31 Tips to Get Better Sounding Drums

by Travis Whitmore on 08/01/2011 · 3 comments

Drum Set Studio

A Tip a Day – All in One Place

For the last 31 days, I provided a tip a day to get better sounding drums. Whether in the studio or playing live, I’ve simply compiled a list of things that I’ve learned over the years (along with some special guest authors) to get those drums & cymbals looking and sounding better. To make things even easier for you, I’ve cataloged the entire blog series below. If you’ve followed along last month, thank you! My hope is that these tips will help inspire you to give those drums & cymbals the love and attention that they deserve.

Also, I’ll be compiling and giving away an eBook to all new and existing subscribers. Subscribe here to receive the eBook and monthly updates. Now, go check out the posts and don’t forget to leave your comments. Enjoy!

  1. YOU!
  2. Define Your Own Sound
  3. Cleaning
  4. Bearing Edges
  5. Replacing Batter Heads
  6. Choosing Batter Heads
  7. Refresh the Resonants
  8. Drum Tuning Basics
  9. Seating the Head
  10. Tune to the Drum
  11. Tom Angles
  12. Snare Drum Sounds
  13. Snare Drum Tuning
  14. Replacing & Adjusting Snare Wire
  15. Kick Drum Tuning
  16. Kick Drum Muffling
  17. External Dampening
  18. Cymbals
  19. Drum Stick Choices
  20. Room Sweet Spot
  21. Your Ears
  22. Preparing for the Session
  23. Setting Levels
  24. Consistency (by Kevin Ward)
  25. Basic Mixing
  26. Snare Drum Mixing (by Andrew Riches)
  27. Tape Saturation (by Graham Cochrane)
  28. Parallel Compression (by Joe Gilder)
  29. Panning (by Ryan Ruff)
  30. Editing (by Jon Tidey)
  31. Acoustics & GAS (by Matthew McGlynn)
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  • Jmoldrem

    Just found this site. Refered to me by a new soon to be good friend I came across on line who lives close by. Anyways, lots of cool information. I have a mint circa 1979-9 piece Ludwig, double virgin base, Sabian cymbals… their top of the line and look showroom. It would take alot for me to trade in, up or for anything different! The sound is unreal and have never had them hooked up to “sound” yet. Can’t wait! Mind you, I just purchased them last Christmas for myself. The information on this site will come in handy and help me immensley. Hopefully I will be able to add to that info in the future. Keep jammin’ and start checking out some of the percussionists playing with the newer contemporary Christian music! Not just the drummers either, all of the musicians and artists. Talk about some unreal talent! It has given me a new goal and that is to play music for my Saviour pretty much exclusively. Not a bad way to go? Just glad to be a drummer!

  • Pingback: 31 Tips For Better Sounding Drums By Silverlake Studio « bedroom producers blog

  • http://silverlakestudio.com Travis Whitmore

    Sounds like you’ve got a nice kit there. Thanks for checking out the site!