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DubiousDubs « A must for any drummer looking to personalize his or her sound »
Published on 11/04/11 at 12:42Drum 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.
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.