beginner tips/advice/help

I been in band for 5 years now mostly concert music + pep band. I also play piano + mess around with the guitar. I recently got a 6-piece pearl export fusion

after getting it I realized I would have to tune it and in that 5 years of percussion never tuned a single drum in my life. After watching lots of videos of tuning + reading many site including the somewhat famous tuning bible I still have only tuned the bass and snare but not to the sound I want just to a place where it doesn't sound absolutely terrible I think I just have to play around with it a little bit more. The toms are a different story I have 8 10 12in toms and I think a 16in floor tom that attaches to my cymbal stand. I can't get any sound out of any of these things. I will be playing lots of styles but if I had to choose one it would be rock/alt. Alright theres the intro/background.

Cymbals - I have a budget of 200 USD plus. I looked at the sabian B8 pack hats crash + crash/ride. But am thinking of getting the cymbals a step or 2 above that. Suggestions?

Toms - as I mentioned I cant get any desirable sound out of these. Could some one tell me how to get a sound with little "echo"? When you tune the batter head up what does it do? vice versa with the resonant, down same tightness? Some one needs to explain this to me with out using words like timbre attack and overtones words I don't completely understand yet.

Thanks, Sorry for being so long hopefully you read at least half of it.

First of all, welcome pirata!!

What I would suggest is taking a few lessons. It makes a world of difference with someone showing you how to tune a drum right in front of you rather than watching it on video. My teacher had me bring in one drum each week. It made a huge difference. It will also help with your terminology problem. FWIW, try tuning the reso side slightly either higher or lower than the batter side and see which you like. I'd probably start with your smallest tom first. Figure out what you like then do the same with the others.

As for cymbals, if you can afford the next step in cymbals, I would. I made the mistake and regretted it. Go to a local shop and bang on a few until you find what you like. If you stick with the beginner packs, from what I hear the B8's are better than the other beginner packs.

Are the stock heads still on that kit, or are the heads on there beat to #$%& ?

I say this because that "bible" is damnear foolproof, as are the methods of tuning ... I can't understand what you're missing. Start slow, get the lugs even.

This is answered in the "bible" ...

If you still don't understand what's going on, do as BroadST suggests and have someone (perhaps someone in the band?) show you how.

I will agree with this and BroadSt. Stock batter heads are hard to tune right.

The tighter the head, the higher the pitch will go on the drum and higher the ring. You want equal tensions on each side. A lot of people tighten the resonant head a little higher then the batter, a few tighten it lower.

Another thing is to stretch the head well before tuning if the heads are new. Tighten the head pretty tight (Tighten each lug really tight but DON'T crank on her like crazy)

While Pushing your hand down lightly and then loosen all the lugs and tune. You will hear a "little" cracking and popping sound as you tighten which is normal.

Tuning drums is kinda like drumming itself. It takes practice and time. So keep working at it and yes have someone show you in person. A band teacher, a music store person etc. Is like watching all the tapes about drawing and then one time with an artist. Good luck!