Hi Frasier. Yes, the EC-Reso works well with any style batter but especially the EC-2. The reso develops more focus and denser tone. Keep in mind there's a big difference in regards to sustain and brightness between coated and clear batter heads.
I was talking to my uncle about drummers, and how good some are without showing off, and the first drummer I talked about was Bob. I love to watch him play. And his videos gave my drums a massive improvement.
Those are some sweet sounding drums sir. I'm a bassist and my best friend is a drummer so I have a great appreciation for great sounding drums and drumming. I wish more drummers out there would take your advice and love their reso heads!
Yes. Our orchestral heads are designed for dynamic range (sensitivity) and warmer tone. Whether these characteristics work for you or not is unknown...it's in the "eyes of the beholder". If it sounds to good to you, it sounds good!
Thank you!! My first inspo to play drums was Joe Morello. Frankly, I'm dreamer constantly driven by intuition and the passion to play. I like to think my style is original. However, Drummers I listen to repeatedly are Steve Jordan, Gadd, Vinnie, Dennis Chambers. Ya know, the groovers and the extraordinary... certainly big influences.
Thanks for the fast reply Bob, I appreciate that! As a conga drummer myself I am obsessed with shells, skin and of course tuning issues, so I am somewhat a Latin soulmate of your excellent drumset tutorials.
Bob, the first 50 seconds of this vid made me smile - you hit the nail right on the head, as it were :-) A serious and important topic not many drummers I know take care of - but now they do, I have seen to it!
WOW! I seriously never gave them a second thought until this. Bob you have greatly improved my drum knowledge. You are the best drum teacher when it comes to the craft. I personally like the 7 Mil clear. Its what will make my kit perfect. Thank you Bob. Thank you Evans.
man o man Bob Gatzens tips and videos plus evans drum heads is the best combo ever.... ever since i started watching bobs videos my drums sound a billion times better. so my set with all evans heads now and all the great tips for bob produce the best sound possible!!! Thank you so much Bob Gatzen and evans for being the best!!!
Thanks Jason! I was R&D for Noble & Cooley Drum Company for 15 years and switched to DW 4 years ago. Also, I've been R&D/Endorser with Evans, Zildjian, Regal-Tip, Shure for many years.
Thanks, Bob--great suggestions. BTW, I love your videos and have learned more from them than anywhere on the net. Your style makes the viewer feel comfortable learning and trying new things. Don
At the 2009 PASIC convention we (Evans) set up a Ludwig Vistalite with the new PowerCenter Tom heads. They resemble the sound of the late 70's-80's style Rock drumming. Another combination to consider are the new EC-2SS heads with the Genera-reso or EC-reso(more focus). This combo generates a denser, focused sound. Always "best to test"... try both heads on your 12" drum and decide for yourself before investing into a complete set of heads.
Yes, for sure. The Ec-resos were designed as a "system" in conjunction with the EC-1' & 2's. The resos produce a warmer tone with more focus sustain. They work with any batter style but work particularly well with the EC's.
Bob, I just discovered your videos. Man, thank you so much for posting these. My kit sounds great and I've learned a ton of excellent tuning and drumming tips. Thank you, sir!
Well thank you very much. Bassists and Drummers.... We're very connected you know! I'll never forget playing with a real bass pro, Steve Swallow. I was so intimidated that I was following his every move. Steve turned to me and said, don't ever follow the bass player!!...I'm following you!! Best advice ever in my musical career!!
BIG thanks T! Regardless of the batter head type the EC-reso will generate a warmer, more focused tone. Lower tunings will be more easily achieved. I suggest experimenting on your 12" drum before investing into a complete set of single ply heads.
Woo...one of the first views. Great video bob, you never fail to amaze me with your ideas..... Its because of you that i found the pocket in my drumming..
I generally tune the snare head between an A>B and the batter head between C>Eb. Here is a formula that might help you. Begin by tuning the snare & batter close to the same pitch. Start by tuning both heads to an "A". Than raise the batter a 1/2 step up at a time (Bb,B etc) while listening closely to the variations in sound. You should notice the sound getting changing from a snary-type sound to more of a pitched tone as the batter head is tensioned upwards.
Thank you very much! If your easy on drumheads, I suggest using the EC-reso for both Batter & Reso. This produces a warm sound with great balance in sustain & attack. Shhh...don't tell anyone, It's my new secret weapon. Venting-If the tom has no vent hole, yes. If your adding a second vent keep in mind that venting controls sustain and brightness in tone. The more vents the less sustain & brighter tone.
Bob, As one of your suggestions, I tried the Genera-Reso on my 13" tom which I had a lot of trouble tuning to sound, tone-wise, like the 10" and 12". Boy, am I sold on good resonant heads! It made all the difference in the world combined with the EC2 SST batters. Thanks again for your help and your great videos. Don
Thanks d. The answer is "both" Tuning both heads to the same pitch is the starting point. Best to aim for the lowest possible pitch. Than raising or lowering the pitch of the either the batter or res will shorten sustain. Your job is to figure out which "tuning range" works best for your needs.
Well in this case, you are even more amazing than I thought. Nuff respect. I'm starting out on drums in a nu-soul band (no toms !) and your advices and general views helped me a LOT.
On tuning...the minute I started playing drums I knew how important tuning was to get a great sound and feel from the drums. I was "gearhead" than, and still am... fine tuning race cars was my boogie. Drums... Cars... all the same to me. Thanks for the suggestion Jordan...it's on the list list!
Thank you ! The Evans EC-2/EC reso combo tunes low with good range in volume & projection. The "Hydraulic" batter/EC-reso duo will produce a low "thuddy" tone but with far less volume. Good for miking. Hope this helps
Thank you & you're welcome. Single ply vs 2 ply combos will work so it's a matter of personal preference. Here's are suggestions for "all-around" musical apps. You can learn alot about your kit by using "Like" heads on the toms. Toms- Evans G-1 or G+ clear or coated batter. Reso- G-1 or EC-reso. BD-EMAD 1/Emad reso SNR- PowerCenter/Rd w/Hazy 300 snare. This set-up is a good starting point, especially the toms where you can switch off batters only for new possibilities, experimentation. .
Yes, the Pin is close but with much more dampening and less tuning range. It's always worth a try. If you've always had a problem with this particular drum, I suggest measuring the shell for concentricity and flatness. It could be out of round and/or not having flat bearing edges. You need to eliminate that possibility.
@howycwap The 12" drum is "central" to just any tom configurations. It's the perfect diameter and depth (8x12). With that said I'd tune the 12 where it feel sounds the best to YOU. Than pitch the remaining toms from the 12" vantage point. Here are some basic pitches to get you in the ballpark. Toms- 16"> B-C, 14"> D-Eb, 12"> F-Ab, 10" > C-D and 8” F-G. The 13” is generally happy around an "E". Hope this helps
Cool!! My suggestion was based on your using a different reso head than the batter. However, "Like heads" are all about physical balance and can work very well depending on what you're after. Many years ago we use to double up Pinstripe heads. Tuning range was very limited but at a specific tuning (pitch), they were incredible sounding. Just something to keep in mind when messing with like- heads.
Thanks! Yes I do. Often I de-tune specific drums lending itself to not only a different sound but a different feel. Sound is Feel, Feel is Emotion... is Passion. The formula is SOUND>FEEL>EMOTION>PASSION. They're all connected. Does that make sense to you?
@johngrooves Hi John...not sure if I answered this one... so the answer is BOTH. 1"-2" off each lug provides "equal" tuning. Than striking the center delivers true, actual pitch that the drummers & listener responds to. More often than not the edge and center pitch are not the same.
Without sounding redundant... Toms- EC-2 clears with the new EC-reso heads. It's a good all-around (durable, extended tuning range etc) combination. SNR- Powercenter RD or ECS-RD with a Hazy 300 snare You're very welcome, glad to be of help.
If your referring to sustain, pick up a set of MinEMAD mufflers. If it's errant overtones, it's important to tune with extreme precision in small increments. Tap the center and move each key rod 1/4 turn up then below the original pitch until you find the culprit. It's usually a specific T-Rod that is causing the problem.
I'm addicted to the Evans reso... it centers the sound creating more density in tone. Both work well... gotta find your what works best for you. Test both heads on one of your drums (12") and choose.
@darksymphonybass That's great to hear. You're very welcome from all of of us @ Evans. These are the kind stories that keeps us stoked! Keep up the great work!
@snakeeyes5641 Always keep in mind that pitching toms can vary depending many things... shell design, bearing edges, hoops, head types, suspension system, etc. It's always best for the individual pitches between the reso & batter. It's good practice to do the "pitch" matching system. Here are "general" pitches that are likely to work. 8"- Ab, 10"- Eb, 12"-C, 14"Eb octave lower than 10" & 16-B
Hey Bob! i never thought you had a youtube account! I've been using ur drum tuning videos since they came on VHS and i was 13 years old! These are very nice videos keep them going! Cheers!
Geez Bob, I didn't mean for you to create a video to answer my reso head selection question! :-) All kidding aside, that was a very informative video, well explained and you always put such great thought process into your explanations. I REALLY like that sound of that new head you made and will be picking up 5 to match my new Evans top heads! Keep on keepin' on!
Thanks C! The clear G-1 is the standard but I highly suggest the new EC-reso... it produces a more warm and focused tone. If you want to shorten tone try the "resonant" 6 mil.
Hey bob i love your videos. With your tuning tips my set sounds freakin awesome now. Thakns a lot man. can't finde a better headtuner on youtube as you
Your welcome!Heres a good head combo for aggressive music. TOMS- EC-2 clears or G+s clear or coated For the reso the EC-reso.. BD- EMAD 2/ Emad reso SNARE-PowerCenter/Rd or ECS-RD w/Hazy 300 snare This set-up is a good starting point, especially the toms where you can switch off batters only for new possibilities, experimentation. Evans new EC-reso's work great with any style batter head.
Well thank you very much Diz. I've had good luck with Genera-resos on the rack toms and the EC-reso's on the large diameter )14-16) toms. The new EC2-SST's are wonderful! They represent the next gen of EC's. Please let us know how the new heads pan out
Thanks very much. The reason I asked, is because I'm using the EC-1, and I find the 14 mil film a little too thick. I think a 10 mil version would be perfect. I'd like to thank you once again for all your vidoes. Your tuning tips really helped me get my kit sounding how it should. :)
@1stRogInAz Wow...every one of the 65 videos... you are a trooper!! Thank you! The Rototom was a great invention in regards to quickly and easily changing pitch to match and add tonal qualities to the drum set. Good reminder...I should take mine out again!
If your rack toms are mounted on the BD, best to mount them on a separate stand. Almost, always getting them off the BD will deliver more sustain. Try this, move the 12" drum up and down the L-arm, tap the drum at each location listening for sustain. Also, try flipping the L-Arm upside down and do the same testing procedure Hope this helps, please let us know how you make out.
Yes, "like" heads produce more pitch clarity. If that's what your after. However, the batter head will always dictate the "attack" characteristic. Attack is what we are mostly attuned to. These are sound choices to experiment with that hopefully will lead you to discovering your OWN sound.
12's are usually easy to tune. You might have a problem with the drum itself. I don't suggest putting a used head on the reso side. Also, EC's top & bottom would be very limited in usable tuning range. The cool head combo is the EC-reso/EC-2 Clear
I also had a Catalina Birch kit a few years ago that I put Evans Hydraulic black heads on the resonant side, and coated G1's on the top. Sounded GREAT in the studio! (even though I killed those g1's within a month or two) They sounded nice and fat, with a focused, bright, warm sound. :) So keep in mind, there ARE more options than resonant heads only made for resonance.
I have a couple DW kits. Maple & Birch. The Blue flame is birch. I switch around for variation but right now I'm into the EC-2 Clears / EC-Reso. It's a marriage.. wonderful in my humble opinion. Shortly, I'll shooting a video involving both kits... you can compare that way.
Thank you! Keep in mind that Sound is subjective. Pins are a bit overkill (controlled sound) for shallow drums. I'd experiment with Emperor clears and make comparisons. Evans EC's with the EC reso would be a good Pin replacement but again for a more opened sound G-2 clears or better yet G+ coated are good choices. I'd experiment with 2-3 different head types on your 12" drum before investing into a complete set. MY boogie is, if it sounds good to you...it's a GOOD sound!
@johngrooves There are 2 basic tuning techniques. 1. "SPECIFIC" tuning by striking approx. 1-2" of each key-rod while MUFFLING the opposite head. 2. "OVERALL tuning by mount the drum on the stand and use the same procedure but with both heads vibrating. There are vids demo'ing this procedure on the channel. Hope this helps B
@TheBabyball there are 2 choices...Evans G2 Clear and EC2SST. The EC's will provide more definition but if your use to Remo 2-ply heads you might find the Evans more "musical" sounding. I suggest trying both Evans heads on your 12" tom before investing into a complete set of tom heads. Hope this helps
@dwsnare Genera-resos/ EC2 SST combo works well on the smaller diameter drums(8-12"). If you after more focus on the large drms try the EC-reso SST. My favorite BD combo is EMAD2 / Emad-reso. However, currently I'm into dual-miking system by eliminating the "vented" reso head. Killer sound! The set-up is... EMAD2 SST clear batter/ EQ 1-Coated (reso) with an EQ pad inside drum not touching the heads. If you desire less sustain, simply place the EQ pad against the batter head. Hope this helps J
My mic set-ups vary depending on what I'm recording. I endorse Shure Microphones so here's one of my set-ups BD-SM91 inside/KMS 32 04 44 Outside SNR- SM-Beta 57 top / KSM 137 Bottom TOMs- SM 98 on rack toms / KSM 44 on 14&16" Overhead- (2) KSM 44's or (1) VP-88 If your on a budget SM 57's are a inexpensive, a standard in the industry. I prefer the "Beta- 57's for their extended dynamic range. Hope this helps, Bob
I'm so glad you said there's no good, bad, better, or worse. I am obsessed with the tuning in my drums but I don't like dampening. Love the EC reso but I just didn't like the sound as much. Thanks again Bob! Love the vids!
No, haven't gotten to that yet, but good suggestion. Currently, I'm working on a CD project where I have 2 kits with 3 different mic set-ups. So it's crossed my mind, thanks for the reminder.
Depends on the project. When I recording I'll switch heads to create the right sound for the cut. However, I like the feel of 2-ply BD heads so I generally use the EMAD 2 or EQ3. Snare heads are always changing Genera Dry, ECS-RD, Powercenter-RD and J-1's are some of the possibilities.
Hang rugs on the wall areas, throw rugs that can be adjusted on the floor. Purchase foam absorbing material and construct a simple panel that can be positioned around and in close proximity of the drum set. In other words cover hard resonant surface areas. Take a close look in the background of my videos. This is how I converted my basement into a studio on a "dime".
@eddieyervinyan I agree...2 ply reso & batter goes way back in time when Remo introduced the Pinstripe head. Sound is subjective... if it sounds good to YOU... it's a good sound... period! Thanks for giving us the tip Eddie!
@TheDrHopeless Great message... thanks Josh! Reso head are a bit tricky. Do your best to tune them equally at each t-rod to a single overall pitch. Play the drum and experiment by raising and lowering the reso head pitch. This way, you'll find a particular sound that works for you. You'll know when you hear it!
Yes, the black reso head will shorten tone somewhat. I'd experiment with the EC-reso as well. It enhances low frequencies. Also, the EC-2 "Coated with the EC-reso might satisfy your taste. It's hit or miss with this stuff...gotta experiment
Turn the drum over and release the snares. If you see any of the snare wires out of alignment with the others than it's time to replace the snares. It only takes 1 stray wire requiring more tension to make the snare seat to the head. Additional snare tension is what chokes the drum.
@TheFreakynator Always my pleasure to help out fellow drummers... I understand how difficult it is to become expertise in tuning. Just keep listening, singing and above all dabble with a secondary instrument like Piano or guitar. One day, Eureka!! It'll hit you... clear as a bell! Bob
Single ply vs. 2-ply heads are purely personal choice. I like the feel of 2-ply heads combined with the denser, more focused sound it produces. If your after a more open tone the EQ-1 clear or coated ganged up with the EC-reso or EQ3-reso will produce a more open, wider sound then the 2-ply format. There's only one way to know what works for you...EXPLORE>DISCOVER>CREATE!
Mic placement is crucial. Best to experiment with proximity and angles. For instance, there's a big difference between a mic 6-8" away from the front bass drum head facing "directly" into the head versus angling the mic 20-30 degrees left or right.
The Evans EC-2 clear and the EC-reso. We just released a new version of the EC's. You can tell the difference by the rings being black instead of silver. The EC's work great on the 16" drum. You may want to experiment with the Genera-reso and the ec-reso heads.
LOL when Bob demos the reso heads showcasing the new ec-reso each demo is mounted on the tip of the stand but the ec-reso demo is mounted more fully or all the way down the rod. This can make a difference in the quality of a drum's resonation. Still, we are lucky to have Gatzen. He's the guru and has taught so many so much; a fountain of truth.
General rule is the thicker the shell the more sound is "head dependent". This doesn't necessarily mean single-ply heads work best. I suggest testing a variation of heads on your 12" tom. This way you can make your own judgement in what works best for you. I'd test a G-1 clear, G+, G2 clear and the EC-2 clear. It's a worthwhile investment
Thanks D! Originally, the EC-1 was a 10 mil. Many suggested durability was an issue. The 14 mil version has it's merits that many drummers embrace. But yes, it is not mainstream. We are working on alternatives as we speak. The film-hunt is a complicated endeavor.
Thanks Nicholas. Pick up an Evans EC-2 Clear for your 12" drum and give it listen before investing to a complete set of heads. Also, the G-2 has become a standard over the years. Good tunability and durability.
The 20-wire "Blasters" are best for all around music styles. A new revised EMAD reso is in the works. The new version solves the foam ring problem. The G+ was designed for single ply head lovers looking for more durability. The ECS-RD is still the best choice for high powered performance
The EC ring is the same. The key to this design is in the film itself having more give (elasticity). So yes, you could use the EC-Reso as a batter but don't expect much durability from it. Perhaps for special occasion, like a recording session
Hi Frasier. Yes, the EC-Reso works well with any style batter but especially the EC-2. The reso develops more focus and denser tone. Keep in mind there's a big difference in regards to sustain and brightness between coated and clear batter heads.
I was talking to my uncle about drummers, and how good some are without showing off, and the first drummer I talked about was Bob. I love to watch him play. And his videos gave my drums a massive improvement.
Those are some sweet sounding drums sir. I'm a bassist and my best friend is a drummer so I have a great appreciation for great sounding drums and drumming. I wish more drummers out there would take your advice and love their reso heads!
Yes. Our orchestral heads are designed for dynamic range (sensitivity) and warmer tone. Whether these characteristics work for you or not is unknown...it's in the "eyes of the beholder". If it sounds to good to you, it sounds good!
Thank you!! My first inspo to play drums was Joe Morello. Frankly, I'm dreamer constantly driven by intuition and the passion to play. I like to think my style is original. However, Drummers I listen to repeatedly are Steve Jordan, Gadd, Vinnie, Dennis Chambers. Ya know, the groovers and the extraordinary... certainly big influences.
Always a pleasure to receive a message like yours.. it's what keeps me motivated. Keeping drummers drumming is my mission
I really appreciate that. It's comments like yours that motivates me. Good to know I'm helping drummers out
Thanks for the fast reply Bob, I appreciate that!
As a conga drummer myself I am obsessed with shells, skin and of course tuning issues, so I am somewhat a Latin soulmate of your excellent drumset tutorials.
Bob, the first 50 seconds of this vid made me smile - you hit the nail right on the head, as it were :-)
A serious and important topic not many drummers I know take care of - but now they do, I have seen to it!
WOW!
I seriously never gave them a second thought until this.
Bob you have greatly improved my drum knowledge. You are the best drum teacher when it comes to the craft. I personally like the 7 Mil clear. Its what will make my kit perfect. Thank you Bob. Thank you Evans.
man o man Bob Gatzens tips and videos plus evans drum heads is the best combo ever.... ever since i started watching bobs videos my drums sound a billion times better. so my set with all evans heads now and all the great tips for bob produce the best sound possible!!! Thank you so much Bob Gatzen and evans for being the best!!!
Thanks Jason!
I was R&D for Noble & Cooley Drum Company for 15 years and switched to DW 4 years ago. Also, I've been R&D/Endorser with Evans, Zildjian, Regal-Tip, Shure for many years.
Thanks, Bob--great suggestions. BTW, I love your videos and have learned more from them than anywhere on the net. Your style makes the viewer feel comfortable learning and trying new things.
Don
Thanks Bill. The coated EC's are significantly drier, short sustain, warmer tone. Can be very nice for close miking
At the 2009 PASIC convention we (Evans) set up a Ludwig Vistalite with the new PowerCenter Tom heads. They resemble the sound of the late 70's-80's style Rock drumming. Another combination to consider are the new EC-2SS heads with the Genera-reso or EC-reso(more focus). This combo generates a denser, focused sound. Always "best to test"... try both heads on your 12" drum and decide for yourself before investing into a complete set of heads.
Yes, for sure. The Ec-resos were designed as a "system" in conjunction with the EC-1' & 2's. The resos produce a warmer tone with more focus sustain. They work with any batter style but work particularly well with the EC's.
Bob, I just discovered your videos. Man, thank you so much for posting these. My kit sounds great and I've learned a ton of excellent tuning and drumming tips. Thank you, sir!
Thanks very much. It makes me feel good that the work is working for drummers. That's my mission!
Well thank you very much. Bassists and Drummers.... We're very connected you know! I'll never forget playing with a real bass pro, Steve Swallow. I was so intimidated that I was following his every move. Steve turned to me and said, don't ever follow the bass player!!...I'm following you!! Best advice ever in my musical career!!
BIG thanks T!
Regardless of the batter head type the EC-reso will generate a warmer, more focused tone. Lower tunings will be more easily achieved. I suggest experimenting on your 12" drum before investing into a complete set of single ply heads.
Woo...one of the first views. Great video bob, you never fail to amaze me with your ideas..... Its because of you that i found the pocket in my drumming..
I generally tune the snare head between an A>B and the batter head between C>Eb. Here is a formula that might help you.
Begin by tuning the snare & batter close to the same pitch. Start by tuning both heads to an "A". Than raise the batter a 1/2 step up at a time (Bb,B etc) while listening closely to the variations in sound. You should notice the sound getting changing from a snary-type sound to more of a pitched tone as the batter head is tensioned upwards.
Thank you! Looks like you guys are having fun... it's what we all need right now.
Thank you very much!
If your easy on drumheads, I suggest using the EC-reso for both Batter & Reso. This produces a warm sound with great balance in sustain & attack. Shhh...don't tell anyone, It's my new secret weapon.
Venting-If the tom has no vent hole, yes. If your adding a second vent keep in mind that venting controls sustain and brightness in tone. The more vents the less sustain & brighter tone.
Bob,
As one of your suggestions, I tried the Genera-Reso on my 13" tom which I had a lot of trouble tuning to sound, tone-wise, like the 10" and 12". Boy, am I sold on good resonant heads! It made all the difference in the world combined with the EC2 SST batters. Thanks again for your help and your great videos.
Don
Great head combo. Now that's inspiring! Discovery..it's a beautiful thing! Thanks for writing N
Thanks d. The answer is "both" Tuning both heads to the same pitch is the starting point. Best to aim for the lowest possible pitch. Than raising or lowering the pitch of the either the batter or res will shorten sustain. Your job is to figure out which "tuning range" works best for your needs.
Well in this case, you are even more amazing than I thought. Nuff respect. I'm starting out on drums in a nu-soul band (no toms !) and your advices and general views helped me a LOT.
On tuning...the minute I started playing drums I knew how important tuning was to get a great sound and feel from the drums. I was "gearhead" than, and still am... fine tuning race cars was my boogie. Drums... Cars... all the same to me. Thanks for the suggestion Jordan...it's on the list list!
Thank you ! The Evans EC-2/EC reso combo tunes low with good range in volume & projection. The "Hydraulic" batter/EC-reso duo will produce a low "thuddy" tone but with far less volume. Good for miking. Hope this helps
Hi jan, you are very welcome. Keep the success stories coming. Not just for me, for all us drumheads!
Absolutely, I designed them for myself. 2 Models called "BG" Maples and "BG" Hickory. Very unique sticks. They are listed in Calato's on-line catalog
Thank you & you're welcome. Single ply vs 2 ply combos will work so it's a matter of personal preference. Here's are suggestions for "all-around" musical apps.
You can learn alot about your kit by using "Like" heads on the toms.
Toms- Evans G-1 or G+ clear or coated batter. Reso- G-1 or EC-reso.
BD-EMAD 1/Emad reso
SNR- PowerCenter/Rd w/Hazy 300 snare.
This set-up is a good starting point, especially the toms where you can switch off batters only for new possibilities, experimentation. .
I have a large format console so my "sub-mixer" is the Mackie.
It measures 17x17" 16 inputs 8 line outs and (2) Stereo outputs.
Thanks Bob, I can't wait to get some new drumheads to try out a new sound or two.Keep up the good work!
Great video and it is so true. A friend of mine hasnt changed his reso heads in 12 years or so.
Thanks you! We are showing them next week at the NAMM Convention. Best guess is 30-60 days to hit the streets. You could write Evans and ask.
Yes, the Pin is close but with much more dampening and less tuning range. It's always worth a try.
If you've always had a problem with this particular drum, I suggest measuring the shell for concentricity and flatness. It could be out of round and/or not having flat bearing edges. You need to eliminate that possibility.
Thanks Bob! You have so much knowledge...I'm going to try the G1s tomorrow on my 12"
My room kit is set-up with the G+ and EC-reso. The reso works beautifully with all batter styles
You welcome J. Both actually. I like the attack characteristic of 2 ply heads and of course that translates to the feel of the pedal as well.
Wow... an oldie but goodie and from Venuzuela no less. Good to hear from you... thanks!
@howycwap The 12" drum is "central" to just any tom configurations. It's the perfect diameter and depth (8x12). With that said I'd tune the 12 where it feel sounds the best to YOU. Than pitch the remaining toms from the 12" vantage point. Here are some basic pitches to get you in the ballpark.
Toms- 16"> B-C, 14"> D-Eb, 12"> F-Ab, 10" > C-D and 8” F-G. The 13” is generally happy around an "E".
Hope this helps
Cool!!
My suggestion was based on your using a different reso head than the batter.
However, "Like heads" are all about physical balance and can work very well depending on what you're after. Many years ago we use to double up Pinstripe heads. Tuning range was very limited but at a specific tuning (pitch), they were incredible sounding. Just something to keep in mind when messing with like- heads.
Thanks! Yes I do. Often I de-tune specific drums lending itself to not only a different sound but a different feel.
Sound is Feel, Feel is Emotion... is Passion. The formula is SOUND>FEEL>EMOTION>PASSION. They're all connected. Does that make sense to you?
@johngrooves Hi John...not sure if I answered this one... so the answer is BOTH. 1"-2" off each lug provides "equal" tuning. Than striking the center delivers true, actual pitch that the drummers & listener responds to. More often than not the edge and center pitch are not the same.
Without sounding redundant...
Toms- EC-2 clears with the new EC-reso heads. It's a good all-around (durable, extended tuning range etc) combination.
SNR- Powercenter RD or ECS-RD with a Hazy 300 snare
You're very welcome, glad to be of help.
That's great! thanks, I really enjoy messages like this. makes me feel like we're making headway.
Thanks C... Just luv it when things work out!
Awesome intro! Great info! It's definitely time for me to change my resos. Thanks, Bob
If your referring to sustain, pick up a set of MinEMAD mufflers. If it's errant overtones, it's important to tune with extreme precision in small increments. Tap the center and move each key rod 1/4 turn up then below the original pitch until you find the culprit. It's usually a specific T-Rod that is causing the problem.
I'm addicted to the Evans reso... it centers the sound creating more density in tone. Both work well... gotta find your what works best for you. Test both heads on one of your drums (12") and choose.
@darksymphonybass That's great to hear. You're very welcome from all of of us @ Evans. These are the kind stories that keeps us stoked! Keep up the great work!
@snakeeyes5641 Always keep in mind that pitching toms can vary depending many things... shell design, bearing edges, hoops, head types, suspension system, etc. It's always best for the individual pitches between the reso & batter. It's good practice to do the "pitch" matching system.
Here are "general" pitches that are likely to work.
8"- Ab, 10"- Eb, 12"-C, 14"Eb octave lower than 10" & 16-B
Hey Bob! i never thought you had a youtube account! I've been using ur drum tuning videos since they came on VHS and i was 13 years old! These are very nice videos keep them going! Cheers!
Geez Bob, I didn't mean for you to create a video to answer my reso head selection question! :-) All kidding aside, that was a very informative video, well explained and you always put such great thought process into your explanations.
I REALLY like that sound of that new head you made and will be picking up 5 to match my new Evans top heads! Keep on keepin' on!
Thanks joe...really appreciate your taking the time to say that
Thanks C! The clear G-1 is the standard but I highly suggest the new EC-reso... it produces a more warm and focused tone. If you want to shorten tone try the "resonant" 6 mil.
Hey bob i love your videos.
With your tuning tips my set sounds freakin awesome now. Thakns a lot man. can't finde a better headtuner on youtube as you
Your welcome!Heres a good head combo for aggressive music.
TOMS- EC-2 clears or G+s clear or coated For the reso the EC-reso..
BD- EMAD 2/ Emad reso
SNARE-PowerCenter/Rd or ECS-RD w/Hazy 300 snare
This set-up is a good starting point, especially the toms where you can switch off batters only for new possibilities, experimentation. Evans new EC-reso's work great with any style batter head.
Well thank you very much Diz. I've had good luck with Genera-resos on the rack toms and the EC-reso's on the large diameter )14-16) toms.
The new EC2-SST's are wonderful! They represent the next gen of EC's. Please let us know how the new heads pan out
Thanks very much.
The reason I asked, is because I'm using the EC-1, and I find the 14 mil film a little too thick. I think a 10 mil version would be perfect.
I'd like to thank you once again for all your vidoes. Your tuning tips really helped me get my kit sounding how it should. :)
I know how you feel. I had a long stint with both Simmons and Dynacord. I was really into electronic drums when they originally hit the US market.
@1stRogInAz Wow...every one of the 65 videos... you are a trooper!! Thank you!
The Rototom was a great invention in regards to quickly and easily changing pitch to match and add tonal qualities to the drum set. Good reminder...I should take mine out again!
If your rack toms are mounted on the BD, best to mount them on a separate stand. Almost, always getting them off the BD will deliver more sustain.
Try this, move the 12" drum up and down the L-arm, tap the drum at each location listening for sustain. Also, try flipping the L-Arm upside down and do the same testing procedure
Hope this helps, please let us know how you make out.
Yes, "like" heads produce more pitch clarity. If that's what your after. However, the batter head will always dictate the "attack" characteristic. Attack is what we are mostly attuned to. These are sound choices to experiment with that hopefully will lead you to discovering your OWN sound.
12's are usually easy to tune. You might have a problem with the drum itself. I don't suggest putting a used head on the reso side. Also, EC's top & bottom would be very limited in usable tuning range. The cool head combo is the EC-reso/EC-2 Clear
Right now I'm into the new ECS-RD ... tons of character. It produces a signature "crack" and "pop" sound on just about any drum.
I also had a Catalina Birch kit a few years ago that I put Evans Hydraulic black heads on the resonant side, and coated G1's on the top. Sounded GREAT in the studio! (even though I killed those g1's within a month or two) They sounded nice and fat, with a focused, bright, warm sound. :) So keep in mind, there ARE more options than resonant heads only made for resonance.
I have a couple DW kits. Maple & Birch. The Blue flame is birch. I switch around for variation but right now I'm into the EC-2 Clears / EC-Reso. It's a marriage.. wonderful in my humble opinion. Shortly, I'll shooting a video involving both kits... you can compare that way.
Thank you!
Keep in mind that Sound is subjective. Pins are a bit overkill (controlled sound) for shallow drums. I'd experiment with Emperor clears and make comparisons.
Evans EC's with the EC reso would be a good Pin replacement but again for a more opened sound G-2 clears or better yet G+ coated are good choices. I'd experiment with 2-3 different head types on your 12" drum before investing into a complete set.
MY boogie is, if it sounds good to you...it's a GOOD sound!
@johngrooves There are 2 basic tuning techniques. 1. "SPECIFIC" tuning by striking approx. 1-2" of each key-rod while MUFFLING the opposite head. 2. "OVERALL tuning by mount the drum on the stand and use the same procedure but with both heads vibrating. There are vids demo'ing this procedure on the channel.
Hope this helps
B
@TheBabyball there are 2 choices...Evans G2 Clear and EC2SST. The EC's will provide more definition but if your use to Remo 2-ply heads you might find the Evans more "musical" sounding. I suggest trying both Evans heads on your 12" tom before investing into a complete set of tom heads. Hope this helps
@dwsnare Genera-resos/ EC2 SST combo works well on the smaller diameter drums(8-12"). If you after more focus on the large drms try the EC-reso SST.
My favorite BD combo is EMAD2 / Emad-reso. However, currently I'm into dual-miking system by eliminating the "vented" reso head. Killer sound! The set-up is... EMAD2 SST clear batter/ EQ 1-Coated (reso) with an EQ pad inside drum not touching the heads. If you desire less sustain, simply place the EQ pad against the batter head. Hope this helps J
My mic set-ups vary depending on what I'm recording.
I endorse Shure Microphones so here's one of my set-ups
BD-SM91 inside/KMS 32 04 44 Outside
SNR- SM-Beta 57 top / KSM 137 Bottom
TOMs- SM 98 on rack toms / KSM 44 on 14&16"
Overhead- (2) KSM 44's or (1) VP-88
If your on a budget SM 57's are a inexpensive, a standard in the industry. I prefer the "Beta- 57's for their extended dynamic range.
Hope this helps,
Bob
I'm so glad you said there's no good, bad, better, or worse. I am obsessed with the tuning in my drums but I don't like dampening. Love the EC reso but I just didn't like the sound as much.
Thanks again Bob! Love the vids!
No, haven't gotten to that yet, but good suggestion. Currently, I'm working on a CD project where I have 2 kits with 3 different mic set-ups. So it's crossed my mind, thanks for the reminder.
Little did I know, I've been going through life as a resonant drum head......good stuff Bob.
Depends on the project. When I recording I'll switch heads to create the right sound for the cut. However, I like the feel of 2-ply BD heads so I generally use the EMAD 2 or EQ3. Snare heads are always changing Genera Dry, ECS-RD, Powercenter-RD and J-1's are some of the possibilities.
Hang rugs on the wall areas, throw rugs that can be adjusted on the floor. Purchase foam absorbing material and construct a simple panel that can be positioned around and in close proximity of the drum set. In other words cover hard resonant surface areas.
Take a close look in the background of my videos. This is how I converted my basement into a studio on a "dime".
Well thank you very much Don! I'm going to forward your letter to Evans. This is the kind of stuff we like to hear and share.
Bob
@eddieyervinyan I agree...2 ply reso & batter goes way back in time when Remo introduced the Pinstripe head. Sound is subjective... if it sounds good to YOU... it's a good sound... period! Thanks for giving us the tip Eddie!
@TheDrHopeless Great message... thanks Josh! Reso head are a bit tricky. Do your best to tune them equally at each t-rod to a single overall pitch. Play the drum and experiment by raising and lowering the reso head pitch. This way, you'll find a particular sound that works for you. You'll know when you hear it!
Yes, the black reso head will shorten tone somewhat. I'd experiment with the EC-reso as well. It enhances low frequencies. Also, the EC-2 "Coated with the EC-reso might satisfy your taste. It's hit or miss with this stuff...gotta experiment
Turn the drum over and release the snares. If you see any of the snare wires out of alignment with the others than it's time to replace the snares. It only takes 1 stray wire requiring more tension to make the snare seat to the head. Additional snare tension is what chokes the drum.
@TheFreakynator Always my pleasure to help out fellow drummers... I understand how difficult it is to become expertise in tuning. Just keep listening, singing and above all dabble with a secondary instrument like Piano or guitar.
One day, Eureka!! It'll hit you... clear as a bell!
Bob
Single ply vs. 2-ply heads are purely personal choice. I like the feel of 2-ply heads combined with the denser, more focused sound it produces. If your after a more open tone the EQ-1 clear or coated ganged up with the EC-reso or EQ3-reso will produce a more open, wider sound then the 2-ply format. There's only one way to know what works for you...EXPLORE>DISCOVER>CREATE!
Mic placement is crucial. Best to experiment with proximity and angles. For instance, there's a big difference between a mic 6-8" away from the front bass drum head facing "directly" into the head versus angling the mic 20-30 degrees left or right.
Love your videos, Bob! I'd sounds like I was playing cardboard boxes and coffee cans without your tips!
The Evans EC-2 clear and the EC-reso. We just released a new version of the EC's. You can tell the difference by the rings being black instead of silver. The EC's work great on the 16" drum. You may want to experiment with the Genera-reso and the ec-reso heads.
LOL when Bob demos the reso heads showcasing the new ec-reso each demo is mounted on the tip of the stand but the ec-reso demo is mounted more fully or all the way down the rod. This can make a difference in the quality of a drum's resonation. Still, we are lucky to have Gatzen. He's the guru and has taught so many so much; a fountain of truth.
General rule is the thicker the shell the more sound is "head dependent". This doesn't necessarily mean single-ply heads work best. I suggest testing a variation of heads on your 12" tom. This way you can make your own judgement in what works best for you. I'd test a G-1 clear, G+, G2 clear and the EC-2 clear. It's a worthwhile investment
Thanks D!
Originally, the EC-1 was a 10 mil. Many suggested durability was an issue. The 14 mil version has it's merits that many drummers embrace. But yes, it is not mainstream. We are working on alternatives as we speak. The film-hunt is a complicated endeavor.
Can't say enough about the reso's... it's a breakthrough product. Great combo with the 2's
It goes both ways. I've always enjoyed sharing. Thanks T
Thanks Nicholas.
Pick up an Evans EC-2 Clear for your 12" drum and give it listen before investing to a complete set of heads. Also, the G-2 has become a standard over the years. Good tunability and durability.
The 20-wire "Blasters" are best for all around music styles.
A new revised EMAD reso is in the works. The new version solves the foam ring problem.
The G+ was designed for single ply head lovers looking for more durability. The ECS-RD is still the best choice for high powered performance
The EC ring is the same. The key to this design is in the film itself having more give (elasticity). So yes, you could use the EC-Reso as a batter but don't expect much durability from it. Perhaps for special occasion, like a recording session
As always, thanks Mapex. Always from the heart!
ya the different tensions on different parts of the drum shell really changes the sound