There's Something We Haven't Been Telling You...

[@NewtNuke]

Don't start doing the clickbait titles please; this channel has a nice history of quality content and that's part of it.

[@StraightNoChaser86]

agreed!

[@PabloJ1968]

Agree!

[@TheotherAndrewHuberman]

Don't tell someone what to do with their channel

[@ChristianSandviknes]

@@TheotherAndrewHuberman The "please" did make it more a request

[@Daryl401]

I empathize that it’s hard to keep coming up with new topics, but I agree, I love this channel for its straight forward no nonsense approach.

[@anotheryoutubed]

"IT'S ALL BEEN SAMPLES, SUCKERS!!!! HAHAHAHA"

[@goodtimejohnny8972]

So true!

[@tiliae.flos.m]

Would die from laughing then

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Gosh, the amount of work that would have required... 🤯

[@blackasthesky]

Can't help but read this with Rick Sanchez' voice in my head

[@poxcr]

You're one the most important drum channels out there. Drums are useless unless they sound good (whatever good means to you), and you are the best resource hands down for anyone just wanting to learn how to tune properly, or going all in into exploring the wide range of sounds you can get from a drum. Unlike other channels out there teaching a lazy and sloppy tuning method with a condescending attitude, while dismissing anyone doing anything different (we all know this channel), you take the time to explain in detail how every part of the drum works and how it affects the sound. Through lots of drumhead demos and proper tuning techniques, you are giving drummers the tools we need to make mostly ANY drum sound good. Your videos are always a joy to watch, well produced, well delivered and chock full of useful info. Keep up the good work!

[@anthonystokes1473]

I've been playing drums for 45 years and have learned more about what makes drums sound the way they do from this channel than probably any other resource. Thank you for the educational journey you've taken me on and for doing it with integrity.

[@pongotv22]

+1

[@timm1139]

Same here!

[@ChaosPootato]

What you guys do is super important, especially for beginners. Starting with "shit" gear that you don't know how to make the most out of can feel very discouraging. Knowing what to try to get the best sound possible, no matter what sound you actually want and getting your gear to sound good is a massive boost in motivation to practice and have fun. We all know that guy that did air drumming on pillows for years before having a kit but let's be honest, those guys are aliens :D Even for more advanced players, as you said, when you reach the point of recording your first band or whatever, having your gear sounding good is more than halfway to having your songs sounding good. Thanks for keeping it real 👍

[@supacrispy]

I spent $135 on a Tama metalworks 13" x 4" snare drum from sweetwater. It's the best snare drum i have ever played. It's not about the cost of the gear, it's about the way the player can make it sound. I love that you guys illustrate this.

[@DeluxeTriple]

thats it. i am going to pick up the 6.5 x Tama Metalworks. i knew it. :)

[@AdamStachelek]

I don't usually comment on this kind of thing, but damn the Tama Metalworks line is so damn versatile and represents such an incredible value for money I can't stay quiet. I have the 6.5 x 14 Special Edition Black version with black hardware and (most importantly) the Black Die Cast Hoops. It's incredible and does the Bonham thing all day, and looks good doing it. They're great choices and I wish Tama still made them.

[@janmalec7349]

Peace drums "make" 14x3.5 snare for maybe 60 USD? it really is a steel (pun intended)! the best price/performace ratio ever

[@dalekay9ine]

@@AdamStachelekI have the 14x5.5 metal works with the brushed nickel hardware (looks black) think that's what it's called. It rivals my Starphonic brass all day. Easier to tune too.

[@steevidrums]

Totally with you. I have two snares, a 14x 5.5 Tama SCM and a Tama 12 x 5 Hammered steel soprano. The latter was cheap, like £125 back in 2004. I have since modded it with some Die Cast Hoops, mainly for cosmetic reasons to match the rest of the kit. But I didn't quite realise until I changed how it affected the sound. I'd have to A/B to be 100% sure, but I noticed the crack was more pronounced but at a slight loss of sustain, and I mean slight. Anyway, point being that drum is LOVED by all sound engineers that have mic'd it.

[@ILikeWafflz]

Around 10 years ago I spent a few years hemming on hawing on whether or not to go snare shopping. I was having a lot of trouble getting the sound I wanted with the one that came with my Mapex kit but I couldn't convince myself to go buy a $500+ snare because I knew it had to be my inexperience. I discovered the yamaha steel stage custom, and in my experience it's one of the most bang-for-the-buck pieces of drum gear out there. I got closer to what I wanted in two days of fiddling with tuning than I had in the previous 12 years with the other one. I've been enjoying drums for over 14 years now and I think this $160 snare is all I need.

[@joeqmix]

I for one have always appreciated this channel's "dryness" in terms of the unprocessed sounds. Keep doing what you are doing the way you have been doing it.

[@tyrustucker]

Drum tech here. My day job is tuning, repairing, setting up, tearing down, quality checking drums. I put fresh heads on collectors, SQ1s, Maple Absolutes, Refrences, and play them daily. This channel is the most accurate representation of what I practice/do day to day. These guys have the most honest representation of what a drum is. Drums aren’t marketing, it’s our instrument. Also just want to reiterate you don’t need expensive drums to get great sounds. (My working kit is a lower-mid range maple AQ2 from Sonor and it’s all I’ll ever need). Also want to reiterate that everything is subjective to a certain degree. Every drum does have a most natural sound though, it just takes time to find it. Whether you want to deviate from that sound to taste is entirely up to you! Cymbals are different though, but that’s another rabbit hole to go down. Appreciate this channel a lot!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks so much for chiming in with the kind words and vote of confidence! Cheers!

[@jasonesty3880]

In my role as a professional live audio engineer, you channel is my go-to when I need to point musicians and techs alike to legitimate information concerning getting "that sound" out of their kits. Thank you for your service!

[@hbasm3271]

Your approach to demoing the drums is exactly why you are my go-to channel, and the only useful one, really. Keep it unplugged, keep it real, and keep it up!

[@Soundscape12]

You earned my subscription with this video. Thank you for being transparent.

[@CourtneyAnneMcNally]

required watching for every drummer

[@volunteerguard]

Well said

[@FieroGTXX]

I second this!

[@nathanowens3]

Everything you just said is exactly why I’ve been watching your videos every Tuesday for the last 5 years at least. I’ve learned so much and to love what I already have. I thank you

[@DavidChapman-xo3ue]

Your videos have always been straight up and full of information and explanations. I've been playing drums for 60 years. I still learn something every time I watch your channel. Don't change a thing!

[@jasper36]

Much appreciated! I got out of HS and really wanted to play drums and thought I needed the brand that was being promoted to me constantly, and bought an absurdly expensive kit. Shoulda gotten a car instead LOL. It was fine and I did some albums+tours with it but TBH, I found a $700 kit I liked a lot more. I got way more compliments from drummers and crew on the sound, its easier to tune, easier to transport... We can get some good information from magazines and sponsored gear demos but it can also be pretty misleading. The Acrolite is a great example. Released as a student model, cheap... but the sonic capabilities are well-known and worshipped. I heard a great guitarist the other night, playing a beat-up Squire. Sounded lovely. I asked about it and he said other el. guitars are bulky and loaded down with hardware etc. I think drums are often sold for material value and not their sonic capability ❤🥁

[@allanmalloy8266]

This channel has been incredibly important to me for adjusting and reassessing my needs and preferences on a drum set, tuning, sizes, materials - all of which I've reconsidered because of this channel. Having this kind of video just verifies to me why it's important. Thank you guys.

[@joc8]

This is why I watch this channel…honesty, integrity, educational, informative, the list goes on. You are not trying to push new toys on the audience, and your ‘sound’ actually sounds like a drum ( apologies, I couldn’t help myself). I’ve learnt so much from you guys, and look forward to more. A big thank you Ben and Cody!

[@BretWaltonDrums]

OUTSTANDING! You guys NAILED IT with this video, as always. What you're doing is another facet of drum education. Love your channel!

[@CommonSenseMusician]

I've only done a couple of comparison / demo videos on my channel, but I have tried to follow your example. No compression or EQ ever, and I try to be clear about exactly what equipment I'm using (mics, etc.) and how / where I'm placing the mics. Thank you for your excellent work. You're one of the few channels I trust 100% on KZbin. Keep it up, my friends.

[@artpereira]

The way you do your videos is perfect. It is THE place I go to actually hear and understand things. Keep it up

[@ja60123]

This channel is the single best source to learn how to make great drum sounds.

[@wannabeadrummer]

I'm getting myself a snare in a few weeks, this has been invaluable advice. Cheers from over here😊

[@arthurcezariooliveira2921]

I've always liked raw drum sounds and found it far more interesting to understand how a sound was initially recorded in order to achieve a particular effect. It's frustrating that we can't have these raw recordings most times. You guys make a great job in achieving the "sound of a real drum" and showing actually achievable timbers. Thanks for that!

[@steevidrums]

This is great video, such great advice for the upcoming drummer. Some common sense in the sea of drum videos and reviews, I can imagine it being very daunting and overwhelming to the newbies. Bravo lads, awesome work, Keep it up!

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

I love you guys! Who else would have the decency and honesty to be completely transparent about their methods and practices as you did here? I don't think there was too much that I didn't already know here, or figured out on my own, but that isn't the point. The point is that you spelled it out in public, with no bullshit. I always use my best headphones when I watch, so that I can get the best audio that KZbin's own compression will allow. You spell it all out, every time in your notes, but reading seems to be going out of style... In any case, though, this was another winner from you, Cody & Ben! Guess I need to have another look at the Patreon.

[@Solnoric]

You guys have been a huge help in figuring out if I was hearing the right thing as I started, and I'm glad you are here

[@marcpompette7431]

So case in point, I recently saved up and bought a higher end China cymbal from a reputable cymbal company. I had watched all the videos and read all the reviews, but when I went to the drum store to play it, it sounded nothing like what I *thought* I expected. All of the "demos" and "gear shootouts" I watched on YT did me dirty! The sound was one thing, but I was even more unprepared for the natural volume of the cymbal, which I think is easy to overlook amongst all the post-processing in marketing materials or YT vids. That being said, I still ended up buying the cymbal, but lesson learned! Another solid video, boys👌

[@jorymil]

Chinas are one of those cymbals where manufacturing labor doesn't always correlate with better sound, unlike most other cymbal types. There's a reason that pros play Wuhan chinas with old K. Zildjians. Maybe these days you can get a Wuhan ride that sounds as good as a K Constantinople or Istanbul Agop--got me.

[@ILikeWafflz]

@@jorymil My favorite china was a $100 16" Zildjain ZHT. It cracked just a couple weeks ago after about 5 years of use. I liked it enough that all I wanted to do was replace it with something similar rather than take the opportunity to experiment with something else. I wound up getting an S-series counterpart ($160), which I actually like a bit more.

[@clayfoster8234]

Chinas are super obnoxious! Which makes them that much more to beat the shit out of when you playing the last two bars of a banger! Lol

[@clayfoster8234]

The only other channel I know of that accurately represents what a drum actually sounds like is Drummers Review.

[@DomPalombiMusic]

Nothing wrong with a good reminder of how y'all do things around here! Always appreciate the attention to detail on how you guys go about focusing on the essentials of exploration/artistry when it comes to creating sounds on drums! Keep at it my dudes!

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

"There's Something We Haven't Been Telling You..." - except we tell you in every video... no compression / no eq. lol i love what you guys do.. It has definitely influenced what I listen for and purchases I have made - both heads and a snare drum... and have taught me very much. as a beginner: Went to GC to purchase a 5 star rated snare that was on sale. GC told me to tune their snare drums before purchasing... so I practiced several times tuning my garbage snare at home with new heads / snare wires - remove everything, hand tension, tune, remove, repeat.. At GC, I discovered that I preferred their cheapest snare , and bought one (someone stole the floor model that I tuned... lol. Guess I did ok.).. And in the end, I discovered that my old garbage snare makes a great low tuned sound when tuned properly. So I still mostly use it... haha. I'm still trying to get my cheap 5lug toms to hold a low tuning (using tune-bot's pdf of frequencies), but I definitely am enjoying the G1 1-ply coated as resos after watching that particular video of yours... :) So, your channel has been an excellent resource in my drum journey - as I've much to learn yet. Thanks for what you do and your honesty in both approach for honesty to the actual sound itself. Great stuff!

[@Pentoute45]

Unusual and a tad "clickbaity" title but still one of the most transparent, educative, accessible, sugar-free, organic drum related content out there on You Tube. Keep on keeping on guys.

[@formsaudio]

This was the perfect video that I needed today to start actually recording my drum sessions again... thanks for the friendly attitude and methodology reminder guys! 🙌🥁

[@martinlaporte2112]

I really appreciate and enjoy your simple demonstration. They showcase the real sound of the instrument.

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Your channel is a relevantion . I’m been playing for over 1/2 a century & seen many fads & fashions for drum sounds . I don’t care “ that vintage sound “ but love your resources on how to achieve desired outcomes & options 🙏

[@jacknewkirk4450]

Thank you so much🙏 Authenticity is truly why I stay tuned in with you guys! Leading by example!

[@MauriceNDias]

This is required watching for all drummers. Thank you.

[@cedarandsound]

I think it's important that you communicate the realities of audio production and how it affects a viewer's experience and decision making after being influenced by the video. It's why you see so many disclaimers "wear good headphones" for listening to demos on youtube videos. You can't expect a musician to understand hardly anything about recording engineering, so the more you work to bridge that understanding the more audio-literate musicians you'll build. Keep at it, there's more to uncover in understanding how audio recording affects the acoustics of drums, because the impact of decisions like mic selection, mic placement, mixing styles are massive.

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Thanks for your perspective on the drums, about the drums and drum discussions. It truly opens your mind about percussion instruments. Although not a know all be all it enlightens the inquiring mind as to what is and what can be. We appreciate your input and knowledge and will continue to watch for a broader inclusion of musical❤ knowledge.

[@omphotonola]

This video is a great example of why I've been following you Cody. I love how you tell the truth about the nature of wanting to be a drummer/musician and getting the sound you want. More musicians need to see what you did with this video. Thank you for what you do.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! We appreciate it. -Ben

[@brendanerazo]

Thanks so much for always remaining transparent even with sponsored or manufacture featured videos. I've learned a ton from you guys over the years and recommend this channel as often as I can!

[@triskelion2056]

Post-processing/mastering and other production stuff in the studio is certainly important in the context of music creation or live performance but when it comes to talking hardware and demonstrations like this, capturing the real life sound people would hear if they were there is-person is absolutely the biggest priority and the attention to accuracy is one of the best things about Sounds Like A Drum IMO

[@Dylan90210]

A lot of respect for you, brother. Your approach to the whole passion of music in general is extremely admirable.

[@guillermo3564]

Found this channel a few years back after watching several others. Like it best and have been here ever since. I don't even bother with any of the others.

[@kt-nf2jx]

that video was really needed. thanks. It would also be nice if you could also present more processed sounds so that people can relate the original sound to the final product they are hearing in other youtube videos. Of course there are infinite number of ways to process the sound, but a even a few examples would be better than nothing. Keep up the good content coming!

[@nickdenardo6479]

i for one appreciate the raw quality of the drum sounds on the channel. i absolutely know that this isn't going to be something I'd hear on a metal video, but i also understand that the raw sound is the first step to getting there. i was going to mention that I'd love a video or series of videos illustrating examples of how to get from a raw sound to a professionally produced and mixed sound. i also appreciate that you are presenting this as content on your patreon. i don't know how successful you guys are, but you deserve it, and more.

[@Studio8Recording]

Authenticity & integrity. Great points made here.

[@cartoune]

One of the most potent memories I have is seeing a drummer playing a wedding with a gorgeous DW kit. But the drummer was really sloppy, got lost on fills, didn’t have a developed 1/4 note pulse, and was making the other musicians lives really hard. I learned you can look pro with pro gear, but only until you play it. And sucking on a pro kit is actually way worse than sucking on a beginner or mid level kit. Sounds super negative but weirdly it was actually really inspiring.

[@IGendel369]

I love this video!! I respect everything you do. It’s so important. Thank you for doing everything the way you do it. I’ve learned a ton from these videos. Just wish I wasn’t in an apartment so I didn’t have to have mesh heads and mutes on the cymbals so I can be quiet.

[@nicolwilson9320]

I absolutely love this channel…!!! Sounds Like A Drum is such an honest channel full of great information ! Cody Rahn is such a great presenter and drummer, he speaks in a drummer’s language! I would love to have a jam with him !

[@ryanoneill772]

But you have been telling us this in every video! I have always appreciated the honesty on this channel. I learn something everytime I watch. Thank you!

[@gan_the_white]

**Breathes sigh of relief** I was thinking you were going to say you're really keyboard players and not actual drummers.

[@jemmace2586]

I like to find out what the mid range or sweet spot of a drum is, mainly with snare drums, I'll tune them up top and bottom heads, quite tight, maybe using a tension tuner, using a drum dial, then muffle the drum til it's dry. I own a Premier Signia Maple 14x5.5", a Ludwig 60's Acrolite and a early 60's 400, I will never part with any of them because the actual warmth in resonance at most tunings, with the Signia Maple all tunings, are just for me on a level all their own. I've been lucky enough to own the aforementioned for a while, again, the tone in resonance and body is something I find staggering, when drums become true musical instruments. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@thebakersbuns]

Just subscribed after reading a comment that made me realise you are about to hit 100k. Blows my mind you guys don't have way more subscribers, but if your team keeps doing what they do.. I know the 1M isn't far. You guys have been a great resource the last few weeks whilst I am repairing my water damaged kit and gear due to flooding. I have really been enjoying the content and can't wait to start putting into practice some of the ideas and teachings! Look forward to watching this space grow, and congrats on the soon to be 100k!

[@FilipHoskoMusic]

I appreciate this video, "GearTube" is real and we can fall into the trap of needing better and more expensive gear. On the other hand, I have a Sonor AQ2 bop kit and I really don't like the included snare :) I tried different tunings and different snare wires but I just don't like how it sounds with the snares on. I bought a 13x8 maple snare from the used market with the stock head still on and it sounds way better (massive difference to me), I started to use the Sonor snare more as a tom (I bought an Evans Hydraulic for and it works well in this domain). Maybe I could have experimented with different heads more but I really didn't have the nerves for it :)

[@Joethedrummer]

Fantastic! The revolution starts now 😀

[@jorymil]

Cody, you and Ben give people the best information you can. Sound is processed through video software, then processed again by KZbin. That we now have the ability to download your raw sound files is wonderful. If that were all I praised you for, I'd be remiss: we live in a world where more information than ever is available to us. Thirty years ago, people bought the "best" equipment they could and tried to get it to match what they heard in their head. It's important to remind people that they will not play better by watching 30 different drum review videos, especially when said reviews offer no transparency in their recording processes.

[@michaelverhey2781]

This is why your channel is without a doubt the best and most important drum channel out there!

[@PhilHenDrums]

Good stuff, gentlemen. I appreciate the message of "make the most of what you have before you feel you have to go shopping". Keeping it real.

[@AdamStachelek]

I come here for objectivity. For realism. For measurability. You guys deliver all of that. I don't even agree with all of your drumhead choices but it doesn't matter because you're so damn objective about all of it. You're making me realize I paid for Patreon before and I probably need to again. Y'all provide a great service. Please continue as you have done. I enjoy it thoroughly.

[@RichardWelsbyDrums]

This is a wholesome and excellent video and I can’t agree more about the points you’ve made!

[@OtwanD]

What an important video for drummers ! Thank you !

[@dreadedscarpia2066]

Everything you talked about in this video is so important. I used to do marketing for a major drum maker. (No names, please.) The published content - after management’s “enhancements” - was so consistently dishonest. I drew the line after wording for a “signature” snare drum was altered to include: “The satin chrome finish mellows out the attack of the steel shell.” Insanity. BTW, this very expensive and otherwise ordinary drum sounded like crap. I resigned the account to save my soul.

[@scottklop]

Man, what a great episode. I really appreciate what you’re doing and the fact that you are pursuing truth… what a concept in this age. I love how you always bring it back to just playing drums and seem to encourage resisting the temptation of getting caught up in all the stuff. It really is about the musician and it’s nice to hear you say it. Thanks!

[@jasonb2180]

Great points. A daily reality for those who listen to store videos and manufacturer sound samples - hard to tell about processing, etc. I always like how you folks deal with the elephants in the room so directly and honestly - thanks!!

[@joelmartinez1504]

Thank you for your commitment to honesty and quality information. It seems society is running a little low on both. Kudos to you and your channel.

[@PabloJ1968]

I love your channel from day 1. Keep your straight and serious approach.

[@Epiphany-818]

I feel the choice of the bell brass for that talk about marketing was incredibly intentional haha

[@TurtleDrums]

Thanks for all the content, I absolutely love the videos and have learned so much. A video on the EAD from Yamaha would be awesome, I've seen many influencers use them and would love a deep dive in how it effects drum sounds.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks for the kind words! If you'd like to see a particular product featured here, please let the manufacturer know, as it's dependent on their support.

[@BenMcLendon63]

Great video, keep doing what you do! Btw, what’s the snare drum in this video?

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Thanks Ben&Codi for your excellent and honest content. Many other you tubers can learn from your integrity. They walk a fine line between honest content and endorsements and some step over that line. I guess everyone has to make a living,but that is when you decide to put the viewers first or the money first. Keep up the good work and you will soon have 100K subscribers.

[@kalonakitu]

Thank you for this video. I needed to see this.

[@Sundaydrumday]

I have learned a lot from this channel, most of all I learned the patience to sit and really learn my equipment and mess around with it, and to never be content with it, always room to improve and to dig to try and get new sounds. Keep fighting the good fight. cliff

[@88omarz]

Happy you’re using the Lauton

[@DidYouReadEULA]

You nailed me with the branding and high quality gear will make me more professional/better or as good as that artist. Many times, once I get it, it just showcases my shortcomings. Great advice and information. Am I wrong that any drum recorded with a good mic sounds more professional? The one time I was recorded for a record, my Pearl Export ELX's sounded like top line Pearl's or other top line manufacturers. My A Zildjians sounded awesome as usual, but the drums had that 'radio' pro sound, which I could not duplicate or hear when tuning.

[@gusbandicoot]

Into drum part sounds like Primus - Restin' Bones 😊

[@skyko]

Everything about your videos is top-notch. Why do you not consider adding chapter markers to make it easier for us to access relevant information at a glance?

[@ZetroDrummer]

Come on guys 3k to 100k!!!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Spread the word! 🎉

[@aricgudmundson2029]

Hi Cody, I found your channel about six months ago, and I've been working my way through your archives. Sure would've been nice to have this kind of resource 30 years ago! I have learned much. Thank you :-)

[@tiliae.flos.m]

It seems to me that there are other channels out there that present drum sounds in its pure form without eq and compression but its fair to say that none of them is such consistent in doing that like you are

[@GrampaPiggie]

I've had the same Pearl Soundcheck 5 piece for 13 years and since finding y'all's channel about 3-4 years ago I have been able to get sounds out of it I never thought possible. I've had people tell me after a gig "your drums sound great" which is not only thanks to a good engineer, but also my ability as a musician to pull the sound I want out of the drums. Could I get more sounds or better sounds out of a $1k/$2k/$3k drum set? Sure, yeah. But I'm doing just fine with my $400 kit. (In all honesty, the heads, hardware, and cymbals are the most expensive part of the whole set)

[@RandallFlores86]

i say this all the time. Does a 3k drum set sound better than my 1k drum set? yes. does it sound 2k better? probably not. heads and tuning get you pretty far.

[@kevystead]

Thank-you for turning you stick around for the cross stick 😅😇

[@ghostdrums]

No matter what, I love your channel!

[@simongrossjohann]

bell brass wohoo! 🍻

[@robclaytondrums531]

BRILLIANT, as always 🙏🏼

[@edenthedrummer]

Amen!

[@cy2112cy]

The title is a bit clickbaity but what you are saying is spot on. I have my ideas but I’m curious who in particular you are calling out 😜

[@markospolar1577]

Hi guys, watching this video made me think of one specific youtuber instantly: the "angriest Canadian", Glenn Fricker (SpectreSoundStudios). :) He also advocates honesty and getting very good (read: professional) results for not a lot of money. Needless to say, he pissed off quite a few people. :) Thank you for this video, I'll happily share it. I wonder how many people will be upset by it. :) Cheers! BR, M

[@KeatingJosh]

DW kit feels great.. the hardware in particular

[@adamfrost3722]

How does this principle apply to your sponsored videos?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Which principle(s) are you referring to? We demo the products in the same manner outlined here- with transparency and authenticity. We address the value and the application without focusing on the price (it's up to the viewer to determine if the price tag aligns with the value to them). We focus on the practical use of the tools rather than the emotional connection. We don't showcase products that we don't believe in. We turn down literally hundreds of requests for product features from products that we don't believe in / those that don't align with our message even though we see other, more popular channels happily showcasing.

[@adamfrost3722]

@@SoundsLikeADrumit seems the vibe you’re putting out is that your recording technique is somehow more trustworthy than a retailer, based on the premise of not shilling products. I think that supposed ethos becomes muddled when you accept sponsorships. I can respect the idea of what you’re trying to accomplish, but the reductive nature of “don’t trust someone trying to sell you a product” seems a bit hypocritical. Just my 2 cents.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@adamfrost3722 It's not so much the recording technique but that overall approach to acoustic transparency. Cody outlines this within the episode with a call to action for those creating such videos to, at the very least, disclose the signal chain and post-production work being done on the sound. That seems like a pretty simple and realistic ask. We do this on all of our videos whether they're sponsored or not so I don't see how this ethos is even affected by us accepting monetary support from a brand. The message here was not at all that you shouldn't trust someone trying to sell you a product so it might be worth rewatching portions of the video. We're encouraging critical thinking on the part of our viewers and transparency on the part of those creating videos that showcase products. Time and time again we see people frustrated with the sound of their instruments often in part due to unrealistic expectations, which are exacerbated by this lack of transparency in audio production. This often leads to buyer's remorse, lack of interest in playing the instrument, and even drummers that stop playing drums. We've chosen to embody the change that we wish to see.

[@adamfrost3722]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Far be it from me to argue against such a genuine and noble pursuit. Keep up the good work.

[@alstrange6055]

Nicely smashed as always guys!🙂👍

[@kevinonthedrums7495]

Thank you so much. The authenticity from this channel is so refreshing in a world full of fake drum samples.

[@FranksDrumCave]

Thanks for honest drum sounds

[@byrdman_drums]

Thank you for this video

[@Attacking...Jackyl]

I get frustrated with other content creator's especially those who are selling drums and give you a processed sound. Your channel is my favorite for a few reasons.

[@johnnymb100]

I got a steel, unbranded 10 lug probably Chinese snare free off the curb a few years back. Added New heads and wires. It.Sounds.Killer. DONT DRINK THE KOOLAID.

[@jorymil]

Right on! Just got a student Ludwig snare from 15 years or so ago. Still really nice--would totally play it in public. Steel gets a bad rap, but you can do a lot with heads, dampening, and tuning to change the sound. That "100 snare sounds" video was really eye-opening, and a good reason for me to downsize! These student-level snare/bell kits (used) are tremendous values.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

@@jorymilLudwig acrolites are such great snares. I mean, the Black Beauty snares are wonderful as well, but that extra money is probably not worth it.

[@allenmitchell09]

I kept waiting for the got cha too. Basically just told us of their methods, how good they are, and how others are doing it wrong.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That's not at all the interpretation we were aiming for. I believe we explained the reasoning behind our approach (and the potentially negative effects from others we've witnessed), issued a call to action for greater transparency from others, and addressed some other concerns related to the state of online percussion product demonstration/education. This doesn't really exist in the binary of right vs. wrong nor did we state it that way. We're simply addressing the ramifications and the intentionality behind our decisions because it's become increasingly common that these aren't understood.

[@allenmitchell09]

@@SoundsLikeADrum ☝🏽≠ “there’s something we haven’t been telling you…”

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

@@allenmitchell09 We disagree, as we haven't been telling people what is stated above/in the episode. No hard feelings.

[@charlesparenteau9256]

I have a Frankenstein drum set from cheap random brands but the drums sound amazing. For my own pleasure, I wrapped the shells with car vinyl wrap and put drum heads that I like. I don't need nor want some expensive drum set and even if someone would give one to me, I would probably sell it. My drum throne & hardware might be the only thing I would never cheap out tho. Cymbal-wise, as long as it has the sounds I'm looking for, I don't care if cheap or expansive.

[@ericstearns170]

the amount of common sense information in this video is amazing. Trying to get many players to understand that "the best" isn't necessarily quantitative across the board. Ludwig is a prime example of this, the acrolyte, a beginner snare is almost as numerous in recordings as the Supra and the Black Beauty. Price does not equal quality nor does it equal sonic superiority.

[@jorymil]

Ludwig really downplayed the quality of the Acrolite for so long, that when it stopped being a student drum, people cottoned on, but supply far outstripped demand. I wonder what current drums we say that about? I know they're out there, but the Internet publicizes them fairly quickly? Steel snares, possibly, or student-level poplar snares?

[@CalumetRedJacket]

Clarification is good but I think your approach has been obvious from the start. I would say though that an example of your recording with the mic preamps and without might have helped explain a lot. FWIW this also, tension is measured at a specific point like a weight on a rope or at a drum lug. Tension on a drum head is also at specific points like where you hit it with a stick. Tension across a drum head is not even. A drum head has tensile strength which is a aggregate average over an area and not at a point specific point on the head. This is why equal tension is not needed at every lug to achieve a desired tensile strength to achieve a desired frequency to excite shell resonance. There's much more to this but this is the basic physics. About marketing nonsense; Over the years I have owned many kits and some very high dollar ones but I have never owned a kit, new or vintage, that didn't need work on the bearing edges. Work ranging from a simple light sanding to eliminating gaps found when setting the shells down a flat surface. This work has never not improved the drums sound, even on inexpensive drums. Yet although they may exist I have never seen a video on this.

[@permpress]

Typically informative video and up to par from this excellent channel. What's the problem?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

No problem at all!