tighten up your kick drum

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BigKahuna

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I finally got to put my set back together tonight and play again (it's been about 4 weeks) ... drums sounded like shit! So I retuned everything ... and on a whim, decided to tighten the kick a bit more than I had before and it is SLAMMIN now! Lots of low end! ... I can't believe I left it so loose before.
This is probably a typical newbie mistake, but what can I say?... ;)
 
How tight do you suggest the kick be? I usually leave the outside head pretty loose. By the way, just digressing a little, how do you get rid of snare rattle? Is it because I'm still using the bottom head that came with my snare [tama rockstar custom]?
 
well I'm a newbie to drumming and tuning ... so I use a memo key for that stuff. I tuned the front head to '6', which is almost the same as what I have the snare at. Maybe that's not the right thing to do, but the kick sounds so much better than when I had it really loose... I'm going with it. Easier to play too. :)
 
I try to avoid specific discussions regarding drum tuning, since there are way too many variables and opinions regarding what sounds "good" - but I can offer a few suggestions regarding snare buzz. Normally a combination of 1 & 2 will work - use 3 and/or 4 as last options.

There can be several reasons for snare buzz, but the most common are poor tuning of the snare or sympathetic tone from a tom (or often from the bass guitar).

1. Detune the lugs on the bottom head on each side of the snare basket (total of 4 lugs). You may need to tighten the other lugs slightly to compensate

2. If the mounted tom is causing a sympathetic buzz (caused by the same basic tone frequency), attempt to adjust the tuning of the tom - to get it away from the snare frequency

3. If the tom is causing a buzz, hang a towel (or other dense fabric) between the tom and the snare to absorb the sympathetic tone from the tom

4. It may also be possible to place some tissue paper (or other thin material) between the snares and the bottom head (naturally not through the entire width of the snare) - of all the options this is my least favorite, but it can work.
 
Mikeh

I haven't tried your first method on snare. I actually tried detuning one lug on toms to give it a less resonant but fuller sound, which works. I don't have my toms tuned this way though; I usually use it as last recourse. I think you're absolutely right about the frequency or pitch issue - I have really tune the snare to high pitch to avoid the buzz. I also pull the drum away from the set, although it tends to get uncomfortable at times. I'm wondering, though, if the bottom head as anything to do with the buzz. I still use my original stock head that comes with the set, which is a cheesy evans 150 [very thin]. What do you think??
 
BigKahuna said:
well I'm a newbie to drumming and tuning ... so I use a memo key for that stuff. I tuned the front head to '6', which is almost the same as what I have the snare at. Maybe that's not the right thing to do, but the kick sounds so much better than when I had it really loose... I'm going with it. Easier to play too. :)
Click to expand...

Hey Big Kahuna,

How do you like the Memo Key?
Man, I've been telling you guys for a year to tight those kick heads up, but does anybody listen?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
hahaha

man, I tighten BOTH front and back heads to at least 10...that was oneof the reasons that I went to 28" kicks, so I could put a ton of tension on the batter head of the kick.

Now, try this, tighten your pedal really tight, and put your whole foot on the pedal.

mes around with a bit, and you'll get to where it feels like you're walking on air.
I use this technique and I can do a double-stroke roll with my feet.

It sounds like a jackhammer man! Hahaha


Tim
 
Hey Moelar2, I doubt your existing bottom head would be the root of your problem, but it wouldn't hurt to try a different head. All heads need to be changed on occasion. Naturally the bottom head on the snare has to be thin to accomodate the snare vibration. However, I have seen drummers put something like a Remo Diplomat (and in one case a Remo Ambassador) rather than a Hazy, on the bottom of the snare, which did remove buzz (good buzz as well as bad buzz), but it did provide a deeper fundamental drum sound (which may or may not be a good thing).

Also, using a thicker resonant head on the tom (say an Ambassador rather than a Diplomat) can eliminate some of the sympatetic tone from the tom.

I've been useing Evans more than Remo (Aquarian Studio X is very good also). I've had good luck using the Evans "dry vent" for a snare batter head head. It helps provide a tighter snare sound.

Good luck with your sound.
 
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