DrumDial Original DrumDial

Drum Dial Review:

Tuning drums can be a frustrating process to say the least. I found over the past 15 years drumming, the key to good drum sound is in the prep work. Mastering proper technique in regards to tuning heads, maintaining drum quality, are all equally as important as practicing chops.
I have found along my journey as a musician there are some shortcuts, or helpful hands in maintaining a top operating drum set and sound. One such device is known as the DrumDial. The DrumDial is a steal at around 60 dollars and is very helpful even if you just plan to use it to tune your snare alone. I, on the other hand, prefer it for it’s ability to accurately determine a set tension for my new heads, which means recordings from 5 years ago with my DW set sound just the same as recordings from 3 weeks ago. This is something every drummer faces along the timeline of drumming in rock groups, as the drum set ages, the heads change, the sound changes. This device offers you the guaranteed satisfaction that your drumhead is tuned to the same tension as you like it.
That is not to say all the years of old drum tuning can be thrown away. On the contrary, this device is an addendum to the age-old curriculum. I advice the following for tuning a new snare head with DrumDial:
1. Start with resonant head first. Tighten to remove wrinkles in a star fashion always. Don’t over tighten! Just so that the head is started
2. Use your index finger to tap along the edge and listen for even sound across the head
3. Continue tightening in the star formation. However, place the DrumDial in the center of the head.
4. Recommended tension for resonant head: 74-75
5. Make sure to pickup the DrumDial and drop down each time to ensure an even reading.
6. Follow same procedure for batter head
7. Recommended tension for batter head: 89.5-90.5
All in all, This device is a must for a drummer. I cannot see a good drummer seeking his or her own “sound” without refining tone with one of these devices. Please do yourself a favor and pick one up ASAP.

The Original DrumDial is a unique device that helps you to tune your drums. Of course there is the traditional method of tuning drums by ear, but this uses a metering system to help you tune your drums properly and to the same pitches every time if that's something you'd like to do. It's a small device that you hook on to the side of your snare drum, tom drum, timpani, or any other type of drum that you would tune, and it shows you via a meter how far off you are. I'm not primarily a drummer, so I don't own of these, but I've used them in the studio where tuning drums is especially important. You don't even need to hit the drum in order to use the DrumDial. It's extremely accurate and is awesome when you want to tune your tom tom drums to a certain interval or when you're looking for that perfect snare drum pitch. It's also great in a live environment, as it allows you the comfort of not having to be hitting your drums during sound check to tune them up. It simply makes the process quicker and easier and will not only save you time but also improve your accuracy. There are a number of different products out there like the DrumDial, but this seems to be the best and most accurate from what I hear talking to drummers in the studio. There is also a digital version of the DrumDial, but I've yet to use this model. The price is definitely reasonable but it isn't the kind of thing that will cost you close to nothing. Still, it's a great investment for drummers who are recording and playing live regularly as it's going to pay for itself once you see how quick, easy and accurate it is!