How to Tune a Pearl Reference Drum Set
Proper tuning is important for any instrument, and it's no different for drums. The correct tuning will lead to clear, powerful sounds that don't ring or sound muffled. In order for a player to get the most from their Pearl Reference drum set, it needs proper tuning. Pearl Reference drum sets use shells made out of birch, maple, and African mahogany. Tuned correctly, these drums will give the warm, bright sound they're made to produce.
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Instructions
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Loosen the tension rods on the top head of the Pearl Reference snare drum using the drum key, but don't take them out of the drum. Alternate the rod you're loosening to avoid unnecessary stress on the drum. Loosen one tension rod slightly, and then loosen the tension rod on the opposite side of the top snare drum head.
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Tighten each tension rod with the drum key. Again, alternate between tension rods. Once the tension rods are beginning to pull down on the drum hoop, start tightening each tension rod one-half turn before alternating between tension rods. Keep tightening until the tension rods seem fairly tight.
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Hit the snare drum using a drumstick. Adjust the tuning as necessary until you get the sound you want. For snare drums, you want a solid "crack" sound when it's hit.
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Turn the snare drum over and repeat the process used for the top head on the bottom head. The bottom head of a drum isn't played, but you want a clear sound that won't create a ringing noise when the top head is hit. You may have to alternate between hitting the top and bottom heads to find the tuning that works best.
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Repeat the process used for the snare drum for the Pearl Reference tom-toms, bass drum and the floor tom. Typically, tom-toms, bass drums and floor toms are tuned much lower than snare drums, so tighten the tension rods much less than you did on the snare. You want a clear sound without it sounding choked or ringing.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit drums image by agno_agnus from Fotolia.com
