Is This REALLY How You're Supposed to Tune This Drum Set??

IG: / davidraouf
Drum Stems and mixes available on Patreon: / rdavidr
Major thanks to Sam from Welch Tuning Systems for letting me borrow this kit! Check em out!
Snare: WTS Steve Pruitt Signature Brass Snare Drum
sweetwater.sjv.io/211rg7
Kit: WTS Epiphany Series Drum Set
sweetwater.sjv.io/Wq4BDJ
Music used (background & playalongs)
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Other Gear Used:
Tama Roadpro Hardware:
sweetwater.sjv.io/5ggbq2
Vic Firth Freestyle 5b Sticks:
sweetwater.sjv.io/k00jkL
Vic Kick Beater:
sweetwater.sjv.io/eKK4QO
Evans G1:
sweetwater.sjv.io/rQQneG
Evans EQ4:
sweetwater.sjv.io/jrrWDn
Evans Onyx:
sweetwater.sjv.io/5ggbmn
Mics:
Pair of Slate ML-1 (as overheads):
sweetwater.sjv.io/KjjePN
Austrian Audio CC8 (as rooms):
sweetwater.sjv.io/q44n0Y
Earthworks DM20 (toms):
sweetwater.sjv.io/xkk9m1
Earthworks SR20LS (snare top):
sweetwater.sjv.io/DKKVq2
Lewitt DTP 640 REX Bass Drum Mic
sweetwater.sjv.io/QyyOGo
Shure SM57 (snare bottom):
sweetwater.sjv.io/9ggW95
Austrian Audio Hi-X60 Headphones:
sweetwater.sjv.io/jrrW5P
We're finally taking a look at a Welch Tuning Systems (WTS) drum set! This is a slightly weird drum set since all you do is turn a single wing nut to tune the entire drum. Seems kinda gimmicky, but let me tell you, this kit sounds incredible and is SO EASY to get sounding good at any tuning. You can tune these SO LOW and still have tone because there is such even pressure around the heads. By far the most fun I've had playing a 4 piece drum set. Also that snare is money! I was skeptical since the system tunes the top and bottom head at the same time, similar to an old single tension drum, but the snare sounded killer at all tunings. This would be a great kit for a home studio, pit orchestra, or any gig where you have to change tunings on the fly.
The WEIRDEST way to Tune a Drum Set

[@rdavidr]

This kit is wild! Whats the first song you would play on it? 🤔

[@paxton69]

Blast beats

[@elovesenchiladas7258]

@paxton same tbh

[@praisewizor]

The first song I would play is definitely Call me maybe,😅😅😅

[@lukewheeler162]

A whole red hot chili peppers gig

[@RedDogMamaHD]

Ravioli! (I thought of this because I am hungry!)

[@davidcenteau-depina6192]

In a studio situation this would be very useful but live, especially if you have gigs with different types of musical styles. The sound can go from jazz to rock and everything in-between in a few turns. This is genius.

[@Nathan-hb2xg]

Most gigs of the same band won't play many different music styles in one set. I've never seen anyways...

[@greedfox7842]

except, both batter and resonant head have the same tension... which for rock and jazz are really bad.

[@rediflow]

and a HIRED !!! (otherwise he usually wont give that much of a shit and afford) FOH Sound Engineer will hate you for it. He has to take care of your constantly retuned drums, to adapt EQs, Compressors, Gates, Volume and everything else he put on all the individual mic's of the drum-set with individual settings to make the set fit the room and the rest of band...

[@manracmolactrac]

A situation where this could be super helpful is in musical theatre - very often will different characters and moments be in completely different styles, with many of the other instrumentalists having to switch instruments song to song. This gets you a ton of mileage without needing lots of extra gear.

[@nickpisarczyk]

@@greedfox7842 …what? Tuning reso and batter to the same pitch gets you the most resonance you can. How is that a bad thing for jazz?

[@akareject]

The low tuning may be the best sound I have ever heard from a kit! Love it!

[@krusher74]

if you like it tune you top and bottoms head to the same pitch.

[@jensharald9091]

@@krusher74 Not pitch, tension. Also, I want to let you know from experience there's not quite a normal kit that sounds as good in low, low, low tuning as a kit with this kind of tuning system. If you like Duplantier-low toms and are tired of rattling rods this might be for you.

[@Jay-pe7lh]

Thanks

[@milescorporosus4058]

"Did you hear those sick bends the _drummer_ was doing?"

[@djsusan00]

Finally, you drummers can tune your instruments like us guitarists.

[@chriskiefer7493]

That is correct. No drum has ever been tuned before this. -The More You Know

[@djsusan00]

@@chriskiefer7493 😅🤣🤣🤣

[@orionh.5334]

what about the bass drums with built in tuning keys? (Tama)

[@greedfox7842]

I tune my heads one a month at most and they are only ever a few inch-pounds off of being in tune. (drumdial)

[@cablevamp3163]

No

[@DanEdelen]

Other than a little metal shell ringing on the snare-easily compensated for-that’s the best-sounding out-of-the-box kit I have heard. And I’ve been playing 50 years. Kudos to WTS. Here’s a unique kit that isn’t a novelty but a truly different system that makes drums better. Everything old is new again.

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Thanks so much!

[@honuman39]

Page Drums and Hudson Custom Drums were making cable tension hardware kits since the late 90's

[@brianwills5707]

I'm fascinated by these drums. Critics frequently point out inability to use different tuning between top/bottom. Would love to see a part 2 exploring how they sound with top and bottom heads of mixed thicknesses. Also curious how even the head tension is.

[@scenoptica]

Those are actually some great questions! I'm curious too, now.

[@Gruuvin1]

Equal tension is not the same as equal pitch, and most drummers don't want equal tension on both top and bottom. Most drummers do want different types of heads on top vs bottom, which means the bottom will be pitched higher than the top, with this system, and there will be no control of that.

[@ogKalmari]

@@Gruuvin1 If you want that pop "boom" sound to your toms you would want to tune the bottom head lower than the batter head

[@Gruuvin1]

@@ogKalmari cannot work that kind of tuning with this system

[@anteshell]

When new, the tension should be exactly even, but as they age it is possible some imperfections starts to appear when you change the tuning, due to the metal cable settling in on those bends due to fatigue. I doubt the effect ever becomes significant, but also think it can be heard if directly compared to drum with new and un-fatigued cable. And as other said, the problem is that you cannot control it.

[@reverendray3036]

The arrow on the drumstick blew my mind more than the tuning system. Genius.

[@alart75]

I bought this kit. No regrets. In a studio setting, you will save hours of tuning / tweaking time. Not only that but the drums sound amazing once Recorded.

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

We're so glad to hear that you're enjoying your drums, Alan!

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

I've been trying to explain just how amazing my kit is. I think you kind of have to own them to truly know just how cool this system is. The convenience and the improved tone is off the hook!

[@scottwcrews]

Drums originally started out with batter & reso heads being tied to each other so it's interesting to see the support now for equal-pitch heads after 100 years of independence between heads. Also, curious if the side of the hoop closest to the tuning crank receives higher tension than the side opposite of the tuning crank

[@honuman39]

Interesting question. I could see maybe a slightly higher tension at the hoop closer to the tuner hardware because it's anchored there but I'm not sure it would effect the sound.

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

The tension is perfectly even all the way around. This system is basically idiot proof. I freaking love my kit! I should be their sales rep.

[@xdoctorblindx]

These sound legitimately incredible. It's like having your drums studio processed!

[@zerronyx1362]

perfect for bass players converting to drummers

[@nickwallette6201]

Checking in!

[@jeffjefferson8137]

how do you only have 318k subscribers? i’ve been watching for like four years maybe imo one of the best drumming youtubers. content wise chops and creativity. keep doin what ur doing i get so excited every time i get a notification that u uploaded

[@johnnysweetly3757]

Awesome! I've seen this advertised a lot and I'm so excited that YOU'RE the guy who got his hands on them! I love watching drummers geek out about cool drum stuff, so I loved when you got into the snare.

[@eternalcustomchannel]

That rack tom has convinced me I need to tune my toms with even tension. It sounds soooooo sweet in that low tuning…it’s exactly what I want from my rack tom 😅

[@boricua9071]

I for sure would want a kit like this. This such a beautiful idea and I’m hoping there is a more affordable option in the future.

[@greedfox7842]

drummers never need to tune... like once when a head is new and once a week later for the head breaking in. and, you can't set different tensions for the resonant and batter heads. >:/ you must not be a avid drummer.

[@LimabeanStudios]

​@@greedfox7842 drummers don't retune all the time because it's a hassle. If it was as easy as tuning a guitar you bet your ass I'd retune my set all the time. I also think the issue with not being able to have different tensions can be solved fairly easily with a bit more mechanics involved.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

@@greedfox7842 The same principle used for strings applies to drum heads. As you play the drum, you're actually deforming the head and it starts going out of tune. In order to restore it, you have to stretch the head again and again but eventually you reach a point where the material is fatigued and no longer stretches. If you keep pushing it, the head will either deform in a way it can no longer be stretched or split, just like how a guitar string eventually reaches a point where it can no longer hold the tuning.

[@dixonqwerty]

Best invention for drums I have ever seen.

[@GivenKDW]

Tbh the high tuning sounds so good !

[@rebelcat420]

Honestly was expecting this to be a gimmick, but was pleasantly surprised to hear how good they sounded! Especially of note was that snare! On,y thing I would have liked to see was a side by side time lapse of a head change on a traditional drum. My bets are that the times are very close (with this system being slightly faster- especially after doing it a few times to learn the system better).

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

Imagine playing the In the Air Tonight fill on just one of these drums, tuning it down as you go

[@OrganicGreens]

I feel like I've seen something like this on really old drums. I always thought it was decorative but I bet this is inspired by tuning systems on historical marching drums and traditional drums.

[@rdavidr]

True, I guess this is the modern equivalent of an old rope tension drum!

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Exactly! The rope tension concept has existed for quite some time now and certainly inspired our approach. We took the basic concept and modernized it for practical functionality that today's drummers can make use of.

[@victoramicci840]

@@WelchTuningSystemsInc Through the video, I ended up thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to have a sealed system of tuners, as in electric basses. The rope systems does remind a bass guitar tuner afterall

[@okaight7248]

Every single tuning, including the SUPER HIGH all sounded so good!

[@jonwoods4784]

YES I’m so stoked you’re making a video on these. I love these drums.

[@mentalitydesignvideo]

These are the most evenly, precisely tuned drums I've heard in a while. If not ever.

[@cicada9393]

i had my first drum lesson today and have never touched a drum kit before today, or tried to play a beat in front of anyone really, and i just found your channel and wanna give ya a huge thanks i love your content man!

[@marcelinebrady5332]

Hell yeah!! Hope you’re still playing

[@LilLWH]

The best use case I can think for this kit is as a house kit for a venue. Would be such a nice fit for switching in between sets for different bands and them being able set the tuning to their desired sound.

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

The 5 Spot in Nashville and the Relix studio both have our drums as house kits specifically for that purpose!

[@alsdrumhang]

I saw these on a Facebook ad a couple months back, then a drummer I know got a set and played them in a video - I've been so curious about them! Great review!

[@stevepruittmusic]

Great video! Thanks for featuring my snare drum too!

[@DrRockso.]

The brass drum in the works looks like a Tama Bell Brass. Awesome.

[@edukacja2485]

This kit looks like a blessing in studio situation and foh engineer's worst nightmare on live gigs. That low tuning though sounds absolutely amazing

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

Just played my first gig with my WTS kit. They went over really well. Sound guy said my little 18x16 kick sounded better than any other he's ever mixed. Nothing inside her either. Just regular Powerstroke heads. Ported reso. Freaking huge thump with a very controlled tone. The toms sang to the back of the room quite nicely. The other drummer who played them was enthralled. He hates tuning and just marveled at how well the WTS works.

[@synchroPhaze]

I remember watching your vids years ago and I must say, well done, you've gotten so much better! Not to say you weren't before but I just see that you've been practicing ;)

[@charlesbronson7590]

Thanks for this! I ordered these a week ago. This video is relieving my buyers remorse!

[@stedankel]

This actually makes a lot of sense! Consistent, equally balanced and incredibly quick whole kit tuning! Are we finally seeing the next evolution of the drum set??

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

I can't say enough about how much I love my kit. The tuning range is fabulous. I've never gotten my 16 inch floor as low as this one goes. Down into places a 22" kick usually goes. Not kidding. And in seconds no less.

[@ryancrisp1842]

I can tell I have definitely grown as a drummer because I have come to enjoy and appreciate the high tunings. It used to always be about how low you could tune. I just dig resonance now.

[@lastwymsi]

I am loving how this kit sounds and looks. If I ever have spare money, this us what my personal studio will have. On the fly tuning is amazing.

[@ultragkart6789]

So glad you made this vid! Been seeing these kits all over Instagram and I have been dying to see you try one out! 😁😁

[@daltonidaho]

I've been seeing this tuning system for a while and always assumed it was another gimmick, but they actually sound great!

[@janemba42]

It would be cool to have some kind of dial on each drum so you can tell visually what each drum is at, for quick and consistent tuning on the fly.

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

There used to be a tuning key that had a built-in torque meter in its top; you could see exactly how much tension each lug had and get them all the same. Don't know if anyone still sells it, though.

[@DadBodDrumming]

I bet you could achieve this by putting colored tape on the rope. Different colors for different tuning. All you do is tighten the rope until the desired color reaches a certain mark and viola! instant jazz or rock sound.

[@sub-kb7ce]

Yep, most timpanis have linear gauges on them so you can mark each note to quickly tune to. Timpani solos are incredible to watch just because of this. I'm surprised that they didn't do a similar idea here but then again, this is also pretty new.

[@andrewwray8778]

Just use your ears 👍

[@mack56]

Use a Tunebot

[@mattyoung1863]

I bought a WTS Epiphany snare in August and love it! So many different sounds with just the turn of a peg!

[@jackalford7318]

those are honestly the best sounding toms I've heard in a long time at any of the tunings.

[@LeftyPem]

Great sounding kit! Love the tuning at the 6:15 mark❤

[@blujay9191]

Very cool. I've had a Dialtune snare drum for a couple of years which I love. It has a similar tuning system except it has the ability to tune each head independently and you can change and tune the batter head in under a minute.

[@unclerhombus]

Those snares look awesome, but the price is highly intimidating.

[@blujay9191]

@@unclerhombus .. True that. I financed mine. The first time I've ever done that. In my defense, the only other quality snare drum I ever bought was a used Supraphonic in 1973 (still in service btw). I figured I deserve a new snare drum every 50 years or so.

[@sammcdouall4849]

Love to see this kit with a Dialtune snare drum.

[@jeffholmes2459]

Does Dialtune make complete kits ???

[@AngelofDeath1431]

Don't know if anyone else noticed, but when he was talking about the matte black wrap, the inset picture showed someone turning the tuning wing nut, and the color of the shell finish/wrap changing. I think that was a perfect illustration of choice. VERY COOL!!!

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Glad you noticed and liked that!

[@AngelofDeath1431]

My occupation requires observational skill, plus I'm a drummer, as well. Too bad my "job" doesn't pay enough for me to afford a kit like this (or larger). Also, my wife would kill me if I bought home another set (but, I could die happy with a five piece kit). Anyway, impressive system you have devised!

[@SilentReproach]

Really excited to watch this. Been seeing these on instagram and it’s such a cool concept

[@Rustyjamesman]

Those toms sound great! Snare sounds best tuned high to me

[@MrVenat0r]

That's some super simple but really clever engineering.

[@SpiralJucifer]

I love the tactical music during the head change. haha Great sounding, versatile kit!

[@garycordle5295]

This kit is amazing, you can't go wrong with maple, the tuning system looks very fast and easy 👍

[@mattbridges8908]

Those actually sound very good at all of the tuning ranges. I'm impressed. I thought these would be a gimmick, but I can see myself using these. I rock these sizes for this reason. 20, 12, 14. Low for bonaham, high for bebop or hip hop. Does it all.

[@mikosoft]

Bonham actually tuned his drums fairly high but used large shells.

[@mattbridges8908]

@@mikosoft Yes, but with these sizes you'll get closer to Bonham with medium low tuning. Not low to the point of dead, just lower than bebop tuning.

[@stevenwolfie]

i would have loved to see you put a drum dial on the heads to see how even the tension was. really sweet kit!

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

It is basically perfect. I might make a video showing just that. I can't say enough about how much I love my kit.

[@mirkosmi1800]

Steven is looking forward to the new set like a little child...and I'm glad too...congratulations!

[@porchestra]

Infinite versatility for such a small kit. I'm a sound tech and this would be a joy to mic up. Those low tones are super wet and useful in heavier music, while the clean high and dry tuning could elevate any jazz gig. 5-Star Drums

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@porchestra]

Yes, quite innovative as they look and sound fantastic. Our Ears Never Lie!

[@evangarciamusic]

Wow, drums made with guitar tuning mechanisms, pretty sick!

[@brent3760]

The high tuning is where it's at! Sounds great! Go even higher to Bop tuning!!

[@Drumsholic]

This kit is a real innovation man!!Sounds amazing!!Great video!! Thanks for sharing dude!!

[@ScOpeZyy]

Dude I love ur vids u such a calm and peaceful KZbinr and just seeing u try different types of drums are amazing

[@caspermaster-com]

If I started a recording studio, this is the only drum kit I would buy for it. Wow. Now we only need cymbals that you can turn a knob to get them to be more quiet hehe.

[@sammcdouall4849]

Great idea with a amazing tunning range. I wish they could used the same quick removable rims as Dialtune drums. Then changing heads would only take about 30 sec. It would be great to see you play a Dialtune snare drum with this WTS kit.

[@omarcortes5754]

It sounds really good. Loved that snare.

[@autonation_photography153]

I somehow never get bored of rewatching rdavidr videos

[@NealMiskinMusic]

Cool! I would love to see a couple of added features: 1. A separate tuning system for top and bottom heads, as having them at the same tension isn't always what you want. 2. A quick release to disconnect the pulleys from the rim to make head changes even faster. Otherwise what a really neat idea!

[@Merlincat007]

I love the quick release idea! They do have videos of changing the heads in a couple minutes but why not go even faster!

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

The whole point of the system is to achieve even tension top and bottom and cleanly across the heads perfectly every time. The laws of physics demand that these drums tune perfectly. Every pulley is under the same tension. Until you've heard a drum tuned this perfectly, you can't know how superior the tone is. I have experimented with tom tunings for over 40 years and now this system makes it impossible to not get great sounding drums. Trust me when I say that perfectly even tensioned tom heads top and bottom IS EXACTLY what you want. It's just almost impossible to achieve, and harder to maintain, on a traditional kit. The lug closest to you always goes out of tune first and then the whole drum sounds wonky, right? Some times that happens after just one song if you're really going for it. That can't happen with the WTS drums. The cable can't move so the pulleys don't lose tension. It's not like having tension rods that back out of the lug over time. Also, after changing a few heads, I've gotten pretty quick at it. Helps to trim the end of the cable before you try to reinsert it. That's where the guy in this video went wrong. I nip off just 1/4 inch and it's much easier. Plus, once the new head is on, you just tighten up the cable until you get where you want to be, and you're done. None of the horrible tedium of going from lug to lug trying to get it even. And you never have to take a tom off it's mount or lift a floor tom and flip it to tune the bottom head.

[@timsears951]

this kit sounds awesome ..and love the tuning system ...nice

[@the1khronohs40]

Fun fact: I was thinking about the drill bit about 30 sec. before you mentioned it. I’m a guitar player/tech. 😂 You will probably shave off 2min. on the change time with a drill. This is my new dream kit as of right now! I really don’t mind the flat black either. ❤

[@RhysK94]

Jeez that second tuning (3 turns) is insanely good! My fave by far!

[@patrickderp1044]

ok so it wasnt just me, i could feel my adrenaline pumping at 6:01 because of how good it sounded

[@dimitriid]

6:40 Biohazard - Urban Discipline. Glad to see some Danny Schuler he doesn't gets talked about nearly enough but those Biohazard records had some incredibly creative drumming on em.

[@rdavidr]

technically I played it wrong... lol either way, the drum parts on that album are clutch, also love the way theyre mixed 👌

[@hakrbeans3850]

Kinda sounds like California Uber Alles by Dead Kennedys

[@dimitriid]

@@hakrbeans3850 Well Biohazard started and was arguably always a hardcore band so I'm almost sure they listened to Dead Kennedys

[@Southbound_Buff]

@@rdavidr minor flex but Danny’s my uncle. Definitely would say he’s a massive inspiration to me

[@hakrbeans3850]

@@dimitriid true. Inspiration is apparent and done well. Thank you for introducing me to a new band

[@Merlincat007]

I'd love to see a set with separate tuning of the batter and reso heads! And while we're making wishlist, I love the look and feel of wood hoops with the claws if they'd offer a set with those!

[@greedfox7842]

finally someone else to have noticed that. both heads on the same tension is almost useless.

[@Merlincat007]

@@greedfox7842 I wouldn't say that! They mention experimenting with different thicknesses of heads, like thinner heads will be higher at the same tension

[@greedfox7842]

@@Merlincat007 but then the head would have to be changed to tune them, or change the sound. :/ and yes a thinner head would sound higher, but tension is more than just sound,; like a snare side snare head needs to be physically tight to react with the snares properly, so if you want a fat rock sound the snare wire isn't going to work right.

[@honuman39]

@@greedfox7842 I own a Hudson Custom Drum set which has cable tension hardware similar to these. For what it's worth I don't have any issues with sound/tone having balanced headed tuning. I don't get any noticeable ringing or overtones. I know this is a big issue for people but it's been my experience that it might be exaggerated. There's also a trade off with traditional hardware in that the lugs, gaskets, screws, washers etc are bolted on the drums acting something like a straight jacket on the shells reducing natural resonance and impacting the sound to some degree. I'm not saying that even headed tuning sounds the same as independent head tuning but that there's more going on than just the heads. I also think the differences in sound character are probably not that dramatic and mixed with other instruments and processed in a recording it seems unlikely to me at least, that anyone would be able to notice. I think traditional hardware drums sound fantastic. I've played on just about every major drum company's kits and when tuned well they all sound great. For me the ease of tuning is the great benefit of cable tension hardware. It's so dramatically an easier experience compared to tuning independent lugs and if you're not a good tuner like I am then you appreciate it a lot.

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

@@greedfox7842 All I can say is you are wrong. The perfectly even tension top and bottom results in the fattest and cleanest drum tone I have ever heard. Nothing but harmonic overtones. Just the right amount of resonance. They are like magic. You have to be in the room with them to properly appreciate how full the sound is while the WTS is simply brilliant in its simplicity and perfect execution.

[@rhinomechanics8423]

love your channel. After seeing the Donner kit { bright Yellow } I got one. This Kit is Crazy !! Keep up the Great Work~

[@Edelweiss1102]

These sound absolutely amazing.

[@kylewagoner]

I really, really want one. I am blown away.

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Ready when you are!

[@CyberneticHusky]

I kinda like the look of these drums they have that classic rope style of tuning but modernized it

[@TylerNeil]

The high tuning sounds so good!

[@TheAnalogRebellion]

Great demonstration. Incredible drums! The low tuning sounds fantastic.

[@phobson70]

Love the tones out of these.

[@benjamin.kelley]

Every drum set needs to be like this. Obviously the cable loses tension over time, but with a replacement cable, it would make tuning so much better! The only issue I can see is if you want a nice pitch bend by tuning the heads differently.

[@sirdrum-a-lot]

You can tune the bottom higher or lower if you want.

[@nilsjunior7851]

@@sirdrum-a-lot how would you do this on this type of drum?

[@jeus_saaa]

@@nilsjunior7851 same question. that was the first question i had in mind the moment i saw how the cable connects the batter and the reso head.

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

We'd love to see more companies making our system available on their drums! The cable really doesn't stretch out to the point where it loses tension- that's more likely to happen with your heads as they stretch out but you can easily give a small turn to the single key and you're back in action. As for different pitches between batter and reso head, simply use drumheads of different thicknesses. A thinner drumhead will resonate at a higher pitch given the same tension.

[@sirdrum-a-lot]

@@WelchTuningSystemsInc This is my answer to the people asking "how"

[@TKbeatwerk]

Saw one of these kits and got to try it out at uk drum show, revolutionary

[@RedDogMamaHD]

Great fun watching you tune the drums ... All sped up!

[@JerridFoiles]

I dig the idea of this kit. Imagine a song where there's a break and then a key change, and during that break you've tuned your kit to match the key. Game changer.

[@finnplays0]

As a string player it hurt every time he called the tuning peg a wing nut

[@KQDUDE]

You mean the twisty turny pitchy thing 🤔

[@stedankel]

Isn't the technical term machine head?

[@finnplays0]

@@stedankel all of the sort of music teaching curriculum that I've seen for string instruments ranging from guitar to violin calls them tuning pegs. Also, I'm a guitarist, and all the guitar people I've interacted with be it in person or online call them turning pegs

[@stedankel]

@@finnplays0 "Machine heads are used on mandolins, guitars, double basses and others, and are usually located on the instrument's headstock." "Non-geared tuning devices as used on violins, violas, cellos, lutes, older Flamenco guitars and ukuleles are known as friction pegs" I likes learnings.

[@finnplays0]

@@stedankel I've only ever heard 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 called tuning pegs. Is it really the proper terminology if no one uses it?

[@kgamaseg]

Loved that third song high tuning!!! Jazzy sounds!

[@valkojam]

Dude, I've been stalking this company for the past few months. Their hardware kits have been out of stock. I have an old 12" raw snare shell I am pondering using this on. Thanks as always for a great review.

[@liamfitzdrums]

This reminds me of Jaki Leibzeit's drum kit that he used near the end of his life. He had this thing that he would do where he would drill holes in the rims of the heads and insert some rope into them. He'd have them tied off in such a way that he could tighten the heads with the pull of the rope. This was done so that he wouldn't have any lugs on his drums and thus the sheels would resonate fully.

[@Carlito_Sway]

Jaki is maybe the pound for pound most underrated drummer of all time. It's hard for me to think of another drummer who was SO good and yet who flew SO under the radar in drumming circles. What a cool tidbit about his drums- was this after his time in CAN?

[@liamfitzdrums]

@@Carlito_Sway Yes. It was well after his time in CAN. And yes he is one of the most underrated drummers.

[@KilaKrumpira]

I would like to see separate cable/tuning for upper and resonant side, especially on floor tom and bass drum. This is amazing 😮

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

You missed the point. This system allows you to tune both heads perfectly simultaneously! After 40 years of trying different tunings, this system makes it impossible to not get great tone. It works! Period.

[@bassplayingchris]

That makes so much sense, im kinda amazed that hasn't been a thing for a while

[@charlzthedrummer]

Usually when you review a kit, I’d praise you for your tuning skills

[@rdavidr]

it was easy on this one haha

[@BRG23]

can we all agree that as drummers, we all get excited when finding new tones while tuning our drums?:)

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Right? The freedom to experiment and explore efficiently is something we absolutely LOVE about this setup.

[@eaf27]

It's basically the same tuner I have on my bass. I like the engineering of it, and it's probably really good for beginners and hobbyists like myself if / when it becomes less expensive.

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

Honestly, as a touring drummer, I want it. The idea that the tension stays consistent within the drum itself is a god send for 15 minute changeovers.

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

@@BradsGonnaPlay This!

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Why would it be only good for a hobbyist or beginner?

[@eaf27]

@@rogerwelsh2335 I'm not sure how you got that interpretation from what I said but I didn't say or imply "only", I said "really good" as there is less skill involved for tuning when using a single point to add tension evenly around the head.

[@AJMjazz]

Amazing kit. I love the snare!

[@tjwreds1]

That drum set sounds AWESOME!!!

[@jglasernyc]

It's genius, what a concept! I love this system, even tuning around the drums. Thanks for posting! The first song I would play would be When The Levee Breaks by Led Zep.

[@adamalexanderray]

Seems great for toms and kick. Still a little skeptical about snare tuning as the heads are so drastically different. I like getting my snare side pretty tight for a good responsive snare wire sound and the batter head around and between a medium or high tuning. I mean the snare didn’t sound bad, especially at the high tuning. It’s just a preference thing to have full control of both heads on the snare.

[@norbertrenner9364]

I' m playing a selfmade single tension Snare Drum for a few Years now and this works and sounds suprisingly good,and tunes easy too,all from the top side.

[@calebforman4516]

Rdavidr is a drum content MACHINE! Change my mind.

[@yourdrummer2034]

These would be an excellent studio kit. It could make for some interesting live playing options, too. I'm very interested in these drums..

[@hapasiuhengalu7586]

This is such a dope concept! This would make tuning at shows so much faster My only two issues with it are you can’t tune the batter and reso heads to different tensions for certain effects, and I like my drums and wish I could just retrofit this tuning system onto my current setup (they probably do sell that, I haven’t googled it yet) I would be willing to get over both of those for how convenient this is The first thing I’d try to play is see if I can do pitch bending 808ish sounding kick basslines on this kit Something like Lemon by NERD

[@Merlincat007]

I'll bet they could make a version with a separate system for batter and reso heads! That would amazing, especially for the snare

[@WelchTuningSystemsInc]

Glad you dig it! Also, you can have the batter and reso heads at different pitches but using drumheads of different thicknesses (a thinner reso, for example, will resonate at a higher pitch given the same tension as the batter). As for retrofitting existing drums, you could do this in theory but you'll probably want to plug all of the holes from your old lugs and, depending on the mounting hardware (especially for the kick), you may need to adjust the placement. All of this could be handled by a builder or even a skilled woodworker.

[@Merlincat007]

@@WelchTuningSystemsInc Good idea!

[@hapasiuhengalu7586]

@@WelchTuningSystemsInc woah thanks for the feedback!

[@Joestradamus]

The drum key saying "plz notice me" was hilarious haha. Really cool design!

[@NigiriCat]

I love the look of this tuning system.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Along with the best tuning method ever invented, This is a great sounding kit too

[@davidgomersall7185]

The speed with which you went from a rock tuning to what was essentially a bebop kit was mind blowing. What was really impressive was how well the shells coped with that range of tuning, there wasn't a setting that felt "wrong", if that makes sense. And that snare was a beast...

[@greedfox7842]

the snare sounds like a plastic bottle full of water, what are you talking about? >:/

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

Yup, you got it. No more "sweet spot". These drums have a huge range. This greed fox guy is nothing but sour grapes.

[@KarlKarsnark]

Neato. As a guitar-bro, I love how these "tuners" look like ours, as well. \m/

[@patrickderp1044]

i dont know how many different snares at different tunings i have heard at this point but the one at 6:01 is way up in the hall of fame

[@SarahMottram]

I feel like especially for snare and bass you want to be able to tune heads differently

[@JohnMGiambalvo]

I thought so too. That was the thought that made me hesitate about buying on of these kits for well over a year. But, now that I have them in my home and have been playing with them for about 6 months I can tell you, this system is freaking magic. Kick and snare sound absolutely amazing at a huge range of tunings. Period. Live and studio, these have performed well beyond my expectations and have received rave reviews from sound engineers. My bass player has over 40 years of engineering experience. He calls my WTS kit the best kit he's ever heard.