{"id":21360,"date":"2020-01-10T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2020-01-10T17:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=21360"},"modified":"2024-06-28T14:34:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T21:34:10","slug":"testing-14-drum-gadgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/testing-14-drum-gadgets\/","title":{"rendered":"Are These 14 Drum Gadgets Worth The Hype?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dL3tz-6k-R0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>One cool thing about playing drums is that because it&#8217;s a percussive instrument, the sky&#8217;s the limit when it comes to changing the sound or the way we play, so there are always new gadgets coming out.<\/p>\n<p>We have a whole treasure chest (or tickle trunk, for any Canadian readers) full of small kitschy drum-related items. Jared tested 14 of them in the studio so you don&#8217;t have to!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/JrbvMr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Big Fat Neck Tie<\/a> by Big Fat Snare Drum (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/big_fat_snare_drum_neck_tie.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> Hang this over a cymbal to add tambourine jingles to every hit. It works like a sizzle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It sounds cool, but it&#8217;s kind of in the way.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/spinbal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spinbal cymbal spinner<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> It&#8217;s a cymbal topper that keeps the cymbal spinning once you give it some momentum. It&#8217;s supposed to give the cymbal a sort of vibrato.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It does sound a bit different than striking a &#8216;stationary&#8217; cymbal.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Snareweight+drum+damper&amp;amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_2&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=musora-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=f00a757d6fe9e9932561aa38f8b18c8c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Snareweight drum damper<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/snareweight_m80_magn._overtone_damper.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> This gadget is for dampening a snare drum. It comes in different sizes; the bigger it is, the more dampening you get.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> This is really effective and super cool!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Cympad+cymbal+washer&amp;amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_2&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=musora-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=32d7cfec6083f1211341c2d1bfa17dc1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cympad cymbal washer<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> These colored foams replace your standard cymbal felts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> They look cool, but don&#8217;t seem to make a difference while playing. However, the bigger ones work (from the Moderator series) to reduce unwanted overtones and volume.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TAMA-QC8B4-Quick-Set-Cymbal-Mate\/dp\/B005LVJRIE\/?&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=musora-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=f28e1597b3f906ac9ed1ac8c64072b27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TAMA quick-set cymbal topper<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/tama_qc8_quick_set_cymbal_mate_pack.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> Instead of a standard wingnut, these cymbal toppers use a pinch-release mechanism for fast changeovers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> These making changing cymbals crazy quick. Total win.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/DV0RYd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Switch Kick quick release bass drum beater<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> This system makes it easy to quickly change your bass drum beater. Once you&#8217;ve connected it to your pedal, you can change the beater head in seconds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> This makes it easy and quick to change beater, It&#8217;d probably be handy in the studio.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/store\/detail\/Drumtacs5--studio-lab-percussion-drumtacs-5-pack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drumtacs sound control pads<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> These reusable sound control pads reduce overtones and change the sound of drums or cymbals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> We use these at the Drumeo studio all the time, so there&#8217;s your answer.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>8. <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/WDXvMG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DrumDial tuning device<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/drumdial_drum_tuner.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> The DrumDial measures the tension of each rod. As you move around the head, it&#8217;ll help you evenly tune the drum.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It&#8217;s a great tool, but it isn&#8217;t a replacement for developing your ear. The DrumDial doesn&#8217;t tell you if the drum sounds good; it&#8217;s to be used as a guide to get the drum evenly tensioned before you fine-tune.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>9. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.regaltip.com\/products\/accessories\/drum-torque\/drum-torque\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drum Torque tuning tool<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/evans_datk_drumkey_stimmschluessel.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> Put this gadget on each tension rod and it&#8217;ll help you turn them evenly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It&#8217;s not bad, but we find the DrumDial easier to use.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>10. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kbrakes.com\/collections\/all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">KBrakes<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> These spiky pads attach to bass drum spurs to prevent the bass drum from sliding on any type of floor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> Unfortunately we couldn&#8217;t properly try them out in this video.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>11. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Timber-Drum-Company-Slapstick-18-inch-Whip-T3\/dp\/B00NR80DJU?&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=musora-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=09cb7c064695585cf0afe8c650b0d56d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hickory slapstick<\/a> by Timber Drum Company (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/gb\/studio_49_rp_1_royal_whip.htm?offid=1&amp;affid=882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> If you want to make a clapping or whip-cracking sound, that&#8217;ll do the trick.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> Like many percussion instruments, this is probably only useful in certain contexts.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>12. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=cymbomute&amp;amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_1&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=musora-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=9184ab1444262dac2fd5a98371001ebd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cymbomute<\/a> by UK Percussion Concepts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> This stretchy ring wraps around a cymbal to mute it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It may have been a little tough to put on, but it works! This is a really cheap solution for anyone who wants to mute a cymbal but have it still feel like a regular cymbal.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>13. <a href=\"https:\/\/lowboybeaters.com\/instock\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Low Boy bass drum beater<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> Low Boy makes awesome-looking beaters with customizable options.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> This beater felt really light, so if you usually play heavy beaters it might take some getting used to.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>14. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baldmanpercussion.com\/store\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Junk Hat<\/a> by BaldMan Percussion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The description:<\/strong> Like a set of hi-hats, this contraption essentially consists of a &#8216;garbage can lid&#8217; and a piece of wood with chains on it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verdict:<\/strong> It&#8217;s trashy sounding when you hit it, and jingly sounding when you open-close.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s it. What should we test next?<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/privacy\/\"><em>privacy page.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So many new gadgets, so little time. But do they work?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":21419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4020],"tags":[3725],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21360"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21360"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51908,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21360\/revisions\/51908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}