Being old school now age 66,I was having a lot of problems tunning my drums.Things weren't sounding like they use to.You name it I did it,checked edges,hoops,replaced heads,moved drums and furniture around,they just didn't sound good.I just about quit playing.Low and behold I got sick and seen about 3 doctors,one being a hearing specialists. Come to find out I had lost a lot of my hi frequency in my hearing.For years I had seen things like tork tuners, drum dial,and tune bot.I never needed them because my tunning was spot on.One night on utube I ended up at drum dial and decided to buy one.The best $59.00 I ever spent.My drums are Tama star walnut.Im using clear Aquarian studio x on top for toms and floor toms.clear ambassador for bottoms.kick drum I use remo power pro coated on kick side and factory head on reso.snare heads ambassador top and clear 300 for reso.what I found out was something I never did before, I tuned the reso heads higher.All my life what ever I put on top I did on the bottom heads.My toms are 75 top 80 bottom.floor tom 74 top 74 bottom.snare 80 top 85 bottom.i never measured my kick I put a half turn on kick side 3/4 turn reso side with DW pillow inside barely touching the head.No moon gels or dampening on the rest of the kit.This has transformed this old cat.Im enjoying playing again.My drums sound great.I hear people talk about the accuracy of this device,it's close enough to perfect for me.
Thanks for the video. I just ordered a drum dial and look forward to using it. I've been off for a solid 5 years. Dusting off my old Tamas and getting back after it.
I would like to also add that when I use my drum dial, perfect tension may not actually sound in tune. When tuning by ear and getting them to sound perfect, the drum dial will say they're out of tension. I use it mostly as a way to get close before I tune by ear.
Had my drums close to were I wanted to tune them to. I used the drum dial to get them right were they needed. Maybe try to tune by ear first and then use the drum dial to fine tune.
I've found that due to both the heads sticking on the bearing edge (DrumDial has a lube for that), and the DrumDial itself sticking, I gently tap the top of the measurement rod to unstick it. I just tuned them all again yesterday and they sound perfect to me. My settings: 10" tom 76 top 76 reso 12" tom 75 top 75 reso 14" tom 74 top 74 reso 16" tom 74 top 74 reso 14" snare 88 top 82 reso 22" kick 73 batter 72 reso
Thanks for your helps a few weeks back man. I got rid of the stock heads and picked up some evans. I picked up a drum dial as well. I had used your setting on the tune bot but that thing still confuses me a bit. My set sounds WAY better though. Thanks again man.
Glad to hear it! Every kit is a bit different, Width, Depth, Wood, bearing edge etc. Using MY settings may not work for every kit. I tend to use the tunebot calculator on the app or website to get in the "ballpark" but adjust as needed. My snare is always about 370-405 on the reso, 300-350 on the batter though. seems to always work for me.
@@beyondbetrayal got a question for you if you don't mind. I got the drum dial today. I went 70 on the reso heads and 77 on the batters . It recommended that with the evans heads I have. I get one lug to 77 go straight across to the opposite lug and get it to 77. The first lug is now either higher or lower. Sorry for the endless questions man. This tuning stuff is making me crazy.
dude, the same tension gave different pitches? It should only happen if you use a different head (with different mass, they would not give the same pitch - the heavier one would be lower in the same tension - i got 380Hz with a Evans G12 only 7g heavier than the Evans G1 gave me 427Hz in the same tension 88 in a 14' - amazed me a bigger difference in pitch for the same tension - meaning the feel also will be drastic if you put different wight heads in the same pitch - will change entirely how it sounds and feels if you aim for the same pitch - only 7g already changed a lot). Maybe the heads adjust with the time and get streched pheraps? (for justifying you have different pitches when changing the same heads with the same tension) Thanks for the videos!
@@octaviohenrique.n I don't remember exactly what I said as this video is years old. But I don't think I said exactlly what you are saying. Same head at same tension will have same pitch. I had some issues where the drumdisl isn't super accurate or would give weird results on that however. The tune bot always gets the exact same pitch and I found was way more accurate
@@beyondbetrayalthanks man Great video! Us not professional drumers end up relying on this tech things to be more sure of having a good tunning to record and play Cheers from Brazil
Drumdials are ment for accurate drum tension. Its not like a Guitar Tuner. Once u find your pitch and get the right heads for your style of music then it becomes a tuner.
I was just comparing to my tunebot. I agree they are used for separate reasons. The drum being in tune with ITSELF has nothing to do with pitch, and is the final goal.. Proper tension does not always mean it is in tune. You want every lug on the same head at the same tuning. Yes you want the same tension as well, but I found the Dial to be less accurate than the tunebot. Tuning by hand you tune to the same pitch, that is what the Tunebot will achieve.
I have a question on the pitch that you tune your toms to. Do you tune to the key of what the band is tuned to. Like if the guitars are an E flat. Would you do a third interval? For example B flat, G flat, C flat from rack to floor on three toms? Great video BTW.
Personally I do not, because we don't play all of our songs in the same key. That is something people do, but I usually just go by ear. I use the tunebot/drumdial and get it close to where it should be by the recommended settings from the drumdial sheet or tunebot calculator. Then I will adjust as my ears seem fit. Sometimes depending on the kit a tom will sound better higher or lower, and the heads. Also, if I desire more rebound, or less resonance. The main point is to make sure the tom is in tune with its self, (batter and reso individually,) then the relationship between them. The same note for most resonence, I usually prefer my batters a tad looser. Then I'll play all the toms. I usually keep my floor tom quite low. It's more percussive than a note. Similar to a bass drum. Then I worry about the rack toms.
beyondbetrayal Thanks, I appreciate the response! I asked because it sounds like there's a beautiful perfect 3rd or 5th interval going on between your toms.
I can tune a bass and guitar but when it comes to drums they don’t sound right to me well the toms don’t the snare doesn’t sound too bad and the bass drum not to bad but it’s just the toms they sound crap no thud or punch
That is kind of the same objective. They are suggesting that if the heads are at the same tension, they will be in tune. It gets it close, just not perfect.
No, Just that Drum dial's tune to exact numbers. I don't tune to between this or that with a drum dial. I might manually adjust a bit by ear after setting it to an exact Number. Anyway Your kit sounds great, and your advice is solid. I am thinking of getting a drill bit set to a drum key to take of heads quicker.
The drill bit helps a ton.. I get within a few HZ,, if it's one off I don't fret... I'll have to listen back to what I said... I usually change my tuning every time I reskin. Lately I have the batters quite loose and the resos tighter.
Favorite drum advice channel on youtube. Thank you for all the times you have helped and answered my questions!
Rod Stiffington thanks for the awesome comment :)
Being old school now age 66,I was having a lot of problems tunning my drums.Things weren't sounding like they use to.You name it I did it,checked edges,hoops,replaced heads,moved drums and furniture around,they just didn't sound good.I just about quit playing.Low and behold I got sick and seen about 3 doctors,one being a hearing specialists. Come to find out I had lost a lot of my hi frequency in my hearing.For years I had seen things like tork tuners, drum dial,and tune bot.I never needed them because my tunning was spot on.One night on utube I ended up at drum dial and decided to buy one.The best $59.00 I ever spent.My drums are Tama star walnut.Im using clear Aquarian studio x on top for toms and floor toms.clear ambassador for bottoms.kick drum I use remo power pro coated on kick side and factory head on reso.snare heads ambassador top and clear 300 for reso.what I found out was something I never did before, I tuned the reso heads higher.All my life what ever I put on top I did on the bottom heads.My toms are 75 top 80 bottom.floor tom 74 top 74 bottom.snare 80 top 85 bottom.i never measured my kick I put a half turn on kick side 3/4 turn reso side with DW pillow inside barely touching the head.No moon gels or dampening on the rest of the kit.This has transformed this old cat.Im enjoying playing again.My drums sound great.I hear people talk about the accuracy of this device,it's close enough to perfect for me.
I just got a drumdial, and as drums are not my primary instrument, it really helps me tune the drums better and 100 times faster than I could by ear.
I like my tunebot. The dial helped me get in the ballpark quick too. Great tools to assist the ear tuning.
Thanks for the video. I just ordered a drum dial and look forward to using it. I've been off for a solid 5 years. Dusting off my old Tamas and getting back after it.
Right on man. It really helps, Good sounding drums are wonderful to play. If they sound like crap its no fun at all.
I would like to also add that when I use my drum dial, perfect tension may not actually sound in tune. When tuning by ear and getting them to sound perfect, the drum dial will say they're out of tension. I use it mostly as a way to get close before I tune by ear.
That is fantastic to hear
Had my drums close to were I wanted to tune them to. I used the drum dial to get them right were they needed. Maybe try to tune by ear first and then use the drum dial to fine tune.
Thanks for posting. That kit sounds amazing.
I've found that due to both the heads sticking on the bearing edge (DrumDial has a lube for that), and the DrumDial itself sticking, I gently tap the top of the measurement rod to unstick it. I just tuned them all again yesterday and they sound perfect to me.
My settings:
10" tom 76 top 76 reso
12" tom 75 top 75 reso
14" tom 74 top 74 reso
16" tom 74 top 74 reso
14" snare 88 top 82 reso
22" kick 73 batter 72 reso
These are pretty much the same settings I use but the batter bass drum lower than the reso.
Thanks for your helps a few weeks back man. I got rid of the stock heads and picked up some evans. I picked up a drum dial as well. I had used your setting on the tune bot but that thing still confuses me a bit. My set sounds WAY better though. Thanks again man.
Glad to hear it! Every kit is a bit different, Width, Depth, Wood, bearing edge etc. Using MY settings may not work for every kit. I tend to use the tunebot calculator on the app or website to get in the "ballpark" but adjust as needed. My snare is always about 370-405 on the reso, 300-350 on the batter though. seems to always work for me.
@@beyondbetrayal got a question for you if you don't mind. I got the drum dial today. I went 70 on the reso heads and 77 on the batters . It recommended that with the evans heads I have. I get one lug to 77 go straight across to the opposite lug and get it to 77. The first lug is now either higher or lower. Sorry for the endless questions man. This tuning stuff is making me crazy.
So glad i found this video. Thank you for the great advise on the drum dial. I was not using it correctly.
Nina Talia happy to help. hope you drums sound great after
Yow Scott hows it going?! Hope all is well and that another video is in the pipeline! Cheers
Great vid! Merry Christmas brother! 😄
Pete you too buddy
dude, the same tension gave different pitches? It should only happen if you use a different head (with different mass, they would not give the same pitch - the heavier one would be lower in the same tension - i got 380Hz with a Evans G12 only 7g heavier than the Evans G1 gave me 427Hz in the same tension 88 in a 14' - amazed me a bigger difference in pitch for the same tension - meaning the feel also will be drastic if you put different wight heads in the same pitch - will change entirely how it sounds and feels if you aim for the same pitch - only 7g already changed a lot). Maybe the heads adjust with the time and get streched pheraps? (for justifying you have different pitches when changing the same heads with the same tension)
Thanks for the videos!
@@octaviohenrique.n I don't remember exactly what I said as this video is years old. But I don't think I said exactlly what you are saying. Same head at same tension will have same pitch. I had some issues where the drumdisl isn't super accurate or would give weird results on that however. The tune bot always gets the exact same pitch and I found was way more accurate
@@beyondbetrayalthanks man
Great video! Us not professional drumers end up relying on this tech things to be more sure of having a good tunning to record and play
Cheers from Brazil
Drumdials are ment for accurate drum tension.
Its not like a Guitar Tuner.
Once u find your pitch and get the right heads for your style of music then it becomes a tuner.
I was just comparing to my tunebot. I agree they are used for separate reasons. The drum being in tune with ITSELF has nothing to do with pitch, and is the final goal.. Proper tension does not always mean it is in tune. You want every lug on the same head at the same tuning. Yes you want the same tension as well, but I found the Dial to be less accurate than the tunebot. Tuning by hand you tune to the same pitch, that is what the Tunebot will achieve.
Kyanu Reeves on drums?
You should have seen me when my hair was longer and I had dyed it black. haha
Oh that’s such a sexy drumset
I have a question on the pitch that you tune your toms to. Do you tune to the key of what the band is tuned to. Like if the guitars are an E flat. Would you do a third interval? For example B flat, G flat, C flat from rack to floor on three toms? Great video BTW.
Personally I do not, because we don't play all of our songs in the same key. That is something people do, but I usually just go by ear. I use the tunebot/drumdial and get it close to where it should be by the recommended settings from the drumdial sheet or tunebot calculator. Then I will adjust as my ears seem fit. Sometimes depending on the kit a tom will sound better higher or lower, and the heads. Also, if I desire more rebound, or less resonance. The main point is to make sure the tom is in tune with its self, (batter and reso individually,) then the relationship between them. The same note for most resonence, I usually prefer my batters a tad looser. Then I'll play all the toms. I usually keep my floor tom quite low. It's more percussive than a note. Similar to a bass drum. Then I worry about the rack toms.
beyondbetrayal Thanks, I appreciate the response! I asked because it sounds like there's a beautiful perfect 3rd or 5th interval going on between your toms.
I'm happy for you!
Nice job.
Once Again ...Great!!!
Thanks for watching :)
I can tune a bass and guitar but when it comes to drums they don’t sound right to me well the toms don’t the snare doesn’t sound too bad and the bass drum not to bad but it’s just the toms they sound crap no thud or punch
It takes a ton of practice
i thought the drum dial was for getting an even tension not for getting an accurate pitch
That is kind of the same objective. They are suggesting that if the heads are at the same tension, they will be in tune. It gets it close, just not perfect.
Yes i agree...ky Fisher..it not like a Guitar tuner..
Did I miss hearing the kick settings?
He keeps saying My top head is between this and that, My Bottom head is between this and that.
Should I have said batter and reso?
No, Just that Drum dial's tune to exact numbers. I don't tune to between this or that with a drum dial. I might manually adjust a bit by ear after setting it to an exact Number. Anyway Your kit sounds great, and your advice is solid. I am thinking of getting a drill bit set to a drum key to take of heads quicker.
The drill bit helps a ton.. I get within a few HZ,, if it's one off I don't fret... I'll have to listen back to what I said... I usually change my tuning every time I reskin. Lately I have the batters quite loose and the resos tighter.
www.drumdial.com/how-to-use/tuning-chart/