How to Tune Drums for the Perfect Sound
Ever wondered why some drums sound like angels singing while others sound like a herd of elephants? The secret lies in the tuning! As a drummer for over three decades, I’ve learned that a well-tuned kit can make even the most basic beats sound incredible. Did you know that according to a survey by Modern Drummer magazine, 73% of professional drummers consider tuning to be the most crucial skill for achieving great sound? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, mastering the art of drum tuning is essential. So, let’s dive into the world of tension rods, drum keys, and overtones to help you unleash the full potential of your kit!
Understanding the Basics of How to Tune Drums
So, what exactly is drum tuning? Well, it’s basically adjusting the tension of the drumheads to achieve the desired pitch and tone. It’s kind of like tuning a guitar, but instead of strings, you’re dealing with drum heads. And let me tell you, it’s just as important – maybe even more so!
I learned pretty quickly that a well-tuned drum kit can make even a beginner sound half decent, while a poorly tuned one can make a pro sound like they’re playing on trash cans.
Now, let’s break down the anatomy of a drum. You’ve got your drum heads, which are like the skin of the drum. There’s usually a top head (the batter head) and a bottom head (the resonant head). Then you’ve got the shell, which is the body of the drum. And finally, there’s the hardware – lugs, tension rods, and rims. All these parts work together to create the sound you hear.
But here’s the thing – drum tuning isn’t just about pitch (although, some companies like DW tend to focus on this. They say that certain shells are specifically designed to sing at a certain note which is on a sticker on the inside of the shell. So if you have a DW, tune it to that and see how it sounds). It affects everything about how your drums sound. The tone, the sustain, the projection – it’s all influenced by how you tune your drums.
Take tone, for instance. A tightly tuned drum will have a brighter, more focused sound, while a looser tuning will give you a deeper, rounder tone.
Sustain is another big factor. That’s how long the drum sound rings out after you hit it. Too much sustain can make your playing sound muddy, while too little can make it sound choppy. The desired sustain can also be influenced by the style of music you are playing. For metal, I like a very short sustain. But if you listen to a jazz trio, you’ll notice that the tops are very open sounding and ring for ages!
Now, let’s talk about some common tuning challenges and misconceptions. One big one is thinking that tighter is always better. Nope! I would say that thicker or heavier shells can handle a wider tuning range though. Thinner shells simply don’t have the strength and tend to sound better tuned a bit lower.
Another misconception is that you need to tune both heads to the same pitch. While this is totally fine, it’s not a hard and fast rule. In fact, tuning the batter head slightly higher than the resonant head can give you a great, punchy sound with a nice decay.
Look, I could go on for hours about drum tuning. It’s a deep rabbit hole, and there’s always more to learn. But here’s the thing – while it can seem overwhelming at first, it’s also incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sitting down at a perfectly tuned kit and hearing those drums sing.
So don’t get discouraged if you’re just starting out. Everyone’s been there. Keep experimenting, trust your ears, and most importantly, have fun with it. Before you know it, you’ll be dialing in those perfect tones like a pro!
Essential Tools for Drum Tuning
Let’s talk about the tools of the trade when it comes to drum tuning. First up, let’s chat about drum keys. Now, you might think a drum key is just a drum key, right? Wrong! I’ve snapped quite a few flimsy keys, so getting a decent-quality drum key is crucial!
Now, let’s talk about tuning gels like Moongel or Meinl Drum Honey and other muffling devices. These little miracle workers can help tame unwanted overtones and fine-tune your drum’s sound.
The key with muffling is to start small and add gradually. A single piece of moongel can often do the trick. And don’t forget about internal muffling too! A well-placed felt strip inside your kick drum can give you that punchy sound without killing all the resonance.
Now, here’s a topic that can spark some heated debates in the drumming world: digital tuners versus analog methods. Oh boy!
Digital tuners can be super helpful, especially when you’re just starting out or when you need to quickly tune up before a gig. They take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. But here’s the thing – they’re not foolproof. I’ve found that the best approach is to use a digital tuner like the Tension Watch or Drum Dial to get you in the ballpark, then fine-tune by ear.
That said, there’s still a lot to be said for analog methods. Learning to tune by ear is a valuable skill that will serve you well in the long run. Plus, it’s pretty satisfying when you can walk up to any kit and get it sounding great without any fancy gadgets.
Oh, and don’t forget about a good old fashioned notepad! Keeping a tuning log might seem old school, but it’s incredibly helpful. So always jot down my tuning notes – head types, tensions, muffling used, etc.
To save time, you can use a drum key like this Remo one which has a top attachment that will fit in a standard cordless drill. This can be a great time saver to take the old heads off fast, and put the new ones on ONLY TO THE POINT THE TENSION ROD TOUCHES THE HOOP! Seriously – once you are getting close, do the rest by hand.
I heard a tale of a drum tech cross-threading the tension rod into the lug when using a drill which was a disaster! So start them off by hand, then switch to the drill, then finish them off by hand. That’s the best way.
At the end of the day, remember that these tools are just that – tools. They’re there to help you, but they’re no substitute for tuning practice and developing your ear. The more you work at it, the better you’ll get at achieving that perfect drum sound.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tuning Drums
Drum tuning is all about tension. You’re trying to get an even tension across the drum head. I find that for high-quality drums, I can do it just by listening, and by feel.
Pro Tip: the easiest way to make a cheap kit sound good, is to upgrade the drum heads and tune it well! A good set of heads (and a bit of Gaff Tape for dampening snares and rack toms) can make even the cheapest kit sound like a million bucks.
I think it’s time to watch a video about tuning from Benny Greb, who has some of the best drum sounds I’ve ever heard! It was actually Benny who first introduced me to the concept of putting cotton wool into the floor toms for dampening. Brilliant!
Tuning Techniques for Different Drum Types
Let’s start with the kick drum. This bad boy is the heartbeat of your kit, and it feels amazing to play when you get it right.
Here’s the secret to a great kick drum sound: it’s all about finding the sweet spot between depth and punch. I usually start by tuning the batter head (that’s the one you hit) pretty low – just above wrinkles. Then I’ll tune the resonant head (the front one) a bit higher. This gives you that nice ‘thump’ when you hit it, but still lets the drum breathe.
One trick I learned for rock and metal is to use a pillow or blanket inside the drum. Just lean it against the batter head. It helps control the overtones and gives you a tighter, more focused sound. Trust me, it’s like magic! For jazz, even just a sheet touching both heads in fine.
For snare drums, watch Benny’s video above! The key to a great snare sound is tension. You want it tight enough to get that crisp ‘crack’, but not so tight that it chokes the drum.
Moving on to toms, this is where you can really get creative. Toms are all about creating those sweet, melodic intervals. I like to think of them as the melody to the kick drum’s bass line.
When I first started tuning toms. One cool trick I picked up is to tune the resonant head slightly higher than the batter head. This gives you a nice, full tone with a bit of pitch bend as the note decays. It’s subtle, but it makes a big difference.
Putting a few cotton balls into the toms is a great way to dampen them. When you hit them the cotton jumps up and then settles again in a gentle way, acting like a gate to the sound to give it just the right amount of decay.
I tend to put 3 or 4 cotton balls in my floor toms, and only 1 or 2 in my smaller rack toms. I find that I have to put a few more into my 12″ rack tom as that one seems to have more resonance than the others for some reason.
So give the cotton ball trick a try! You can always take the head off and add more, or take some out if it’s too much.
Having some gaff tape on hand is also a great idea, if you needed to add a small amount to the top head just in case you need more dampening in a hurry.
You could of course carry Moongel or Drum Honey in your stickbag too for quick batter head dampening needs. Feel free to get some scissors and cut these up into smaller bits and experiment with spacing them out around the edge of the batter head like Talor Hawkins has done here.
Here’s where things get really interesting – tuning for different genres. Each style of music calls for a different approach to tuning. It’s like speaking different languages with your drums.
For rock, I usually go for a more open, resonant sound. Lower tunings on the toms, a fat kick drum, and a cracking snare. It’s all about power and projection. Metal takes this even further – you want tight kick drum to sounds!
Jazz, on the other hand, is more about finesse. Higher tunings across the board give you that crisp, responsive sound that’s perfect for intricate patterns and brushwork on coated heads.
All that being said – these aren’t hard and fast rules. They’re more like guidelines. The most important thing is to experiment and find what works for you. Every drummer, every kit, every room is different. What sounds great in your practice space might fall flat on stage. So test it!
Remember, tuning drums is as much an art as it is a science. It takes practice, patience, and a good ear. But when you nail it, when everything just clicks and your drums sing…
Troubleshooting Common Tuning Issues
Alright, fellow drummers, let’s talk about the not-so-fun part of our craft – troubleshooting those pesky tuning issues.
Overtones are usually caused by sympathetic vibrations in the drum. One trick I’ve found super helpful is to tune the snare to a different pitch from the tom toms, as that’s what the issue usually is.
For buzzing, it’s often the snare wires that are the culprit. Make sure they’re evenly tensioned across the head.
Uneven tension and warped heads are another common headache. I once had a 12″ snare which had a slightly oversized hoop and undersized shells, and I found that after playing it for a while the drum head would always slip to one side which would make the tension uneven. So I sold it, so I didn’t have to deal with that issue anymore, haha!
As a general rule, if you’re noticing a significant drop in sound quality, or if you’re having trouble tuning your drums, it might be time for new heads. Batter heads (the ones you hit) typically need replacing more often than resonant heads.
For gigging drummers, I’d recommend changing batter heads every 3-6 months, depending on how often you play. For resonant heads, you can usually get away with changing them once a year or so.
Look, dealing with tuning issues can be frustrating. But hang in there! Every problem you solve makes you a better drummer and gives you a deeper understanding of your instrument.
And hey, if all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a more experienced drummer or a professional at your local music shop, sometimes a fresh pair of eyes (and ears) can make all the difference.
Remember, even the pros deal with these issues. The difference is, they’ve learned how to troubleshoot effectively. So keep at it, and before you know it, you’ll be the one giving out tuning advice!
Maintaining Your Drum Tuning
First off, how often should you tune your drums? Well, it depends, as it’s really not a “set it and forget it” kind of deal.
These days, I give my kit a once-over before every gig. It doesn’t have to be a full retuning every time, but a quick check can save you from embarrassment later.
I typically do a thorough tuning about every few months as I find that my drums don’t detune very much. I play Sonor drums which have a feature called tunesafe, which is a little piece of nylon that the tension rod goes through to hold it in place and prevent detuning.
I’ve found that most other brands require tuning more often. Especially if they have die cast hoops and tube lugs – that extra rigid energy seems to make the tension rods detune faster for some reason.
Wooden drum shells are most sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Heat can cause the heads to expand, while humidity can affect the wood of the shells. It’s a nightmare combo for tuning stability.
These days, I always try to store my kit in a climate-controlled environment. When I know I’m playing outdoors, I’ll tune my drums slightly tighter than usual, knowing they’ll loosen up a bit in the heat.
I also don’t leave my drums in the car in direct sunlight if I can help it. Heat is not a good thing for the glue between all those plies of wood!
One thing that’s really helped me maintain consistency is keeping a tuning log. I know, I know, it sounds weird but it really helps jog your memory.
In my tuning log, I keep track of things like:
- The type of heads I’m using on each drum
- The notes or frequencies I’m tuning to
- Any specific techniques I used (like interval tuning)
- How the drums sounded in different venues
It takes a bit of extra time, but it’s worth it. Now, when I find that perfect sound for a particular gig or recording session, I can recreate it more easily. No more spending hours trying to remember what I did last time!
Remember, every drum kit is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your sound. Happy tuning!
Alright, fellow drummers, we’ve covered a lot of ground in our tuning journey! Remember, tuning your drums is as much an art as it is a science. It takes practice, patience, and a good ear, but the results are worth it.
If you’re laying down tracks in the studio you’ve only got one chance to get it right, so grab that drum key, trust your ears, and practice tuning!
Drum kits come in many different forms and variations. Check out these articles for help on choosing a drum kit, the best drum sets for beginners, and the best electronic kits if you need to keep the noise down.
