Kick Standard Tuning
Tune your drums to Kick Standard — E2, A2
About Kick Standard Tuning
Kick Standard tuning sets the batter head at E2 and the resonant head at A2, producing a solid, punchy bass drum sound with a clear attack and controlled sustain. The perfect fourth interval between the two heads creates a focused pitch center with a natural low-end warmth that works in virtually any musical context. This is the baseline kick drum sound that recording engineers and live sound technicians expect to hear.
This tuning covers an enormous range of genres: rock, pop, country, funk, jazz, and everything in between. It delivers enough low-end impact for rock backbeats without being so low that it becomes boomy or undefined. Drummers like John Bonham, whose iconic kick sound was built on a moderate, focused tuning, demonstrated that a well-tuned standard kick can be the most powerful sound on stage. Modern rock and pop drummers continue to gravitate toward this pitch range because it translates well through PA systems and studio monitors.
The relationship between the batter and resonant heads is critical for bass drum sound. With the resonant head tuned higher than the batter (A2 vs E2), the drum produces a slight pitch rise on decay, which creates the perception of punch and projection. If both heads were tuned to the same pitch, the drum would sustain longer and sound less defined. This standard interval gives you the best balance of attack, body, and controlled sustain.
Head Notes
Recommended Drum Heads
The Evans EMAD is a single-ply bass drum head with an externally mounted adjustable dampening system. The two interchangeable foam rings let you control the amount of muffling without placing anything inside the drum. The EQ3 Resonant head has a built-in dampening ring around the perimeter that controls overtones from the resonant side while still allowing the head to resonate. Together, they produce a focused, punchy kick with a controlled sustain and clear beater attack.
How to Tune to Kick Standard
- 1.Remove the old batter head and check the bearing edge. Bass drum bearing edges are often rounded, which makes head seating easier but requires careful tensioning to avoid wrinkles. Seat the new head and finger-tighten all tension rods.
- 2.Tighten the batter head in a star pattern using half-turn increments. Bass drum heads require less tension than you might expect. Bring the head up slowly until the wrinkles just disappear, then continue in quarter-turn increments until the head reaches E2 when struck with a beater.
- 3.Tap near each lug with your fingertip and listen for consistent pitch around the head. Bass drum lugs are far apart, so even tensioning is critical to avoid a warped sound. Use a drum dial if available for greater accuracy.
- 4.Tune the resonant head to A2. The resonant head should feel slightly tighter than the batter, producing a higher pitch that creates the characteristic punchy attack of a well-tuned kick drum.
- 5.Strike the drum with your bass drum pedal and listen to the overall sound. If the drum booms too much, tighten the batter head slightly. If it sounds too choked, loosen the batter a quarter turn. Adjust the EMAD dampening ring to control sustain length.
Sound Tips for Kick Standard
Port Hole
If your resonant head has a port hole, its size and position affect the sound significantly. A 4-5 inch hole off-center allows microphone placement while retaining most of the resonant head's contribution to the tone. A larger hole reduces resonance and shortens sustain. No port hole produces the most resonant, open sound but makes miking more difficult.
Beater Choice
Felt beaters produce a warm, round attack that blends well at standard tuning. Plastic or wood beaters add more click and definition. A beater patch on the batter head (like an Evans EQ Pad) protects the head and adds a slight click to the attack. Experiment with beater material to shape your sound without changing the tuning.
Internal Muffling
A small pillow or folded blanket touching the batter head inside the drum shortens sustain and removes overtones for a more studio-ready sound. Too much muffling kills the life of the drum. Start with a thin towel barely touching the batter head and add material only if needed.
Pedal Tension
Your bass drum pedal spring tension affects how the beater contacts the head and therefore changes the perceived sound. Lighter spring tension allows the beater to rebound off the head, letting it resonate freely. Heavier spring tension buries the beater into the head, which dampens sustain and adds a tighter, drier attack.