How to Set Up a Pulse Drum Set

Pulse drums don't have too many ringing endorsements from famous drummers, but they remain strong sellers because they make solid kits at some of the most affordable retail prices in the industry. Because Pulse is known as an economy drum brand, it is particularly popular among younger and beginning drummers. If you're one such drummer, and you're not sure how to set up your first Pulse drum set, just follow these easy steps.

Things You'll Need

• Drum stool
• Bass drum
• Snare drum with stand
• Hi-hat cymbals with stand
• Ride cymbal with stand
• Crash cymbal with stand
• Bass drum pedal
• 2 mounted tom-toms
• Floor tom-tom

Instructions

1. Set up your drum stool in a wide-open area, like the center of an empty room. If you don't have that much room, you can set up the stool with your back against the wall, but make sure you have at least 4 feet clear on either side and 5 feet clear in front of you.

2. Bring the Pulse bass drum and hi-hat stand close to the stool. If necessary, connect the bass drum pedal to the bass drum by sliding the base of the pedal onto the rim of the drum and tightening the retaining plate. You may also need to open and lock down the kickstands on either side of the drum.

3. Sit in a natural and comfortable playing position, and move the bass drum and hi-hat stand so that the pedals are where your feet are.

4. Unfold the legs on the snare drum stand and place it on the floor between your legs as you sit on the stool. Put the Pulse snare drum on top of the stand.

5. Put the Pulse mounted tom-toms into place by sliding their mount arms into the open holes on the top of the bass drum shell. Install the smaller one on the left first, then put the larger one in on the right. When you have them at the height you prefer, tighten the nut on the bass drum shell to lock them in place.

6. Move the Pulse floor tom-tom to the right side of where your right leg will be when you're sitting down. Adjust the height, if necessary, so that it is about as high as the snare drum.

7. Move the ride cymbal stand to the right side of the set, and adjust the height, if necessary, so that it is a little higher than the mounted tom-tom on the right. Place it so that the ride cymbal sits directly above part of the floor tom-tom, but so that you can easily hit either one.

8. Move the crash cymbal stand to the left side of the set, and adjust the height, if necessary, so that it is a little higher than the mounted tom-tom on the left. Place it so that the cymbal hovers several inches above the hi-hat cymbal and slightly to the right of it.

9. Sit on the stool and make any slight adjustments to make the Pulse set feel more comfortable as a whole.

Tips & Warnings

• If you expand your set with any new Pulse drums, you may need to purchase additional stands to accommodate them. Salespeople at music supply stores often like to help customers figure out how to arrange their sets. If you're stumped with a specific setup problem, take an inventory of the pieces in your set and ask about it at your local drum shop.