For best projection I tune both heads to the same pitch. If I want a pitch-dive when I hit it, I'll tune the top a third higher than the reso. For up-bend in pitch, tune batter a third lower than reso.

John

Tune both the same....

Then tighten the reso up a semi note..(@ 1/6 turn on each lug )..!

i seem to get the best out of tuning the batter side opposite key till my ear is happy thats the way of it....for me anyways

bottom head tighter than the top head remo emperor coated on top ambassador coated on bottom

That's how I tune my toms, but I use a coated ambassador on top. I'm only asking this because I heard somewhere that Steve Maxwell tunes all the kits on his videos the opposite, with the top head tighter than the bottom. The kits he shows off on youtube all sound great, so I was wondering if this was a better method.

try it and see what works for you ?

I think my batters are tuned a little tighter on my 12's as compared to the reso side. I know its dialed in when I can feel a certain little punch when playing the tom. hard to explain. its just there or not.

mike

Not hard to explain at all :confused:. We all know when it's dialed in right when it sounds right. That "certain little punch" Mike describes, or the "sweet spot" is usually heard when you dial in the resonant frequency of the drum; NOT the resonance of the shell itself, but the primary resonant frequency of the 8x12" cylinder (377.3 hz to be precise). Tune your toms to their primary resonant frequency and they suddenly become alive, louder and more pure sounding (less overtones). This is great for rock (and orchestras) but lousy for jazz. Jazz usually wants higher, faster pitches. So again, it really all comes back to what sounds right for your ears.

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A note on all this talk about tuning your reso heads either up or down a third, remember that your audience is hearing primarily the sound coming off the reso heads. So go ahead and spend an hour fine tuning your drums sitting behind the kit, but then stand twenty feet in front of your drums while someone else hits them. You may be surprise by what you hear and wonder why they suddenly sound so different. :2Cents:

Mike

great stuff there mike.

mike