Nick !! Incredible sound tons this situation!! Congrats 🎉🍾🥁 🔔

[@georgekondylis6723]

What about seating the heads? Not necessary?

[@OliKember]

Thanks! Would have been cool to hear the cotton ball method as a comparison. Curious what that’s like.

[@MattMendians]

Those are nice sounding drums! Also it’s nice to hear from you how you tune!

[@sharkatk9]

Wow! Nice tuning tips Thanks

[@Chiroman527]

Nick, THX for the video. One contention I have is the Overtone ringing is minimal when the drums are Miked... Different story when you played the Tomaway from being Miked. I use Evans E-Rings on all by Toms except the 8" rack tom. I personally like the Doooo, Dooooo sound that Jared describes on a Drumeo video. The E-Rings get me there without Miking. Using different size and wood type sticks (oak vs. maple) influence the sound as well.

[@Chiroman527]

I liked the tuning high on the Tom to my ear!!

[@Edh20h9]

Thanks for making this so easy

[@mariuszkerl2057]

Love the way you explain things Nick, cheers!

[@tendingtropic7778]

already love this, please make one for the snare too, with medium and high tuning

[@johngrobson4899]

Love this Tutorial very well Delivered 🥁🔥🥁

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

What's in the dream kit? I would love to buy some blank cherry shells from Nordic Shells, stained with a groovy color, lacquered for a good shine, and throw on an eclectic array of Byzance cymbals. Give it a little latin flair with Meinl bongos and Meinl Marathon Timbales...

[@ruimsilva95]

I love Nick. He's a great communicator and drummer as well. Goals. I do believe however that when it comes to tuning, people normally don't get too much into getting actual notes out from the drum. They talk about what sounds right and that of course comes with a lot of experience. But in my mind I see the drums as a conjecture of instruments that have pitches and you can manipulate that pitch. If you are getting an A out of a 12 inch Tom what tuning is right for the reso side? A perfect fifth? How do you get that perfect reso going?

[@georgejohnson2046]

Dream drum kit, hmmm I’d say a Sonor SQ2 10 & 13 medium birch racks, 16 and 18 thin maple floors, 24-16 medium maple kick all in fiery red gloss and gold hardware, Gretsch 6.5x14 bell brass snare. A man can dream can’t he??

[@mikew8622]

Great demo!

[@HannahRuthBalogun-zl2rr]

Amazing drummer and teacher😅😅😅

[@tripledeluxedday]

This is a great beginner video.

[@DRSMOOTH2U]

I love this presentation

[@craicattic]

Thank you for your expertise!!!!!

[@picklesthedrummer6772]

Thanks Nick! I'm glad you mentioned Aquarian heads-they are my favorite🤘

[@alexhicks5889]

It seems like they have best quality control, are most consistent. Easiest to get every lug in tune and most of their models have an inherent warmth to their sound.

[@brianfoster7486]

Thanks Nick; great video per usual :). I've learned alot from you over the last few years. But - if I may submit .... the un-mic'd drum at 4:58 and the mic'd drum at 5:38 sound markedly different to me. For an apples to apples comparison, I would have used room mics for both (instead of the closed-in mic on the kit?). The engineered sound at 5:38 sounds light years better. Just a thought.

[@tammineuman5983]

I was going to remark the same thing. The overtones just vanished. Which is what I’m needing mine to do.

[@timsears951]

Id like to know what kind of sticks is Nick using ..nice sounding kit by the way

[@larrylister9313]

The mic processing is nice but changes everything. THAT'S what I need to understand better. The bench sound and the mic'd sound totally different before any dampening

[@DianneBoyle-z1o]

Nick, Do you tune the drums to sprecific musical notes? or is it totally by ear?

[@SOLDbyYOU]

Although this tuning technique/system is often true… 1) as a teacher…of teachers…. I beg my new instructors to NOT say..” oh…it’s easy”… when it’s only easy AFTER we have the experience and understanding. 2) to work “Readily”… the “ wrinkle” system needs a new or fresh, good quality head ( that hasn’t already been over tightened and or used on a damaged drum)… and a drum shell that has a CONSISTENT BEARING EDGE ( no dips or rises) a consistent bearing cut and a round shell… in other words … a well made drum in GOOD condition…this system has a chance… but 3) lesser quality drum or an older drum that is not a perfect example… ( an imperfect bearing edge or an out of round shell) this “easy simple technique” ..may not result in the best results…. And now the struggling drum tuner thinks that THEYVE done something wrong. Most newer drums that haven’t been abused can be tuned …or at least “rough tuned”… per this wrinkle technique. But MANY drums… even higher quality drum ( by name/brand) may still have issues that at the very least need to be recognized … so that expectations and variation on tuning strategies can be considered. So when the heads are off the drum shells should be checked for condition… ( flat consistent cylinder ends ( bearing ends) and roundness.

[@AnthonyGreenMountain]

Which ride is he using? It sounds fantastic.

[@josegalindo1262]

I was asking myself the same thing. That ride Sounds incredible...

[@achrisinthemidwest]

Looks to be a set of HHX Anthology cymbals. Sounds so good.

[@AnthonyGreenMountain]

@@achrisinthemidwest Thanks!

[@craigritchie8470]

The trick that I can’t find is to get that mic’d up sound without the mics. I’m a hobby drummer and don’t have all the mics and it is hard to get rid of all those overtones without destroying the sound.

[@Greggyboyz60]

I love your videos . Your an excellent drummer. Liked and subscribed

[@sweetwater]

😎👊

[@butchcassidy3373]

Great video. Us old geezers with hearing damage have a hard time tuning. My dream kit would be a set up just like Danny Carey has with Tool Minus the weird symbols on his heads. Lol

[@Jay-yo3jg]

Hi how is the Sundance kid? Cool name too.

[@DamianS1893]

Excellent Presentation ✝️👍🤙✌️

[@shawndrummer6722]

Nick's drumming is tighter than ever. Does he practice more?

[@johnmorrison9758]

Is it important to have a resonating head on the toms ?? When I bought mine, used, there was none. I can never get the toms sounding like I want, so am wondering if I really need those heads.

[@daleplatino]

Hey Nick. See at The Cutting Edge Conference this year?

[@Doogsay]

Thanks Nick, great video as always. Something I dont hear talked about re tuning is pitch bending - when you strike it, towards the end of the note it may bend up or down or stay the same. What are we looking for when we tune? Also, what are we looking for re the waves after we strike, are we trying to eliminate them or are waves good?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Doogsay. Thanks for your interest. Rule of thumb - If you tension the bottom head higher than the batter head, you get a pitch bend down. If you tune the bottom head looser, you get a pitch bend up. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@Doogsay]

@@sweetwater great thanks. But what are we aiming for, up down or no bend?

[@sweetwater]

​@@Doogsay In most cases you’d want the bottom head to be tighter for the pitch bend down. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@mitchellhughes5180]

I've always found tuning drums to be a complete mystery. Of course he makes it look like nothing.

[@jwallace-dhs-baltimorecity4679]

GREAT ON NICK

[@larrydicus7822]

My tack toms keep wrinkles. They are tuned too high without the wrinkles

[@jamesschrom317]

What ride cymbal are you using? It's the best sounding one I have heard.

[@sweetwater]

Hey, James. Thanks so much for your interest. Nick is currently on tour with Mr. Big or I would ask him directly. But I am 95% sure it’s a 22” Sabian HHX Anthology High Bell Cymbal: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/122XAHN--sabian-hhx-anthology-crash-ride-cymbal-22-inch-high-bell I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@cutitshaveit]

Thank you great explanation

[@rickjones507]

harder to do with coated. wrinkles aren't as visible

[@shirleylackey801]

That ride sounded nice,,what was that ?? 🤔

[@philipcarroll7151]

What a great video!!!

[@Spin1968]

Should the resonance heads be tuned a bit higher than the batter head?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Spin1968. Thanks for your interest. The answer depends on your taste. However, in most cases you’ll want the bottom head to be a little tighter to get that pitch bend down when you hit the drum. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@sbiegs3885]

Bro. You are using some sort of witchcraft here.

[@YELLINGINTOTHEVOID]

Boys a beast!

[@johnscott2076]

Jon Lovitz- I was playin’ the …. DRUMS… yeah that’s the ticket. 😂

[@ms16464]

I hear gating and or compression on those drums

[@lucaphillips1582]

Hi, I’m new to drumming, but on the first drum while he was tuning it it has almost a resonance, but when played in the kit it was a nice “thud” sound - what happened to make that happen?

[@TJRusk-vz8to]

Mic'ing and EQ'ing

[@benking9160]

Yep many new drummers fall into thinking their drums should sound like recorded drums or drums on KZbin. Tip, to your ear they NEVER WILL. My advice.... first get good drum heads next buy a tunebot and learn how to use it properly! In conjunction with the calculator app. Your drums will sound great guaranteed and it's a shortcut to teaching your ears how good live drums SHOULD SOUND. Next and MOST IMPORTANTLY GET EAR PROTECTION THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD. Not only will you save your ears it gives a naturally EQ, UED sound which takes away all harsh overtones. Drumming for ten years as a hobby has taught me all this. Thats it take it or leave it.

[@gerardzaalberg2338]

Fully agree with the above. I love to play my mic’d drums (overheads only already give 90% of the result) with in-ear monitors (eg Shure 215s). Wonderful sound experience and ear protection at the same time. Plus: easy mixing with click or fav bands.

[@JaBryanGoodlett]

Bro flexed on us before the tutorial😂

[@walterrenshaw1770]

What's up Bill

[@roybeckerman9253]

He can match it with any of today’s top drummers..

[@billbillards569]

Thank you for tuning correctly and not perpetuating the myth of tuning drums to A, B, C# notes, which is a lie to sell tunebots.

[@Tambolero32]

The 10" rack Tom's mic out of phase or input level is not equal w the rest of the Toms.

[@viliharkonen3778]

What Ludwig kit is this?

[@boinknook]

Ludwig evolution. The 5 piece kits come in 20" or 22" bass drum. I have the 6 piece kits which come with a 22".

[@mitchellhughes5180]

This guy always reminds me of those Impractical Joker guys

[@michaeljhintonpiano]

Make the title “Get rid of wrinkles in minutes; nothing to purchase.” And you will have million hits in hours.

[@roblmri]

CottenBalls Who Knew????!!!!!

[@henryb.little3399]

Cool

[@douglasdrummer]

This drums sounds good! But if you cut new edges, then will going to another level of instrument.

[@rhino1138]

This dude is auditioning for a Rush thing.

[@oscard.7123]

Ron Jeremy plays drums?

[@mr.otteroriginal]

Want to play with his stick? It's longer than you can imagine...

[@lahattec]

"damping" :)

[@Brento44]

I think it’s Nick’s hair that’s the secret…

[@LeadingEdgeFitness1]

And I do this, sounds great off the kit, put it back on kit, major snare buzz. Frustrating

[@kiefferz5556]

The answer to that question is miking the drums stop making none pros think their kits will sound like this

[@davidmcaninch4714]

The FBT (Federal Bureau of Tuning) think that you should tune your drums one way and one way only. Nothing could be further from the truth.