Rotekdrums Tuning System Demo

[billdrum]

Don't know if this has been posted here before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yyRPKdXWCg
http://www.rotekdrums.com

Another single point, retro-fit tuning system for drums. Seems to use a threaded, rotational method of tightening the hoop/head. I wonder if one of these type systems will ever catch on? The video shows a quick head change. FYI and discussion.

[bobby__johnny]

seems interesting to say the least.

i'd like to see some higher quality video. sound, but not bad for a quick handycam demo

[Chippy569]

hmm. interesting. don't think i'd want that bulky slotted plate thing all over my drum though.

[billdrum]

It would seem that the system would add a bit of bulk to your drum, with the added hoop(s) and the bracket thingy. Especially if you had it on the bottom too.

[Chippy569]

i dunno. for me, there's the "standard" tuning system, and the only advancement its come across was the Arbiter system.

http://www.amsterdamdrumshow.com/2003/1977A1.jpg




http://namm.harmony-central.com/Newp/WNAMM98/Arbiter/at.html
the rotekdrum system is practically a copy of the arbiter, but uglier and less efficient.

[billdrum]

It's going to take a major drum manufacturer to completely switch to one of these systems in order for it to be considered anything more than gimmicky.

[The Mites]

It might catch on with toms, but never with a snare drum.

EDIT: Just watched the video... Wow... That was stupid... I don't see the point? The amazing thing about Arbiter was that it got rid of the need for lugs meaning there was only one hole in the drum shell, that being the vent.

[Panopticon]

i still like that other one i posted a while ago...same idea but a lot less bulky...and you can also fine tune specific lugs.

After watching the vid...it looks like you have a limit to how high you can tune it. I don't like that:p

[Kainen]

oh gawd. I wish my kit had an arbiter tuning system. I loathe tuning drums. Mostly because i've never been good at it.

[rotekdrums]

I ran across this forum by accident in a search in google for my website.

I thought I'd chime in since it's my tuning system being discussed.

Concerning weight, this system is made of machined aluminum, the 3 main components including the inner hoop, rotator and cam ring weigh less than a single die cast hoop.

Concerning the need for lugs, a MAJOR drum company that is well respected said drummers would miss lugs. The lugs on this drum actually serve a purpose, the cam ring can be raised and lowered to accomodate differnt brands of heads, Remo, Aquarian, Evans etc. There is only one bolt per lug so the contact area on the shell is quite small. My other version is a full floater and uses no lugs;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoQF9_xTROs

Concerning how high it can be tuned, there is no real limit besides what you can stand, it can easily be used as a snare drum and a prototype is in the works.

And the plate with the holes, either people love it (say it looks like brass knuckles) or hate it. I plan on having the plate detatchable. Other actuators are in the works.

I built this tuning system before I ever saw Arbiter's, I found his while doing my patent search. Though both of ours rotate (which makes perfect sense) they are quite different. For Arbiter fans, this is a great site showing the Arbiter systems;
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/autotune/autotune_tuning.html
Ivor Arbiter had two systems, he's since passed away, it's too bad he didn't get to see that people still like his system.

I respect Arbiter for being innovative and going against the grain and taking a chance.

Thanks

[Mr Pink]

There is sometime about tuning a drum and playing drums that should never mimic opening a jar of pickles. And for the love of God is that a Rogers Swivomatic double tom mount???

[Drum Phil]

I see a major flaw in these systems.

Drum heads arent always perfect. Meaning you'll have inherent pitch changes around the head that you cant fix.

[billdrum]

Thanks for posting, Rotekdrums. The debate will rage on forever about the merits of your system (and similar ones). I don't ever see it replacing mainstream lug style drum tuning systems, but I applaud you for trying to create a system that works. Good luck with it and keep us updated here on future developments!

[Drum Phil]

Indeed. The only flaws i really see in the system arent actually anything to do with the system itself, but in the actual drum heads.

[rotekdrums]

There is sometime about tuning a drum and playing drums that should never mimic opening a jar of pickles. And for the love of God is that a Rogers Swivomatic double tom mount???


The mount is a GPI RIMS mounting system, they've been around for a long time, they are made of aluminum and are the original hoop mounts. They have been modified and mount horizontally.

Funny, "pickle jar"..... what about peanut butter?

[rotekdrums]

BillDrum and Drum Phil, good comments.

The head quality is indeed important, not all heads are created equal. I've had very good luck with Remo and Aquarian heads. The most important, no.... absolutely critical is the bearing edges. My drum's bearing edge was trued up after being put on a granite slab and worked until no light (or paper) could be slide between it and the drum shell's bearing edge. Every single drum should have this work performed.

I stretch the heads very tight, then back it off and bring it up to tune, I'll have a new video showing how even the tensioning is.

Again, thanks all for looking and your posts.

Cheers!

[hey]

theres no limit to how high the head can be tuned, that slotted plate on the side is just to get some leverage when turning the hoop. you could go tighter if you can get that way.

[Drum Phil]

Unfortunately, until heads are created perfectly, this system will be very hit and miss.

[rotekdrums]

Just responding to a few items. Hey is right, the plate is for leverage, and since you are replacing 6 to 8 lug bolts, it requires allot of force. Thanks for pointing that out Hey....

Concerning heads, the quality has come a long way and has allowed systems like mine to actually work. Remo heads have the reputation for the glue popping, and Aquarian for staying put.

In the video link below, I'm removing and reinstalling an Aquarian head. Other video's I use a Remo heads, both are excellent.
There is no commentary in the video below, but as I tune the drum, I tap around the head to show how even the tension is. I've done allot of testing over the last 4 years, have 4 different prototpyes and if the bearing edge is flat at the surface that touches the head it tunes up evenly.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzbWcXEYRD0

With this system, drummers still need to learn how to tune, if the batter and resonant heads are not in tune with eachother the drum doesn't sound it's best.

So my point is bearing edge quality is more of a problem these days than heads. I challenge anyone to put their drum shell on a piece of granite or plate glass and shine a light on the inside of the shell. If you see light through gaps at the bearing edge, this is something you can fix to immediately improve the sound of your drums. My system requires nearly perfect bearing edges since the hoops are perfectly flat and rigid.

Thanks,
Dave
www.rotekdrums.com