Newer videos of my drum tuning system

[rotekdrums]

Hello,

A thread was posted for my tuning system around a month ago. Since then I have made new video's and thought I'd share them with those who may not have seen this tuning system before.

http://www.rotekdrums.com/images/i2.jpg

My tuning system is an alternative to the conventional way of tuning drums now and is intended for those who dislike or hate tuning…. mainly the time it takes. Like die cast hoops, my tuning system demands nearly perfect bearing edges for the most precise tuning. People often blame head quality, but perhaps they should look much closer at their bearing edges using the granite slab test. Most of the principles concerning tuning drums like those found in “The drum tuning bible” still apply.

This drum tuning systems will come in either die cast zinc or Aluminum. The drum tuning system in these video’s is made of machined Aluminum and probably the lightest drum you can find.

With that said, here are a few of my newer video’s showing different aspects of this tuning system. The other video’s can be found on youtube using the key word “drum tuning system”.

Batter Head replacement: This video shows how quickly and easily the drum head can be replaced, and basic tuning of the drum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzbWcXEYRD0

Batter and Resonant Head tuning: This video shows that both the batter and resonant heads can be tuned without removing the drum from the tom holder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJs1U5xgLeg

Cam ring adjustment: This video shows how the patent pending lugs allow for any manufacturers head to be used and how to adjust it and tune the drum. And yes they do tension the head evenly once this adjustment is made. If you pretty much use the same brand/model of head, you will only have to do this once.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXpdyLNkDhw

Progressive Tuning: This video uses a Tama Tension Watch to show how progressive and sensitive the tuning is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNJjXekSQ-0

Thanks,
Dave – www.rotekdrums.com

[-TGP-]

Will These Make Me Sound Like Lars!??!?

[Panopticon]

^^^???

[\m/-CHeV-\m/]

Will These Make Me Sound Like Lars!??!?

HAHAHAHA rep'd xD

[Mirror.Circuit]

Does the system add any significant weight to the shell?

[BummerJonny]

as its alminium, i doubt it.

also, almost certainly no more than a RIMS type mount would

[rotekdrums]

Haha,

Well I've been working on improving this system since 2004, and I still don't sound like Lars <g> Though I would say he did inspire me to take up drums in the first place :)

-Dave

[an_original_name]

So am I right in saying that to use this system you have to replace every bit of hardware on your drums?

It looks to me like you've got some sort of mounting system attached to the hardware/drums, but what if I want to use the mounting system I have now? I use the pearl I.S.S mounts which attach directly onto the hoop, and I can tell you right now that they're not going to fit onto your tuning system.

Also, if I was to spend £3000 on a pro level drum kit and had the choice of any hardware I wanted, it certainly wouldn't look like that.

I'm sure the system works perfectly well and I like what your trying to do, I just don't think you've quite got there yet.

T

[Aaron]

I prefer the Yamaha Nouveau Lugs.

[billdrum]

I really like the ability to "tweak" the resonant head tension while playing on the batter head to hear the effect on the drum's sound. These videos are far better and clearer than the last I've seen. The drums in the video do seem to be very resonant sounding.

However, as you tapped around each tension point, it didn't sound like all the points were in tune with each other.

[Mr Pink]

You may have a better mouse trap here........

[rotekdrums]

So am I right in saying that to use this system you have to replace every bit of hardware on your drums?

It looks to me like you've got some sort of mounting system attached to the hardware/drums, but what if I want to use the mounting system I have now? I use the pearl I.S.S mounts which attach directly onto the hoop, and I can tell you right now that they're not going to fit onto your tuning system.

Also, if I was to spend £3000 on a pro level drum kit and had the choice of any hardware I wanted, it certainly wouldn't look like that.

I'm sure the system works perfectly well and I like what your trying to do, I just don't think you've quite got there yet.

T

Thank you for your comment an_original_name,
I know what you mean regading laying down some serious cash for your set and wanting to be able to use your mounts, I have a Tama Superstar kit that has die cast hoops that only work with their mounting system (I upgraded to the aluminum ones).

What I had to do is look at what is commonly available and what I could work with to be as compatible as possible with current drum hardware. Heads are fine, shells are fine, certain mounting systems would work fine as well. Trust me, to keep costs down, I tried to keep as much commonly available components as possible while not negatively effecting the function of my tuning system.

As with anything, when developing something new, if you try to stick too much with the existing components, you tie your hands. For example, the difference between a Model "T" Ford and a new Mustang is staggering, the only thing in common is they both have 4 wheels, are made of steel and share the "Ford" emblem. So, if you tried to make a Mustang out of a Model "T" Ford, the advances in nearly 100 years would be worthless. An even more absurd idea would be to attempt to convert a World War I bi-plane into a modern fighter jet like an F16, if the engineers tried to retrofit and keep what they could, it could never be done and would be ridiculous. At one point you have to wipe the slate and start from scratch to move forward, to coin a phrase "think out of the box".

So with my drum tuning system, for the sake of what I feel is an advancement in tuning drums, I had to change what I felt was necessary to go to the next level. The mounts I have on the prototype in the video's are standard GPI RIMS with 3 holes drilled horizontally to accept rubber grommets I bought from McMaster Carr for $13 (qty 100). Any GPI RIM's knock off (there are many) would work with my tuning system.
Floor toms are no different, I am not building a bass drum, a snare drum has no mounts, so we're only talking about Toms here.

Concerning mounting systems, Pearl has newer mounts (not sure if your I.S.S are what I'm thinking of) but attach to the lug bolts on the batter and resonant hoops, with a very simple adaptor those mounts would work fine and enhance the sound of the drum.

My tuning system is not for everyone, it's not for people happy with how they tune their drums now, or people who just bought new sets and don't want to mess them up. It's mainly for people who hate tuning, people looking to upgrade their existing set and like trying new things, for OEM's looking for something different as an option. In the long term, think 20 years down the road, a 10 year old kid is looking at drums, he can choose a drum set that tunes like my system, or a drum set like we have now. He's never played before, which one do you think he will buy?

[bobby__johnny]

The mounts I have on the prototype in the video's are standard GPI RIMS with 3 holes drilled horizontally to accept rubber grommets I bought from McMaster Carr for $13 (qty 100). Any GPI RIM's knock off (there are many) would work with my tuning system.

like the Gibraltar system. (RIMS knockoff)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibraltar-SCGTS-Suspension-System-Tom-Mount?sku=446161

about $60 for your average 2 mounted tom setup....feel sorry for the guys with a mounted floortom...thats another $40.

(based on a 3 tom setup)



bonus is you can use any company's existing mount bracket on it.

[rotekdrums]

like the Gibraltar system. (RIMS [QUOTE=bobby__johnny;16154935]like the Gibraltar system. (RIMS knockoff)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibraltar-SCGTS-Suspension-System-Tom-Mount?sku=446161

about $60 for your average 2 mounted tom setup....feel sorry for the guys with a mounted floortom...thats another $40.

(based on a 3 tom setup)

bonus is you can use any company's existing mount bracket on it.

Yup, that's about as knock off as you can get to Gauger Percussion's RIM's mounts.

Here are a few more.....
Pulse:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pulse-Pro-RimsStyle-Mounting-System?sku=444639

Gretch, OCDrums, Mapex, DDrum, Taye, Trick all use rim mount systems, some GPI RIMS, some knock off's.

Pearl: In my humble opinion, this is Pearl's improved mounting system, it isolates better and doesn't put unnecessary stress on the drum hoop.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pearl-Optimount-Tom-Mounting-System?sku=448755

The Pearl ISS mount: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/d0cument?cpd=0OEY&doc_id=99371&base_pid=447890&index=0

Tama Starcast Mounting System: http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e297/NickP5/IMG_0350.jpg
The only problem is these only work with Tama Hoops, but they are aluminum and beautiful, I have these on my SuperStar set.

So concerning mounts, the most common and probably best isolated mounting system is the hoop style mounting system. DW's and PDP's are also good since they mount to the lugs. Mine also attaches to the lugs, great isolation!

My modified horizontal mounting system offers even better isolation since very little of the bolt touches the rubber grommet, no matter what angle the drum is. This is an example of function over form.