Tama acoustic tuning test

[eric_B]

Because of the overwhelming interest for my recent Gretsch sound check - - I decided to post another one: http://snd.sc/HaFyq7.

It's the Tama Superstar Hyperdrive Kit with EC2s batters on the 8-10-12-14-16 toms.

I know I'm still crap at tuning drums but I notice some improvement. I think the final tuning went off of the notes in the filename but it sounds OK. A bit high pitched but pretty musical.

So, any thoughts?

[Hercules]

Because of the overwhelming interest for my recent Gretsch sound check - - I decided to post another one: http://snd.sc/HaFyq7.

It's the Tama Superstar Hyperdrive Kit with EC2s batters on the 8-10-12-14-16 toms.

I know I'm still crap at tuning drums but I notice some improvement. I think the final tuning went off of the notes in the filename but it sounds OK. A bit high pitched but pretty musical.

So, any thoughts?

Hi Eric, I'm not one for tuning drums to defined pitch (other than Timps or Rotos) - just don't like it when the band changes key and you have to avoid playing certain drums.

Were they close mic'd with dynamics? They sound gated or dampened so the sustain / resonance is pretty minimal.

[Tazed]

I'm with Herc. Unless all your songs are in the same key...!
I've often read there's a chance the toms will get lost amongst the other instruments if you're playing notes/chords that cover the tuned drum notes.
Personally, I like tuning the tom to its most 'natural' note, whatever that is - y'know, the sound where it just 'sings'.
As long as the steps between the toms are pleasant, that's what I've found I prefer.

[eric_B]

My problem with tuning has been that I seem to get tone deaf after tuning and tapping a drum for several minutes - and it usually takes me several hours to make my kit sound any decent. I decided to give tuning to notes a try and it gives me a reference, a good starting point to work from. And knowing the final notes will make retuning easier.

Hi Herc. Yes, the kit was close mic'd with 2 overheads, no processing afterward. The EC2s aren't the most resonant heads of course and the reso was tuned higher than the batter. No dampening on the rack toms, 1 piece of moongel on each floortom.
What you hear is the mix I use for practicing/playing at my home studio. Of course turning up the level of the overheads and down that of the close mics will make it sound more 'live'.

Still wondering what you think about the tuning though .