I always tune by ear and use a free piano app on my iPhone to replicate what I have deemed to be "proper" pitch for a given drum in a given genre. However, when I have worked as a tech on festival dates, I think a DD would be most handy as it is very difficult to hear to tune when there is a live band on stage. I would just have to convert my target pitches to DD tension readings. Thanks for the post Purdie.

"" I couldn't believe that I had achieved that level of accuracy using just my own ears.""

Bet that put a smile on your Dial...

Sounds like "the Ears have it"

Cheers

lj - I was expecting my own tuning to be all over the place. I've been banging on drums and sitting in between amplifiers for decades. I didn't think I could hear all that well any more. So, yes, I was really surprised to see how dead-on accurate my 'tuning by ear' was. Not bad for an old coot! Still, it's a useful tool in terms of being able to replicate a certain tuning by repeatedly using the same tympanic pressure numbers over and over - if that's what you want to do.

Scott - You wrote: it is very difficult to hear to tune when there is a live band on stage. I would just have to convert my target pitches to DD tension readings.

That's actually one of the selling points they mention in their promo's! You can use the DD in any noisy environment and trust that you'll be well inside the ball park even if you can't hear what you're doing because of ambient noise. Perfect tool for you!

John

I've never used or bought a Drum Dial/Tension Watch device for the reasons you mention. While I can see the usefulness in a noisy environment, the reasons you mention are valid. Trust Your ears!

Not sure the device can help find a drums "sweet spot", but my experience has shown things like changing tuning, head combination, isolation mounts, plastic washers, etc. can all improve a drums sound and projection once you find that spot.

well guys when i was drumming in the 60's they had no stinking drum dials who needs technology anyways i have always done as the rest of us geezers here by EAR

"Learn to trust your ears" Of course! Learn to tune your bloody drums!

BUT they are brilliant little devices. Of course in the privacy and silence of your own house, or in a studio you should be able to tune your drums by ear. But if your setting up your drums in public where its noisy or they don't want you to make hardly any set up sound, or side of stage at a festival or a club where the band before are on, or do a speedy head change between sets you can whip around with the dial to check your levels are in balance. Brilliant. I certainly recommend them.

DD to get in the ballpark. Then tune by ear. Immense time saver. I used my DD today, and tuned both heads of a snare drum in less than ten minutes.

/Magnus

Drum Dials and Tension Watches are just tools. They weren't meant to replace the ear, nor should an aged seasoned drummer have to rely on such tools. There is a place and certain situations where these tools shine. In the basement of a seasoned drummer is definitely not top of the list. Backlines, studios, the homes of guitarists and keyboardists (haha), and young drummers learning their craft ... to name a few.

And guitar tuners are for drummers? ;)

/Magnus

That's pretty much where I've settled in with it. Use it to get me in the ball park, then rely on my own ears for fine tuning. It is a labor saver though, I'll give it that.

A lot of drums and kits pass through my hands each year, having this DD will cut the time in half that I spend swapping out and tuning heads! Now I have my tumbler for parts and my DD for tuning. If I can assemble enough of these time saving devices, the drums will detail and repair themselves when I get them! LOL

John