High tom --> Snare buzz

[gbondo9]

So I just tuned my toms for the first time. It took me 3 full sweeps (and I know I still have a lot to learn about tuning toms) - but they sound great. Better than any toms I've owned so far. I imagine that in time, they'll sound even better as I improve my ears.

So I put all the toms back on the kit - and I'd had the snare off - so I could check the tuning on the snare too - so I snapped that back in place - and I go to do a 1,2,3,4 on each drum - and the High tom makes the snare buzz something awful!! It's like I have a second snare now. I even started playing a beat to see if it would be drowned out while actually playing - and it doesn't help. Neither does tightening or loosening the snare.

So could it be:
1. The actual tone of the tom? I noticed that my snare and my tom are almost the same tone. If this is the case - I will happily take the tone of that tome higher or lower to avoid this, or change the snare tone as well.
2. Could it be the room? Reflections and modes? None of my other toms do it - but Ive noticed (on just about every kit I've ever played in a band) that certain bass and guitar notes can set off the snare. I thought I remembered someone saying once that it was the room.
3. Something else?

Thanks,
Todd

[Kevin Lowe]

I've had this problem before. There's a lot of info on the net about "sympathetic resonance." Here's a quick reference page:

http://www.tunadrum.com/tuna_snare.htm


That guy recommends changing the pitch of the snare, not the toms.

- Kevin

[gbondo9]

Originally Posted by Kevin Lowe

I've had this problem before. There's a lot of info on the net about "sympathetic resonance." Here's a quick reference page:

http://www.tunadrum.com/tuna_snare.htm


That guy recommends changing the pitch of the snare, not the toms.

- Kevin

Fuckin A man!! Thanks
T

[mrface2112]

yep, this is a sympathetic buzz you're hearing--the tom and the snare are simply too close in pitch. retune one of em. depending on the drums and the tom and snare sounds you're going for will dictate which you retune.

but i'd prolly start with the snare b/c it's easier.

as for the bass/guitar making the snare buzz, this is the same thing. drums are tuned to (or at least close to) specific pitches, and any time someone hits the fundamental note the drum's tuned to, it'll vibrate. this can also happen with harmonics too.

i usually tune my toms a 4th apart with my snare tuned to the top note of the chord.


cheers,
wade

[Kyung Pang]

Replace your old snares with the Puresound Equalizer snares.