LEE5336 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 1:19 PM

I have now got my drum dial. I'm playing around with different tension settings. Only needs small amount of fine tuning afterwards. Although later it may become a paper weight, for now it certainly has aided in my tuning. ;)

guzz1 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 - 4:25 PM

Im buying a drum Dial,

drummer3934 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Friday, Feb 12, 2010 - 2:06 AM

I use both, but I get mixed results with the dial. While it gives accurate readings at each lug, the drum when struck does not sound how I want it too. I look my drums to resonate as much as possible. I found that the drum tension key works the best for me. I tone every lug to the same tension, batter and reso, and get the wide-open, long resonate sound that I like. It's quick and easy, too.

daleebertson Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009 - 9:15 PM

I love my Drumdial but I recently dropped it and thought it was out of calibration or ruined. I found this calibration video at their website and I was able to get my tuner re calibrated pretty easily.

http://www.drumdial.com/calibrate_video.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g953twZb8OE

pdpjake Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009 - 11:58 AM

Im getting a drum dial, Call me a gadget guy!

LEE5336 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009 - 11:21 AM

I do intend to be able to tune by ear, just that not sure the way I'm tuning them is to their best. I was gonna use the drumdial as an aid really. I just spent a day fiddling with the tuning on my toms and I think I have got them roughly where I think they should sound now. Been checking out Billy's Videos on tuning, great help Thanks! Again, appreciate everyone's opinions! ;)

ThatDrummerKid Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Monday, Dec 14, 2009 - 2:02 PM

hmmm I really don't feel the need for a drum dial. I'm sure they may work, but I feel like they are need to tune drums. I feel if you play with the tuning enough, you'll find the sweet spot. I typically tune the bottom head first to the pitch I feel is best for that drum, then I'll go from there with the top head. It's kind of all about making the two heads work together with each other, if they don't, then the drum will sound choked, or just have weird overtones and such.. When the drum is in tune to you, you will know, just by the overall sound, and feel of the drum.. Hope this helps :]

LEE5336 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Monday, Dec 14, 2009 - 11:30 AM

Thanks for all your input guys. Appreciate it.

- - D - - Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Monday, Dec 14, 2009 - 9:48 AM

The drum dial is great for fine tuning, but like king says, it takes longer.

King Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Monday, Dec 14, 2009 - 9:17 AM

The Drumdial is a pretty cool little gadget. It will definitely help you tune your drums faster once you get used to how it works. Like many I've read mixed reviews about it but it really does help you get y our head tensions consistent. To be honest nothing is perfect and it's not going to literally tune the drums for you. Just be sure to document your tensions correctly once you find the sound you like and eventually you'll be able to ween yourself away form it and tune by ear. I've used them and I like it but I learned to tune by ear first so it actually takes me longer to use the Drumdial, especially when using new heads because they stretch so much the first day or so until they settle.

LEE5336 Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 - 12:55 PM

Hi James,
I too struggle with hearing the pitch whilst tuning. Which is why I thought of the drumdial to get me in the right area then fine tune it from there. I have read mixed reviews about it on the internet, have you had any problems with when using it?

Cheers Lee

jamesf Says Re: DrumDial/Tension Watch

Submitted On: Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 - 11:50 AM

Hi Lee!
I use the Drum Dial. The thing I like about it is that I still can tune by the pitch of the drum, but using the Drumdial, I can tighten each lug almost identically with the others. I've always had a problem hearing the pitch differences between lugs, so this is great for me! Once I have all the lugs together, if I want the drum tuned higher (or lower), I can increase (or decrease) each lug's torque just a bit, and all the same amount without having to count the turns, etc.