So you've got your drum kit ready to go, complete with amazing cymbals and a snare you're in love with. However, it seems like after a few jam sessions your sound isn't the same as when you bought it. You probably need a quick tuner that you can rely on anytime your drums sound flat. If you need a new drum tuner, Drum Center of Portsmouth is the biggest independently owned drum store in the entire world, and we can help you find the perfect tuner!
We're experts in all things drum related, but we know not all of our customers can spot one of the best tuners when they see one. So, we made this buyer’s guide to help you find the best drum tuners of 2022. Without properly tuning your drum, your set will sound clunky and unprofessional. While some decide to tune their drums by ear, it is far easier to use a tuner to help you get the perfect sound. Tuning helps you adjust the frequency of your drum to avoid unwanted tones. You'll get a professional sound regardless of the quality of your set. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner, a drum tuner is a must-have piece of hardware! Tuning devices speed up your tuning process, are easy to use, portable, and help make your drum sound amazing. Check out our five favorite tuners that we think are the best fit for you!
Quick Look at Our Favorite Drum Tuners
- Tune-Bot Gig: 5/5 stars
- Tune-Bot Studio: 4/5 stars
- Tama Tension Watch: 4/5 stars
- Drumdial Drum Tuner: 3/5 stars
- Drumdial Digital Drum Tuner: 3/5 stars
1. Drumdial Drum Tuner: Best Device if You’re on a Budget
PROS
- Silent tuning
- Extremely accurate
- Easy to tune in a loud environment
- Compact
- Affordable
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
CONS
- Lower quality
- Have to set tuning range manually
- Difficult to tune certain kinds of drums
This is the one of the cheapest tuners available at Drum Center of Portsmouth. Even though it has a lower price, this Drumdial device is still a great purchase! Drumdial is one of the most trusted brands in the business, and all of their products are quality devices. This classic device is loved by drummers of all kinds, and we are sure you will love it too. By measuring your drums timpanic pressure, the Drumdial Drum Tuner will tune your drum with great accuracy! We love that you can use this tuner without ever having to hit your drum head, so it is easy to tune in loud environments. This is a major benefit if you are used to tuning your drums by ear. The Drumdial Drum Tuner comes with added features that make it a great bargain! For a low price, you will receive the drum tuner as well as:
Specifications
- The DrumDial edge gage
- A foam lined box for protection
- A lug back for excellent handling
- A locking bezel to mark your tuning range
This is definitely the best option for those who are looking for a cheaper tuning option! However, it's still used by many professional musicians, as it still will tune your drums better than even less expensive choices. Check out the price of this tuner on the Drum Center of Portsmouth website today!
2. Drumdial Digital Drum Tuner: The Best Device for New Drummers
PROS
- One touch calibration
- Easy to read digital screen
- Precise tuning
CONS
- More expensive than the classic Drumdial tuner
- Short battery life
- Does not come with a warranty
Another beloved Drumdial product had to be featured on our list! This device has all of the great qualities of the Drumdial Drum Tuner - but in digital form! This puts it at a higher price, but it comes with more features. The Drumdial Digital Drum Tuner is a great option for beginner drummers! The digital face allows you to easily read the tuning settings and get an exact measurement for your desired sound. One thing to watch out for is the battery life on this device, however. We suggest you carry spare batteries along with this digital tuner just to be on the safe side. This tuner is extremely easy to calibrate and read which is why we think it is the perfect pick for less experienced drummers. This digital Drumdial product comes with great features that both new and old drummers will appreciate! When you order the Drumdial Digital Drum Tuner, you will also receive:
Specifications
- A foam lined case with a hard-protective shell
- An edge gage
- A drum key
- A useful tuning chart
If you want a straight-forward tuner, we definitely recommend the Drumdial Digital Drum Tuner! Start getting a better sound with your drum in no time when you order this product from Drum Center of Portsmouth online.
3. Tune-Bot STUDIO Electronic Drum Tuning Device: The Best Device for Multiple Drums
PROS
- Increased accuracy
- Can save multiple drum pitch settings
- Small and portable
- Easy to read display
- Multiple display options
CONS
- Higher price
- No warranty
Tune-Bot STUDIO is another great tuner option! We think the best part about this tuner is that it can save pitch settings for 10 drums on up to five drum sets! That means it can save a total of 50 individual drum settings! This is perfect for studio technicians or professional drummers who have multiple drum sets. Tune-Bot is another trusted tuning device company that professional drummers love. They specialize in digital tuning and provide some of the most impressive features on all of their devices. If you are looking for a product that is a little more advanced, then Tune-Bot is definitely the place to start. The Tune-Bot STUDIO Electronic Drum Tuner has a lot of great features and add-ons that make it one of the most popular tuners on the market. When you use the STUDIO you can also experience:
Specifications
- A small, portable drum tuning device
- Four color display
- Easy to use keypad
- Portable plastic case
The Tune-Bot STUDIO tuner is one of the best tuners on the market! If you want to use one tuner for multiple drum sets, this is the perfect device for you! Even though it is one of the higher priced devices available, you are certainly getting the quality you pay for. This life changing device is available here!
4. Tune-Bot Gig: Best Device for Experienced Drummers
PROS
- Lots of different settings to help you get the perfect sound
- Detailed instructions
- Easy to read display
CONS
- A large amount of settings can make this devise confusing
- No warranty
The Tune-Bot Gig is a fantastic, slightly cheaper option if you enjoy the digital interface of Tune-Bot products. This device will significantly decrease the amount of time it takes to tune drums! It is not as easy to use compared to some of the other tuning devices featured in our buyer’s guide, but we love the clearly professional sound you get after using the Gig! This model provides more features than you can find on most tuning devices! Tune-Bot loves to provide drummers with as many customizable options as possible, and the Gig definitely delivers on this. It can be difficult to use if you are a less experienced drummer, and it can be easy to feel a little overwhelmed when using this device. The special features on the Tune-Bot Gig make it one of the most versatile tuners available! When you use this device, you can not only tune your drum but also use:
Specifications
- Pitch measurements
- Frequency modes
- Lug pitch measurements
- Overtone filters
- Tuning charts
We suggest this product for more experienced settings because of the patience this device requires. It is important to sit down with the instructions before you start using it. Beginner drummers will not likely need all of the different measurements featured on the Tune-Bot Gig. If you are looking to get a more precise sound on your kit, this is the device for you! Tune Bot Gig is available at Drum Center of Portsmouth, and you can get fast shipping!
5. Tama Tension Watch Drum Tuning Aid: The Best Device for Accuracy
PROS
- Classic design
- Easy to use
- Dial face is very easy to read
- Extremely accurate and consistent
CONS
- No special features or add-ons
- No warranty
The Tama Tension Watch is a no fuss tuner for the drummer who likes to stick to the basics. It features a classic dial reading system, so you won’t find any digital features with this device. Even though it may not be as high-tech as some of the other tuners on our list, it is one of the most professional and accurate drum tuners available. We love the classic style and easy to read dial on this Tama model! Unfortunately, there are no special features with this device. It is simple, straight forward, and easy to use. Despite there being no special features, the dial on this device is the most accurate out of all the products featured! This tuner will get you the perfect sound time and time again.
If you are not interested in all of the bells and whistles that come with digital tuners, the Tama Tension Watch is the perfect fit for you. Get precision and accuracy without all the fuss when you purchase this device. Drum Center of Portsmouth always has excellent deals on Tama Products! You can order this timeless drum tuner today and receive it in just a few days!
What to Consider When Buying Tuning Devices?
Ask yourself the following questions before you start looking:
- How many drums am I using this for?
- Do I prefer a digital or classic tuner?
- How much money am I willing to spend?
Where You'll Play
It is also important to consider the type of environment you will be tuning your drums in. If you typically go through the tuning process at home or in another quiet location, you can choose from a wide variety of drum tuners. However, if you suspect you will have to tune in loud locations from time to time, you will want to consider a tuner that does not require you to hit your drum.
Classic vs. Digital?
When it comes to the question between classic and digital drum tuners, this is truly up to personal preference. Both types of tuners can provide accurate readings and will help you get the same level of consistency. If you are interested in trying out special features or will be using the same tuner on multiple drum sets, a digital tuner is likely the way to go.
Reviews of Popular Tuners
We also always suggest you read reviews of devices before purchasing them. Ask other drummers what devices they enjoy using! Considering other drummer’s opinions may help you find a device you didn’t even know existed! Drummers and store experts may even let you test out a tuner before buying it, so you can get a feel for it.
How Do I Know I’m Ready to Buy Tuning Devices?
We suggest that every drummer, regardless of skill level, gets a drum tuner! Tuners always will give you a better sound from your drum. While it is true that you can tune by ear, this often takes a lot of time and practice. It also requires you to play the drum on the spot, which is not always going to give an read depending on your location. There are so many benefits to buying a tuning device! At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we believe drum tuners are as essential as a guitar tuner is for a guitarist. Simply put, these devices help you:
- Tune your drum to perfection
- Speed up the tuning process
- Save your favorite tuning settings
- Tune your drum anywhere
Whether you play professionally or are just about to start taking lessons, we highly suggest that you purchase one of these devices. All of the devices featured in this guide are available at Drum Center of Portsmouth and come highly recommended by our staff!
How Much Should I Expect to Spend?
A quality tuning device can cost anywhere between $50-$100. The pricing varies based on the type of device and the special features it may have. Digital devices are typically more expensive but come with more tuning features!
Which to Choose?
At Drum Center of Portsmouth, we always have great deals on our tuning devices. Our experts can help you find the perfect tuner in your price range and point out discounted tuners you should be aware of. You can always view our prices and products online at our website. Bottom line, we'll always make sure you take home the one that will give you a great read, no matter the gig!