How to Get the Best Sound From Your Drum Kit

Whether you have a top of the line professional drum set or an entry-level kit, there are a number of simple things that can drastically affect the sound of your drums. It’s important to remember that each drummer has his/her own personal and unique sound and there is no right or wrong sound. That said, here are some tips to achieve professional sound from your drum kit.

Things You'll Need

• Drum set

Instructions

1. Choose a drum head based on the style of music you play. For instance, thinner one and two-ply drum heads are standard for jazz and rock, while thicker two-ply and reinforced heads are more typical of heavier music. You may need to experiment with the exact brand and model that suits your tastes, as well as the head that brings out the best sound in your particular drum set.

2. Choose drum sticks that are comfortable to hold and play. Also consider the impact the size and style of the drum sticks will have on your drum sound. For instance, the shape of the tip will greatly affect the attack of the drum. Larger sticks will typically produce a deeper sound and wider attack.

3. Take care in the mounting and placement of your drums. How and at what angle a drum is mounted can drastically affect the tone and sustain. When mounting and adjusting toms, try to avoid extreme angles, which can choke a drum’s sustain, in some cases. Also, try different mounting options, such as mounting toms on snare drum stands.

4. Properly tune your drum heads. Start by tuning the lugs evenly, making sure to alternate across the drum. Make small turns on each lug to gradually tune the head to the desired tone. Tune the head to a pitch that is reasonable for the drum size. For example, cranking the head of a floor tom too high will take away from the drum’s natural deep tone and sustain.

5. Don't "over-muffle." A little goes a long way. If you desire to have muffling, try using small pieces of tape and add to the desired level. Remember that the sustain will diminish the further away from the drum set you are. The same goes for the bass drum. Don’t completely choke the heads or you will lose much of that desired bottom end.

6. Practice proper hitting techniques. Striking the drum in the center will give you the fullest sound and best sustain. Be sure to allow the drum stick to fully rebound from the drum head as well. The same goes for the bass drum in that allowing the beater to rebound from the head will produce the fullest sound.

7. Be aware of the room in which your drums are played. A small room with a lot of padding will drastically cut down on the sustain of your drums. Conversely, if you are in a large hall, you may need to adjust the muffling of your drums accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t tune your bass drum head too low. A little extra crank will help give it a fuller sound and sustain.

• If the room you play in makes your drums sound too bright, try to hang some blankets or fabric on the walls to diffuse some of the sound.

• When you replace your drum heads, be sure to replace top AND bottom heads. Bottom heads get worn out and will affect the overall sound of the drum.