Tuning Drums

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NiasinDrummer

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Im getting new Pinstripes for my toms, a new weatherking Ambassador with the black dot and an aquarian superkick III with a ported front bass drum head with a blanket inside.

How do I tune my drums to get the best sound possible? I have the audix fusion 6 piece with a yamaha MG 12/4 mixer. My guitarist has an MR-8

Thanks in advance
 
I know the tuning Bible. My question is do you tune them differntly for recording than you do for just playing?
 
NiasinDrummer said:
My question is do you tune them differntly for recording than you do for just playing?
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You tune them for what sounds good on tape. Some drummers try and tune to notes in the key of the song being recorded but that's not easy.
 
I'm a fan of tunig to the key of the song. Tex is right it takes some work (and eats up studio time) but it does make a difference.

While there are no hard and fast rules, most recorded drum sounds try to capture mostly attack (vs. resonance). Which means tuning a little lower to capture the fundamental tone, vs. all the harmonics and having a fair amount of tape or Moon gel on the drums (or lots on muffling in the kick). It also means mostly close mic'ing (vs. room mics)

Normally it's "easier" to record "flat" sounding drums. In particular if the room is not a good "drum room". Naturally, many drummers don't like this becuase it in not the way they "hear" the drums.

And before anyone trashes me - ya, I know Bonham tuned his drums high and played them wide open - but 1) he was Bonham and 2) I'm sure the rooms, mics and engineering skills surpassed that which most of us have.
 
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