How A PRO Quickly Tunes and Sets Up Their Drum Kit on TOUR

When I'm out on tour, often I will encounter drum kits I've never met. IN this video I'll show you how I quickly tune and set up a kit before a show.
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[@bherward]

The best and hardest to accept advice from one of my local veteran drum gurus: Learn to play in uncomfortable situations. You never know what kit you're going to have to play behind, but you still have to make it happen.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@stantonmooremusic]

@Topjunkie I like that. That’s not easy to do! 🙌🏼

[@infinitysplitda456]

Words to live by. So true

[@fuzzy8mike]

True. I once forgot my sticks and played with wooden kitchen utensils

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@fuzzy8mike yes indeed! Improvise and make the gig happen by any means necessary! 🙌🏼

[@SlimJimIce80]

I like watching videos like this, real situation, real drummer, limited amount of time available and uses experience and skill to make it work. Thanks for sharing your tips!

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@nickruggieri2597]

Real world advice from a seasoned veteran. Keeping your cool and a smile on your face also adds to the experience. Kudos!💪🏽

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@kturkel]

That made me feel one helluva a lot better about my routine when I have limited time to set up or have to play a back line kit! Thanks for sharing!

[@SKragseth]

This is the real stuff most guys won't share. Thank you Stanton!

[@stantonmooremusic]

I plan on doing more stuff like this if y’all want to see it. Let me know!🙌🏼

[@stantonmooremusic]

Let know ideas of more behind the scenes content y’all would like to see like this. I’m making a list of ideas to film. I want to keep them coming out to y’all. Thanks! SM

[@SKragseth]

I'd like to know how you get your back line gear, maybe some horror stories of gear not arriving in time. How much advance notice do you have for gigs? What's your preparation for learning new tunes or playing with brand new band mates? Cheers, Spenc

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@SKragseth Those are all good ideas and suggestions! I’ll be working on stuff like that to release soon!

[@AdamStachelek]

@@stantonmooremusic Would love to hear how you manage a few things live: How you hold down tempos at song starts (I'm assuming without having the luxury of setting click tempos between tracks but who knows), how you might pull back the band from flying off the arrangement (maybe this never happens?), and the one I really struggle with - how do you know how you sound out in the house when you're behind the kit? You gotta rely on the FOH sound but sometimes it's a dialog to get that right and it's so hard to know how you're projecting how to the house from behind the kit. Thanks so much!

[@AdamStachelek]

Stanton! I have been a fan since I can't remember when. I absolutely love the "warts and all" nature of sharing what you have to do on a festival fly gig. Being a pro isn't just playing the gig, but playing it despite all the compromises, equipment failures, lack of monitoring, and whatever else that can happen. Every show I've seen you at you were 1000% so clearly none of these things hold you back. Dial in those drums quick cuz it's show time! Such great lessons here.

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you! 🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@GrayGhostDrumCovers]

hahaha! I used to be able to jump behind a kit and play without warming up, At 62 I need a full hour just to be able to hold a stick. 😂 I love his honesty and professionalism.

[@handidrummed]

Take note: No tunebot, no drum dial. Not that those tools don't have their purposes, but getting to the point where you can tune by intuition and feel, as well as your ear of course, is extremely important.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@si1995gtnupe1997]

Agreed! You will be e-stoned for that comment.

[@richboshart1201]

Amen. I refuse to use them.

[@ChiefNick525]

No need to gatekeep tuning. We don't hold that standard for any other instrument so while it is great to tune by ear and feel, we should all be able to tune however we want.

[@larrytate1657]

@@ChiefNick525 you can but a tune bot won’t prob work on tour anyway. Hard to use a bit in a quiet studio sometimes. So it’s good to be able to do by ear and feel.

[@tylerlenertz5625]

Please continue to upload content like this.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@stantonmooremusic]

Let know ideas of more behind the scenes content y’all would like to see like this. I’m making a list of ideas to film. I want to keep them coming out to y’all. Thanks! SM

[@craicattic]

Great stuff to share!!! Thank You for taking the time!!!!!

[@BrianTCarter]

Nice to have a vintage kit to mess with. Thanks for the tips!

[@b.p.879]

I love the real paint+glitter finish of that kit, just gorgeous! I also like to experiment and tune by ear and feel. I've spent decades working at it and I like to think I can tune any drum anywhere! Thanks for this video, you're a legend!!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@JordBas]

Being able to tune by feel is very important. I had lots of situations where it is difficult for me to tune by ear, because of the noise around you and time pressure. So I would a lot of times pre tune by feel of the lugs and fine tune while gigging if really necessary. Always pleased with the results because if you practice this enough, you kinda know what the drum is going to sound like according to the pressure you apply to the lugs.

[@stantonmooremusic]

Couldn’t agree more 🙌🏼🥁👊🏼

[@tuslokbaki9579]

Always coming out on top no matter the situation. gotta luv that!

[@panplayer]

Ever tried a drum dial? As a timpanist I find they are great when I don’t have quiet time in the hall to clear heads.

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@panplayer I haven’t, I’ve been doing it this way for so long. I may check one out though.🙌🏼

[@blujay9191]

Nice video. I love the positive attitude. Makes all the difference.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@davidolson558]

Thank You for sharing your approach to to set up and tuning of a rental kit. I've seen and heard other drummers do this too and wondered their approach. You actually show your approach at the gig!!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you for tuning in! 🙌🏼

[@davidolson558]

@@stantonmooremusic you got it Stanton! I'm in the Minneapolis area and know David Stanoch well.

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@davidolson558 very cool! Love Dave! 🙌🏼

[@davidolson558]

@@stantonmooremusic awesome! Love your new Orleans Ska beat!

[@KennethHard]

This is honestly how a certain nightmare of mine plays-out in real time. Stanton is a dream though.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼

[@portnickos]

That's awesome malaka! Really helpful and so cool seeing how you deal with situations like this! Yes indeed!!! ✌🏻😁🎶🥁💜

[@stantonmooremusic]

Yes indeed! 🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@sn00pgreen]

I've always just get the wrinckles out of the batter and tune the bottom head a little bit tighter, that's where I start, usually get a nice sound

[@pastorpaulfbc]

Love my Gretsch Broadkasters!

[@graemestraeffer1040]

OUTSTANDING. I still have goosebumps from your response to how you warm up- just like Monday nights on Frenchman or Wednesday's at Maple (circa 2010)- when it's time to go ya go💪💪💪 I also love the fact that you use the word hit. Thank you

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@GrassRoots-fp4ty]

Awesome, thank you. Setting up on backline stuff can always be a bit hectic. Looks like yall had a blast. Keep on rocking.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@jonathanfazio6290]

Very helpful!! Thanks for the info, and tips on how you approach setting up for these kind of gigs!

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼🥁🙏🏼

[@stantonmooremusic]

Let know ideas of more behind the scenes content y’all would like to see like this. I’m making a list of ideas to film. I want to keep them coming out to y’all. Thanks! SM

[@brianchristiansen8511]

@@stantonmooremusic I love any of this behind the scenes stuff, from the road or the studio. Just seeing a pro doing pro stuff.

[@thomp9054]

I've been to darkstar, big fest vibes while still not to many people. Always as a lot of great bands. Very cool behind the scenes look Stanton, thanks a lot.

[@jamesfox_music]

What a great vid. Burdened by time and flexibility even for the pro's brings comfort to the working musician. And making the best of the situation with no drama's and ultimate chill. Thanks Stanton

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you for turning in! 🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@drummerdano1973]

I can tune by feel/ear but the tune-bot is an amazing tool to keep your kit consistent when tuning or installing new heads. Can’t always trust your ears depending on the volume levels they’ve been exposed to etc etc. just my 3 cents Stanton rocks btw!!!

[@krusher74]

i've always had a poor ear, people don't seem to realize we are all different. Tunebot has made my drums sound much better than i can without it,

[@jamescrouse3779]

Thanks Stanton! Have a gig on another kit tonight so your tips are timely!

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@jamescrouse3779]

Afraid that the drum kit I met that day should have been put out to pasture. You know something’s up when you’re sitting on someone’s beer cooler for a throne! But was able to tune the kit a bit and overcome and adapt. Crowd loved it and enjoyed the show so it ended well. Lesson learned, bring your own throne!

[@joecoleman288]

Nice video, Stanton. I'm the same on the toms, finger tight plus one full turn. They sound amazing. On a backline, I detune fully, finger tight plus one full turn, done. Field expedient and good enough for the sound guy! Tune bots be damned!!

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼🥁👊🏼

[@victorberry851]

Keep doing what you're doing you look like you're having a blast

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@MirkkoDeMaio]

Thank you for the great advices Stanton- so useful!

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@rexwave4624]

Very informative. I’ve been following a band on tour that travels from show to show, sometimes headlining, sometimes supporting, where they use supplied backline including drums. I’ve been wondering how the drummer would cope. I was a live sound guy for many years and did many such shows, but mainly as FOH, so I didn’t pay enough attention. It was done! Although, I spent some time one day with a local piano tuner who could tune the piano by ear while everything was chaos around him. Amazing. Thanks!

[@easeupkid8270]

The king of if I have time

[@fernandomartincom]

Thank you so much for this Stanton 🙏🏼

[@mikebarker9187]

Do you tune your drums to keys and notes within your artist’s songing/song keys? Or to notes within the physical nature of the drum? Or to notes of drum relative to drum to drum?

[@stantonmooremusic]

I tune to relative pitches and try to make sure that they sound good together. No specific pitches, but relative pitches. 👊🏼

[@petewangen-groovedrummer8083]

Great tips my friend, thanks.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼🥁🙏🏼

[@tmaddrummer]

Great haircut Stanton, you look Road Ready! You are a pro and able to make things go, and you did. What’s your impression on tuning drums with die cast hoops, harder or easier for you? Strength and Courage Drum Brother, enjoy the ride!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thanks! I love die cast, I’m so used to them now, but they may be challenging to some if they’re not used to them. Especially a Gretsch 5 lug 12” tom. That takes a little getting used to. 🙌🏼

[@wynton765]

Thanks for making this video! Very informative! And man you are playing those drums!!! Killer!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you for tuning in! 🙏🏼

[@rj7826]

Nice insight into what it's like for a touring drummer. I guess you're trying to travel light, but I feel I'd want my own kick drum pedal - all set up and familiar if I was gigging like that ... but hey as long as it works for you.

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

Incredible 🥁👍

[@chuckharling]

Great job man, Big Stan getting some face time!That's a great kit.

[@stantonmooremusic]

Yes indeed! Big Stan is cranking some stuff out! 👊🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@stanzlotkowski5111]

Thanks Chuck and Stanton! I just found the comments button.🤣😂 I definitely appreciate you both. This was a fun one. Lots more to come! Stay tuned!

[@jorymil]

Who provides the backline gear? The band? The festival? Sponsor?

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@jorymil Gretsch provides drums to local backline companies. Then the backline company provides the drums for Gretsch endorsers when they come to town.🙌🏼

[@dr.w1636]

Thnx a lot for share your experience, Stanton! I enjoyed every minute... And yes, what stress when the mics start to fall 😂😂😂

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thanks for tuning in! 🙌🏼

[@michaelsullivan1262]

I’ve often wondered how a pro could stand anyone else setting up or tuning any kit for them, even pro techs. This is a cool video, I was wondering if the brand/sizes/heads/cymbals/hardware were spec for you and delivered to the site.

[@stantonmooremusic]

I have a rider that specifies what brand and sizes I prefer… Specific heads as well. So everything is as close as I can get it to my liking and then I fine-tune it once I get there.👍🏼

[@krusher74]

being a great tech is being able to set up and tune the kit so the player feels like they did it themself. That is their job.

[@EstevanDrummer]

Great video, I'm also a fan of low tuning

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼🥁👊🏼

[@tomcousin82]

What's the band's name? It sounds lovely, I'd love to discover more of the music!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Galactic. open.spotify.com/artist/4rMUtWPGbE6waga7PQO0oQ?si=II6clJ4XQ8mjmPiKJgWwkw We’re a funk band from New Orleans and have been touring together for 27 years. 🙌🏼

[@paulrevelli]

I've been there. PLENTY of times! Just did the Kate Wolf Music Festival here in California. Had about twenty minutes with a Yamaha Maple Custom. It was a total breeze getting it together. I will say it's a whole lot easier when the heads are in good, playable condition. And since air travel with cymbals became a nuisance I actually specify my cymbal preferences on my rider as well and they usually get it right. At least I can live with them for an hour or so! I've learned that you can never be too detailed when it comes to a drum rider. Thanks for everything Stanton. Quick question: Do you happen to know a saxophone player named Derek Huston?

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thanks for commenting, and yes I know Derek. Still bump in to him occasionally in NOLA. Great guy.

[@paulrevelli]

@@stantonmooremusic I had a feeling you did! I met him way back when he was still in the Iguanas. I work with him occasionally when he's out west for something. Have a screamin' weekend. ☮️

[@kfizz]

I have that same make of kit different color and more drum but it's Renown.

[@ajh21313]

Drummer from Pumpkins around 97, 99? If so… Chamberlin a great drummer but as a temp or fill in, you killed it! I’ve been drumming since 9 (55 now) and I have to say, you were the best. Crisp, tight, clean, clear precise technique with power! Always in the pocket, love it.

[@dawnchorusaudio]

You might be thinking of Kenny Aronoff, I don’t believe Stanton Moore ever played for the Pumpkins.

[@ajh21313]

@@dawnchorusaudio Not bald Kenny... the drummer that used to drum for Filter?

[@meshuggah434]

Real information

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@diangara3298]

Fingers are nature's torque wrench. I always bring them up to finger tight while pushing down on the rim until I can't turn anymore, then just a small adjustment all the way around with the key. Fine tune by tapping the edge of the head at each bolt to make sure it's a balanced resonance over the whole head.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@c0ns1d1ne]

Good video. I've been in those situations but never dared to retune the kit, thinking the sound guys have probably got their levels and eq adjusted to the current drum sound. Do you warn the sound man that you're going to do it?

[@stantonmooremusic]

He knows. 😉

[@graemestraeffer1040]

Also love that Larry Mullen Jr look😎😎😎

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@supraphonic88]

Love this. I used to be super particular about using *my* drums, but since COVID my band gave up our lockout practice space and we practice when we can at a shared spot, using all kinds of shared kits, and my playing is that much better for it. Learn to work with what you have, get inspired by new sounds, and you'll be that much more versatile.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@anthonyn1312]

Nice drum set

[@musiqsoundsproductions]

This is another reason why I envy bass/guitar players. They always sound good due to the tuner and can bring their own axe all the time. 😂😂😂

[@YouriLigotmi]

I saw you with Galactic back in 2014 in Nice, France and you had way less time to set the kit up! Nonetheless, you absolutely killed it that night! Cool video and nice trade lesson! Is that Nobody's Fault But Mine at the end? 🙂

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you Gérald. And yep!!! 🙌🏼

[@YouriLigotmi]

@@stantonmooremusic great!

[@hkschubert9938]

Perfect thank you !!!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Thank you for tuning in! 🙌🏼

[@drumhead9034]

Thank you! Yes, use your ears and tuning key/s. 🙂

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@rhetriver]

Very cool.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼

[@teetoys76]

Definitely have to hit gorilla style on a gig like this . In ,& out . One ,& done . Anything can , & will happen. Hella fun vid !!!

[@stantonmooremusic]

Yes indeed! You understand! Thanks for tuning in! 🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@TravelatorH8r]

Wish I could afford a d 6 on every tom

[@lagartogrande1908]

Have your s#it together. Be in the moment. Always be ready for a curve ball. Don't let anybody rush you, but don't drag your feet either. Rule of thumb...get the setup & tuning done first. Then if you have time, take a moment for yourself. Walk around a bit. Run through the show in your mind. Do some stretches. Warm up with sticks. Warm up your hands....grab a refreshment. Have all your towels and drinks at the drumkit. (a large container of ice water)

[@stantonmooremusic]

All good suggestions! 🙌🏼

[@jeffrogers210]

Nice shirt!

[@roybeckerman7843]

What snare was he using..?

[@arischapa9548]

Was that Led Zeppelin’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine at 7:10

[@stantonmooremusic]

Yep! 🙌🏼

[@MajesticDemonLord]

"To Tune the Drum, you must become the Drum" But seriously - great video on how to Tune in a practical setting

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Yes ! Pro he is.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@aussiefarmer8741]

You have just crushed my dreams of being a rock star. Lol, I'm kidding ,I'm over 60.

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼😂👊🏼

[@noahreasoner]

Dude I am so surprised the normal remo heads fit on there 😅 I can fit barley any new heads on my 60s gretsch! Maybe I better give remo a solid go. Anyone in the comments have an old gretsch that can fit modern Remos?

[@mghc7]

I’m not being disrespectful but wouldn’t you have a drum tech do that for you..if not you can hire me.hahah crush it man

[@stantonmooremusic]

No disrespect taken…On hits like this we travel with a small crew so we can take home as much revenue as we can. Drum techs are cool and all, but I can tune a backline kit quickly and rock it! No need to pay a drum tech, plus fly him out, plus buy a hotel room just to tune and position a rented kit. Thanks for tuning in! 🙌🏼

[@mghc7]

@@stantonmooremusic you are an inspiration to us all,thank you For your reply

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@mghc7 🙏🏼🥁👊🏼

[@noel189]

Dont they have drum techs for that?

[@stantonmooremusic]

On hits like this we travel with a small crew so we can take home as much revenue as we can. Drum techs are cool and all, but I can tune a backline kit quickly and rock it! No need to pay a drum tech, plus fly him out, plus buy a hotel room just to tune and position a rented kit. Thanks for tuning in! 🙌🏼

[@ericmsandoval]

1:18 LOL playing the drums standing up has always been so corny

[@stantonmooremusic]

Ok 👍🏼

[@RustyDodd]

those toms were being choked out big time

[@jonasbrandinger1327]

Crazy that he doesnt bring his own pedal!

[@victorberry851]

For a professional drummer he sure has no time if I had a dime for every time he said no time I would have new drum set

[@jamied1969]

What?! No drum tech Stanton?!

[@stantonmooremusic]

On long tours when I’m playing my own drums yes. But on these fly dates where we’re playing rented backline, we travel with two crew. They set the drums and cymbals for me, but then I need to fine tune the positioning and tune ‘em up. 👊🏼

[@jamied1969]

I knew!😉 Best of luck

[@normalizedaudio2481]

No hitting other band members. Don't drink and get high before the gig. Do that after the 1st set.

[@stantonmooremusic]

😂

[@swetbucket]

👍👍

[@IVANSALODRUMMER]

Emo Emperor?

[@stantonmooremusic]

Remo coated emperors on the floor toms. Coated ambassadors on the rack and snare. 🙌🏼

[@IrishStoner]

where's the pro? I'm a paid actor doesn't make me a pro

[@markbryant8321]

I hate that when you go to gig on another kit . It's a pain in my ass .I do what you do spot on . Sometimes all different kits brands not that easy to tune . Like some but yes it takes time . Lol new nothing I played on was new .just a mashed up peice of junk on stage I've used .you see the kit and I shake my head on kits not cared for . Shameless

[@ryanfreese2031]

Those drums were in perfect tuning until he detuned them. Bloody awful detuned. Another professional drummer brainwashed too the detuned drum sound and it’s sound even worse amplified though the PA speakers when their detuned. I’ve play drums for over 30 yrs and would never play drums detuned like that or even tune them that way! People are just brainwashed to what drums really should sound like.

[@goodguysjohnanddanny137]

I completely disagree. The kit sounds far better after being tuned. Top notch work to improve the sound so much in those circumstances. (2:05 - before tuning, 4:40 after tuning). I enjoyed this video, it's a very good insight to how a top player goes about his work. Legend!👍🙂

[@stantonmooremusic]

@@goodguysjohnanddanny137 thank you! 🙏🏼🥁🙌🏼

[@cheezruff]

Nobody's Fault But Mine----

[@stantonmooremusic]

🙌🏼🥁👊🏼