How to Set Up a Drum Kit

[@sweetwater]

After you watch, give this video a thumbs up and subscribe! 😎🤘

[@markdemell3717]

Good video but, it would have been complete if you would have given a birds eye view.

[@jasonncoxx5837]

Maybe

[@leaart1]

At 82 years old, I thought it was about time I learnt to play the drums. so I purchased the Pearl Export, which should be here in a few days. This video will be invaluable for setting up, and the tips to make it easier. Thanking you so much for taking the time to explain everything in simple terms, its much appreciated.

[@RoeShamBoe]

took me a sec but i realized a bunch of new drummers got kits for Christmas. nice one, Sweetwater

[@ecclairmayo4153]

@baerleon - this is my biggest fear when I'm about to buy a kit

[@dulla8469]

thats stupid, would never give my kids a drum kit for christmas, if they did they probably regretted it as soon as they heard how loud a drum kit actually is in real life

[@Kidcudi949]

@@dulla8469 Haha true, that’s why it’s hard to find drummers.

[@supraphonic88]

I've been drumming for 20 years and have an engineering degree and I'm still watching this because it's fascinating to see Nick break this all down. This is the best guy for this job, this video is 100 percent worth the time investment if you're out here looking for help setting up drums from scratch, well done! (Also wow, quality has improved a *lot* since my first Pearl Forum kit.)

[@chickenbeforeegg]

Been playing drums for about a decade now but I will never not watch a video of Nick doing literally anything, very informative and entertaining stuff dude!

[@thedutchdjentleman]

I have no clue why, but I really enjoy watching this video and setup videos in general. I rewatch this video a few times a year.

[@calvincoopman3498]

45 years in bands and I still learn something watching these. Great job Nick!

[@andrequimpo9363]

So satisfying to watch this. Makes you remember the first time you assembled your kit. The smell of the shells hehe...

[@philkimber8086]

I recall when I got my first full kit about 36 years ago,a 1982 Tama Swingstar ,thinking to myself wow how the hell am I going to remember how all this fits together. I've been great at flat pack furniture ever since ..... Great instructional video for first timers !!

[@marleesuarez7162]

NDV has almost became the face of Sweetwater’s drum representatives. He’s so great at his job and you can see he enjoys it.

[@drumsNstuff79]

Man I could've used a video like this when I got my first kit in '95. I still set my kits up like this! And I must say beginner kits are so great these days! Mine was very cheap with poorly designed and flimsy hardware. I think I set some things up backwards, but i figured it eventually a week later or so.. heh.. Great job Sweetwater and Nick!

[@Adiaf8oros]

You guys rule. Sweetwater and Nick. THANK YOU.

[@TxDrumChannel]

What a great idea and video. Nick even makes this a video to watch. I guarantee many parents are grateful when they find this.

[@professorhamamoto]

Thank you; I enjoyed your demos, interviews, and factory visits this past year as I have been researching the best drum set, components, and accessories for my emerging studio space.

[@hopeo-w5961]

I am just writing a comment of thanks. I just got my first acoustic drum kit and I didn't know where to start. This was so reassuring and helpful! Thank you!

[@shubbz87]

My son and I enjoyed the video and put his first set together with ease, thankyou

[@davidmcaninch4714]

You know what I love about Nick D’Virgilio? He really loves drums, regardless of brand. And he reviews all products from all brands. DW, Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, SJC, Mapex, Slingerland, Ludwig, just to name a few. He also reviews cymbals as well. Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian, And Meinl. And I love watching him. Even though I’ve been playing for a couple of years, I love watching videos of how to set up a drum kit.

[@GloriaFuoco-Lawson]

Excellents directions- he doesn"t miss a step, and he gives great tips for playing.

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

Nick thank you so much. I am brand new. This is my first kit. You made it easy!

[@davidiand7]

Excellent video Nick, I’m 74 and I picked up some great tips! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@edfrench6503]

I've been drumming my whole life, and I'm still hunting for tips and tricks in set up and tear down. This video has little of anything new for me, but for those who have never done this before, it's informative and precise.

[@koolBOY8323]

so i guess tama doesn't include the 'how to setup your drums' video like they used to anymore. my rockstars came with a vhs with kenny aronoff, john tempesta, and a couple other guys and featured them setting up, and playing some basic grooves. thumbs up guys, if the manufacturers aren't doing it, i'm glad you are!

[@KonstantinHarin]

This video like all other with Nick ist really great! Special thank to Nick for his ergonomically tipps!

[@chillywillie6283]

You are my hero. My drum kit arrived yesterday and it came in a hundred pieces.

[@kzil]

Hiring NDV is the smartest move Sweetwater has ever made.

[@jasonncoxx5837]

NDV is?? Anyone inform me?

[@diededejong4604]

@@jasonncoxx5837 Nick D. Virgilio, the guy explaining everything

[@jasonncoxx5837]

@@diededejong4604 thanks dude. I felt silly asking but wanted to know.

[@diededejong4604]

@@jasonncoxx5837 It's always better to just ask something👍🏻 (Now that you know who he is I encourage you to listen to some of his stuff. He plays in a band called Spock's Beard and it's amazing. NDV is an amazing drummer. For sure worth listening to!)

[@jasonncoxx5837]

@@diededejong4604 sweet. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out today. Have a good rest of your weekend and take very good care!!

[@raytrucker7636]

i loooooove unboxing drum videos 😁 is just soooo awesome and with Nick d' Virgilio is just pure bliss!!!!

[@solitarysoul7604]

Nick is my hero - LOVE this guy! I must say, though, that this is a bit like having Picasso explain how to set up an easel.

[@lalahahaproductions]

Thank you so much! This was very helpful for a first time drum kit buyer.

[@steveb7612]

I remember when i bought my Pearl export kit back in 2007. It was packed pretty much the same. I can say the hardware that came with that kit was heavy duty for a beginner kit. I think thats why I've always likes Pearl. Watching this video brought back good memories!

[@davidsuprenant893]

Thank you so much for posting video for the new drummers out there Nick. I'm going to be 64 years old and I remember setting up my first kit by looking at a Ludwig catalog.Man that was one of the greatest days of my life.That was in 1964 ,been playing and have loved the instrument ever since. Thank you again Nick and happy new year.

[@theguitaristthatdrums6062]

I already know how to do this but I’m watching because of Nick 🤘🏼

[@Thevishisland]

Why am I’m watching this I have been drumming for over 10 years

[@dww0902]

Same :) I guess it's cool to see how other people do stuff.

[@gtrplyr67]

Better question is why am i watching it? I play guitar.

[@ledzeppelinfan12344]

@@gtrplyr67 so you actually know how to help the drummer during load in

[@Damith140388]

I have been playing 23 years, and I still like to watch people setup drums. :D

[@brrosskiee]

same

[@steamedhams7986]

I just bought this Pearl Export kit in the same colour and I love it. This video was really helpful for me, thanks.

[@davepike1220]

Nick, you, once again did a great job. I already knew all that from my first time.

[@thinkingape7655]

Wow this is great! I wish you’re gear reviews could be this detailed. 🤘

[@dennisristow2102]

I've only been playing drums for about 5 or so years, so I'm still finding what I like and don't like in drum setups. I always learn something new from how someone sets up a kit. I honestly never thought about angling the kick drum up like that. Just a little bit gives me that much more flexibility on the angle and height of my rack toms. Light Bulb!

[@EdwardJ_drums]

Hope to unbox and assemble my own kit someday.

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

just bought an imperial star for my second band. Look forward to breaking it in

[@melbabibb8075]

Glad I found this I will feel more confident putting one together. Thank you.

[@andysetaputri9187]

After watching this video I'm so satisfied I bought my drum kit from sweetwater. Great content, great teaching. Made the daunting task of putting my drum kit together very easy. Great job sweetwater!

[@kevinjfallon]

Excellent video! Best drum set up on KZbin!!!

[@normlor]

A GREAT TUTORIAL, ONE ASPECT OF TODAY'S BASS DRUM TENSION RODS IS THEY NEED DRUM KEYS AND IT'S A BIT OF A PAIN TO HAVE TO PULL OUT MY DRUM KEY TO TUNE THEM. THE OLDER KITS HAD THE LARGE RODS WITH THE KEAY AS PART OF THE ROD. A GREAT ASPECT OF SOME OF TODAY'S KITS IS INCLUDING CYMBALS THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. SETTING UP MY FIRST DRUM KIT FOR MY YOUNGER BROTHER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT WAS ANYTHING BUT TEDIOUS, IT WAS PLEASURABLE

[@RudeDudeMikeTMTheRudeDudes]

Such a in-depth, easy to follow video AND at 18:00 you gave one of the simplest guides to tuning I have seen.

[@itsmintano]

from 7 years ago im watching nick and now still hoping ill get a drum kit

[@St_Mindless]

That Pearl Export smokey chrome is the exact kit I want 😍😍 but 7 piece 👌👌

[@RettaTheRipper]

Thank you for this. I'm going to be getting a Gretsch 7 piece catalina maple kit and it will be coming in the box. It's a little daunting but I feel better now having watched this video :)

[@billymcilwaine]

Thanks Nick. Great intro video. And thanks for your work with the Beard, BBT and Frost*

[@firdeye2681]

as a guitarist thanks. this guy is awesome

[@climateincorporated]

top notch video! this was a huge help. just got cymbals and hardware from sweetwater, wish i'd been able to get the shells from you guys too (would have been out of stock longer than i wanted to wait). loves me some sweetwater.

[@FranksDrumCave]

Awesome video for new drummers. Makes me want a new kit😃

[@duobello229]

Thanks Nick, for clarifying a lot of things for me, first time setting up drums for a recording studio (I'm not a drummer). I have DDrum Hybrid kit and it does not have a tom mount on top of the bass drum but I appreciate your explanation of how things should pretty much be set up. Thanks!

[@facepalmedgodzilla7999]

I've been drumming around 20 years, yet I still clicked on this. Am I crazy? EDIT: Reminds me of the Dave Weckl drum kit set up video I had on VHS back in the days

[@michaelanderson2881]

I've NEVER had the thrill of opening up new boxes of drums like this (well, my electric kits yes, but never acoustic). I've always come home from either Guitar Center or Sam Ash with kits that were already assembled and on the floor. I'm currently eyeing a set of Gretsch Renowns like the ones Nick demoed last spring, and those will be my first unboxing because of course I'll be getting them from Sweetwater.

[@andrewyka]

Nick!!! Very importent.Profesional way!!!

[@nathanblackman1063]

When changing my kick drum heads on my pearl export I put the reso side hoop on backwards and now its giving me a case of drummer ocd. And I'm not a noob, sometimes things just slip your mind. And I mean its cool to see different people's perspectives. Merry Christmas to the Sweetwater staff and to management and to everyone else involved.

[@frithamcdonald4970]

Thanks this was really helpful especially for a first time assembler of a drum kit/set. cheers

[@andyham6094]

I love how Tama brought down hyperdrive sizes to the imperialstar kits as well. this kit isn’t hyperdrive but it’s a great idea since beginners can be smaller kids and easier to set up and position the toms plus they sound better imo. I use hyperdrive sizes on my starclassic bb, wish they had the Tama imperialstar hyperdrive when I first started playing. I remember the standard 10x8, 12x9 size toms being wayyy too deep and never could get a comfy position when I was a small young kid

[@yuwinx]

When I get my drum kit on the on June, I’m going to watch the full video

[@luissebastianmichhurtado6446]

Very good and helpful video, I love setting up a drum kit. What are the proces for these 2 particular drum kits please?

[@rickymyers3103]

This is amazing!!! 8-22-2021 I bought a drum set for $200 . I know nothing about drums. So of course I, KZbin it. I'll be damned, I bought a Tama Imperialstar in red!!! How freakn cool!!!

[@gabescustoms3281]

Nice video Sweetwater you help a lot of people

[@bethanycreativeside4326]

Thank you for doing this for beginners I really need this I wish you did the cheapest one 😉 but it helps just naming all the parts as if I don't know anything because a beginner wouldn't know thank you. And your not boring at all 🤣 wish I could stay focused but I can rewind

[@suminshizzles6951]

Thank you Sweetwater and Nick. Bought a used Natal kit that came with no documentation at all. As an ekit drummer i was left to fend for myself. Emailed Natal and they brushed me off saying that their kits do not come with any documentation and they even went as far as saying that no drum manufacturer will supply paper documentation as to how their kits are assembled. I was even led to believe that no inventory paper documentation was present either with the end user not even being able to verify they are in possession of all necessary hardware. Natal drums pointed me here to this clip as to how to do it. My beed was that i bought a 6 piece kit and only see enough hardware to mount two toms leaving the 6th, 8 inch, tom with nowhere to go. The concert tom does have a bracket but it wont attach to the main bracket that slides in the bass drum. I think i am missing a piece of hardware a like a shaft that holds the bracket that holds the tom. Hence me emailing natal.

[@himprobalbharati03]

This video is so much helpfull to the beginning 👌❤️

[@divejumpshooter6947]

Thanks for doing this- I know it is your "job" to do these things as a company but you could have just slapped this together - As always Nick is kind of motivating. Anyhow, this is one of many reasons why I am buying my first drum ket the Gretsch renown 5 piece. I think Sweet Water has a reputation online that is exceptional and as your marketing folks know is invaluable. Very happy to be buying this set and all the collateral 'doodads' from you guys.

[@jeffisrael3773]

That personalized drum key, tho. Baller.

[@avyay9210]

amazing explanation❤

[@karmaisinfallible]

Your vieo was perfect and helped me immensley thank you

[@dwaynethornton5820]

That helped tremendously!!!!!

[@onlyfrenchell96]

Thankyou, I want to get my drums just right.

[@anojthilina7736]

Very helpful Thank you

[@floydfreeman1318]

I have never played drums before but I want to start playing drums as well as guitar I’ve decided on an acoustic drum set so which cheap one should I buy that is good for rock and metal

[@supraphonic88]

Important note! If you (or the drummer you're setting up drums for) is left-handed, set everything up as a mirror image of what this video shows! It's possible for a lefty to learn to play as a righty and it's useful to develop a degree of ambidexterity as you grow as a drummer, but it helps to start from a position of strength and comfort.

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

I got the Export on the way to my house. Thanks for this. I was kind of scared seeing it took me 3 hours to put the alesis together lol

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@soundadapter]

thumbs up👍 wish you a Merry Christmas friendly regards Frank

[@physicsstudent451]

Thanks man you helped me a lot, your a boss.

[@waynepollard6879]

You looked like you were having fun !

[@petermasalsky8844]

I hope they didn't make Nick clean up afterwards...

[@Jake-ou8hw]

Exactly what drum set is this? The pearl one, and does it come with the cymbals shown on the website for the pearl kit?

[@jacobjappe8477]

Guys you need to make a review of the Pearl Export kit!

[@davids_family]

Very nice video 👍

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

Excellent!

[@Grit489]

I've been playing Tama drums for years and I have to say the Pearl kit looks much better.

[@andyham6094]

Dennis Rivenburg guess it’s all preference. Imo the Tama kit looks much better. Also been team Tama for years and never going back to anything else.

[@Grit489]

@@andyham6094 don't get me wrong I'm a Tama diehard it's just that the Pearl kit is packed better than the Tama imperial star and just looks better.

[@ejay6819]

Wow, have you guys seen the tama burst for you guys to be die hard Tama. It don't sound like it

[@irok75]

pearl tom mounts are double work, Tama 1 piece and balls are easy to setup :)

[@woodenporium]

Very Nice, ...... I'm going to make an 8 piece drum set out of dried palm trees...will let you know. Wish me Luck

[@douggoble9695]

👍 Nick 😎

[@kevinlbrockway]

Awesome video! Just what I needed. My new Gretsch Catalina kit will be here Wednesday and it will be my first time setting up an acoustic kit. Nick, you are an excellent teacher. Love all your demos. Glad I got to meet you at Sweetwater last week. Just wish I could hit the "Thumbs Up" 10 times.

[@tedemicheal6248]

Thanks so much

[@kitodemey492]

Thank you

[@willemhorn7583]

thanx buddy helps alot

[@AAj-o7e]

Hey guys needs some assistance. I recently bought an Ajax drum kit second hand . I live in South Africa . Parts are missing , making this job heavy is that it's from 1993. Any tips

[@beyondoasis8356]

On the Pearl roadshow kit the top floor Tom head feels thinner than the bottom head.

[@MyNathanking]

35:00: Gold-plated phonograph discs!

[@rancidfarts8993]

I just put one together for the first time and it took me a few hours. Plus, my fingers are sore 😫 😪 😩 😢

[@KayZee1957]

Why does only the bass drum come without the heads mounted? I haven't bought a new drum set for 30 or so years but the bass drum came out of the box with the heads on.

[@renujain1969]

This was good ☺

[@ThaitaniumTube]

thanks

[@SKARKIBANEZ]

You show it..............dat it"s kids "time".............ha ha..............you have fun like little kids playing in "backyards" :P

[@jxiioxic]

You’re amazing