Over the years, I have acquired a lot of knowledge regarding drum sounds by being open-minded, while experimenting and learning from others. You can’t always be married to what you think works. That attitude can be a dead-end. It’s helpful to be flexible and willing to adapt. Take a kit, preferably a good one, and learn how to tune the drums high, tune them deep, tune them wide-open, or tune them dead. This skill can help you achieve the best sound from night to night. Another secret is to befriend the front of house engineer. Remember, it’s not only about what sounds good while situated in the position of your drum throne. It’s equally as important to consider what the engineer is projecting to the audience through the PA system. If the engineer is not getting what he or she needs from the drum set, into the microphones, through the mixing board, and out to the people, then you’re going to sound weak. You might think that you have the coolest drum sound in the world, but that sound might not be transferring to all to the masses. It truly is teamwork. Both you and the engineer have to conspire together to invent the most wicked drum sound ever!