Tuning Drums- Any Drummers? - GoFuckYourself.com

Mikey_219Inc · 11-01-2003, 09:23 AM

I just got this:

but it sounds like shit, how the hell do i tune it, and "tighten" up the bass ... i think i remember a friend of mine putting a blanket or pillow in his bass

any help appreciated!!!!

Mikey

klik · 11-01-2003, 09:24 AM

kick a hole in it.

booker · 11-01-2003, 09:30 AM

If you've never played any percussion before you are going to need to find someone who can show you how to tune them.

However, the basic procedure for toms and the snare is to tighten the skins down with the wrench such that the sound at 12 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock and all the way around is the same, and of the pitch you desire.

For the bass, to "tighten" the sound you would want to put more tension on the skin and make sure the hammer material isn't already bashed to hell. The pillow or blanket in the drum will help to make it a little more quiet, cancel out a lot of transient frequencies generated by the other drums and give it more of a 'rounded out' response.

Mikey_219Inc · 11-01-2003, 09:50 AM

"make sure the hammer material isn't already bashed to hell."

This is the only part i dont get ... anyhow its all brand new stuff, so maybe that answers the question...

no ive played before, actually what you said helped, i didnt know if i should tighten from top to bottom, then 1 oclock to 7 oclock, etc, (across the head, not next lug or whatever to the right) ... but next week i will have my buddy do a serious tweaking.

Thanks! I gotta go get a ride stand, only thing i forgot ... this zildjian ride sounds awesome ... my friend told me to get paistes but listening to them, no fucking comparison if you ask me...

thanks again

Goatse · 11-01-2003, 10:57 AM

It kinda sucks when the keyboard player has a better drum sound than you, and for half the price.

11-01-2003, 10:59 AM

That looks almost exactly like my kit. I have a Tama Granstar Custom set, with the same finish. Except I have Paiste cymbals, and I don't have the rack system. Get yourself a big ass Chinese cymbal. They sound pretty cool.

I just throw a blanket in the kick. I used to use some tape on the toms, but it looked like shit. I ended up buying these clear plastic inserts that go inside the drums under the skins that exert a small amount of pressure on them. It really made them sound a lot better, not so boomy.

mastamindz · 11-01-2003, 11:06 AM

I used to play when I was in highschool. I bought a set off some kid for 130 bux and it was a peice of shit. Dont think I would be much help.

But a pillow or small animal in the bass drum will help to give it a better sound.

basschick · 11-01-2003, 11:18 AM

read this
http://www.harmony-central.com/Drums/faqs.html#tune

chock full of useful drum tuning info.

try different tunings and try a hole in your bass head. since everyone likes a different sound, you'll have to experiment - and the room you're playing in may be the problem, too. we used to practice in this small room with no carpet or sound board and our drummer sounded like shit, but when we moved to a better room, he sounded much better that fast.

hey, any drummers in l.a. want to jam?

11-01-2003, 11:19 AM

Something similar to these:

http://www.ajpropercussion.com/ECscr...pe=A1QH1&lc=EN

They just sit between the skin and the drum and make it sound a lot better.

11-01-2003, 09:23 AM	#1
Mikey_219Inc Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: i dont even know ... Posts: 1,876	Tuning Drums- Any Drummers? I just got this: but it sounds like shit, how the hell do i tune it, and "tighten" up the bass ... i think i remember a friend of mine putting a blanket or pillow in his bass any help appreciated!!!! Mikey __________________ Let him who hath understanding reckon the WISDOM of the TOOF!

11-01-2003, 09:30 AM	#3
booker Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,370	If you've never played any percussion before you are going to need to find someone who can show you how to tune them. However, the basic procedure for toms and the snare is to tighten the skins down with the wrench such that the sound at 12 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock and all the way around is the same, and of the pitch you desire. For the bass, to "tighten" the sound you would want to put more tension on the skin and make sure the hammer material isn't already bashed to hell. The pillow or blanket in the drum will help to make it a little more quiet, cancel out a lot of transient frequencies generated by the other drums and give it more of a 'rounded out' response. __________________ Xanadu024 (aim) or 286785389 (icq) "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

11-01-2003, 09:50 AM	#4
Mikey_219Inc Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: i dont even know ... Posts: 1,876	"make sure the hammer material isn't already bashed to hell." This is the only part i dont get ... anyhow its all brand new stuff, so maybe that answers the question... no ive played before, actually what you said helped, i didnt know if i should tighten from top to bottom, then 1 oclock to 7 oclock, etc, (across the head, not next lug or whatever to the right) ... but next week i will have my buddy do a serious tweaking. Thanks! I gotta go get a ride stand, only thing i forgot ... this zildjian ride sounds awesome ... my friend told me to get paistes but listening to them, no fucking comparison if you ask me... thanks again __________________ Let him who hath understanding reckon the WISDOM of the TOOF!

11-01-2003, 11:06 AM	#7
mastamindz Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,547	I used to play when I was in highschool. I bought a set off some kid for 130 bux and it was a peice of shit. Dont think I would be much help. But a pillow or small animal in the bass drum will help to give it a better sound. __________________ If you click here, you will make money.

11-01-2003, 11:18 AM	#8
basschick Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: el lay, ca usa Posts: 2,540	read this http://www.harmony-central.com/Drums/faqs.html#tune chock full of useful drum tuning info. try different tunings and try a hole in your bass head. since everyone likes a different sound, you'll have to experiment - and the room you're playing in may be the problem, too. we used to practice in this small room with no carpet or sound board and our drummer sounded like shit, but when we moved to a better room, he sounded much better that fast. hey, any drummers in l.a. want to jam? __________________ Got Gay and For Women Traffic?

11-01-2003, 09:24 AM	#2
klik Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: san diego Posts: 5,092	kick a hole in it.

11-01-2003, 10:57 AM	#5
Goatse Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,086	It kinda sucks when the keyboard player has a better drum sound than you, and for half the price.

11-01-2003, 10:59 AM	#6
evildick Guest Posts: n/a	That looks almost exactly like my kit. I have a Tama Granstar Custom set, with the same finish. Except I have Paiste cymbals, and I don't have the rack system. Get yourself a big ass Chinese cymbal. They sound pretty cool. I just throw a blanket in the kick. I used to use some tape on the toms, but it looked like shit. I ended up buying these clear plastic inserts that go inside the drums under the skins that exert a small amount of pressure on them. It really made them sound a lot better, not so boomy.

11-01-2003, 11:19 AM	#9
evildick Guest Posts: n/a	Something similar to these: http://www.ajpropercussion.com/ECscr...pe=A1QH1&lc=EN They just sit between the skin and the drum and make it sound a lot better.