ZootELoops
Senior Member
Hi everyone. If you've seen my other posts, you'll know that I just got a great deal on a new 6-pc Mapex Saturn kit. I picked it up on Saturday, but I'm having a hell of a time getting it to sound the way I want. You see, this is my first acoustic kit (previously I've been playing Roland V-drums) and I am really not sure how to tune these drums properly. I've read ad-nausium the posts about tuning. I've visited YouTube and watched the videos and I even invested in a Drum Dial.
Yesterday, I spent about 2 1/2 hours just between the snare and 2 of my 4 toms (10 & 12). It's frustrating because I'd like to be playing/practicing instead of tuning and adjusting, especially since I only have about an hour or so from the time I get home from work, until it's too late to make noise (courtesy of the neighbors and a small child).
Here's my problem. Up until yesterday, when I kicked the bass, the 10" tom would ring and the 14" snare would buzz. I added a pillow in the bass drum - which helped the sound, but the snare still buzzed. After using the drum dial on the snare (bottom 75-78 & top 80-82), I can now play the bass drum without the snare buzzing - one problem solved! But now, I am getting a long reverberating ring from the 10" tom when I hit it. I have tuned it as much as I *think* I can, (bottom 74 & top 75), but it still isnt right. Also, one of the lugs is completely loose, but it's still showing over 75 on the drum dial - all the other lugs are fine. I'm wondering if the heads just sound like crap on this kit or if I am doing something wrong. I havent even attempted the 14 or the 16 floor toms yet.
Never having tuned a kit before isnt helping me, but I am feeling like I am wasting valuable playing/practicing time. It is easy for me to power on my Roland and play away - and I'm having a hard time getting used to the acoustic kit. I've paid so much for this now - that I want it to sound good. Without knowing any other local drummers in the neighborhood to help - what can I do.
Lastly, I notice that my technique is struggling on the new kit, whereas on the electronic kit, it feels tight and natural. Perhaps it lulled me into a false sense of security and my technique is not as good as I thought. Now that I have to be more precise (velocity, accuracy, etc). Perhaps it was just a bad idea to buy an acoustic kit after only 6-months of lessons.
Anyway - please.. Help - I'm frustrated and starting to regret my purchase.
Yesterday, I spent about 2 1/2 hours just between the snare and 2 of my 4 toms (10 & 12). It's frustrating because I'd like to be playing/practicing instead of tuning and adjusting, especially since I only have about an hour or so from the time I get home from work, until it's too late to make noise (courtesy of the neighbors and a small child).
Here's my problem. Up until yesterday, when I kicked the bass, the 10" tom would ring and the 14" snare would buzz. I added a pillow in the bass drum - which helped the sound, but the snare still buzzed. After using the drum dial on the snare (bottom 75-78 & top 80-82), I can now play the bass drum without the snare buzzing - one problem solved! But now, I am getting a long reverberating ring from the 10" tom when I hit it. I have tuned it as much as I *think* I can, (bottom 74 & top 75), but it still isnt right. Also, one of the lugs is completely loose, but it's still showing over 75 on the drum dial - all the other lugs are fine. I'm wondering if the heads just sound like crap on this kit or if I am doing something wrong. I havent even attempted the 14 or the 16 floor toms yet.
Never having tuned a kit before isnt helping me, but I am feeling like I am wasting valuable playing/practicing time. It is easy for me to power on my Roland and play away - and I'm having a hard time getting used to the acoustic kit. I've paid so much for this now - that I want it to sound good. Without knowing any other local drummers in the neighborhood to help - what can I do.
Lastly, I notice that my technique is struggling on the new kit, whereas on the electronic kit, it feels tight and natural. Perhaps it lulled me into a false sense of security and my technique is not as good as I thought. Now that I have to be more precise (velocity, accuracy, etc). Perhaps it was just a bad idea to buy an acoustic kit after only 6-months of lessons.
Anyway - please.. Help - I'm frustrated and starting to regret my purchase.