Mason Blake
Tom-toms, or simply toms, are percussion instruments that are typically played with drumsticks. They are often used for drum fills and solos within songs, adding rhythmic complexity and enhancing dynamic contrasts in music. The sound produced by a tom-tom varies based on several factors, including the tension of the drumheads, the striking position, and the drum size. For example, striking the centre of the drumhead will produce a deeper, fuller tone compared to striking near the edge, which results in a higher pitch. Additionally, the room in which the tom-toms are played can also influence their perceived sound due to factors such as the presence of reflective surfaces and the amount of dampening in the space.
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What You'll Learn
Tuning and pitch control
Toms, a type of drum, typically have two drumheads (top and bottom) held in place by tension rods or lugs, which allow for tuning and pitch control. The sound produced by a tom varies depending on the tension of the drumheads, the striking position, and the drum size. Striking the drumhead near the edge produces a higher pitch, while striking the centre yields a deeper, fuller tone.
To tune your toms, adjust the tension rods on each drumhead. This technique, known as dual-tension tuning, was refined in the 1930s and enables independent pitch adjustment of both heads for optimal sound control. When tuning, start by stretching the head with the heel of your hand, then tighten it twice around to get an even starting point. From there, fine-tune each lug, usually with less than a full twist all around.
The room you play in can also affect the sound of your toms. The materials in the room, such as the floor, walls, and ceiling, will impact the resonance and how you perceive the sound. For example, a room with a poured concrete floor will create more reflection and affect the overall sound.
To reduce unwanted resonance, you can try dampening techniques. Avoid over-dampening, as it can kill the character of the drum. Instead, use light dampening materials such as tea rags or large handkerchiefs or tape over the drumhead. You can also place items inside the tom, such as cotton balls or tape, to reduce resonance without affecting the sound too much.
Additionally, consider the size of your toms when tuning. Larger toms tend to have a lower fundamental frequency range, while smaller toms, like rack toms, provide mid to high-pitched tones. The tuning and pitch control techniques you use will depend on the specific sound you want to achieve and the musical context in which the toms are being used.
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Room acoustics
To optimize room acoustics, it is essential to consider early reflections and bass room modes, especially in small rooms. Early reflections are the sound waves that bounce off surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furniture, reaching your ears shortly after the direct sound from the speakers. These reflections can either enhance or degrade the sound quality, depending on their timing and amplitude. Bass room modes, on the other hand, refer to the buildup of low-frequency sound waves in small spaces, which can result in uneven bass response and muddy sound.
To address these acoustic challenges, various room correction technologies and software are available. For instance, Dirac Live employs Active Room Treatment, enabling speakers to work together to correct each other and manipulate the spatial qualities of the system. Anthem Room Correction (ARC) and Audyssey's MultEQ system are other examples of room correction solutions that optimize speaker performance and enhance the listening experience.
Additionally, proper sound isolation techniques can improve room acoustics by preventing sound leakage and reducing noise disturbances. This can be achieved through the strategic placement of acoustic treatment materials, such as sound-absorbing panels, bass traps, and diffusers, which help control sound reflections and improve overall sound clarity.
To further optimize room acoustics, tools like the Room EQ Wizard (REW) offer measurement and analysis software. REW helps users identify the best locations for speakers, subwoofers, and listening positions to ensure optimal sound distribution and immersion. By utilizing calibrated USB microphones and analog measurement microphones, REW provides comprehensive data to fine-tune the acoustics of any listening environment.
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Muffling and dampening
One simple method of muffling a drum is to use tape, such as gaff tape, painter's tape, or masking tape. By applying tape to the drumhead, you can add extra mass, making it harder for the drum to resonate. This technique can be used on both the batter side and resonant head of a drum. Additionally, tape can be combined with other muffling techniques, such as placing a cloth or towel over the drumhead, to further reduce resonance.
Another popular option for muffling and dampening is to use specialised products designed for this purpose. Drum rings, also known as O-rings, E-rings, or drum muffler rings, are placed on the drumhead to reduce overtones and create a more focused, punchy sound. Moongels, a type of drum dampening gel, can also be applied to the drumhead to reduce ringing and control higher frequencies. For snare drums and toms, the Aquarian Focus-X drumhead features an inlay ring with holes that help reduce ringing while maintaining a good amount of sustain.
If you're looking for a more cost-effective solution, you can create your own DIY muffling rings by tracing and cutting them out from a sheet of poster board. You can also experiment with placing everyday items inside your drums to reduce resonance. For example, placing a few cotton balls inside a tom can dampen the sound by absorbing and reducing the vibration of the resonant head.
Additionally, some drummers choose to use pillows or heavy sandbags to muffle their drums. Placing a pillow inside a bass drum, for example, can help control resonance and sustain by adding mass to the drum. Similarly, hanging a heavy sandbag on the legs of a floor tom adds mass and pushes the drum more firmly into the floor, dissipating energy more quickly.
It's important to note that while muffling and dampening can help shape the sound of your drums, overdoing it can lead to a loss of character and tone. Finding the right balance between reducing unwanted noise and preserving the desired sound is crucial to achieving the perfect drum mix.
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EQing and compression
When EQing toms, it is important to first tune them well and ensure proper mic placement during recording. The fundamentals of rack toms are typically in the 200-500Hz range, with larger toms having lower fundamental frequencies. To remove the boxy sound and reduce ringing, cut the middle frequencies around 400-600Hz. For a thicker sound, start cutting at 300Hz and sweep along the mids. To add richness or remove boominess, boost or cut floor toms around 70Hz or above. Boosting or cutting rack toms around 350Hz can add body or remove muddiness. To bring out the stick-on-skin crack, boost floor toms around 5kHz and slightly higher for rack toms.
Compression is used to make the toms more powerful and punchy. It is recommended to EQ before compressing to ensure the natural sound of the drums comes through. For compression, set a medium attack (20-30ms) to preserve the initial transients and allow the attack to come through before the compressor clamps down. Adjust the compressor's attack time to maximize the tom's attack and add punchiness. Set the ratio to around 6:1 to increase the power without introducing an excessive compression sound. Aim for 3-6dB of gain reduction on the loudest hits to control dynamics without making the sound lifeless. If more control is needed, bus compression or parallel compression can be used.
Additionally, consider using a dynamic EQ to reduce bleed and maintain the natural ring of the toms. To create a vintage '70s tom sound, use a high pass at 90Hz, +4dB at 220, +4dB at 4.5kHz, and +6dB at 7kHz. For a huge, pumped-up sound, dynamic compression is essential. If the toms are only used in hard-hitting fills, crank up the threshold to ensure they are heard.
By following these EQing and compression techniques, you can achieve a powerful and punchy tom sound that complements the rest of the drum kit and enhances the overall impact of the song.
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Playing techniques
Playing tom-toms typically involves using drumsticks, although some genres may use mallets or hands to create unique sound effects. The sound produced by a tom-tom varies based on several factors, including the tension of the drumheads, the striking position, and the drum size. For instance, striking the drumhead near its edge produces a higher pitch, whereas striking the centre results in a deeper and fuller tone.
To achieve the desired sound, drummers can adjust the tension rods on each head, a technique refined in the 1930s with dual-tension tuning. This tuning method enables independent pitch adjustment of both heads, providing optimal sound control. Additionally, the room's acoustics can significantly impact the perceived sound of the toms. The materials in the room, such as the floor, walls, and ceiling, can create reflections that affect the overall sound.
When it comes to mixing toms, there are several techniques to enhance their sound. One common issue is the "boxy" or "honky" sound that occurs around 600-900 Hz. To address this, use a narrow Q to boost and find the exact spot to cut, eliminating the unwanted frequencies. Cutting at 600 Hz can help remove boxiness specifically. Additionally, cutting the mids at around 300 Hz and sweeping along can make the toms sound thicker, creating more room for the lows and highs to stand out.
To create a thundering tom sound, follow these steps:
- Cut the middle frequencies first to make way for the complimentary lows and highs.
- Add more lows to achieve a thicker tom sound, adjusting the frequency based on the drum size.
- Sprinkle with highs to add attack and enhance the overall sound.
- Use compression to make the sound more powerful, ensuring that the attack of the toms comes through before the compressor clamps down.
- Adjust the ratio to amplify the power of the toms—a ratio of 6:1 will add power without the sucking sound of excessive compression.
- Crank up the threshold if the toms are used in hard-hitting fills to ensure they are heard clearly.
- Apply individual short reverbs to each tom to further increase their power.
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Frequently asked questions
The sound produced by toms varies based on the tension of the heads, the striking position, and drum size. Striking near the edge of the drumhead produces a higher pitch, while striking the centre yields a deeper, fuller tone. The room you are playing in will also affect the sound of the toms.
To EQ toms, you need to cut the middle frequencies first and then find the complementary lows and highs. Cut the mids at 300 Hz and sweep along the mids until the toms start sounding thicker. Then, add more lows to get a thicker tom sound. Finally, sprinkle with highs to add attack to the toms.
To mix toms, you need to use compression to make them sound more powerful. Set your compressor to your drums and adjust the parameters. Use a medium attack so that the attack of the toms comes through before the compressor clamps down on it. Set the ratio to around 6:1 to bring up the power of the toms without sucking the sound.
