Rhythm Tech Memo Key Drum Key

 This actually works - and works well
I purchased this key on a whim. When it arrived the instructions were not clear, but I sat the dial to #2, loosened all of the lugs on my floor tom and went around my lugs using opposing lug patterns, and tested the first cut of tuning. Too loose and deep, so I increased the setting to #3 and repeated. Almost the sound I wanted, so I used a regular key and went an eighth turn using the same pattern. Perfect. I then started on the next largest tom, working back to the smallest. Using the #3 setting plus an eighth turn I got my toms 1/2 octave apart.

Next I worked on my snare drum, starting with the snare side, then the batter side. I used #4 on the batter side and #5 on the snare side, and managed to get the crisp, yet warm, sound I wanted. The bass drum came next - I set the batter side tension 1 notch below the resonant side and achieve a great tuning. From there I went back and set the resonant sides of each of my four toms one notch higher than the batter side and marveled at the perfect tuning I attained.

This is an easy device to use - with the lever facing you move it to the left, loosen all of your lugs, then tighten each starting with one or two. When the lever clicks and moves to the right position you have reached the torque setting. Test, increase a notch if necessary, and repeat until you get the sound you want. Set the resonant heads either one notch higher or lower to make sure the batter and resonant heads do not cancel each other (and to your desired sound), and you will have a perfectly tuned set.

I'll never go back to tuning by ear! You'll be amazed by the results if you tune with this key, and don't forget to write down your optimum settings.