MASTER your memory locks!

It's the smallest of details, but knowing how and when to use a memory lock is going to make your drumming experience better or worse. Choose wisely!
#drums #drumming
Thanks to ‪@boomerguy9935‬ for the great tip!

[@josephklootwyk741]

Love my memory locks. It eliminates any guess work before gigs.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I’m going to have to use more of them. Thanks for stopping by!

[@mattbennett9467]

Floor tom leg memory locks are THE most important for me. If you're moving your kit around a lot, set up time is so important. Being able to just drop the leg in saves so much time. I moved away from Yamaha drums for this reason many years ago.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

In making this video, I think that’s the one I’m reconsidering the most. Super useful. Thanks for stopping by!

[@marcusdiscartin9167]

I agree about the tom legs. I found some memory locks that work on the Stage Custom and Tour Custom 9mm legs. But I can't remember if they're from Ludwig or Pearl. 🤷‍♀

[@theunbanned4553]

It's funny to hear others talking about the floortom legs. I always put mine on max. height, only the one towards me a little bit less (so it's tilted). It's because I'm tall.

[@prattmandu]

How do you not use your Yamaha boom memory locks? I use them every gig. Super helpful. I have 5 cymbal stands; I put colored tape on the bottom of each stand and top of each boom arm to mark them (red, orange, yellow, green, blue - from left to right around the kit). Then I know exactly where each stand goes, and which boom arm goes with each stand. Each one has memory lock so it perfectly lines up with the matching stand. Make setting up the cymbals for gigs super easy.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

That sounds like a fantastic system. I might have to give it a try. Thank you for the great idea!

The best content creator for drummers on KZbin. I’m seriously, even though I’m a KZbin creator also! Thanks a lot!

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Wow, thanks! That is so kind of you!

[@simmonsku]

The bass drum beater "memory lock" is actually a weight. But if you use it as a memory lock more power to ya. Also, in addition to marking stands as an alertnative for memory locks, you can also use hose clamps. Very cheap and comes in a variety of sizes. I like the little ones for cymbal booms.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Awesome ideas. Thanks so much for stopping by!

[@deadave100]

Elvis drummer, Ronny Tutt, used to use Raditor Hose Clamps (Auto Part) to mount a cymbal mount, for his center splash cymbal. If it works....Go for it.!!

[@drumfanatik316]

Man my OCD is on fire after watching this! Ha ha! I use memory locks on every moving part of my kit to minimize set up and breakdown time!!! I mark my drum mat with fluorescent lime duct tape so you can even see my mat in the dark when coming to the stage. That lock on the tripod base is essential for getting a consistent set up! I use straight stands with boom arm attachments for my ride and splash. Everything is memory locked and setting up my kit with unpacking probably takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the amount of space on the stage! Memory locks are your friend!

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I think that the more complex your kit gets, the more memory locks make a lot of sense. Sounds like you’ve got your system dialed in. Thanks for the comment!

[@donaldmackay8439]

I used the few memory locks that came with my second hand kit for a while but now use Jubilee clips ( auto hose clips ) wherever they're needed. Cymbal stands, drum stands, floor tom legs, boom arms, etc. They come in all sizes, weigh nothing, are cheap, and are inconspicuous.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Brilliant! Simple, cheap solutions that WORK are always needed. Thank you for the comment!

[@MarkArness]

Again, great content. Oddly, I have an opposite opinion of the Yamaha boom arm locks. When I tear down, the one thing that absolutely gets separated are the booms from the uprights, because big angles don't fit in a bag. When I throw them back together, I want the reach and "spin" of the boom to be consistent. Best example is my ride, which I have mounted to the kick from the 3-hole mount (I usually play 1 up, 1 down with the tom, ride, and maybe a splash out of the kick mount).

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Nice. Sounds like you have an excellent system worked out!

[@eucabusas]

For my beaters, I have a kick patch on the bass drumhead and that acts as my bull's eye so I haven't had any use for a memory lock in that case.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

That’s how I’ve done it, too. Especially if you’re using different size bass drums, a memory lock won’t help.

[@viDUBla]

If you use a rack system Memory Locks are essential

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Truth! I’ve only used a rack system a few times, but I can see how that would be an absolute requirement.

[@corecreekproductions6533]

I have a Tama Iron Cobra pedal and always thought those were weights to compensate for the small beater. You can get more power out of the beater by moving it higher up. I guess you could use it as a memory lock but I was under the impression that’s not why they have them.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I should check that out. The DW version includes weights, and also has a definite memory lock with tabs and slots.

[@jessdrummer_]

Very cool video, thanks

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Glad you liked it!

[@ScottyDrake]

Yes, I DID learn a few things. I didn't know that there were so many sizes of memory locks. Memory locks for floor tom legs? I had no idea. But I also learned that I'm doing some things right. Like taking a Sharpie and making "witness marks" on the hardware that I want to retract, rather than take apart. For example, rather than take my cymbal stands apart, I retract the tubes into themselves. It makes the stands smaller for easy packing, yet it saves me from having to take them apart. But doing that precludes the use of memory locks, so I use witness marks.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I’m glad some of it helped. Sounds like you have a great process already. Thanks for the comment!

[@justinwalker8019]

I have memory locks but also I try and not disassemble my cymbal stands at all. My floor Tom legs I have numbered 1-3, 1 is closest to me and goes counter clockwise to 3. I also have all the feet place ments marked with tape on my rug. Five piece kit with 9 cymbals; 2 cymbal stands, maybe 5-10 minute setup time.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Brilliant. That sounds like a good system, and that’s an insane setup time! I wish I was that fast.

[@timdrummer]

Great video. I use memory locks at my cymbal holders and especially on the boom arms to make sure cymbal angels are the same every time I set up. And I put gaffer tape on my carpet to indicate the correct position of my rack and my pedals which saves a lot of time on every gig. I like to use fast opening cymbal clamps instead of wing nuts, too; Tama cymbal mates for exampel. Keep on doing these videos, I really enjoy it every time.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Thanks so much! Sounds like you've got a system that's working well. As I said on the video, I'm rethinking mine. I think I've been missing out on some of what memory locks can offer.

[@wilkinsnl]

Couldn’t disagree more on floor leg and the Dw Tom L rod lock. I gig a fair amount and having the heights set, especially if you’re trying to rip on and off stage maybe in low light situations where you might not be able to see markings on the hardware or if it’s worn off. I recently switched to Yamaha AHM from pearl masters as a main gigging kit and the lack of floortom locks is felt. As far as Tom mounts go, get your heights and angles ahead of time and set them approximately to what you had when you left home. I know the ball mounts can be a pain but I don’t get why you’re adjusting that so much that the memory lock is useless to you. To each their own I suppose.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Fair points. Like I said in the video, in the process of making it I started to reconsider using them, and I've already put a few back on my kit. As I've thought about it, the reason I'm not using them on my DW kit is that I don't actually gig with it that much. In fact, it's been sitting in cases for most of its lifetime with me. I've always had Yamaha (and lately, a Ludwig with a retrofit Yamaha tom mount), so I've just set those tom arms/balls, and forgotten about it. But the DWs are making more frequent appearances, and so the memory locks are going to happen. They just make things too easy and save too much time not to use them. Thanks for stopping by!

[@1964markw10]

I use them, and if the stands don't have them I've used hose clamps, I also use a heavy duty 4x6 carpeted rubber backed door mat with tape marks where the stands go for faster more consistent setups.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I love everything about this. Drummers just find ways to make it work. Thanks for stopping by!

[@ILikeWafflz]

4:19 I actually use the memory lock as a beater weight adjustment

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Nice. That’s a good use for it.

[@mccbuddytaras6637]

racks are another place where memory locks can be vital. not only for repeated identical setups, but for added clamp reinforcement if you're running heavier gear. say a 24" ride or 14 and 16" suspended toms. my newest rack has something like 20 memory locks on it. maybe more. i even have added small 1/4 hose clamps to my yamaha floor tom legs as memory locks because they don't have any factory options. it's really easy to remember that the two with the same height clamp go to the outside, and the one with the lower clamp goes to the inside. gets the floor tom height perfect every time. i try to keep any disassembly to either my rack or stands to an absolute minimum for transport. i'll keep all my stands at their playing height so long as it fits in the case. i use golf club bags for smaller setups, and i have a few boxes i've found over the years that are long and wide enough to even keep booms out and at their angles. also got a golf bag hard case that fits everything really well without lowering or folding anything but the hihat pedal and stand tripods.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Brilliant. Sounds like you’ve put a ton of thought into it. Like I said in the video, I’m definitely rethinking using memory locks more. My set up is super minimal, but still, consistency and time saving are worth the effort. Thanks for stopping by!

[@DidYouReadEULA]

Great videos and practical, useful wisdom...thank you!

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Thank you!

[@Bamibakker]

I see you're using a Protection Racket hardware bag. May I ask which model/type the bag is? And does it have wheels?

[@CommonSenseMusician]

It is the old 38 x 14 and it does have wheels. It’s more than 20 years old at this point and still functional.

[@staav]

Floor tom legs memory locks is a mistake. it's better to make a little mark on the floortom with tape or pencil how high the leg of the floortom will stick out. Much more convienant

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Agreed. That’s how I’ve done it for years. Thanks for stopping by!

[@richkane1977]

Another thought for easier set up…. On your drum rug, with your kit set up the way you like it, take a few strips of gaff tape and mark out where you want your bass drum spurs, the feet of your stands, your throne, etc. between the tape and memory locks, set up should be fairly quick and easy.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

GREAT ideas. That creates consistent setups every single time. Thanks for the comment!

[@boomerguy9935]

I've been using the Sharpie for marking height and direction (flat line, vertical line) on my tubes for decades. For my stand bases, I also use electrical tape as a stop for quick setup. Memory locks are especially wonderful for carrying weight (Ever have your throne lower itself during a gig?) and for bass drum mounted rack tom holders. It usually takes about 15 minutes to set up my 4-piece kit including all my cymbal stands with cymbals.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Yep. The magically lowering throne is the worst. I love the Sharpie hack!

[@boomerguy9935]

@@CommonSenseMusician The nice thing about Sharpie ink is that it is easily removed with some brake cleaner spray on a paper towel.

[@NintenDub]

Memory locks suck. They're pretty useless in most cases. There is a 10% area where they are necessary.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Yeah, like I said in the video, I don't use most of them. Thanks for stopping by!

[@NeCtRiCkS]

They're quite useful for their purpose. Haven't they been invented, people would complain about the non-existence of such a simple solution.

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Good morning, Mr. CSM, you did it again. You posted another entertaining and informative video for our viewing pleasure. I was going to comment on something that came up in your video, but I can’t remember what I wanted to say.🤷‍♂️🤔😂❤️❤️❤️

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Hit me up when you remember. Thanks for watching again!

[@gregwonhoff7161]

@@CommonSenseMusician Oh, that was supposed to be a joke pertaining to the memory locks. I had better leave the jokes to the comedians. No joke about the content of your video though. I enjoyed it a lot, as I have all the others you have posted. Thank you, and I will see you on your next lesson.🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Ha! Got it!

[@gregwonhoff7161]

@@CommonSenseMusician Yeah, it was a pretty weak sauce joke. Take care,my friend.

[@threefoldcrossroads]

I've been playing about four months and find my Tama memory locked hardware to be pretty useful for testing out semi-permanent adjustments as I'm learning and growing as a player. I'm playing at home, but it's nice to know if I ever want to do a gig and I had everything where I wanted it, set up would be easier. Being a guitarist for quite a while I never understood why drummers were so protective of their kits at gigs. Know I know why, haha. Thank you for the informative and very practical content, this is the kind of stuff I really enjoy watching so I can learn to be a better and more knowledgeable drummer.

[@CommonSenseMusician]

Very glad it's helping. Thanks for stopping by!