Extensive Review of Resotune II

[GruntersDad]

Wow. That ringing endorsement should be worth at least a free unit. Better free ads couldn't be had.

 

[john_roberts]

Wow thanks for those very kind comments.

I got to experience a RESOTUNE II this last week, hands on tuned a couple kits. What I believe is not immediately understood about the RESOTUNE is that its a computerized tone generator, its actually much more than that, but if you can imagine a device that generates tones and reads the feedback it gets when these tones are applied to a drum, a drum with heads of course (as that's how you play your acoustic drums), you might more easily understand how this devise does what it does. Its not you the tuner tapping the head generating the tones, its the units microprocessor executing perfection each and every time, so the results are of a level of consistency not humanly obtainable with just a drum key and your ears.


"RESOTUNE literally measures the clear quality of the entire system working together as it does when played, so ignores or factors in, sundry mechanical errors."

Is what John says and that 'is' what RESOTUNE does, it analyzes the drum as complete drum, and it does so with tones it generates and analyzes the info in a microprocessor. The results are displayed by LED's and the whole effect and end sonic result is quite amazing I must say.


Do I need a devise to tune my drums? No, I can tune drums really well actually, but what I realized after using RESOTUNE is that it accomplishes exactly what Im trying to do in a short amount of time. What RESOTUNE also made me realize is, I could spend 8 hrs, 8 days, or even 8 weeks tuning a drum kit and I would't be able to tune as accurately as RESOTUNE, the human ear is just too subjective and influenced by too many outside variables all the time (your perception of sound/accuracy of tones can change if you drink a glass of water). So yeah, I'll never be a good as RESOTUNE at tuning drums, again, it does what Im trying to do and it can do it a lot quicker.


The above didn't really come as a surprise, I assumed I'd hear something I haven't heard out of a drum kit before, the purest note form and cleanest fundamental I've ever heard. Could I have gotten this with just my ears and a drum key? Gotten close, but not nailed it like RESOTUNE. The difference between close and nailing it? Let's just say the sound is noticeable, noticeably better, as in you've never heard it 'this good' before.


Let's get back to "...so ignores, or factors in, sundry mechanical errors." which is a big part of the beauty of RESOTUNE IMO. It doesn't care what heads you have on, what combination of heads, if there's nylon washers, a few different tension rods, it sonically analyzes the drum 'as it is' and provides you with a solution to 'clear' the lug notes. You do this by turning a drum key and RESOTUNE guides you both sonically (you can hear the target note audibly when its achieved), and with LED confirmation like a guitar tuner display.



The whole RESOTUNE tuning process is actually pretty easy once you understand what's going on, the most time consuming part of the process is repositioning the unit over each lug to tune them to 'clear', but the more you do this the easier it becomes. I found myself going around twice which is totally understandable. Those 'sundry mechanical errors' that exist in every drum are computed and recomputed by RESOTUNE with each turn of the drum key, and you reach a state of lug-clear with the unit accurately confirming the results, something ones ears simply can't do to the same degree. Those 'results' are in the realm of- "Holy crap this drum sounds in tune like I've never heard before!" and "Im excited to play now!" along with "That wasn't hard, it was fun." Do it once an you're addicted, addicted because the resulting sound is so good.

The requirement to go around the head twice while clearing the lugs is an improvement I made over a year ago (in the software). I noticed while clearing the lugs I could sometimes get a stronger resonance different than the captured clear quality reference. I altered the software to track the level of the resonance coming back while adjusting lugs for clear and if the return is stronger make that the new clear quality reference. So first pass around captures the strongest clear quality reference, then the second pass around makes all the lugs agree with that.

Note: RESOTUNE II owners with earlier software can get their software updated for a modest fee by returning it to us. You can tell your revision level by the LEDs lit at start-up. Rev F the current software version is indicated by the Green +75 cents LED being lit.

$175 for a drum tuning devise? There's simply nothing out there that can get your drums this in-tune, the scope of which you can't comprehend until you actually hear the results, or so it was with me and I've been doing this since the 60's.


Do you need your drums in tune to notes? Your drums are tuned to notes, the fact of the matter is they're not tuned to notes as accurately as RESOTUNE can help you get them. Its like once you take a shower, you want to be clean. You control your drum sound destiny with RESOTUNE, no more walks in the dark when tuning, its like night and day, you can see where you're going, and you can now get there quick. After my experience with it, I can't imagine not having a RESOTUNE, it allows you to produce that sound you've always wanted to hear.





I could see myself saying that... almost anyway. You 'can' learn and I did, but I can attest I'll never be a able to zero it in like RESOTUNE, its just not humanly possible to be that accurate, and if you did ever become 'lucky' on one head of one drum, you'll never be able to do it as fast as you can with the help of RESOTUNE. The results speak for themselves, until you hear those results you simply can't comprehend a drum (kit- yes even the BD) this 'in tune' is my conclusion.



I agree there needs to be better, more detailed vids on the RESOTUNE and its how too's. The fact we have John Roberts the inventor posting on this thread is fantastic! The RESOTUNE for all intensive purposes in the drumming community is simply genius. Im a convert.

I've tried to shoot videos myself but frankly I suck at that. On my list of things to do.

I would love to get your permission to put your comments up on my website with a picture of you or your drum kit too.

Thanks again.

John Roberts

 

[Les Ismore]

Wow. That ringing endorsement should be worth at least a free unit. Better free ads couldn't be had.

I actually own the unit now.

$175? Well, I can officially certify that RESOTUNE II is The holy grail of drum tuners. This is an absolutely 'essential' piece of gear for me now, and that being the case, I can easily justify the $175 price as a bargain, no problemo. RTII is using sound, its producing the desired end result, its imposing that sound on the drum, its reading how the drum reacts to that sound then it gives you visual feedback on how to mechanically bring said drum into tune with that generated end result. Its simply brilliant.

The requirement to go around the head twice while clearing the lugs is an improvement I made over a year ago (in the software). I noticed while clearing the lugs I could sometimes get a stronger resonance different than the captured clear quality reference. I altered the software to track the level of the resonance coming back while adjusting lugs for clear and if the return is stronger make that the new clear quality reference. So first pass around captures the strongest clear quality reference, then the second pass around makes all the lugs agree with that.

I expected to go around twice anyway, just to check the work and before doing so I also expected there to be readjustments needed. Its perfectly normal to assume some changes as you go around the whole drum tweaking the lugs, its obvious there's going to be an effect across the pond so to speak. Once I did get around the second time and all was clear and in the green, there's that feeling of 'this is it', the feeling of accomplishment you actually got the head/drum in tune, scientifically measured in-tune, you then tap the head and go "OMFG, where have you been all my life RESOTUNE II !?"


As RTII gains popularity as an essential tuning tool, videos will start to appear more and more on the web. The 'holy grail of drum tuning' will not be hidden.

It seems like a cool tool, but I think it has one small flaw. You don't always get the best sound with every lug at the same pitch. Sometimes I need an "out of tune" lug or two, to get the sound I want. I think it was Buddy Rich, who fired one of his drum techs because he "removed the wrinkle" in his bass drum head. Just sayin'...

Here's a touch on what we 'think' we know about drum tuning, specifically- 'accurate' note tuning, and I'll use myself as an example. We know that we want, or let's say I think I want even tension on the rods/lugs to get to my perfect tuning, a strong emphasis is put on the mechanical feel of the tension rods and this needs be because that's what tensions/tunes the drum, but what RESOTUNE has shown me is that its 'not' all rods on deck, front and center, even tension. The emphasis has to be on sound, the sonic results of the tensioning, as human tuners I believe we (I know I was conditioned to) put a little bit too much emphasis on mechanics of lug turning, and this is mainly because we don't have a consistent sonic reference. RTII imposes an accurate sonic reference onto the drum systematically every time. The even tension gets the ship to port, but its RESOTUNE that gets the ship moored at the dock flawlessly every time.




I'll use a couple analogies here. You know a person who mixes paint at Home Depot, he starts with white paint as a base. You show him a color sample from your wall, he looks at it and says "I can match that." he's been doing this for years, he's the best at it. The master mixers end product looks great, you're pleased and you take the paint home and throw it up on your wall, it dries and you notice its not a a perfect match, its obviously different. Now imagine Home Depot takes delivery of a new machine that spectrally analyses the paint sample you bring in, the operator reads the numbers and mixes you some paint to match, you take it home and throw it on your wall, it dries and you say "Damn that's perfect!" You are the person tuning drums with all your experience and RESOTUNE II is the machine that gets it right each time.


You are working on an old skool V8 engine, you're an experienced mechanic, been doing this stuff since you were a kid. The timing is off, it needs adjusting and you're good enough to twist the distributor to get the engine to smooth out, but you'll never get it as accurate as you can with a timing light. You are the person tuning your drums with all your experience, RESOTUNE II is the timing light, it gets it TDC, or any desired variable 'right on'. The difference is noticeable. Now lets factor in those aforementioned 'sundry mechanical errors', mechanic may not be aware of a fact like one of his spark plug wires isn't 100%, or the condenser might not be 100%. If paint master starts with a base shade of white that he's not familiar with, its back to the learning stage again.


Crypto mechanical errors are present 'to some degree' in every situation, its called life in the material world, there's just no way around it. Consider now that RESOTUNE II ignores (actually works with) these ever present mechanical errors and you can better understand RTII's holy grail status.

 

[john_roberts]

I think he likes it...

Still hasn't responded to my request for permission to repeat his comments. (please send a picture too).

Our goal was not to make some "holy grail" just a reliable tool to help clear drums, and precisely return to a previous voicing.

Subjective human judgement is still involved it deciding what pitches/tensions to voice your kit at. Let the machines do what they do well, and use your human skills for the rest.

John Roberts

 

[WallyY]

I think he likes it...

Still hasn't responded to my request for permission to repeat his comments. (please send a picture too).

She's a chick, dude.

It's an excellent review and I'm leaning towards buying one in the future.

 

[john_roberts]

She's a chick, dude.

It's an excellent review and I'm leaning towards buying one in the future.

Even better

John Roberts

 

[Florian]

piqued my interest....purchased one today.


F

 

[Mcdonap]

I've been interested in one of these since the Drum! review from last year. That and this thread pushed me to order one and it should be here Monday.

I feel pretty confident about my tuning abilities. That is, my teacher way back when I was a kid taught me how to tune. When I started playing again a couple of years ago, I decided to pick up a DrumDial, and I really love it. I feel like it speeds the whole process up.

I expect a learning curve, but I'm really looking forward to dialing in even more precise tuning with the Resotune II. I'll post an update once i use it a bit.

 

[Les Ismore]

I've been interested in one of these since the Drum! review from last year. That and this thread pushed me to order one and it should be here Monday.

I feel pretty confident about my tuning abilities. That is, my teacher way back when I was a kid taught me how to tune. When I started playing again a couple of years ago, I decided to pick up a DrumDial, and I really love it. I feel like it speeds the whole process up.

I expect a learning curve, but I'm really looking forward to dialing in even more precise tuning with the Resotune II. I'll post an update once i use it a bit.

The lug clearing option puts RESOTUNE II over the top. Its not difficult to tun a drum to a note, clearing the lugs to that note is difficult, RESOTUNE II makes it a breeze.

What's the advantage? 'Cleared' the head is in tune with the desired fundamental note, result is clarity. There's still extraneous noise, but its mucho limited, gated really, its gone immediately... it adds cut, but its not prevalent like you would get residually with ear and lesser devises (like torque and TUNEBOT type tuners).

RESOTUNE II is all about accuracy, and that accuracy produces a clean sound.

Expect a learning curve for sure. Anyone not using a RESOTUNE is in the dark ages with their drum tuning. Once spoiled, you'll hear other kits now in a different light, you'll see others tuning methods and missing the point, incomplete, RESOTUNE II give you that power.

 

[john_roberts]

The lug clearing option puts RESOTUNE II over the top. Its not difficult to tun a drum to a note, clearing the lugs to that note is difficult, RESOTUNE II makes it a breeze.

What's the advantage? 'Cleared' the head is in tune with the desired fundamental note, result is clarity. There's still extraneous noise, but its mucho limited, gated really, its gone immediately... it adds cut, but its not prevalent like you would get residually with ear and lesser devises (like torque and TUNEBOT type tuners).

RESOTUNE II is all about accuracy, and that accuracy produces a clean sound.

Expect a learning curve for sure. Anyone not using a RESOTUNE is in the dark ages with their drum tuning. Once spoiled, you'll hear other kits now in a different light, you'll see others tuning methods and missing the point, incomplete, RESOTUNE II give you that power.

Thanks again for the kind comments. It's hard to articulate what is going on technically with a well cleared drum, while we all recognize the sound difference.

Note tuners "tune" just one note resonance associated with each lug's tension, while the drum actually exhibits multiple higher resonances above that lowest one note being tuned. In theory if that lowest (lug) resonance is dialed in extremely precisely all the others will be in tune too, but in practice it isn't that easy.

Perhaps if it was possible to excite and measure (to tune) all the higher note resonances with a note sniffer they could realize better clear quality than they do.

In a well cleared drum the upper resonances are still there, but just the single series of overtone notes, not a cluster of slightly different pitch notes around each overtone caused by the slightly different lug tension, smearing the overall sound.

Like I said easier to hear than describe.

John Roberts

PS: RESOTUNE offers an advanced tuning mode where you can force Tune Lug mode to search up from the current lug resonance and lock into the next higher resonance, then fine tune that. In theory if you used this advanced mode to fine "tune" all the lugs at several higher resonances too. This "could" deliver a more clear drum sound from just tuning, but using the dedicated "clear" mode is better, easier, and much faster.

[Edit] While you can hypothetically tune a drum head finer at higher resonances, and in theory the clear function would be higher resolution too, in fact with multiple full wavelengths in the drum head standing wave it becomes possible to lock onto the wrong phase when clearing... so do not try to use clear mode with upper resonances.... Sorry probably too much information. [/edit]

 

[Les Ismore]

In a well cleared drum the upper resonances are still there, but just the single series of overtone notes, not a cluster of slightly different pitch notes around each overtone caused by the slightly different lug tension, smearing the overall sound.

Exactly how I would have worded it if I really knew what I was talking about. So yes, the high freq sizzle is there, but its friendly, useable, welcome sizzle, and it doesn't hang around long. Its really bloody ace man!

PS: RESOTUNE offers an advanced tuning mode where you can force Tune Lug mode to search up from the current lug resonance and lock into the next higher resonance, then fine tune that. In theory if you used this advanced mode to fine "tune" all the lugs at several higher resonances too. This "could" deliver a more clear drum sound from just tuning, but using the dedicated "clear" mode is better, easier, and much faster.

[Edit] While you can hypothetically tune a drum head finer at higher resonances, and in theory the clear function would be higher resolution too, in fact with multiple full wavelengths in the drum head standing wave it becomes possible to lock onto the wrong phase when clearing... so do not try to use clear mode with upper resonances.... Sorry probably too much information.

OK, me fiddled with this 'advanced' tuning mode on one of my snares, cep't I was in clear mode, Im on it again for tomorrow nights gig!!!

Speaking of gig's, with RT2 folks, you can't wait to get to the gig and show off your exceptionally tuned drums, its a great feeling knowing you're going to sound not just good, but 'near as perfect as you can get' good. No more "What will my drums sound like?" With RT2 tuned drums its comments all night long about how good the drums sound. Fundamental heaven.

I gigged tue night, between songs I asked the bass player to play a C#, while the note was ringing I hit my 10" tom, you should've seen the look on the bass and guitar players faces!!! They didn't know what to think. That alone was worth the $175 I paid for RT2. Yes siree Bob... errr John!

Thx again John! RT2 'is' the holy grail of drum tuners.



.....................................

 

[DrummerPam]

here we go again! I tested and wrote an extensive review of the Resotune II.

http://compactdrums.com/extensive-review-of-resotune-ii/

Comments welcome!

Really nice review! This might be helpful too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjyLy47S4bY

 

[Mcdonap]

So it's been a crazy week, and I haven't been able to play with the RTII as much as I wanted.

I did tune up a couple of drums the first night, and I was able to do a lot more with it today.

My initial reaction was "WOW!!" The first drum I tuned was a 13" tom that's always seemed a little dead sounding to me. When I cleared the drum it just came right to life. It really opened up. My other drums already sounded pretty decent, but when I cleared them... just amazing.

The Clear function is so cool. I really had no idea what to expect, but just like Les said - it just puts the RTII over the top. As you're bringing a lug "clear" from being sharp or flat, the head seems to vibrate louder and sounds like it's opening up. It's really something. Of course, when you're done, the drum just sounds fantastic.

Now, I mentioned in my initial post that I feel pretty confident about my tuning. When I tune tune by ear, my lugs all tap tune right on the money. Lately I've been using a DrumDial to get to a pressure and then use my ears to get everything even. When I used the RTII, I really didn't have to twist any lugs very much at all. (That made me feel like I had done a pretty good job.) However, despite what felt like a pretty tiny adjustment, the sound was like night and day when everything was cleared. In other words, while my tap tuning was pretty darn good... It's just not even close to clear. You really have to experience it to understand it.

I still have some experimenting to do, but I'm really excited about the RTII. I look forward to trying some different tunings. but right now I'm just really pleased with how my drums are sounding!

Thanks to John Roberts for creating it, and thanks to Les - your review was what finally pushed me to buy it.

 

[john_roberts]

So it's been a crazy week, and I haven't been able to play with the RTII as much as I wanted.

I did tune up a couple of drums the first night, and I was able to do a lot more with it today.

My initial reaction was "WOW!!" The first drum I tuned was a 13" tom that's always seemed a little dead sounding to me. When I cleared the drum it just came right to life. It really opened up. My other drums already sounded pretty decent, but when I cleared them... just amazing.

Yes, I've heard this feedback from customers before. When tuning by ear it is impossible to completely dismiss unusual lug tension or account for other mechanical imperfections. RESOTUNE blindly ignores all that to measure just how the drumhead vibrates in place.

It won't magically turn every problem drum into gold, but it will help any drum sound as good as it possibly can for that head combination and physical condition.

The Clear function is so cool. I really had no idea what to expect, but just like Les said - it just puts the RTII over the top. As you're bringing a lug "clear" from being sharp or flat, the head seems to vibrate louder and sounds like it's opening up. It's really something. Of course, when you're done, the drum just sounds fantastic.

Now, I mentioned in my initial post that I feel pretty confident about my tuning. When I tune tune by ear, my lugs all tap tune right on the money. Lately I've been using a DrumDial to get to a pressure and then use my ears to get everything even. When I used the RTII, I really didn't have to twist any lugs very much at all. (That made me feel like I had done a pretty good job.) However, despite what felt like a pretty tiny adjustment, the sound was like night and day when everything was cleared. In other words, while my tap tuning was pretty darn good... It's just not even close to clear. You really have to experience it to understand it.

I still have some experimenting to do, but I'm really excited about the RTII. I look forward to trying some different tunings. but right now I'm just really pleased with how my drums are sounding!

Thanks to John Roberts for creating it, and thanks to Les - your review was what finally pushed me to buy it.

You are welcome and thank you for the kind positive feedback. People wouldn't believe me If I made such claims for my product myself...


John Roberts

PS: Ten years ago when I tried to talk about "clearing" drumheads, independently of note tuning, few understood what I was talking about. In this thread the concept of "clearing" is getting some good discussion.

 

[Mcdonap]

PS: Ten years ago when I tried to talk about "clearing" drumheads, independently of note tuning, few understood what I was talking about. In this thread the concept of "clearing" is getting some good discussion.

I suppose the word "clearing" sounds a bit ambiguous. However, when you are listening to the hum of the RTII and you turn the lug and the head vibrates "clear" and clean, the word makes perfect sense.

About my 13" tom - it's a pre-Yess Yamaha RC. I never really thought anything was wrong with it, but it didn't match the others in sustain. It's mounted on a stand and I was constantly moving it on the post, and moving the other drum that shares the same stand. It seemed ok if it was alone on the stand. Based on that, I was tending to blame it on how it was hanging and the weight of the other drum on the stand, etc. (The other drum never had a problem.) After I used the RTII it just matched everything else, and it wasn't picky about placement. I'm very happy about that.

I guess you do have to be careful about making certain claims. I'm not even sure a YT video could truly capture the sound of a lug going clear with the change in the resonance and all. It would be so effective to take this to someone and let them tune with it, and point out what to listen for. I don't think I picked up on it on the first drum I tuned.

 

[Florian]

Ok, so Ive used the RT2 for about 2 weeks now, and Im getting to the point of being somewhat good at tuning with it. Funny part is, I can tell when the drum is 'clear' by the noise I hear. It is a subtle change from nearly clear, to clear, but I picked up on it right away. I will say my TuneBot was pretty darn close to clear, but as mentioned, the RT2 seemed to dial it in that last bit which took away some of the muddiness.
Fun gizmo, it will be used as my fine tuner.

F

 

[Les Ismore]

Ok, so Ive used the RT2 for about 2 weeks now, and Im getting to the point of being somewhat good at tuning with it. Funny part is, I can tell when the drum is 'clear' by the noise I hear. It is a subtle change from nearly clear, to clear, but I picked up on it right away. I will say my TuneBot was pretty darn close to clear, but as mentioned, the RT2 seemed to dial it in that last bit which took away some of the muddiness.
Fun gizmo, it will be used as my fine tuner.

F

Agree-

TUNEBOT gets you close, but still muddy. A good poor mans alternative to decent tuning.


RTII gets you there, and there's never bf heard clarity. The holy grail of drum tuners. Can do it all. I would've gladly paid more. Not as cheap as TUNEBOT/others, but once again- The holy grail of tuners.


RTII for the win! Who wants to spend time tuning and still not achieve clarity? Hard to understand until you experience said clarity.

 

[WallyY]

Since there are no videos of anything other than one guy twisting a screw and nothing other than that, I'll have to wait until I hear it someday.

It would be nice if the machine was in a few select drum stores for demonstration purposes.

 

[davezedlee]

"one guy twisting a screw"

best. comment.

ever.

 

[Les Ismore]

Since there are no videos of anything other than one guy twisting a screw and nothing other than that, I'll have to wait until I hear it someday.

It would be nice if the machine was in a few select drum stores for demonstration purposes.

Yeah wait till you see it, its not 'as easy' to use right away as a TUNEBOT, but it does produce better results, hence the learning curve, and the more you use it the better you become with RTII.

You could get real good with RTII then charge other drummers to tune their drums, RTII then can make you money. Tell the other drummers its somewhat complicated, more so than a TUNEBOT, but the results are going to be undeniable, they can't get there with TUNEBOT/others. Holy Grail tuning costs money. Studios too, go into a studio, tap on their drums and say "Sorry, these drums are out of tune."