drum dial

[thomas k]

Being a new player, I have been struggling a little tuning my drums. I have a djembe background and with rope tuned djembes tighter is always better. I started out with my new kit too tight and have backed off on the tension. Do you guys believe in the Drum Dial and the Evans wrench to establish a good starting point? I understand it is a personal thing. I have a new Mapex Meridian Birch kit with Remo emperors clear throught. One last question: do you get much use out of an 8 inch tom if you have one? Thanks a lot. Tom




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New! - Digital Drum Dial

[Pearl MCX Man]

Hi Thomas k and welcome to the DC. If you can tune a Djembe with the ropes then you will have no problem tuning a drum kit.The drum dial is a good tool to have but ear tuning is always the best. I use the dial only after I have found the tune or pitch that I like, then I will use the dial around the head to get the same tension evenly. I record the numbers for a later fast tuning before gigs or practice. I have a Maple kit so I like all my drums tune low what I mean by that is finger tight then 1/4 to 1/2 turn till I find the lowest pitch then I adjust all the tension rods the same. Birch might be a different sound so not sure what to tune at. Some members have a 8 inch and what I read is that some have a problem tuning them. I will some day add a 8 and 10 to my standard kit. HOpe this has helped you a little.

[kickinit]

Hi and welcome Thomas!!

I too have a drum dial. I don't use it exclusively, but if I am having trouble tuning a drum, I will break it out to verify tension at each lug. I think it's a nice tool to have, especially for beginners with EIT (ears in training) like me.

As far as using an 8 inch tom, I don't have one (by choice) but I believe that just boils down to personal taste and the type of music you play.

[Skillful Kai]

Yo Tom, how's it going?

I usually do it the opposite way to Pearl MM, I get them all to the same tension on the drumdial then tune by ear. Your drum isn't perfectly round, the skin isnt perfectly taught and everything isnt perfectly anything so the drumdial won't always work. But it gets it really close to the point of good and saves time and that's what counts.

[gonefishin]

Being a new player, I have been struggling a little tuning my drums. I have a djembe background and with rope tuned djembes tighter is always better. I started out with my new kit too tight and have backed off on the tension. Do you guys believe in the Drum Dial and the Evans wrench to establish a good starting point? I understand it is a personal thing. I have a new Mapex Meridian Birch kit with Remo emperors clear throught. One last question: do you get much use out of an 8 inch tom if you have one? Thanks a lot. Tom

Welcome to the board and I say you are on the right track.

They are good for a starting point and then you can fine tune to your liking.

[SomeGuyDude]

I use my Evans Torque Key dang near exclusively. I love that bad boy.

[xsabers]

I use my Evans Torque Key dang near exclusively. I love that bad boy.

My problem with the torque key is seeing the daggone numbers!

[dropdtune]

Good thing about the Evans drum key is that its cheap but, problem is that it measures 'torque', and not 'tension' on the head. I find the two are not always proportional. Torque can vary with how the lug/thread is behaving (sticking or slipping). But I have an older kit where maybe the lugs are not so well-behaved as new kits. Drum dial works excellent but the ears are best. Be patient, even after 8 years, I am only now really coming into how to tune drums quicker.

[chafey]

i have started using a drum dial recently, and will never go without it. and i love my 8" tom

[SomeGuyDude]

My problem with the torque key is seeing the daggone numbers!

Yeah, they are pretty small, LOL.

And dropd, that's true, but I think of it as a great way to get everything just in the right AREA. Match all the numbers and then tweak. It's a lot faster than using a drum dial, IMO.

[james05]

i use the drum dial for a rough reference point. Then i fine tune.

I have the same kit as you, feel free to PM me if you have a question.

Oh, and I dont use the 10" much. I like the kit as a four piece, 12" & 16" toms

[Larrysperf]

Hi Thomas k and welcome to the DC. If you can tune a Djembe with the ropes then you will have no problem tuning a drum kit.The drum dial is a good tool to have but ear tuning is always the best. I use the dial only after I have found the tune or pitch that I like, then I will use the dial around the head to get the same tension evenly. I record the numbers for a later fast tuning before gigs or practice. I have a Maple kit so I like all my drums tune low what I mean by that is finger tight then 1/4 to 1/2 turn till I find the lowest pitch then I adjust all the tension rods the same. Birch might be a different sound so not sure what to tune at. Some members have a 8 inch and what I read is that some have a problem tuning them. I will some day add a 8 and 10 to my standard kit. HOpe this has helped you a little.

Ditto other than I havnt had a problem with my 8. My set is birch and I just use evans torque key and tune by ear

[Pearl MCX Man]

My problem with the torque key is seeing the daggone numbers!

xsabers I think it is time for you to get one of them drum mounted MAGNAFYING GLASS for those old eyes. I got the same problem can't see them dang numbers on the Ddial.

[xsabers]

xsabers I think it is time for you to get one of them drum mounted MAGNAFYING GLASS for those old eyes. I got the same problem can't see them dang numbers on the Ddial.

No kidding, my Drum Dial REQUIRES reading glasses to use. My EVANS Torque Key needs the Hubble Telescope though...