Finding someone to tune drums?

[into the white]

As a college student who is away from the bulk of his recording setup most of the year, school breaks don't really give me too much extra time to play around with setup. The main thing holding back my recordings so far has been getting the drums tuned right. I know I'd be better off learning how to tune on my own, but at the moment I'd rather spend the minimal time I have actually recording. So with that said, is it reasonable or even possible to find someone to set up the kit? I'm not a drummer, and though my drummer is quite good at the drums, he's never been too great at getting his kit to sound as good as possible. Any suggestions on where to find a drum tech in the Massachusetts area?

[nandoanalog]

The thing about drums (and most instruments), is that depending on your playing stile they go out of tune rather quickly.
For a light jazz drummer, they may maintain their tuning for a whole concert or more. For a super heavy rock drummer, they may go out of tune in 1 take.
So, he better learn how to tune his instrument. Besides, how will you look when ppl come to know that you can`t tune your own instrument?

[dnaflr2]

Maybe sit down with someone once to visually get the concept, then learn and do yourself. Drums will often have to be tuned after each session, and of course whenever you are trying to get different tones. See link below, and how to's at drum head manufacturer sites like Evans, Remo- they go thru the head seating process and tuning.

Drum Tuning Bible-
Drum Tuning Bible

[dontfearthringo]

If anyone here ever needs lessons in drum tuning, just holler.

I am astonished at how much money people sometimes give me to do this for them.

I will be more than happy to show you everything I know- if you're willing to make a trip to our studio, we'll give the nickel tour AND teach you to tune drums.

Pigpen Studios is in Athens, GA.

[JohnRoberts]

+1 on the Prof sound link

Here is another basic tuning (actually clearing) link. ******//www.peavey.com/media/pdf/misc/drumtuning.pdf

I have a paper on my web site discussing the various resonances in and between drum heads on my "about drums" page.

Here is link that may be a little too technical/ Acoustics and Vibration Animations

And for even more technical analysis check out the book "Science of Percussion Instruments" by Thomas D. Rossing for a broad technical discussion of several different types of percussion instruments.

JR

[CB_Photo]

Originally Posted by into the white

...I know I'd be better off learning how to tune on my own, but at the moment I'd rather spend the minimal time I have actually recording...

I don't think it's wise to skip learning how to properly tune your instrument. If, for example, during your recording session you don't like the tone or resonance of a drum, what are you going to do? Call your official drum tuner buddy? If so, how much do you pay for such service?

If you are hired to lay down drum tracks in a studio, then you only add value by being able to properly tune your instrument.

[drumzealot]

Put up an ad in your school's music department.
Ask the person to teach you how to tune while they do it.

[Denny McNerney]

if you's like to read about it, this is a great resource:

******//www.tadrums.com/tad_book.htm