Drum Tuning 101 

Thank You

I find the Aquarian a little tubby sounding on my kit but I think they should be given some credit. DA'ddario bought Evans and immediately started marketing a 'lock type' collar and called it 360 round, Aquarian had been the innovative force behind that technology and whether the patent was up or they changed it a bit, maybe Aquarian couldn't renew it. Anyway I actually never liked it, it might be crazy but I feel like it doesn't allow the skin to stretch like it would normally causing some loss of range.

My only problem with the Modern Vintage is that they wear out quickly.

I had problems with Aquarian heads over the years. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was cranking them like I do Remo, and was never getting the sound I wanted. Last week I installed a set of Aquarian heads on my drums and couldn't be happier. They tune up fast and have a full, sound. I'd like to hear what Remo film would sound like with the Aquarian manufacturing technique.

@@cerestablet9934 - D'Addario bought Evans in 1995. Level 360 didn't happen until 2013. But back in the 90's before the sale, Evans was doing a "190°" thing. I can't even remember what it was all about, but I still have some heads with the "190" designation on them. Like I mentioned elsewhere, I had a hard time with Aquarian. I love their build quality and the sound other drummers got with them, but I never had success with them until very recently. It was because I was over thinking the process. I've been playing Remo since 1987 - aside from 1991-1995 when I was using Evans. This time I was able to get a workable tone just by finger tightening them. I then brought them up into my preferred tuning range, and they just sing without any weird high frequencies or "warble". Keep in mind that I'm mostly playing rock music, but they have to be versatile because I do get calls for the occasional jazz engagement. I have Texture Coated / Classic Clear Snare Side on the snare. Texture Coated Super 2 / Classic Clear on the Tim's. 22" bass drum has a Superkick 2 / Regulator. The 20" will be getting a Texture Coated Force 1 / Texture Coated on the reso.

Hi I am using smaller BDs on the video. Its hard to get a higher tuning out of a 22". Tony used a big BD later in his career to play jazz. If you want that sound leave the BD wide open with a low tuning and use a hard felt or wood beater. Of course he used those black dot heads on the toms which are very dry and punchy. I dont have any particular settings. I like to experiment alot and I suggest you do the same. Watch the live Tony Willams group concert with Bill Pierce and Wallace Roony from the late 90's.

rickdior I’m not necessarily the biggest TW fan but I bought a bunch of those heads because I thought his sound was cool but I couldn’t make it work. I have an injured arm-messed it up years ago by physical exercise and drumming too much so basically lately I’ve been wanting my drums to respond to the least amount of effort put in by me as possible. I want them to be very sensitive (so I’m thinking the tighter the better maybe) but I know if they’re not in tune with themselves than they won’t sound good. Any suggestions?

Hi Ryan A lot of a drums sound comes from the way you hit it. I have not seen your technique but you should always try to bounce off the head. DW makes great drums so I am sure that's not the problem. My standard go to head combo on a new set of drums is coated ambassadors on top and clear ambassadors on the bottom. That's where I would start I I was you. If you can't get that to sound good then it's either the way you are hitting the drums or the is out of tune with itself. The tuning video should help you with that.

It affects it quite a bit. If they are not the same pitch you will get a slight pitch bend up or down depending on which head is higher. The purist tone occurs when they are both the same pitch.

@@rickdior Do you find you are able get more projection with the reso head lower on toms, or even bass drum, when not miked?

I tune the bottom head to the same pitch as the top.

Hi Dominik I don't necessarily have any specific notes I tune too. I do tune to intervals. The more drums the smaller the intervals between them. This also depends a lot on what snare I am using. A specific pitch on a snare might activate the toms in a negative way and vice versa. You want to get good sympathetic vibrations between the toms and bass drum as well. All drums have a specific pitch range that brings out the best in them. This depends on the shell material, thickness and size. You need to experiment and take notes. Every kit I own has a tuning range that I have worked out over many years. When I get a new kit, I spend lots of time experimenting with tunings and then most importantly I record the drums at the tunings I like with specific heads and I write it down so if it sounds good it is repeatable. With the drums you have try to tune the toms in 4ths since there is a large size difference. You will then need to tune the bass drum so it does not activate the 16" tom you have. Start with the 12" tom and get that sounding good and then move on to the 16 and then the bass drum. Finally turn your snares off and tune the snare so it does not activate the 12" tom. Then move on from there. Hope this helps Rick

@@rickdior Wow, I can’t thank you enough for that! I will invest a lot of time in experimenting with the tunings of my new drums! Your method will definitely help a lot in my progress! Practice makes perfect! Thank you so much again, Rick!

Hi I do not polish my cymbals. I like a natural patina to form over time which gives the cymbal more character. As far as the drums themselves any good furniture polish works well on a natural finish.

I use Williamsville Wax

You can buy that in a craft or sewing store. It is also using for aiding thumb rolls on tambourine. You can purchase some from Steve Weiss Music as well.

Oops Yes you are correct...its Aquarian Super kick 1 and 2, not Evans. Dementia is setting in.

Hi Larry It's mainly to clean it so wipe it down. Put it on a rag first, wipe down and dry it with a clean rag.

thank you. Do you like re rings in your shells or prefer shells without re rings?

I do not have reinforcement rings in any of my drums.

Hi James That does not work so great with calf heads since they are normally not evenly distributed within the rim. Those you have to tune by ear...and slowly.

@@rickdior Thank you much. Have not worked w a natural head in many moons, appreciate your knowledge. Have good day.

It's more about the snare drum you are using. Try tuning the 4 lugs closest to the snares up higher on the snare side. Also, tune the snare to a different note than any of the toms and avoid 4ths and 5ths. A minor third higher on the snare from the highest tom is a good place to start.

@@rickdior THX Man... I'm going to try these tips for sure.

Not sure what you are referring to. Do you mean the Drum Dial? If so then I like it for larger drums. for smaller drums it's not that effective.

Once you have a high profile as in gigging or teaching it is easier to get endorsements. The companies want to use you as the face of their product so if you have influence over a large number of folks you have a better chance of getting a deal. Once you have a decent resume try sending it out to different companies. It is also the case that once you get a high-profile endorsement it will be easier to get others. I will try to do a video about this at some point in the future.

@@rickdior thank you so so much! That was very informative.

Thats Williamsburg wax