thought id post here instead of making a new thread about it
im really worried that my drums sound "wrong"
as ive only once taken them out to play at a gig
with a drum dial, would i have to know what setting to have it on? or are there sites that have this sort of information?
Yes--the idea is to find the sound you like, then equalize things with the drum dial and make a note of the readings so you can replicate them later when you retune or change heads.
There are suggested settings with the drum dial instructions, but it would be a matter of sheer luck for them to work for you. Either those suggestions or suggestions from other drummers are worthless because they have different drums and different heads and may be going for a totally different sound than you.
I recommend you do the following whether you end up using a drum dial or not. Every drummer needs to learn where his drums sound best. It may take you an afternoon, but doing it will teach you a whole bunch.
Do this with each tom, preferably right on its mount:
First, loosen both heads down to finger tight. For the purposes of this experiment we'll tune both heads the same, even if you decide later to have them tuned to different pitches.
Add 1/4 turn to all tension rods, top and bottom, using the criss-cross pattern. If the heads still sound flappy/papery add another 1/4 turn, and keep adding 1/4 turn until you get the first real sound without distortion. Make sure both heads are the same pitch and touch up the lug-to-lug tuning.
You have now found the lowest note this drum will play.
Now add another 1/4 turn, top and bottom, keeping the lug-to-lug tuning good. Stop and listen. Keep doing this 1/4 turn at a time until you've reached a point where the drum is obviously choked, then back off until the drum sings again. This is the highest note the drum will play well.
In-between these two points there was probably one range--as small as one note but more usually 2-3 half-steps--where the drum really sings. (I.e., where it has the most sustain and is loudest and punchiest.) That's the range where you want to keep that drum.
Do this for all your toms. Once you're done you'll know exactly where to tune all your toms so they all sound their best.
After you've done that you can see what readings you get with a drum dial so you can find those sweet spots again without repeating the whole experiment.
Meanwhile, if you're new to tuning, or just want another perspective, these vids are pretty good:
Tuning toms
Tuning snares
Tuning bass drums
Why reso heads are important
Reducing snare buzz
part 1 and
part 2.