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i cant get a good sound out of my yamaha maple custom kick to save my life?!?


david_d

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I've got an aquarian superkick II on the batter side, and the stock yamaha single ply remo head on the resonant side. My problem is that the sound is too stifled and boxy, it kindof sounds like all you hear is the batter side. How high should I tune each head, and to what relationship should I tune them to each other? I think the problem might be the superkick II, which is wierd cause that's what I use on my rockstar kick, and it sounds great - same kick dimensions and everything... :confused:

 

What heads would you recommend? What's my problem here? The kick sound I'm looking for is kindof like the kick from blind guardian, or rush's tom sawyer - a nice round punchy tone. Thanks a bunch :)

 

dave

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Try having someone else play the drum and listen to the kick from IN FRONT of the kit. A lot of times, due to our ears' proximity to the batter head, all we hear is a lot of slap - the boom of the resonant side is lost due to its projection away from us.

 

Is your resonant side head intact or is it ported? Porting a resonant head will decrease its ability to vibrate, cutting warmth and sustain.

 

Lastly, think about your head selection. Thinking that drums of like dimensions will behave similarly isn't necessarily true. There might be slight differnces in ply configuration or bearing edges that will alter a drum's performance. if you feel the kick is too boxy, that usually means the the heads are inhibited in some way. you may have too much dampening or the heads are tuned incorrectly.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck.

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I have never been 100% happy with the sound of my kicks, but then I am trying to match a processed sound. For years, I was trying to tune the kick too low. Ended up getting more bottom end by tuning a little higher. Patience is the key.

 

I agree with slambang's suggestions.

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As you may know by reading my bio that I play YAMAHA Maple Customs.

 

Because these are very thick shelled drums, they are not near as resonant in the deep low end as many of the thinner shelled kits.

 

IMO, you have a few options to consider, all of them play off of a single ply batter head, rather than a 2 ply. And, they also typically sound best with a full resonant head, or one with a small offset hole. But I'll give you some ideas to consider.

 

Aquarian SuperkickIII Coated batter (clear also works) - tuned up in pitch. Avoid the temptation to try and tune the batter head low, you will lose definition. It does not have to be extremley high in pitch, but tune it up higher than your gut may suggest.

 

Resonant - Evans EQ3 Resonant - ebony - tune very low in pitch, to the point where you have a few wrinkles. Too high and you will get a very hollow high pitched overtone.

 

Pillow - place a light weight pillow against the batter side, just touching the bottom. Do not let it touch the resonant head, unless you want the tone to be dry.

 

Alternates - Batter, Evans EQ4 clear, REMO PS3 - Do not use a patch on any of these for maximum tone.

 

Alternates - Resonant, Evans EQ1 or EQ2 or REMO PS3.

 

The kick is miced best from the outside of the resonant head positioned where the mic face is just about an inch outside the hole facing the impact point of the batter head. An EV RE20 does an excellent job, the AKG D112 doesn't flatter this drum very well. Alternates are the Audix D6, ATM25 or Beta52.

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well, here is the best i can offer. there is so much muffling on the superkick, that is actually decreases the volume. if you want a boomier sound, try something like and evans EQ3. this head gives you nice punch and a good boom too, with no internal muffling. hope this helps

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I keep mine tuned a little low but that kick definitely sounds fuller when tuned up a bit.I use the aquarian super kick clear with a falaam slam.I use the standard resonant head that the set came with.I use a small amount of carpet padding.Never a pillow.I set the padding (typical yellow material) from 8 O'clock to 4 O'clock.

 

I agree that micing the kick just outside the resonant head yields the best tone.I tried micing close to the batter head fron inside the kick and it always sounded bad.No amount of EQing could do anythign for it.

 

And as always,tune new heads ver slowly and methodically.DOn't trust the amount of tension you feel necesarally.I trust my eyes and fingers together when I tune.Not jsut feel alone.

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