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Tuning the Bass
www.ToTheStage.com/TuningBass
1) Like the toms and snare, prepare the
bass drum and mount the batter head.
2) Tighten the batter head using the
sequential tuning pattern until the
head begins to resonate.
3) To achieve the lowest possible pitch for
your bass drum, stand over the drum and
place your palm in the center of the
head. While applying pressure, de-tune
each tension rod until you begin to see
wrinkles, then turn the key one full turn
back. The drum will be at the lowest
pitch while still fully resonating.
4) Clear the head of excess overtones,
as before.
5) Flip the drum over and repeat for
the resonant head.
6) After initial tuning is complete, position
the drum into playing position. Strike the
front head slightly above center and
adjust the resonant and batter head as
needed, using the “wrinkle technique”
if necessary.
7) The Evans EQ pad can be positioned
in several different ways. Experiment!
Multiple pads can be installed for
more muffling options.
Drum Set
Survival Guide
by Bob Gatzen
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EvansDrumHeads.com
Visit the Evans website for the
latest information on products,
clinics, videos, support and
other merchandise.
PureSoundPercussion.com
Check out the new PureSound
website and find the snare wire
option that best suits your
playing style and preferred sound.
High Performance Quick Tips:
Bass Drum Angle - Do not tilt your bass drum towards you. This distorts the
wood hoop, raising the pitch of the drum and limiting its responsiveness. Set
you bass drum angle parallel to the floor for more low-end and a big sound.
Micing your Bass Drum – If you use an internal bass
mic, use a simple binder clip to keep the microphone
cable from touching the front bass head. This will
allow the head to resonate freely, adding low-end
to your bass drum sound.
hqpercussion.com
Check out the new HQ
website to see the latest
practice innovations and get
tips from your favorite pros.
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Headstand are trademarks of D’Addario & Company, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Page 2
General Tuning
www.ToTheStage.com/tuningintro
1) Clean off the bearing edges, and counter hoop, before
installation. Remove any lint or debris from inside the shell.
2) Listen to the head through all steps in the tuning process.
Strive for a clear, focused sound by keeping all lugs in
tune at all times.
3) Develop your “key technique” by monitoring the amount
you turn each lug and how it affects pitch. Developing a good
"feel" for tuning will help the process.
4) Always use the Opposite Lug tuning Sequence (OLS)
by referring to the diagram that is relative to the number
of lugs for your drum
High Performance Quick Tips:
The Hoop-Laws – Different counter hoops will affect the drum sound
and feel of the drum in different ways. Change the sound of your drum
by changing hoops.
Die-Cast
-reduces overtones and resonance, resulting
enhanced attack and a dryer, more focused sound.
Flanged
- increases overtones and resonance, producing
a more open and frequency rich tone.
.
Tuning the Toms
www.ToTheStage.com/TuningTom
1) Finger tighten all lugs to create equal starting tension.
2) With ½ turns from a drum key, use the appropriate
tuning sequence to tune the head until it resonates.
3) While tapping the head with a stick slightly off-center, tune
each lug in small increments (1/4 turns) until the head begins
to resonate and the wrinkles in the head disappear.
4) Fine tune the drum by tapping
directly in front of each tension rod
while tuning around the drum. Strive
for equal pitch at each tension rod. Use
this technique to bring the head up to
the desired pitch.
5) Tune the bottom head using this same
process, closely matching the pitch to
the batter head.
High Performance Quick Tips:
Rack Tom Mounting - There are
2 types of tom arms…the L-type
(DW, Tama, Gretsch, Mapex, etc.)
or Horizontal-type (Pearl, Yamaha).
Dynamic range can be affected by the
position of the tom on the arm. Experiment
by positioning your tom at different locations
along the tom arm rod.
Float the Floor Tom - If you use tom legs, placing a
piece of foam under each leg will increase resonance.
Pick up a foam “workout” mat, cut a piece off, and put
it under the legs of the floor tom.
Refresh your Resonants - Even though they're not hit with a stick, bottom
(resonant) heads will still lose their tone in time due to constant vibration.
Change your bottom heads every third or fourth time you change your batter
heads to maintain a lively and consistent drum tone.
Tuning the Snare
www.ToTheStage.com/TuningSnare
Utilize the same general techniques described for
tuning toms. Our recommended pitch for the bottom
snare head is A-440.
Snare Wire Installation
1) Position the PureSound snare wire unit
dead center on the bottom head.
2) Using snare cord or a nylon strap, thread
one side through the butt end clamp and
partially tighten (keeping the cord or
wires loose in the clamp.
3) Pull the snare unit across the drum while
adjusting the cord/strap position in the
butt end clamp with your other hand…
keeping the snare unit centered across
the drum.
4) Once the snare unit is centered, lock
the butt end clamp.
5) Adjust the strainer tension knob until
the strainer clamp is approximately
halfway between its highest and
lowest positions.
6) Thread the snare cords/strap through
the strainer clamp, while in the "off"
position, pulling it taut and securing it
into the clamp. (do not fully tighten
the clamp)
7) Turn the strainer on to “seat” the strap,
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then tighten.
8) While tapping the head, adjust the
strainer to your desired snare response.
High Performance Quick Tips:
Snare Basket - Do not over-tighten the snare
drum basket. The pressure exerted on the hoop
can knock the head out of range and limit its
dynamic range.
Select your Snare Sound - Snare wires have a dramatic effect on the
drums sound. Upgrading to a premium snare wire (like PureSound) will
improve the overall sound of the drum. Different models can make a drum
sound drier, darker, brighter, warmer, or more open.
Minimizing Snare Buzz - If you’re experiencing out of control snare buzz:
1. Check your tuning - extreme high and low tunings encourages snare buzz
2. Check snare wires for bent or loose wires.
3. Try a PureSound Equilizer Series snare wire. It has an off-set wire design
that minimizes buzz.
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