Ep. 16 How to Tune a Floor Tom

Not surprisingly, floor toms are a different beast in comparison to rack toms when it comes to tuning. The depth of the drum affects the relationship between batter and reso heads and the alternative mounting system alters how the drum moves.

In this episode, we provide an overview for basic tom tuning with a 14x14" floor tom with an Evans UV1 batter and Evans G1 coated reso. Keep an eye out for a detailed videos on achieving specific tom sounds with various head and tuning combinations in the future.

Drum Used: Precision Drum Company 14x14" Maple 8-lug w/Die cast hoops on top and bottom
Batter Head: Evans UV1
Reso Head: Evans G1 Coated

Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media

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Sounds Like a Drum is a CADENCE INDEPENDENT MEDIA production

[SmugSuspenders]

"Tuning Iraq Tom" - the new award-winning drama from HBO

[BamPlan]

love some good middle of the road head

[sdoijhadaoskdjfasokd]

I really appreciate how these videos are really thorough without being pretentious or long-winded. Props to the entire team over there and thanks for the good content!

[abbdrums]

Just found this channel a couple days ago and was instantly hooked. Love what you guys are doing here 👌🏼

[macvoutie]

It is so refreshing to see someone who not only knows what he's talking about but who is articulate in his presentation. There's so many instructional videos that seemed to be geared at an audience of 15 year old crack heads with lots of money. No lame metal track in the background, no clown trying desperatly to be hip, just a guy relating his experiences and what works best for him in the hope it might help somebody looking for answers. Thank you.

[rhythmista]

I never had a kit with die cast hoops, and very quickly realized that you don't tune a drum with die cast hoops the same way as you would one with triple flange hoops. Drums with die cast hoops are lot more sensitive and begin to tune up with just a tiny hair of a turn of the tension rod. It's a lot more work, but the upside is that they stay in tune longer. I hope you guys feature a segment with the difference in tuning between die cast and triple flange hoops. Once again, awesome lesson !

[CHABIEPORTNOY]

You literally taught me how to tune my tom from rock to jazz

[tomsmith]

These are without a doubt the best drum tuning videos on YouTube!

[davidlehnert]

I think it’s hilarious that for most of my drumming life I have played with my floor tom tuned to “growl”. I have recently purchased a TAMA Starclassic Bubinga kit and have tuned it more “properly” to give a fuller tone. I’m glad that there are videos like this that explain the tuning I used to do and encourage a different approach that gives a more sustainable sound.

[michaelinglis]

The first time i watched this video years ago i noticed you checking the head pitch by striking the head near the edge. Right after i saw that i started doing it and it was a big "ah ha" moment for me lol. It makes it so much easier to hear the pitch of just the head you are striking. I'm primarily a guitar player (over 20 years now) but i picked up drumming about eight-ish years ago and this channel has been very helpful in my journey. Even the videos ive seen already i periodically come back to cause theres often at least one or two things i missed previously. Anyways, thanks for making such helpful content!

[AddiKolb]

Great video guys! I’ve been playing drums for roughly 7 years and I learned so much watching your videos! Great stuff, and me and I’m sure many other drummers really appreciate what you guys are doing here!

[MartinBellamyMBDrums]

Great advice on not needing to crack the head when putting new drum heads on. I've always thought that's what you do! Saves a step!

[AlmostReady]

Need to hear more of it once it is tuned. I'd like to be able to hear the pitch and see what kind of rebound you are getting.
My problem is achieving the low pitch I'm after. I get absolutely no bounce back from the stick.
I sacrifice just about all rebound.
It seemed like that's the trade-off and you can't have it both ways. But you are showing you CAN and without much if any internal or external muffling.
This is a great Channel, thank you

[mikedehaan]

Thank you for showing that last one. I've been having trouble with my floor tom and couldn't figure out what was going wrong. You hit the nail on the head with the Doppler comment.

[Rogersdrumvideos]

continue to be the best drum content on the internet hands down...
... and I love that someone "thumbs downed" the video ... as if Cody is not spitting absolute diamonds ... hilarious

[quirkyfunguy]

MAN I wish I found this channel a long time ago. Great work

[alext]

I must say that as a non harmonic expert but drumming for several decades,
I recently finally found my way with using fingers + drum dial (circular balance between lugs) + tunebot (final pitch tuning) + ear combination for tuning my toms and I just achieved
really pleasing sound on almost any drums I encounter. Takes time and might sound like a geeky thing but really efficient way.
Great video as usual! You have a much sharper ear than me :)

[bubinga_basher]

For the 1st time in my life I went to a single ply batter. UV1 coated over G1 on Starclassic Bubinga. WOW!!! I'm going to be using the UV1 batter heads a whole lot more!

[GordonBagshaw-GBEnglishClass]

you have the coolest opening musical intro for a drum talk video. right down to the sound of sticks falling on the floor. LOL. I really like your final tune. I might go slightly tighter on the batter head in the end result. that being said, I really enjoyed your content here. following you now.

[murakumo]

thanks for this video. i was havin a issue with my floor tom making the ton you had at the very end and it helped me figure out why i couldnt get it tuned right.