Play along track for drums available for download. Drummer Travis Whitmore performing “Say What?” by Whitmore/Mizell.

In this gear review, I'm testing Toone Towels - a game-changing dampening solution every drummer needs to know about.

Welcome to Better Sounding Drums!

I'm Travis Whitmore, and this channel is dedicated to helping drummers get better sounds from their drums, without breaking the bank. We'll be covering fundamental techniques such as tuning, gear reviews, recording tips and more.

Drummer Travis Whitmore performing “Just Groove Me” - Weckl/Noy/Lee.

Here’s the last video in my ‘mini’ course: Recording drums from 1 mic to 14, with A/B comparisons.

Check it out! 🎧 Headphones recommended!

You've got the right mics—now here's how to position them for maximum impact. In this hands-on video, we reveal the exact mic placement techniques that separate amateur recordings from professional ones.

In this essential video, we break down the three main microphone types every drummer should know: dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics.

How to prepare your drums BEFORE even considering recording. Get it right at the source first. Gear recommendation list included.

Drummer Travis Whitmore performing "Get to It" - Drum Cover [Dave Weckl]

Your ears are your best tool, and sometimes the best mix move is no move at all. Trust what sounds good, and don't let the technology get in the way of the music.

The magic happens when you start thinking like both a musician and an engineer. Your future mixing engineer (even if that's you) will thank you for it.

Here's the reality check: great drum recordings don't happen by accident. Those amazing sounds you hear on your favorite albums? They started with someone taking the time to get the fundamentals right.

Different room sizes, ceiling heights, wall materials, and furniture all dramatically influence how your drums sound. A tom that resonates beautifully in your practice space might sound dead in a carpeted bedroom, or ring excessively in a bare studio.

Remember: your sticks are tools, and the best drummers have the right tool for every musical job. Build your collection thoughtfully, and let your stick choice serve your musical vision.

When we talk about great drum sounds, we spend a lot of time on tuning, dampening, and technique. But there's one component that often gets overlooked, even though it might be the most important: your cymbals.

Remember: your sticks are tools, and the best drummers have the right tool for every musical job. Build your collection thoughtfully, and let your stick choice serve your musical vision.

You've tuned your kick to the lowest possible pitch – that's your foundation. Now comes the fun part: shaping that sound to fit exactly what your music needs. This is where you can take a good kick sound and make it great.

A great kick drum sound starts with proper tuning. Everything else – muffling, head choices, mic placement – builds on this foundation.

Those metal wires across the bottom? They're what transforms your drum from a tom into a snare. A well-set-up snare will inspire better playing and make everything sound more professional.

Your snare drum is the heartbeat of your kit. When it sounds great, everything else falls into place.