Tuning help

I have never tuned my drums,ive got a mate that has always done it for me(which is sweet!!)
I think its about time I learned so... Anyone know of a good book/dvd/website with beginner tips??

Cheers

There is a web site Profsound that has plenty of advice to get you in the ball park.

Myself, i use a book that i recommend as it covers everything in an easy uncomplicated layout and has more fine tuning. It's called DRUMSET TUNING THEORY by TONY ADAMS.

Tony Adams is a drummer and also drum tech for Cher, Smashing Pumpkins,Fleetwood Mac and Matchbox 20 to name drop a few.

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/

Remember tuning varies as the venue does, i don't fuss too much as long as they sound in tune, no body complains. Best to listen to your kit from out front at each venue when the band are playing if you can get someone to sit on the kit and play a basic beat for a minute. Often what you hear from the throne is totally different out front, and worth checking out.

Brennan wrote:I have never tuned my drums,ive got a mate that has always done it for me(which is sweet!!)
I think its about time I learned so... Anyone know of a good book/dvd/website with beginner tips??

Cheers

You can check out this guy as well, covers basic tuning

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=bobgatzen

There is also a Weckl tuning youtube there worth a look at too.

Tony Adams book i got here ...
http://www.drumplace.com/techniq.html

Here is another decent book on the subject
http://halleonard.com/item_detail.jsp?order=0&keywords=06620060+&catcode=00&itemid=6620060&type=product&refer=search

Anyone here used a Tama Tension Watch or equivalent Drum Dial for tuning?
They look like a great tool to get you in the ball park, before tuning to venue/ or preference.
I used a Neary drum Torque wrench (until it broke) years ago and it was helpful, but ended up tuning by ear in the end using the books mentioned.
The www reviews look good, so may add to my gig money wish list.

Handy Tip: Food For Thought for any drummer wanting to get decent gear (especially the search for that perfect cymbal)

(all my gear has been paid for by gig money saved, my hobby has cost me nothing, i still play with other musicians who for years have used crappy gear,their gig money has gone up in smoke or down a toilet.) Put it away and play gigs as a goal / incentive to save for good gear, you will play better with decent gear.

No, i've always wanted to try one though -I missed out on one for $50 yesterday DOH!

Also spotted this system, perhaps too many bits and pieces for my liking, the reviews read well tho.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Drum-Tech-DTS-Advanced-Drum-Tuning-System-490559-i1388675.gc

Yeah the DTS system looks a bit weird, in a kind of too-good to be true / work at all way... but maybe...
I use a drum dial (which I unfortunately paid a lot more than $50 for[!]) for ball-park tuning - especially good for saving time at soundcheck. Despite making life a bit easier, you still need a good ear as it's never perfect, and can't tell you when you're heads are in / out of pitch w/ each other. Also, you have to learn to tap the side of the drum / middle x head as you tune, (or pick the dial up and put it back down on the head with every single adjustment), as the weight of the thing means it creates artificial tensions if you leave it on the head as you tighten / loosen lugs.
Hope this helps anyone looking at this kind of device - I definitely recommend the Dial, especially if you're often in a hurry / touring etc, but knowing your drums, ears and a few tricks will still make all the difference.
Peace,
-Mike.