How To Set Up Your Drums

The drum set is one of the most customizable instruments ever. And while all of that customization can be a lot of fun it can also make it challenging to set up properly where you have good balance and ergonomics as you play. But over the years I've noticed that most working drummers have a very similar set up process that allows us to dial things in consistently and that's what I want to share with you today.

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0:00 Intro
0:58 Start from scratch
1:50 Bass drum
2:23 Bass drum pedal
2:31 Throne angle
4:05 Throne distance
5:30 Throne height
7:20 Hi-hats
9:20 Snare drum
10:41 Kick, snare, hats
12:00 Toms
13:10 Ride
14:23 Crashes
15:28 Outro

[MattButzen]

Another awesome lesson! Seriously Jeff you've got such a fantastic approach to education!
11:15 to 12:00 was especially well done

[just_ppe]

for those with back pain - try to set the throne height so that the hips were above the knees

[ivorjones]

Another fantastic lesson Jeff. How may times have we sat behind a kit and think "how does he play this" Your kit sound beautiful. Think I need some "K's"

[thomasvandecraats]

0:10 that keyboard is really playing with his life right there

[webgraphr]

Thanks for this video Jeff! Ergonomics are key to playing the kit comfortably. Sometimes I set up the kit and can fill strain in certain ways. Thank you for these great tips!

[ericgmanmusic]

What a great lesson! I have been playing for 40 years and I learned some good tips from the video. Thanks!

[TargetHHH]

Drums are a wild journey, i realized a while ago that the kick isnt the center of the kit but the snare is. I have my kick offset to the right, as if im running 2 kicks but its just 1 with a double pedal, I have my rack toms on a stand and running an offset setup, It allows me to open up and play comfortably for a longer period of time. The other way around I felt I was facing offset instead of facing the crowd.

[itoon_]

Thank you so much it's so well explain for a frenchy canadian like me, i have understand it all ♥

[andygusche]

Hey Jeff
thank you for your great videos. You explain the content very clearly.
Greetings from Germany
Bremen🤘🏼😎🤘🏼

[SimplicityForGood]

Nice video! I really appreciate the practical, direct approach—it’s great to see someone who knows how to make things work in real life.

I’d love some advice on my home drum setup ideas. I’m working with a living room that’s about 325 cm tall, 560 cm long, and 396 cm wide. I have blackout curtains, judo mats, and a rug to help with the acoustics. I’m trying to decide between a bop kit with an 18-inch bass drum and 12 and 14-inch toms, or something a bit smaller like the Sonor Safari or Martini kit with a 14 or 16-inch bass drum for a tighter, funkier sound.

Also, what would you recommend for miking? Would a single mic be enough to capture the whole kit, or should I go with something more elaborate?

I’m also considering skipping the acoustic bass drum altogether and using a Roland KD-10 kick pad with 13-inch hi-hats and a good snare, like the LP Banda snare that I personally really enjoyed when testing in the store, then individually miking everything up and using headphones to avoid disturbing the neighbours. But then, what module should I get that is simple and easy to use for someone who hates complicated software and just wants to switch some delay and reverb mostly and maybe the bas drum then if I used a kick pad instead of an acoustic bass drum...

My focus is on improving things like syncopation, backbeats, polyrhythms, and ghost notes for the year ahead. And to add a twist, my old bandmate reached out recently after 30 years asking if I wanna take up drums again and start up the band playing together, so I’m thinking of possibly reviving our band later next year if I manage to develop as a drummer again. 

Funk is my personal favourite, and I love adding that funky twist to any genre.

I’d appreciate any advice from anyone who’s had to make similar decisions!

[kanesanders]

I’ve played for 30+ years and I’ve not thought angling my kick drum like that. I’ll try this to at next weekend’s gig.

[Sundaydrumday]

Cool stuff Jeff, very good information, listen up drummers!

[elcrackengaitos_bs]

Nice video bro.
Btw which are the cymbals used un this video? They sound incredible

[editbyStar]

Hey Jeff, really good video, straight to the point but with the extra details that make the difference. How to tune video would be awesome since your drum sound is amazing. Keep it up!

[pentzzsolt]

Such a great step-by-step process! That little bit at 10:30 must be a Charley Wilcoxon solo, right?

[tripldigitz]

I've heard conflicting advice regarding facing the kick drum. You mention that you will have to twist to reach the floor tom, but always go back to home, when that isn't necessarily true. A lot of grooves are actually played on the floor tom (and ride I guess, considering they're both on the right side), not just fills. That explains why I've been taught to face toward the kick at the cost of attacking the kick pedal at an angle. I guess it comes down to preference, but I wonder if either choice may have certain health risks.

[golflre]

Ty! Newbie, really appreciate this. How much room between the front of the bass and a wall? Does it affect sound?

[Phadddy]

Thanks a lot, I always struggle with the setup, constantly adjusting....
For me the complication starts with a second bass drum pedal, it's either to much under the snare or the HiHat is too far out. Any tips?

[guntherweber]

Great video to set up the drums. Could you make a video of the beat starting 11:40?

[JulianFernandez]

how are you liking the whisper room so far?!