#Drum tuner how to#
#Drum tuner pdf#

After you decide on the amount of drum resonance you want, from low to high, specific top and bottom lug pitches can be easily determined for any desired fundamental pitch. The resonance (or sustain) of the drum depends on the lug-frequency relationship between the top and bottom heads. With a two-headed drum, the fundamental pitch of the drum can be varied by adjusting either top or bottom heads so there are an infinite number of top and bottom lug-pitch combinations for any specific fundamental pitch. Resonance and Top or Bottom Head Tuning Options Recommended Fundamental Notes and Frequencies for Various Tom Configurations

The corresponding top and bottom head lug-pitches, however, are independent of each other and can be 1.2 to 2.3 times higher than the fundamental pitch for typical drum sizes. You will get the same fundamental pitch whether you hit the top or bottom head since the top and bottom heads vibrate in unison when the drum is hit in the center. Only the fundamental pitch of the drum, i.e., the lowest pitch of the drum (obtained when the drum is hit in the center and is mounted on a stand), is listed in the chart, not the lug-pitches. All the notes in any of these tunings can be moved up or down a few semi-tones (the distance between A and A# a half-step) to suit individual tastes without changing the intervals. The tables also cover most popular tom sizes ranging from 8 to 16 inches in diameter. Suggested tunings for a variety of drum set configurations ranging from 2 to 6 toms are listed in the following table. These formulas will however get you very close! Details of Tuning Steps Depending on your drum’s dimensions you may have to fine tune the lug pitches to get the desired fundamental note.

Tune top and bottom heads to required lug-frequency.

Calculate the top and bottom head lug-frequency for every drum head.

Decide on the amount of Resonance: low, medium, high or maximum and if top or bottom head is higher in lug-frequency.Choose the fundamental notes for every drum using Table 1.If you have a small number of drums you might prefer larger intervals between drums whereas with a large number of drums you might be better with smaller intervals, otherwise, you might span too small or too large a range of pitches with your drums. One consideration, in selecting which interval or chord to use for tuning, is the number of toms (and optionally snare) in your set.

#Drum tuner pdf#

After you’ve tuned your set to a sound you like you can store the pitches of your drums in tune-bot to allow you to quickly re-tune to the same sound over and over again.ĭownload PDF Guide With Appendix Tom TuningĪ good way to tune your toms and your snare as well, is to use notes in musical intervals or chords for the fundamental pitches of the drums. Then you can use tune-bot to tune your set to those specific values. This drum tuning guide will show you how to tune drums and help you determine the notes and frequencies to use for your specific drum set. Tune-bot is a precision drum tuner that enables you to accurately tune your drums to specific notes or frequencies.

#Drum tuner how to#

Drum Tuning Guide Drum tuning guide – how to tune drums