Tuning Drums

Good Drum Sound:

. Kit is free of unnecessary buzzes and vibrations

. Snare doesn’t buzz and other toms don’t ring along either

. A lot of tone

. Well balanced cymbals that don’t overpower kit

. If drums sound good in the room, they’ll sound just as good mixing and recording (no post recording tools can fix a bad sounding drum)

Tuning Drums: 

. Put on a new drum head

. Adjust each lug so they all have the same tension

. Tap in front of each lug to check if they all sound the same and adjust where needed

. Tap at the center once done adjusting to make sure there is an even decay

. Kick and snare are the most important to tune since they’re hit the most

Tuning the Snare: 

. If Snare has too much ring:

. Tune the head lower

. Use a heavier head (coated Remo Emperor)

. Use full or partial muffling ring

. If Snare has too much decay

. Tune head higher 

. Use a thinner head (coated Remo Ambassador or Diplomat)

. If Snares buzz when toms are hit:

. Check that the snares are straight and replace if needed

. Check that the snares are flat and centered on the drum

. Loosen the bottom head

. Re-tune the offending toms

. Use alternate snare drum

Tuning Kick Drum:

. Try increasing or decreasing the muffling in the drum

. Change to heavier uncoated head (clear Remo Emperor)

. Change to thinner front head or one with a larger cutout

Tuning Rack Tom: 

. Check the top head for dents and replace of necessary

. Check the evenness of tension all around

. Tighten the bottom head

Tuning Floor Tom:

. Loosen bottom head

. Loosen top head

. Check the top heads for dents

. Switch to different type or weight of head (clear Ambassador)