By Jeff Johnson
“The RTOM difference”
I’ve never had students compliment me on my drum mutes – until now. What’s the change? I call it the “RTOM difference.”
Drum instructors use drum mutes for multiple reasons. The mutes allow the teacher to talk or count while the student is playing. The reduced volume also allows the student and teacher to safely play without hearing protection. In certain circumstances (such as teaching facilities with multiple lesson rooms) the volume must be kept at a x`minimum, making mutes a necessity.
Until recently, drum mutes consisted of crude foam mats that produced an uninspiring, boxlike sound. Students would often ask to remove them so they could actually hear the tone of the drums. Since I started using the RTOM system, students enjoy playing on muted drums. I actually say, “muted” for lack of a better word. The RTOM system does not actually mute the drums. Instead, it reduces the volume while retaining the sonic characteristics of the drums.
“The Difference is in the Sound”
A drum’s sound has two distinct components: attack and sustain. Since traditional drum mutes are spongy, they provide a muffled attack sound. Traditional mutes also sit directly on the head, almost completely eliminating the drum’s sustain.
The center sound patch of the RTOM system produces a noticeably clear stick attack. The head can also be adjusted, allowing the desired amount of tension. Both teacher and student can hear the attack produced by the stick meeting the playing surface.
Since the Black Hole system does not touch the drumhead, the sustain of the drum can be clearly heard. The tone of the drumset remains the same, but the volume is greatly reduced.
“A Teacher’s Perspective”
Tone production is an important concept for all musicians, including drummers. If the student is holding the stick with an appropriate amount of pressure, the resulting sound will be full and musical. If the student chokes up on the stick, the sound quality will be reduced. The Black Hole system gives the teacher the ability to clearly hear these differences in a student’s tone.
Drummers must also be able to play on various surfaces, each having a slightly different tension. For example, a floor tom will generally have less tension in comparison to a snare drum. Each Black Hole head can be adjusted to imitate the tension of an actual drumhead. Therefore, the teacher can analyze the student’s comfort level when playing the various parts of the set.
“A Game-Changer”
Students truly enjoy playing the Black Hole system. Many are interested in outfitting their personal sets with this RTOM product. The Black Hole system can be removed quickly should the drums need to be played at full volume. It is a unique, game-changing system that will benefit teachers and students alike.
About the Author
Jeff Johnson has toured as a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He is the author of the drum instructional book, The Level System, published by Alfred Music. His technique articles have appeared in Modern Drummer magazine. Jeff reviews drum books for the Percussive Notes journal as well as Rhythm! Scene magazine. His newest book, Note Groupings and Combinations for Drumset will be available in August of 2023.
In his teaching practice, Johnson Drum Instruction, Jeff instructs both in-person students from Richmond, Virginia, and online students worldwide. Dom Famularo and Modern Drummer magazine recognized Jeff on a list of drum teachers from around the world who offer “top-notch instruction”. Jeff Johnson officially endorses Vic Firth stick and Sabian cymbals. For more information, please visit www.johnsondrum.com.
