The toms won't stop ringing-

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nxtnctno

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I have a Tama Rockstar drumset, with stock heads. The toms on it are really loud, ringy and detune easily (changes to a nasty sound after less than 1 day, so I have to tune it every time I play). How can I solve this problem?
I am trying to get a rock/punkish sound, with lots of attack to it, and without much sustain. Just a short burst of a strong sound. How should I mic the toms so I get this sound? And what kind of drumheads are good for this?

Thanks in advance.
 
careful when you gate the toms that they don't come out so loud that they're distracting, and that the overall feel of the drums doesn't change when the toms come in. moon gel rocks. are the heads old? do you beat the hell out of them? if you do, they'll go out of tune. does the temp/humidity change rapidly? all pretty big factors in the sound. oh, and you do want more ring than you think when you record, not all of that sustain cuts through the mix.
 
heads

yeah, you definitely need to pick up some aftermarket heads. Especially if you've have had your drums for a while and you have OLD stock heads.
 
I got this drumset an year ago, and still has the stock heads on it.
I'm definitely gonna get new heads, probably Remo Pinstripes.

I'm wondering if I should change the resonant heads too. Will that affect the sound in any way? The stock ones are in good condition, almost no damage.
 
The Tama stock heads are crumby heads. They are 200 mil heads whereas Remo Ambassadors are 400 mil. Its no wonder they go out of tune easily and are ringy. Before jumping straight to Pinstripes (which I really don't like) you might want to try Ambassadors or even Emporers if you want a darker sound.

Coated also has a rounder sound. You can leave the resonants alone until you like the batters.
 
DON'T GET PINSTRIPES!

Buy some nice heads. G1 clear/coated, or something similar. Seriously mate, toms need to have tone and resonance. Tune the heads properly and you drum kit will sound amazing.

Also don't dampen them, yes stragicly placed moongel is fine (especially on snares), but don't do what ez willis said he does. With AQ Performance IIs (which are deader than pinsripes anyway) and them moongel! It's like hitting a pillow or something. No stick responce, No tone, No volume, Nothing.

I'm sorry to rant here, but to get a punk sound use use g1s, tuned nicely with some nice overheads. They will sound amazing with massive attack and the sustain will be there, but you won't hear it as they'll be in the mix and once on record you'll see what i mean. The drums would sound wierd without sustain.
 
The ringing problem can be easily solved. There is a balance point between your batter head and your resonant head. When you find this point the ringing will go to a minimun and you will be left with a beautiful tom sound. It took me a long time to fingure this to but it really works I have done it on many kits.
 
nxtnctno said:
I got this drumset an year ago, and still has the stock heads on it.
I'm definitely gonna get new heads, probably Remo Pinstripes.
Click to expand...

i don't know, for what you want i think you should get the Aquarian Performance II's like EZ Willis said and put moon gel on em to get rid of the ring
 
Thanks for all the help.

So, scrap the Pinstripes.
Brad_C, i doubt I'm ever gonna get the balance point...I've been tweaking the toms for hours and nothing goods happened.
I think I'll just get new heads and see what happens.
Some different ideas here:
-Aquarian II Performance or
-Remo Ambassadors
My local music store has a good deal on those 2 so my choice is between those.
I'm also going to start recording our band's demo CD, and I'm going for a Alternative/Punk Rock-type sound (like Thrice, My Chemical Romance, Hoobastank). I will be close micing the toms. Which heads do you all recommend for this? (preferrably out of those 2)

Oh, are muffler rings any good?
 
Muffer rings are crap, instead use moongel, if you HAVE to use any at all.

Btw AQ PIIs are very similar to pinstripes in terms of sound. I'd go with the Ambassadors of G1s.
 
I think Performance IIs are MUCH deader than pinstripes. I used them and had to hit the toms a LOT harder to get any volume out of 'em. They sounded 'thuddy' in fact.
 
Yeh, thats how i remeberd them as, but i wasn't sure so i didnt want to guy to discount them totally. But now I'd definatly say leave the PIIS well alone my friend.
 
nxtnctno said:
Thanks for all the help.

So, scrap the Pinstripes.
Brad_C, i doubt I'm ever gonna get the balance point...I've been tweaking the toms for hours and nothing goods happened.
I think I'll just get new heads and see what happens.
Some different ideas here:
-Aquarian II Performance or
-Remo Ambassadors
My local music store has a good deal on those 2 so my choice is between those.
I'm also going to start recording our band's demo CD, and I'm going for a Alternative/Punk Rock-type sound (like Thrice, My Chemical Romance, Hoobastank). I will be close micing the toms. Which heads do you all recommend for this? (preferrably out of those 2)

Oh, are muffler rings any good?
Click to expand...


Hahahahaha yes you can. It takes time and remember the magic intervals perfect 4th and major 3rd
 
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