Drums crackling noises

[frquent flyer]

I have a set of LP gio galaxcys,new last february.From time to time different drums make a crackling sound for just a second.Usually it occurs when I am playing the drums. Today they starting making a few sounds when I was not playing them. It got very cold outside last night and the furnace was working to keep the house warm. What do you think is causing these crackleing sounds. I just called a friend and he said it might be a reaction to temperature and humidity changes. Do you agree? Can you comment on these sounds?

[frquent flyer]

What ,no-one ever experienced their congas making wierd noises? Tell your tale! What is the cause for strange noises coming from congas?

[Screwy]

I think your friend was absolutely right.

Temperature and humidity changes can cause wood to expand in warm moist air and contract in cool dry air. You will probably notice the cracking and popping more now that it's starting to get cold again. Just going by what you said in your post, you picked them up in Feb. Which was right smack in the middle of winter so the drums already had gone through the autumn -> winter cycle. The winter-> spring-> summer cycle wouldn't really make your drums "pop" or "crack" like the are now as the wood would absorb the moisture in the air from the wetter months. But now that we're getting into late autumn and on the way into winter, you will notice those sounds.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You could also notice that the drums might sound different and might require you to tune them again.

[Drumbledore]

Yeah, it's temperature changes, that happens to my mate Simon's congas too.

[frquent flyer]

Thank-you ,I'm relieved that I have nothing to worry about;WHEW!

[bongobro]

If your congas are making crackling and creaking noises when you aren't playing, it could be not only the shells, but also the skins re-seating themselves due to temperature and humidity changes. As Screwy suggested, you may need to retune (or detune) the congas to compensate for that; do so evenly, or you could tear the head or crack the shell.

Still, easy enough to do...

[frquent flyer]

Thank-you