Q: What kind of heads do you use on your drum kits and what pitches do you tune them to?
A: All of the heads I use are Evans. On the snare I use a power center head on top with a medium or thin snare head on the bottom. On the toms I use clear G2s on top and clear G1s on the bottom and on the Bass drums I have EQ 3 heads on the batter side and lately I have been using retro screens on the front.
In the studio I always try to tune the toms to the key of the song. Sometimes this doesn't work to well because all drums have a very limited range that they will resonate and project in, but usually I am able to get close to one of the notes in the dominate triad. Because 90% of Tools songs are in D, I always try to have them tuned to D, F, and A when playing live. When tuning a drum to a definite pitch, it is easiest to aim at a whole step below the desired note and then carefully bring it up to it. It also helps tremendously to stretch the head by occasionally pushing down on it firmly with your hand along the way.
