Tom-Toms

[Mech Man]

Im thinking of picking up some toms just for messing around with , nothing serious. I like the tribal sort of sound they make (at least when they are tuned low) and im wondering what would be a good size? My music room is about 12-15 feet long and about 8 feet wide so im thinking of some floor toms , any advice on what to get?

 

[VirusType2]

rototoms maybe

are you using hands or drum sticks, because toms are for drum sticks


see, i saw some at a pawn shop.. anyway, I was going to go with congas because I wanted the kind you hit with your hands. I'm the master at tapping on various objects. I was going to record it, and use it for some songs. problem is, as with any instrument, they are very expensive

 

[Bad^Hat]

Well, floor toms generally come in three sizes - 14" 16" and 18", but depth matters aswell. I have a 14x11" floor tom on my kit and it's pretty hard to get a nice deep reverby sound out of it, but at the same time it's a bit punchier than a full depth 14x14. Same deal with the larger ones, it depends whether you want a deeper sound with more reverb or a punchier and shorter one. Tuning also comes into it, but you can only do so much with the sizes you have.

Like Virus said, how are you planning to use them? If you want a "tribal" sound then hand-drums could be more what you're after, but they are expensive. On the other hand you could just get a drumkit, if you have the room (and cash) for it.

 

[Mech Man]

are you using hands or drum sticks, because toms are for drum sticks

Sticks. The tribal sort of sound comes from how im going to tune it.

I have quite alot of money to spend so thats not really a problem , just the size.

Edit : Tribal is just what im using to describe it , its kind of similar to the sound im after.

 

[theotherguy]

Like what has been said before, if you're going for a "tribal" sound, there are many options other than toms. Congas, bongos, taiko drums, monkey-drums, djimbe's, traditional toms, traditional celtic drums, and even wooden or plastic drums can be very good options.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Then it really just depends on how deep/low pitched you want it to sound and how much room/money you have. If you're going to tune them right down, like to the point that the skin is no longer taut on the drum, then you can probably get away with a shallower drum since you won't be getting a lot of reverb out of it anyway. In fact, you could probably do without using a bottom head at all, use them like concert toms.

Actually, speaking of which... http://www.pearldrum.com/03_nuupdts/edu/products/concerttoms.html

Could be something to look at (obviously not a full set like that), although I'm not entirely sure what kind of sound you'd get out of them. It's meant to have less depth but more "bark" to it.

Anyway, I'd recommend you go and have a look around your local music stores to find what you want. You can ask them for recommendations, have a go on some of the equipment... and then leave without buying anything. :E

 

[Cpt Tenacious]

Wait a minute, I thought we were talking about GPS?

 

[Kula Meenur]

You'd want a pair of Congo's. Nice sound, very tribal feel and a lot to work with percussively if you get ones with good skin.


(protip: Bongo's are the smaller. Congo's are the ones which come up to your hip)

 

[Krynn72]

Wait a minute, I thought we were talking about GPS?

Same. Whats a musical Tom Tom?

 

[Kula Meenur]

A pair of metal drums which are used for percussive methods in a musical fashion.