I've used a Drum Dial with decent success. It helps put me in the right range and then I fine tune from there. It's worth the money. You can find them used for cheaper.

I use the Tama tension watch, it's metric measurement, and more accurate than the drum dial, been using one for 15 years will never go back to the old way, to slow, I know the values I want to use on each particular drum take the head to that particular tension and your ready to play.

I love my Drum Dial......it works great! I may look into the TAMA tuner since Mr VintageMore said it is even more accurate, I am curious. I am sure we can all agree that it does take WAY too long to do it properly by ear, even though I'm old school. This is a very convenient tool.Party

Found the drum dial on CL for $35, we will see. the other thing I was reading about is the fact both bottom and top heads should be in harmony with each other, should both heads be tuned to the same number? or should one be tighter than the other??? I'm still trying to get the snare wires on my SK right for my gig tonight..........LOL

I use my ears and a drum key to tune drums. But there are three basic ways to tune a drum:

1. Same pitch, both heads. This is the preferred method. With both heads vibrating in sympathy, the drum will resonate freely and project well.

2. Pitch bend, up. In this method, you tune the bottom head one step tighter than the batter head. When you strike the drum, the pitch will begin low (batter head) and end 'higher' (reso head) making it sound like the note bends -up- in pitch. Not really a great sound, but some guys like it and use it.

3. Pitch bend, down. By tuning the reso head a step -lower- than the batter, the drum will produce a note that 'dives' downward in pitch. A lot of rock and blues drummers like that sound for their toms. It's a deep, heavy, expressive sound.

Tuning is as individual/personal, as drum set choices. Whatever turns you on is ok. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way. In the end, it's about what sounds good to your ears.

John

For me & my personnel style, I like to tune with as much bottom end as I can, without losing any crispness. I tune my bottom skins lower than the top. For instance with the "Drum Dial".......for my snare....85 for the bottom...90 for the top. Just as an example. It isn't that drastic, but it works for me.

I use a tama torque wrench. It's closer than me doing by ear. There's a new electronic tuner that lets you tune to specific notes and measures overtones for precise tuning. I haven't personally seen or used it, just heard about it at the local drum shop.

here's the link

http://tune-bot.com/