drum tuning PLEASE HELP!!!

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cellardweller

cellardweller

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Is it just me, or does search usually not work for you guys either? I keep getting "website not responding"....

Well anyway, I bought a set of Sonor 503 series for $400 w/o cymbals, and now I need to figure out how to tune them. Someone once posted a link to a very helpful tutorial on this subject, but I haven't been able to find the thread.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
 
crankz1 said:
The Bible is a good start.
Click to expand...

The "bible" is a good source of info, but take it with a grain of salt. Many of the procedures are overly complex (hair dryers, 24 hr wait periods, etc).

Here is my "bible"

Take off old head
Put on new head
finger tighten all screws
punch/press fist into head lightly
finger tighten again in a star pattern
turn each screw 1/2 turn with key in a star pattern
Punch/press with fist again - a little harder
turn each screw another 1/2 turn with key.
* hold one finger lightly in middle and tap around each lug
**adjust tone of all lugs to the highest noted lug in step above
***hold drum in hand by rim and contrast with updrum/downdrum
continue with *, **, and *** steps until satisfied
 
***hold drum in hand by rim and contrast with updrum/downdrum
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm a non-drummin'-mofo, could you please explain:

What do you mean by "updrum/downdrum"?

By star pattern, do you mean to literally follow the pattern you would if you were drawing a 5 pointed star? I thought/was told to just alternate from side to side... :confused:

Thanks for the info...
 
I probably should have started a thread for this totally non-related question, but I'm still easing into y'alls (first time I've ever actually used the word...willingly) forum.

What would be the most recommendable approach to teaching an absolute drumming n00b?

  • Playing lightly: with the minimal amount of attack..... would this more likely instill more control
  • Beat them as if they'd raped your dog "sparky"
  • whatever feels most natural/comfortable
 
Answer, A, B and every where in between. It's called dynamics, and as drummers it's one of the most important tools we've got.
 
KevinDrummer said:
Take off old head
Put on new head
finger tighten all screws
punch/press fist into head lightly
finger tighten again in a star pattern
turn each screw 1/2 turn with key in a star pattern
Punch/press with fist again - a little harder
turn each screw another 1/2 turn with key.
* hold one finger lightly in middle and tap around each lug
**adjust tone of all lugs to the highest noted lug in step above
***hold drum in hand by rim and contrast with updrum/downdrum
continue with *, **, and *** steps until satisfied
Click to expand...

this is more or less my approach... plus I make sure the heads are tuned equally, i.e. have the same overtones.
With a good drum and a good head, it doesn't take long to have it sound okay... it's the fine tuning that makes it sound great.
 
cellardweller said:
Sorry, I'm a non-drummin'-mofo, could you please explain:

What do you mean by "updrum/downdrum"?

By star pattern, do you mean to literally follow the pattern you would if you were drawing a 5 pointed star? I thought/was told to just alternate from side to side... :confused:

Thanks for the info...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't expect you to know "updrum/downdrum" since I made them up! What I mean is the smaller drum up from it and the bigger drum down from it. Drums should be in tune with "themselves" (there are 1 or 2 "sweet spots the drum "likes" to be tuned to). They also should be in tune with the kit. This is not really a science, but an art.

Alternating from side to side is fine.

BTW, I like your screen name. I'm a "cellar dweller" also!
 
cellardweller said:
I probably should have started a thread for this totally non-related question, but I'm still easing into y'alls (first time I've ever actually used the word...willingly) forum.

What would be the most recommendable approach to teaching an absolute drumming n00b?

  • Playing lightly: with the minimal amount of attack..... would this more likely instill more control
  • Beat them as if they'd raped your dog "sparky"
  • whatever feels most natural/comfortable
Click to expand...

Yes, play them at all levels, depending on situation. However, something I see noobs do a lot that really makes them sound like crap is hitting the drum without lifting the stick back up immediately. They "press" into the drum, which makes it lose all it's resonance and makes funky high pitched overtones. Stick control is key.
 
play loose... as if you're throwing a ball and picking it back up in when it rebounds. Let the stick do the work...
 
Thanks guys.

Cellar dwelling is a favorite past-time of mine :D

I still have to clear out an area to set up our drums, which will consist of de-constructing a entertainment center I have in my "room", along with all my little decorations and crap I have strewn about it, all of my reference material I have stored in the cabinets of it, tv, stereo, speakers, neon lights.... arghhhh :eek:

I'll be back sometime next week!

Thanx again.
 
All good,,,BUT

The advice here is great and a start, problem is that what sounds good in front of the drum may not sound good behind the drum, not to mention the translation to tape or ADAT. This of course depends on a live or studio situation. Proper tuning is the foundation and base in which to start. Then there is: EQ, Damping, Compression, Mic type & placement, room type (sound) and on and on...A drum dial is by far the best friend a drummer can have when tuning and can be used as a base tune starting point. Remember if you are playing live, listen to your tuning by having someone else play your drums while you listen to the outboard sound. In the studio,,well this is a book!

KevinDrummer said:
The "bible" is a good source of info, but take it with a grain of salt. Many of the procedures are overly complex (hair dryers, 24 hr wait periods, etc).

Here is my "bible"

Take off old head
Put on new head
finger tighten all screws
punch/press fist into head lightly
finger tighten again in a star pattern
turn each screw 1/2 turn with key in a star pattern
Punch/press with fist again - a little harder
turn each screw another 1/2 turn with key.
* hold one finger lightly in middle and tap around each lug
**adjust tone of all lugs to the highest noted lug in step above
***hold drum in hand by rim and contrast with updrum/downdrum
continue with *, **, and *** steps until satisfied
Click to expand...
 
When I said "sometime next week", at the time was an attempt at humor...

I'd post a picture, but the chaos of this room is embarrassing! :o
 
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