change the sound of my toms

keven2045 · Sea Monkey Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 13

i have two tama toms Swingstar, but i really dont liek the sound of them. they have that kinna "Bong" sound. i want a sound like metal/rock/hardcore drummers have, more like a "thud" u know what i mean? if you do, then what can i do two have the sound i want???

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

I'm guessing you have one ply heads. Try switching to a two ply head (check the Attack two ply heads with the tone ridges out.) As well, you can also try taping a folded napkin to the head.

Hope this helps!

Tenor_freak · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:50 am Post subject:

i think i have the same toms your talking about if you got that addon deal of an 8 and 10. what i did to them was tuned them moderately high so they fit in with the rest of my set then i moon gelled them right near the rim it gives them more of a thudish sound but you have to balance it out so it doenst sound like a box.
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-Larry PAHS Tenor proud Tama Rockstar DX owner

Ox · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 9:15 am Post subject:

I'll suggest then Evan's Hydraulic heads. They give that fat wet warm sound.
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ALOHA!

Mr Mac · Newbie Alert Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 3

Hi

Like any heads, toms, if cranked up too high will 'Boiinnng'

Yuk!

Fat sound? Sure - but don't think 'dampening' or 'Oil filled heads' - this will just lose all your cut and volume so when you play, you won't hear anything when you hit your toms (unless you've got a 10K rig).

So....

Choose a thinnish head - like a Remo Ambassador (Emperor if you're a heavier hitter - they'll last longer).

Seat it properly - initially tuning it quite high so it 'cracks' (see Dave Weckl video for details!). Then de-tune it so it is wrinkled.

THEN....

Tune it carefully - a half turn on each bolt - until the wrinkles JUST disappear.

This will give you a thick, fat sound that'll impress AND cut through that noisy guitarist that you're working with.

The mistake most people make is tuning the drums too HIGH.

Mark

Pearldrum0 · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 3:20 am Post subject:

Muffling......... If you want a sound like that you are probably gonna have to muffle the drums a bit. I use Evans 1 ply heads with remo mufflers in them. They attach to the rim of the drum and the head fits right over them so you can use them many many times and won't wear out. You could try getting 2 ply heads Evans genre, those worked for me until I switched to clear 1 ply. You can also try getting some gauze and tape it down to the corner of the drum. And yet another way is getting dead ringers or moon gel.

Happy jamming! Very Happy

FatDogg · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 1:27 pm Post subject:

how are the two heads tuned? same note will give you that resonant bong sound, with those little zero rings it will sound good when mic'd if you want a punchy attack though tune the resonant head up a bit, maybe 1/3 octave and you will get the sound I think you are looking for.
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Stop reading and make music.

drum_solo · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: change the sound of my toms

I dont care what any of these Amatuers here think !"

~Laughing~

Get yerself some decent heads n thats it...

I dont believe in MUFFLING!
I think its fake and have a real problem with those who say so !
>>Allthough it can be acceptable in the studio when recording.

I own an play everyday a Premier Cabria.
Not the best kit (by a long way) BUT! ................
With the origional heads(everplay,they suck)
i tensioned 'em right up and was ok ,
I now have Some Remo Pins on 'em and lowered the tension.
Sound meaty and controlable..whatever i like 'em.

Knock yerself out my friend!
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Radio 1 D J !
L E G E N D
R I P
John Peel

Premier · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: change the sound of my toms

keven2045 · Sea Monkey Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 13

its cuz i never tuned toms, snare or whatever. when u mean tune the toms, you mean turn the little screws with the little key that came with the drum, like around the toms? well if thats it, i dont know how much to turn them or which side to turn, etc....i never tuned so i dont wanna screw the toms u know lol

d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:53 pm Post subject:

I put a layer of waterproofing on my pearl exports last fall and it gave them a nice punchy sound like a fiberglass set.