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Post by saltyjames on Jan 3, 2020 14:45:35 GMT -6
So..
I have always tuned my drums to a note when needed by tuning the top head to a note and the bottom head up a minor third (3 half steps). The resulting pitch of the overall drum is the note a third up from the top head, or one note above the minor third note. This is easy to remember and duplicate, and seems to work on all the drums I've tried it on (40+).
The thing is that doing this with a large floor tom is tough as the top head ends up too loose / low and thereby too tough to keep tuned.
I want to tune the bottom head up much higher as it sounds stronger and deeper overall, but am having a tough time finding an interval relationship (as above) to go by.
Anyone experiment with bottom head up a fourth, fifth, or higher? And if so what is the equation to the resulting overall note of the drum?
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Post by svart on Jan 6, 2020 9:20:44 GMT -6
For my 16 x 14 floor tom I generally do around a 5th or 6th difference. If measured near the lugs, the top head will be around 95-105Hz and bottom will be around 145-160Hz and the fundamental tone of the drum is around D2. Seems to split the difference between too resonant and too dead. I use Evans G2 heads on the toms, and the heads will play greatly into how resonant they are at certain tunings. I use a TuneBot to tune my drums, but have resorted to a pitchpipe or guitar tuner with speaker to get tunings when I don't have the TuneBot with me.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 6, 2020 9:28:56 GMT -6
I do it by ear, but there is a specific tone I am looking for. I haven't measured it though. But yeah, the toms have to sing together.
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Post by saltyjames on Jan 6, 2020 17:07:49 GMT -6
For my 16 x 14 floor tom I generally do around a 5th or 6th difference. If measured near the lugs, the top head will be around 95-105Hz and bottom will be around 145-160Hz and the fundamental tone of the drum is around D2. Seems to split the difference between too resonant and too dead. I use Evans G2 heads on the toms, and the heads will play greatly into how resonant they are at certain tunings. I use a TuneBot to tune my drums, but have resorted to a pitchpipe or guitar tuner with speaker to get tunings when I don't have the TuneBot with me. Hey Svart, I'm with you on all that..
but "around D2"?
Is it right at D if you zone in each head exactly? And is that a 5th or a 6th?
I kinda want a solid set up?
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Post by svart on Jan 6, 2020 17:27:02 GMT -6
For my 16 x 14 floor tom I generally do around a 5th or 6th difference. If measured near the lugs, the top head will be around 95-105Hz and bottom will be around 145-160Hz and the fundamental tone of the drum is around D2. Seems to split the difference between too resonant and too dead. I use Evans G2 heads on the toms, and the heads will play greatly into how resonant they are at certain tunings. I use a TuneBot to tune my drums, but have resorted to a pitchpipe or guitar tuner with speaker to get tunings when I don't have the TuneBot with me. Hey Svart, I'm with you on all that..
but "around D2"?
Is it right at D if you zone in each head exactly? And is that a 5th or a 6th?
I kinda want a solid set up?
You can change how much resonance the heads have if you pitch the top head slightly lower and the bottom a little higher or more resonance if you get them closer to each other in pitch and so forth. It's not an exact science and some drums and heads work better on some ways and not others. |
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Post by saltyjames on Jan 6, 2020 18:50:15 GMT -6
I know.. I learned that a long time ago. That is why I've always (before actual proper note / hz tuning) tuned my floor tom reso heads table top tight. It really makes floor toms punchy and tight.
My drama is that I follow the guided hz / note suggestions and then I still have to do slight adjustments when I'm done. The slight "after adjustments" take longer than the front end adjustment!
~You are right, "some drums and heads work better" than others.
Me thinks Emperors are harder to tune this way than Ambassadors. The dual ply both shifts more and also doesn't ring as clear of a note - I guess!?
One thing I have found is that pushing on the head as your tuning simulates playing and keeps the drum from going out of tune as fast after tuning.
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Post by saltyjames on Jan 6, 2020 18:52:57 GMT -6
Dan,
I am curious to see what you would say after using TuneBot for a minute.
Not because I wonder what you would say, but because I want to hear the colorful language you would use to describe the experience.
haha.. It's a cool tool.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 6, 2020 20:48:39 GMT -6
Dan, I am curious to see what you would say after using TuneBot for a minute. Not because I wonder what you would say, but because I want to hear the colorful language you would use to describe the experience. haha.. It's a cool tool. LOL! |
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