Hey guys, I have a pretty major problem atm. My floor tom is the most ridiculously resonant drum and it is really effecting the overall sound of my kit. I've done some research and realize that I need to tune my drums in intervals of 3 or 5, which I haven't tried yet but should help. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to get rid of the resonance? Everything I hit causes it to get really bad (especially the kick). I have taken the resonance heads off both the floor tom and the rack tom (I like how it sounds much better) but I fear that taking those heads off has been a major factor in introducing this new resonance (it wasn't this bad before, was existent but not this bad). I can't record anything until I get this issue worked out. Thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate all the help you guys have offered.
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down

Just like in the thread directly underneath this one, you can use a noise gate on drums too.

Set the falloff on the gate to where the 'resonance' is at an acceptable duration.

EDIT: Also about the Resonance on the tom, you can set the "Attack" Somewhat higher so it does not resonate when you hit other drums.

This is something you definitely want to fix before recording. You'll need to try to dampen the tom with either dampening pads, gel, or tape. Look up Moongel dampening gel. If you just use tape, you'll want something that's not going to stick permanently or leave residue when you take it off. Try carpenter's tape or gaffer's tape. Sometimes I wad up a piece of tissue and tape that to the head. Also make sure your toms are evenly tuned and this should be a big help.

I currently have studio rings on the toms, but I took the resonant heads off as they seemed to be causing more issues than good. But, I am going to get new resonant heads and put them back on. Do you guys have any tips on tuning? I think a major part of the issues I'm having are in relation to that. Also, mic placement. Putting two overheads on the crashes and gating them will help, but as far as overheads for set cohesiveness, where would you suggest placing them to minimize picking up the crashes (kind of defeating the gates if I pick the crashes up in the overheads). Thanks again for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down

There are many mic techniques for overheads. Try spreading two mics out right over the center of the kit at a 3:1 ratio-- three feet apart for every foot above the top the cymbals. I wouldn't gate those, tho.
As for tuning, I just use a guitar tuner. Tighten the lugs so that tapping the head next to each lug produces the same pitch. There should be a nice even sound when you hit the tom in the middle. If there is any kind of warble or dissonance, one or more of the lugs is off.
You might try putting the resonant head back on the bottom and tuning it just a little lower or higher than the batter head-- maybe by just a step or half-step. That may deaden some of those overtones. It's a trail and error thing, as are most aspects of tuning and micing a drum kit.
Good luck, hpoe that helps some.

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up breaking down and buying a DVD on tuning and it really helped to watch the dude go through the steps of tuning and at least having an idea of what the toms should sound like. It really helped putting the resonance heads back on as well. Also, studio buddy of mine came to the studio with some nice rented mics and ran me through some stuff on Pro Tools, and also mic placement and what not, so that also helped. Having the MD421 on the low tom and B52 in the kick with my CAD mic about a foot back from the head really helped. Funny thing was, we took off all the studio rings and all the moon gel and left only two moon gels on the floor tom and you really couldn't hear the resonance at all. Thanks again for all the help guys, I've got some pretty good information to start with so thanks.
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down

Cool. Hands-on is for sure the best way to learn!

I now have an Audix i5 to put on the floor tom until I can afford an MD421, so that will help as well....
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down