Drum Tuner
Free online drum tuner with multiple tuning presets. Tune your batter and resonant heads using your microphone with accurate pitch detection.
Drum Tunings
Choose from popular drum tunings. Each tuning page includes a pre-configured tuner and information about batter and resonant head frequencies.
How to Tune Drums
Tuning your drums is essential for achieving a great sound. Each drum has two heads — the batter head (top, where you strike) and the resonant head (bottom). Both heads need to be tuned to specific pitches for optimal tone, sustain, and projection.
Begin by seating the drum head and finger-tightening all tension rods evenly. Then, using a star pattern (opposite lugs), gradually bring each lug up to pitch. Tap about one inch from each lug and use the tuner to ensure every lug point reads the same frequency. This creates even tension across the head, which is the key to a clear, resonant drum sound.
How to Use This Drum Tuner
- Select your drum tuning from the dropdown menu (Snare Standard is selected by default).
- Click the microphone button and allow microphone access when prompted.
- Tap near a lug on your drum head. The tuner will detect the pitch at that lug point.
- You can also tap a specific note button to target the batter or resonant head frequency. The tuner will show how sharp or flat you are from the target pitch.
- Adjust the tension rod at that lug until the indicator is centered and the status shows "In Tune."
- Repeat for each lug around the head, then tune the other head.
Understanding Drum Tuning
Snare Drum — The snare is typically tuned with the batter head in the 220-330 Hz range for a crisp, articulate attack. The resonant (snare-side) head is tuned slightly higher to increase snare wire sensitivity and response.
Kick Drum — The kick drum is tuned low, usually between 60-100 Hz for the batter head. The resonant head can be tuned slightly higher or lower depending on whether you want more punch or more sustain.
Toms — Toms are tuned in descending pitch from the smallest rack tom to the largest floor tom. A common approach is to tune each tom a musical third or fourth apart for a melodic sweep across the kit.