I guess I'm the opposite of you... All my early sets were Direct. When I got my first set that used suspension mounts, I really liked how it opened up the sound, If I need to tone down the openness of it, I use gels. As always... great video!
Yeah, I think this preference is extremely polarizing for drummers, so thanks for not having a zero sum mindset. I see that, but even with my floor Tom having three DTS brackets, I’ve never once left it totally open. And for me I like the visual look, and the stable element.
I just got a Yamaha stage custom kit. They're on sale right now 650$. You absolutely will not find a better kit at that money. And I love how they handled the tom.mounting hardware. They're suspended, but by direct to shell, 2 screw mounts. And they ring but not to an absurd degree. I love the kit.i don't think I'll ever need another one.
I had a stage custom kit for many years and they are fantastic drums, especially for the money, but in general. I also appreciate they’re style of tom mounting, very sturdy and reliable.
Cough cough *mapex mars* way better plus the mounts arnt freaking retarded. Yamaha stage custom toms sound great but their mounding rods go in horizontally which is stupid.
Nice video. In the comparison, you can really hear a difference in sustain on the smaller tom. I prefer the sound with the original mounts fitted as it's not just longer sustain, but also seems to be a cleaner sound, with less overtones. The larger tom seems to be tuned slightly differently in the before and after so the difference in sustain is less noticeable, but on that one, there seems to be more overtones with the suspension mount fitted and a slightly cleaner sound once you fitted the direct to shell mount!
I can hear it too. I was thinking all this suspension mount stuff was just for marketing, and it made the drums less stable on the kit, but actually I can hear it. I've never heard a recording compare them like this. Thanks man. I guess I do like suspension mounts. I play jazz in small venues, un mic'ed, so I need every bit of resonance or the drums sound like cardboard to the house.
Thanks, I did the same on mine, not a Gretsch tough. The main drivers were not only aesthehics but to be more flexible with mic mounts being the hoops widely free, this is an additional added value.
I would look into Ludwig atlas mounts before drilling holes. They replace one of the lugs with a combo lug/mount. Addresses all three of your issues without drilling.
Im familiar with the Ludwig Atlas system of mounts, and I think they are a really positive addition to the drum community. I personally don't like how they look on a drum, but I appreciate how they can a non-permanent solution for all sorts of things. Not sure how that affects the tension of a rod, but cool none-the-less.
I've had the Ludwig ATLAS system on my rack tom for several years and love the looks and sound. However, I just noticed that the rubber gaskets and interior rubber isolation system have dry rotted, and these rubber parts are not sold separately. I am very disappointed and I do NOT recommend them for just this reason. Shame on Ludwig!
I agree with you! The isolation suspension shell mounts are big, heavy and get in the way when packing the drums for traveling to gigs. The difference in sound - if any - is negligible. In theory, they are great but in the real world, not so much. My most recent experience is minimizing the size and complexity was to use the Ludwig A.T.L.A.S system which is good, but the gaskets rotted after only a couple years and they cannot be bought separately. I'm in the process of replacing them with a Gretsch DTS mount. Sadly, DrumsOnSale is not available anymore. So, I'm on the hunt. Thanks for the info.
I’ve had conversations with another store thats hoping to become that resource for Gretsch parts, but I think it’s just been a challenge to source from Gretsch while they transition distribution. Hopefully it’s resolved sooner or later.
Thanks for the follow-up. I've used the Gibraltar model on a Ludwig tom many years ago that worked great. I found one for $25.00, so I'll be back in action soon. I already have the Gibraltar L-arm system on my bass drum for my Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz kit because I didn't like the bulkiness of the Mini GTS Gretsch system which was not really very "mini". A small kit does not need bulky hardware. @@malonedrum
My 2001 Ludwig Maples already had DTS mounts, but I was used some old Purecussion RIMS instead so they would sustain more. I think though I'm gonna go back to the DTS mounts, since my setup has changed and I need to be more compact. Thanks for making this video, great before and after testing.
That is another benefit to the DTS, typically less bulky, and allows for tighter positioning if you have a congested set up. I think that sonic advantage is so minimal, and also so situational as if to it’s right for you or not, that DTS always seems to be the answer for me.
They sounded fine to me after you removed the suspension mount. Plenty of sustain. That being said, those weren't the worst suspension mounts. I'd have probably just left those particular ones on there. I get the idea, and there are several that I think are terrible and would have definitely removed. Thanks for the video!
I'm sure I've seen it, but I'll go watch it now. No laughing! If the mounts would have irritated me, I wouldn't have hesitated to drill and mount direct. @@malonedrum
Very Good Video! I’m with on this matter. My only issue is that when recording you at two different distances. I think the sustain would have been more similar. Thanks for Sharing 🥰🥁
I just switched from the horrendous RIMS type mounts on my Brooklyns to the Renown style GTS mounts you switched from… it’s sturdy and much nicer than the RIMS that’s for sure! That said I have a DTS diamond bracket on a Broadkaster, so get what you’re saying. Perfect damping, clean and nice - no muffling. I don’t need all that sustain from all the toms either.
Thank you for doing such a great video! At the moment, I personally like the original style rims mounts with rack toms. Not because of seeking a longer sustain, but because of getting a fuller body and tone from the drum. But it depends what works with different kits. Your kit sounds amazing and looks great with the dts mounts!
In regards to the DTS mounts affecting the sustain, the majority of floor toms (95%?) have this system with three legs. Even though it probably makes a difference in sustain, it isn't important enough to change what we already see on the market.
That’s been my argument for a long time, but also have to factor in the massive depth change when speaking about floor toms. But generally, I’m on your side.
Direct to shell for me...A lot more focus. It reminds me of the recording custom tone a bit. As you said, if you want the sound a bit fuller and with more sustain...go with suspension mounts.
My old kit had DTS tom mounts which were great, but with a new kit I've been using Pearl ISS rim mounts for the past six months. Can't notice a difference in tone/sustain, but the ISS mounts definitely wobble more for me.
@@malonedrum Old kit is from CB Drums, haven't been able to pinpoint the year but I believe its mid to late nineties. 22"K, 12-13-16" toms and a 14" metal snare. I've still got it as my "to-go" kit, and the "permanent" studio kit is now an early 2000s Pearl Export in the same dimensions (wood snare instead of metal). Currently using a 1-up 2-down setup with the 13" in a short snare basket, so I only have to deal with one ISS mount.
My experience with ISS mounts is that they do very little to improve the resonance of a drum. When you think about it, they are firmly mounted to a part of the drum that experiences A LOT of vibrations. Most major manufacturers, including Pearl for their higher end ktis, have mounts that have the tension rods pass through a rubber grommet, or in the case of TAMA, rubber grommets that pass through the rim. Yes, the connection is bouncy, but that is an indication that the suspension mounts are doing their job. All the force of striking the head with a stick is staying with the drum, not going into the mounting hardware and into the floor. You also avoid the vibrations setting of harmonic vibrations in your stands, bass drum, drum rack, etc. I got rid of the ISS Mounts on my Pearl Vision kit in favor of the RIMS style suspension mounts, and the difference was night and day.
That’s an interesting experience, and I have had some similar thoughts about the style of suspension mounts where the bracket threads through the top and bottom tension rods or lugs. Glad you were able to find something that helps you get the sound you’re after.
Yeah, I did my best with the tunings, but it’s really though to get everything the exact same before and after. Even with a device like a tune bot, to play with the same touch, get the microphone in the exact spot, etc.
Great video, thanks 🙏Such a clean look DTS. Did you put the tom mount on the bass drum as well? I want to do that to my Broadkaster 22x14 but not sure what the factory position of the tom holder plate is. Any idea? Thanks Mike
Help me out please. I have a Tama Imperial Star and a Roland td-17kvx2. I spend most of my time on the ekit. I don't like going back to the acoustic set because the Toms seem so far away. Is there a cheap easy way to get them closer. With a little research I saw Tama has a mth1000 mount which swivels so that might be enough to get them closer. However that mount is pretty damn expensive! Thank you
I wish they just continued to release non drilled kicks tbh. this crap sticking out of the kick looks so cheap and annoying. had to go with catalina club rock instead of renown for that reason alone
I can’t say I think it looks cheap, Yamaha recording customs have them, and they don’t look cheap, vintage kits have them, and they don’t look cheap. I think it’s just personally preference.
In theory yes, I think you’d have to be very particular about placement though, just to avoid the snare wires running across the drum in a less than ideal location.
Well, I think it certainly goes down to preference, but I think there's surely a great reason to use suspension mounts if thats the sound you prefer, but I do think it's pretty subjective to each person. Thanks for checking out my video either way though!
@@malonedrum I bought some Tama drums for cheap and the suspension mounts are the first generation Star Cast mounts and one of them had a broken rubber part and they all looked a bit rough. There's three rack toms and for me to replace three of them will cost more than I paid for the drums so I am planning to remove the bracket and shell mount them. But I have used RIMS mounts and TIMS mounts before and like them.
@@iRideuWatch I've used the RIMS mounts and the individual variations of those by all the drum manufacturers for a decade or longer, but for numerous reasons I prefer DTS, but just a personal decision. I understand not everyone enjoys that sound or style.
