THIS Mistake is Killing Your Rack Tom… | How to Maximize Punch & Sustain from a Cheap Drum

[@DaleLyons31]

The differences in resonance between the stands was insane. I had no idea it could make such a huge difference.

[@KesslerMickschGeorgeII]

Putting the tom in a snare stand was a huge eye-opener. I was killing the resonance of the shell by using the shell mount. I’ve also found that if I get weird overtones, it’s more effective to muffle the reso head instead of the batter. (A thin coat of black engine enamel worked great! I just taped off the ring. I did it for aesthetics at first, but I didn’t need any gels or o-rings after I got the drum back together and tuned up. Happy accident!)

[@Chiroman527]

Steve, I'm 68 and had a 50 year hiatus from playing drums. Started to pick them up last year. Your videos are very straightforward and down to earth especialky for beginners and refugees like me. I have a cheap drum kit from Grammond , received as a xmas gift from my wife in 2018. Other than lesson and practice videos all over the web, you present excellent instrument information with tips and tricks to improve the sound of what you have. Hopefully as i improve I will step to a better kit.

[@fredlittle8127]

When mounting a tom on a stand, I find TnR Products, Little Booty Shakers do help in opening up the drum. These are 'L' shaped pieces of foam rubber with velcro straps to fasten over the rubber grips at the ends of the arms on snare or basket stand. They are very inexpensive at about $15 for three and can be installed or removed in a minute or two.They in essence allow the drum to float.

[@Daveuga11]

I’ve played for a long time Stephen and never was aware of such a difference with the different basket stands and the toms. I love learning new things! Great video

[@joek81981]

That mount test was remarkable. Rarely is ANYBODY actually surprised by something on KZbin. That was incredible.

[@vegasmarc21]

This video has helped me out Stephen. It shows me that I'm not the only one who thinks about how to get more resonance from toms and I'm not the only one who thinks about sympathetic buzz and or vibration. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me. Lol

[@TheDrumphile]

Good video. I’ve been playing for over 30 years and over that time did my own experimentation and arrived at similar conclusions about what robs rack tom resonance. What I learned is really simple: It doesn’t matter if you’re using a snare stand, tom on cymbal stand, or tom mount on a bass drum. If the drum is held rigidly, then its resonance will be gone. I’m not a “tom on snare stand” guy, but if I was, I think the best solution I’ve seen is the Gauger Flex Frame (Google it). Mapex came out with their hideous yet very effective MAATS system for rack-mounting toms, but a much cheaper yet just as effective alternative are the INDe Drum Labs mounts. Some factory mounting systems are better than others, and I have been very satisfied my my original Pearl I.S.S. mounts that came on my 1998 Masters Custom Extra kit. My toms sing for days, but only if I put them at the END of the tom arms. They start to choke if I don’t.

[@yup7549]

What a fantastic channel! Subbed for life and thank you for this.

[@Youdiments]

Great topic! Your channel is very much helping me come up w topics for my channel. Thanks!

[@Chiroman527]

Steve, great video. What Batter and Reso heads do you have on the Toms?

[@sarinahart7106]

I really appreciate your series. It’s very practical. I always learn great things I can apply immediately. Thanks!

[@alanlamore7397]

I have my 56 WFL tom mounted in a vintage WFL flat base snare stand. Tons of sustain-no choke. The DW Ultralite stand with mini booty shakers works excellent as well.

[@jeremysdrumming4474]

I have a Ludwig Evolution kit, bout a 900 dollar set that I got last year, came with hardware, zildjian cymbals, pedals everything bout 1200 altogether, to be honest I've not really found the sweet spots on the drums just yet, I'll definitely explore more fine tunings in the next few days, anyway my 10 inch rack tom chokes out, but the 12 inch tom is fine on the bass drum mount and I've actually considered just doing a two tom setup version instead of the 4 tom setup how the kit came, should I consider a rack system or an isolated l rod mount, or basket, I feel like I need a drum tech lol I've almost given up on it to be honest my 20 year old Ludwig kit sounds better and at the time in 2003 it was 395 bucks, I guess it could be new hoops maybe die cast could help but anyway just wanted your opinion on this.

[@Kylink]

I actually like the totally dead sound of the basket stand, I feel like it's just cleaner and punchier, but I can understand most people want more resonance.

[@dontfallyoumighthurtyourse4694]

I like that short and sweet decay too. A lot of drummers like having the toms ring out but the bands you play with and the recording engineers generally arent looking for that same sound.

[@jeremysdrumming4474]

Hey Stephen, It looks like you used two 2 ply Evans heads on the bigger tom, does that help on bigger drums to use a 2 ply on the reso side? Just curious 🤔

[@dashwig]

The part about the stands was very enlightening. Honestly, I just went from rack mount to a stand years ago, because, like you said, I like to have things in place independently, and since I'm tall I had the same issue with the tom being too much out of reach when mounted on the bass drum. Plus I just thought it looked way cooler on a stand :-) But never paid attention to it making such a difference in sound. Thanks!

[@rmatarrita9]

Hace you used a snare as a tom? Any thoughts??

[@MeTuLHeD]

EC2's are designed to have a powerful low end while eliminating some of the high frequency resonances. Hence the head difference alone could explain most of the variables between the two drums. Also, in my own experience, bearing edges are the biggest factor in differentiating between cheap and expensive drums. I've proven that to myself by sending my cheap Yamaha import kit off to have the edges recut on the toms. When I got them back, they were singing like my high end drums. Maybe even better.

[@heatherqualy9143]

Fascinating how different the stands sounds, but I was most interested in the final 5 minutes where you explained why you have yours in a stand, I haven’t seen anyone explain to me why to choose a stand vs. mounting on the kick, vs. a cymbal rack. Thanks for that, I am now heavily leaning towards individual stands now, because they never seem to be exactly where I want when they are on a rack.

[@EJ-ge4st]

I did this with mr clean magic eraser foam pads and I doubled my sustain on the 13x7” rack Tom

[@josephkyledrums]

I agree the stand I select can make a huge difference for mounting a tom. I’m not sure I agree that heavier stands aren’t as good, I use a dw 9000 stand for my rack tom and it’s great. I can’t say I’ve solved the mystery other than just trying what stands sound good and what ones don’t lol. Thanks for the video, very interesting topic.

[@NEALBABBITT]

So glad to see you finally using a better set, they sound SO MUCH BETTER!

[@drummerjoey003]

Great content and advice, it helped me out with understanding. I like my tack tom sitting in a snare basket, I’ll definitely have to use some insulation and tape it to the rubber on the basket.

[@muzzybeat]

You do such an awesome job, Stephen. I learned several useful things again, as usual.

[@ronnyricks1312]

I noticed that on the cheaper drum you were using an Evan's ec head on resonant and batter. Surely that makes a difference in the overall results.

[@maeu59]

Of course it does, it’s all about the heads, it’s hard to justify the expense of the top of the line drums. People think that spending money on top of the line drums matter, why do you think there are so many different types of heads, what separates top of the line from bottom is hardware not so much sound. Drum sound is so personal it really doesn’t matter. Listen here....kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp_QfYmLh9Npns0

[@SocialistDistancing]

I've always found that 13" toms a pain to tune regardless of brand or materials. What's funny is, a drummer friend said the same thing to me and I consider him an accomplished drummer. I thought it was just me. Also, the resonance is why I don't hang stick bags off of floor Toms. I just have the bag behind me, which can be a problem. However, I'm working on a solution. It's something that I spotted on Kenny aronoffs kit.

[@JustinHubbard84]

The issue is not the drums.. Its that your using 2 different types of heads. The EC2 will always tune up better on the lower end

[@Phil.A]

Exactement!

[@frankspikes7858]

Great point. Those are great heads for hard rock.

[@Kjodienda]

Hey man, good Channel. The reason for the 12-inch tom having lower pitch than the larger tom has also a lot to do with the fact that there are only five lugs tightening that head versus the six tightening the other one. It s harder to bring up Pitch with fewer lugs.

[@pauljanssen438]

That's an excellent point that I hadn't considered. I'm new to all this and find tuning to be a bit of an Achilles heel for me. But your comment about 5 vs 6 lugs makes a lot of sense.

[@k73l71]

Perfect video on the tom tuning man. Thanks again!

[@EJ-ge4st]

I have a PDP snare stand and it kill my 13” Tom as well. Is it the thickness of metal or what about the stands do this?

[@bogartsandoval]

I learned the sympathetic stuff the hard way and wish I would of saw this video first. Thanks Stephen for your vids.

[@drumrollplease8046]

Great comparison of the stands. Thanks!

[@TRGP331]

Can you explain why you would change resonant head tuning from batter head tuning?

[@piperious]

Any comments on hanging flr tom from cymbal stand? I’ve got an early 90’s Pearl Export w a 14” hung from ride cymbal stand. Sounds pretty good, but wondering if anyone has hung a 16” similarly?

[@Neesager]

15:54 how hard is this effect on snaredrums? I want my 14" x 06" snare to sound bigger, especially on gigs.

[@Chiroman527]

Good video Steve. Wouldn't usebof different batter heads bring about different sounds. I see you are using clear uncoated batter heads. What if you used coated 14 ply heads?

[@connorcampbell144]

Can you do a video on tuning

[@radoslavradosevic4586]

thnx,u probably heard for Gauger R.I.M.S.® ALLOY PRO SERIES,its maximum resonance from shell

[@NothusDeusVagus]

I really could have used a course like this when I first started out and yet I'm happier that I had to discover these tinkering/tuning "tricks" through trial and error... all part of the fun of starting with a second, third.. hell maybe even fourth-hand mongrel kit.. I was so sick of all of the rattles, hums and buzzes that I ended up completely disassembling the equipment right down to it's base components... washers springs brackets and bolts everywhere...then with nigh-on imbecilic attention to detail I reassembled the mess spread about me back into something resembling a kit... I even eventually splashed out for fresh skins... but it did make a difference. It was nothing like the kit I bought later or the one I have now but in a way it was a way to make the mongrel into my own pup. I found that putting the effort into the tuning of the drums to different ...well... notes... reduced that sympathetic resonance. Damn! I wish I still had that scruffy mongrel now. A good presentation... Thankyou.

[@paulgonzales1829]

I found this quite informative. Thanks!

[@bernardrooney105]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@alphanumeric1529]

How tall are you?

[@NothusDeusVagus]

I think that you would have been better able to compare and reveal any differences in quality of the two rack tom's sound if you had used two toms of different manufacture but with the same shell diameter, depth and thickness. furthermore, using the same quality in skins especially if the purpose behind this video was to highlight the differences between the shells and rims etc... even so I enjoyed this presentation. thankyou.

[@Stretch213]

Now im wondering about the rack mount on my starclassic

[@drummercarson896]

I learned something new today about this

[@minisurfbanana]

Great I just bought a pearl S930 a heavy one! That’s going back.

[@trewgodell]

@13:22 stand comparisons

[@jermss_]

love my renowns. if they're the last kit I ever get, I'd be just fine

[@jasdog]

This is amazing, thanks a lot!!!!!!

[@121murcury5]

The number of lugs vs. the size of the shell is also important...more lugs more control

[@ralphbenites1819]

The deeper 13” is from a accent power Ludwig kit 👍

[@mpmattronome]

THE HEADS MAN.

[@timbretrent113]

"Nice, heavier shell" to me is a contradiction, thinner shells of high quality just sound better :)

[@ralphbenites1819]

The cheap deep Tom is a accent drum kit I like that deep sound

[@howardgelber6802]

The cheap drum is deeper than the good one, therefore it will have more ring to it.

[@rainabasso6537]

Can please make a video about transition?

[@nickcharles6530]

Do you mean “transitioning to a new drum kit”?

[@capo_di_capi]

There's basic principals in making a tom sound good, first of all, the dimensions, these shallow toms are killing me and such a gimmick, you want toms to be equal width and depth, 8x8, 10x10, etc. you'll find they are easiest to tune, sound best live and in recording situations. It just comes down to the basic principals of resonance too, a floating tom will always sound better than something that is supported from the bottom. Just trust what you hear...

[@sticksbass]

arent the heads entirely different?

[@UCS0608]

Different sizes of toms in diameter and depth. Different drumheads. And why this Evans-type drumhead on the bottom of the cheap tom...? I would use a clear single headed drumhead. And about the sustain.: most peolle don't need all the sustain and they are going to need Moongel... ;) BTW, the "oldskool-stand" adds a nasty ring to the drum..... Just put some flightcase-foam on the rubber of the stand. It makes all the difference!

[@1955DavidH]

Die Cast hoops make a big difference in tuning.

[@flugelblarghen]

Though this was an Athlean X video for a second from the title

[@brentrichards4191]

Mount your Tom different than a snare. You claw grip the rim.

[@jrmyadventr]

You might actually teach me how to play a drum kit - guitarist

[@rotek824]

U should compare same size and same head.

[@connorcampbell144]

14 viewer and 6th person to like

[@drummerjosh1984]

Like comparing apples and oranges.

[@ralphbenites1819]

The wrapping has been stripped from the Ludwig accent

[@SajoDetro]

You are using different kind of heads buddy...

[@warrenoids]

16:16 Or just use your crash cymbal stand.

[@anonagain]

16:44 - he explains why not to use the cymbal stand

[@DaleLyons31]

I use a cymbal stand with a clamp on it for my 10" tom...but without a cymbal on it, so it's easy to move around. Sacrifice one stand to get my tom where it needs to be. 👌

[@derrickburwell7777]

@@anonagain Personal preference. I use my boom stands to suspend the toms. I just make sure that the toms are positioned over a leg, and that the stands are as close to the bass drum as possible without touching it.

[@davidcarbonnel6396]

Sheesh...

[@josephwastaken7104]

finger tight at the beginning? *uses a drum key.

[@ThatBlazerGuy]

Hey, first!

[@gogo2957]

Hhahaa man different toms and heads! So different sound. The big cheap tom has better sound. 12'' got some overtones. Low tune is better. put some muffling.

[@VictorGarcia-up9ov]

your videos are too quiet:(

[@P43L1j0]

In order to get a good sound buy good drums, good heads and please don't use these crap stands...they made for snares, not for toms. Toms today have suspension mounts...just use the god damn tom holder...

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

"A nice drum or a cheap drum"... lol. Apparently cheap drums can't be nice.

[@MumbyHitsDrums]

Sorry, but, poor comparison here. 2 different heads, 2 different depths and widths. Even if they were both cheap or expensive, not going to sound right in comparison. And, 12 is always going to sound better, lol