im wondering what people think on putting tape and tissues on the heads to make them sound better. is it necessary, does it work, who does it. and for what reason.

smirnoff180 wrote:

im wondering what people think on putting tape and tissues on the heads to make them sound better. is it necessary, does it work, who does it. and for what reason.

is it necessary? no, people might do it to muffle the drums a little bit. some people don't like the drums to resonate as much. tape and tissue does not really sound like a great idea to me, i use moongel to muffle my drums. there are other products made for this same purpose. i think pro mark has something called drum gum, i could be wrong though.








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I used to do that with my Sonors..I would use a little tissue and tape it down near the edge of the drum...I use to use clear single ply heads and it worked great, but if you do that make sure you use tape that doesn't leave residue cuz you need to take it off to tune them...It was good for playing smaller venues while miking the toms..it's cheaper too, and you can make them any size you want...I didn't use much per tom tho..Really I like to just roll up a little tube of tape and put it right under and behind where the mic goes...Best bet is to not use anything if you can...Just my opinion..!!








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I used to do that all time but nowaday's I don't use anything to muffle them live.
In the studio I'll still go back to the tape if it's needed for miking but that's the only time








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Sneaking into the lives of strangers and letting them fall apart to a new rhythm just to feel better

get some moongels, they work nicely.

It's an old studio trick. Tampons, pads, cigarette packs, wallets, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, terry cloth towels, and many other things have been taped to drums in the name of getting "that sound" to hit the tape.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

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Potatoe Snack wrote:

get some moongels, they work nicely.

Absolutely. I only use em' recording though. Live I play everything wide open. The only muffling is the ring on my EMAD on the kick. Moongels are also reusable and won't leave nasty sticky residue on your heads like tape often can.

Now a days everything can be controlled. New drum heads. Playing with a new technique, having AMAZING control over the dynamics and your kit.
The studio can do wonders now with sound levels too. I have never used that on my heads. But good idea. I suppose.








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SGarrett wrote:

It's an old studio trick. Tampons, pads, cigarette packs, wallets, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, terry cloth towels, and many other things have been taped to drums in the name of getting "that sound" to hit the tape.

ive tried many things. i would suggest moongel or o-rings... but tampons, cigarette packs and wallets? wouldn't that make ur drums sound completely dead?








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EOTE_drummer wrote:

SGarrett wrote:

It's an old studio trick. Tampons, pads, cigarette packs, wallets, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, terry cloth towels, and many other things have been taped to drums in the name of getting "that sound" to hit the tape.

ive tried many things. i would suggest moongel or o-rings... but tampons, cigarette packs and wallets? wouldn't that make ur drums sound completely dead?

Yes and that was the point. MoonGel hasn't been around forever.








_________________

Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

I don't see the point of buying moongels if you can just use a piece of duct tape. It worked for most of the masters like Jeff Porcaro.
I tried without it for the longest time, but recently, I tried it on my larger toms(14 and 16) and they sound a lot better.
When I tune, I get the optimum resonance for the drum and head so they still resonate like crazy. It just focuses the sound alightly. I would only use one piece of duct tape near the edge or maybe 2 or 3 squares of toilet tissue or one kleenex ripped in half.
I think moongels deaden the drum and change the feel but tape or tissue/tape doesn't.
I remember Weckl saying that he's been using a ring on his snare for a long time but he started going back to tissue/tape because the drum opens up more.
I definately think a floor tom sounds better with it.

drumur wrote:

I don't see the point of buying moongels if you can just use a piece of duct tape. It worked for most of the masters like Jeff Porcaro.
I tried without it for the longest time, but recently, I tried it on my larger toms(14 and 16) and they sound a lot better.
When I tune, I get the optimum resonance for the drum and head so they still resonate like crazy. It just focuses the sound alightly. I would only use one piece of duct tape near the edge or maybe 2 or 3 squares of toilet tissue or one kleenex ripped in half.
I think moongels deaden the drum and change the feel but tape or tissue/tape doesn't.
I remember Weckl saying that he's been using a ring on his snare for a long time but he started going back to tissue/tape because the drum opens up more.
I definately think a floor tom sounds better with it.

I agree with this..I have noticed that when I roll up a short to long tube of tape (depending on the size of the drum) it will move with th head better than moon gels and they don't go flying off ....For some reason moon gels fly off my drums ..Never the less I like not using anything, but as the heads get older and loose their nice open sound then it seems the bad tones overtake the good ones so then I'll use the tube of tape method..Go to my myspace URL below and watch the picture trail and you'll see a back view of my kit and you can see the tubes of tape on the heads..just put the curser on the pic when it comes around and click it..it will stop and you can see them...that was a smaller venue so I used them there..!!








_________________
Not into all that competetive who's better crap..Just love to have fun when I drum..!! <|:O)

www.myspace.com/70275304

muter rings work for me, they kill the overtones and produce a smooth note. moongels are okay..but they just kinda quiet the overtones, they dont give you that nice pure tone like muters do. but i try to stay away from tape and tissues and stuff, just for the look of it. ive tried it but i like the sound i get with what i use, and the look is much better. although the wallet on the snar thing...rocks. thats the greatest/








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Yamaha Stage Custom
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If necessary, I'll take a small piece of gaffers tape and place it near the outer edge. Not the whole piece, just enough to kill the unnecessary vibrations, and the unused remainder sits on the counter hoop.
I haven't tried MoonGel, but as someone else pointed out, tape works just as well, at least that's my assumption. I used to like O-Rings- about 15 years ago, but hate them now for giving drums an unressonant thud.








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drumur wrote:

I don't see the point of buying moongels if you can just use a piece of duct tape. It worked for most of the masters like Jeff Porcaro.
I tried without it for the longest time, but recently, I tried it on my larger toms(14 and 16) and they sound a lot better.
When I tune, I get the optimum resonance for the drum and head so they still resonate like crazy. It just focuses the sound alightly. I would only use one piece of duct tape near the edge or maybe 2 or 3 squares of toilet tissue or one kleenex ripped in half.
I think moongels deaden the drum and change the feel but tape or tissue/tape doesn't.
I remember Weckl saying that he's been using a ring on his snare for a long time but he started going back to tissue/tape because the drum opens up more.
I definately think a floor tom sounds better with it.

i dont know about duct tape....electricall tape is perfect for the heads because they leave little or no residue, and if they do, you can simply use windex and it will leave no mark