Favorite tools
The items listed are some of my absolute favorite things that I have acquired and highly recommend people purchase. Tools that I think people are aware of are excluded from this list, for the most part. If you'd like any other suggestions for equipment, feel free to send a message my way!
Practice
Volkwein's "Tom's Pad" $60
Fully Tunable 8 Lug Laser Cut Aluminum Hoop
Furniture Grade Laminated Base
Stand Mount uses 8mm Thread (mounts on any quality cymbal stand) (recommended stand: Yamaha CS650A)
RTOM MoonGel 7" Workout Pad $45
RTOM Moongel 7" Workout Pad
Super soft gel material
Accelerates muscle development
Absorbs drum strikes and decreases rebounding
Increases speed and endurance
Reflexx Pad $45-$80
The REFLEXX CP1 Conditioning Pad is a practice device for drummers that combines new concepts and materials along with time-tested knowledge to maximize practice efficiency and enhance any drummer’s current performance level.
REFLEXX has designed a tool to bring aspects of both high and low bounce surfaces together, along with a specific density, hardness, and thickness to allow for a more holistic practice experience while away from the drums.
The SCOUT™ Danny & Beth Gottlieb Signature practice pad $85
The SCOUT™ is Offworld’s knee pad created to offer everything the drummer on the needs in a portable practice implement. The Scout™ is the first 2 sided knee practice pad ever created. The base and pad are separate components connected by 4 magnets, designed for a effortless flip from one side to the other without the base ever leaving the thigh.
Crafted from rich maple and white birch, it features gold and bronzed hardware and removable custom leather strap. The Scout™ base features an 8mm cymbal stand threading to accept a wide variety of hardware (other sizes available by special order). The base features 4 rubber feet to rest atop any flat surface.
The Scout™ is surfaced with the signature Darkmatter™ liquid polymer one side and traditional gum rubber the other. It is offered in 2 models :
Model I (Red ring) is Offworld’s first device designed with snare sound, an effect that enhances the total volume of the pad by creating a light “crunch” beneath each stroke.
Model II (Carmel ring) is constructed of solid maple ply to generate a quieter playing experience per side.
Practice Xylo (PX) $35
1” hard plastic ball with a 2g weight inside covered with a firm rubber tubing. Unlike many solid rubber practice sticks, this stick is very close in weight to most standard hard xylo sticks and has a more authentic rebound off the bar—not too dead, not too bouncy. It also has a much better response in the highest octave, so you can actually hear pitches when you practice Messiaen. Quiet enough to use on stage and not upset the second violins but loud enough that you can still hear yourself above the din of others warming up. Also great on temple blocks and log drums.
Synkd App $5 (Iphone only)
Far more than a metronome, SYNKD is a revolutionary educational tool for all musicians. The app combines an easy-to-use graphic-based rhythmic sequencer with a highly advanced metronome. Build and save rhythm chains for practice routines and skill development. Download pre-programmed rhythm chains to maximize your practice time, learn new patterns, and perfect your timing, all from the palm of your hand.
Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Phantom Bluetooth Speaker $140
Insanely good, loud 360 degree sound with deep bass
Portable design so you can bring the music anywhere
Waterproof*, shockproof, designed for adventure (* IPX-7 rated waterproof up to 30 minutes and a depth of one meter)
Connect with Echo Dot (2nd Generation) for hands-free voice control of Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 with Alexa; ask Alexa to play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio and TuneIn on your BOOM 2
PartyUp from Ultimate Ears allows you to wirelessly connect more than 150 Ultimate Ears speakers
15-hour battery life and 100 ft. Bluetooth wireless range (Actual battery life will vary with use, settings and environmental conditions. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles)
Tap the speaker to play, pause or skip songs
Companion app and over-the-air speaker updates
Trekx Titanium Wireless Headphones $130
The lightweight and comfortable Trekz Titanium wireless stereo headphones are the safest alternative to traditional sport headphones and earbuds. Bone conduction technology, an open ear design and a suite of convenient features deliver premium music play and crystal clear calling without compromise. Designed with athletes in mind, Trekz Titanium are sweatproof, secure, and will allow you to hear your surroundings - no matter where life takes you. Wireless headphones of any kind are highly recommended.
Performance
Earasers $40
Musicians Plugs Medium. Whether you are a musician, attend concerts or are regularly exposed to music played at high levels, Earasers don't plug up your ears and muffle sound like more conventional earplugs. Manufactured by a 45+ year hearing aid company, and developed by their lead engineer - a musician for over 20 years - Earasers filter out loud noise while still allowing you to hear at a safe, comfortable level. Musicians have to be able to focus on the different layers of instrumentation. Earasers utilize a unique attenuation "V filter" to provide an overall 5dB EPA rating of protection. The result is the world's first flat frequency response earplugs. Most comfortable with improved sound. The Earasers soft silicone design is based on one of the most widely used hearing aid tips in the market. There is no need for expensive trips to a specialist to get custom ear molds. The Smart Seal technology conforms to the shape of your ear canal for a more comfortable fit that you can wear all day.
EarPeace $30-$40
“Our mission is to be a catalyst for changing the way people consider caring for their hearing health and tangibly decrease the epidemic of hearing loss and tinnitus. To do that, we are delivering hearing protection that music fans, motorcyclists, and DIY enthusiasts actually want to wear. EarPeace will improve your loud experience and enable easy changes in behavior. We are continuously innovating how we deliver to meet the evolving needs of the people that trust us and be an information resource. We also work uniquely with the entertainment industry to bring hi-fi hearing protection into the spaces where people need it the most. Hundreds of festivals and venues carry EarPeace.”
DW Ultralight Hardware $160
A scaled down version of the popular line-up of 6000 Series retro-styled, flush-base hardware, 6000 Series Ultralight™ stands utilize smaller diameter, lighter gauge steel tubing and a low mass tube joint for optimal portability. Other marquis features include a new Glide Tilter™ for exacting adjustment of cymbal and snare drum angles. An "old-school" snare basket design get a modern, spring-loaded make over and the hi-hat stand is as smooth and effortless as its 6000 cousin. I also combine the snare top with the cymbal stand bottom for orchestral playing. Ultralight™ hardware is a perfect for bop kits, vintage sets and gigging drummers everywhere.
Static Guard AntiStatic Spray 5.5 oz $4
For that pesky snare that sticks to the resonant head, even after turning off the snares. Eliminate annoying and potentially embarrassing static cling with Static Guard AntiStatic Spray - 5.5 oz. This product's intended use was to protect you against wardrobe malfunctions by neutralizing static in garments, as well as hosiery, linens and more.
The Mallet Palette $45
The Mallet Palette features a custom-sized, micro-beaded pillow that allows sticks and mallets to rest comfortably cushioned on a stand or table, even withstanding the kicks and bumps that will inevitably happen during a performance. With grommeted sides and included carabiner, the Mallet Palette easily folds in half to protect the micro-beaded pillow and can be clipped anywhere.
The Inverted Tornado Chime Mallet $85
The new "Inverted" 360 degree Tornado shaped head now allows the player more accessability to both rows of the chimes. The 15 1/2 inch long padded hickory handles keep the players hands at a comfortable distance while playing both rows of chimes.
MM720- Suspended Cymbal Mallets $45
This Suspended Cymbal Mallet with Rattan Handles is perfect for almost all applications. The core wrapped in hemp make this mallet the mallet of choice for both student and professional players.
Tama multi tool $25
The TMT9 Multi Tool houses an array of useful tools every drummer should have at their disposal, including a variety of hex wrenches, drum key sockets, a Phillips screwdriver, and more!
Quick access multi tool for drums
Hex Wrench5.0mm/4.0mm/3.0mm/2.5mm/2.0mm, Keychain Link, Hex Nut Driver, Phillips Screwdriver, Drum Keys (x2)
Self-Care
Salt Detox Bath Recipe $15
1/4 cup Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt
1/4 cup Epsom Salt
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Favorite essential oils if desired (I use 10 drops of lavender)
Salt Detox Bath Instructions
Dissolve Salt, epsom salt, and baking soda in boiling water in a quart size jar and set aside. Fill tub with warm/hot water and add apple cider vinegar. Pour salt mixture in and add essential oils if using.
Soak in bath for 30 minutes or as long as desired. Note that with any detox bath, you may feel tired or lightheaded when you get out. I don’t recommend doing this while home alone or before going somewhere in case you are tired or need help.
This bath is great for soothing skin irritation, boosting magnesium levels and overall detoxing.
Rice Sock $12
A rice sock is a homemade heating pad that you can quickly heat in the microwave. Once warm, you can apply the rice sock to different areas of your body to treat pains, aches, chills, and some other ailments. The key to making a rice sock is to use a cotton sock that won’t burn or melt when it’s heated, and to knot the sock so you can replace the filling as needed.
Burt's Bees Hand Salve $9
Have super-dry hands? This all-natural salve knows how to handle it. Brimming with botanical oils, herbs and Beeswax, your hard-working hands can finally find sweet relief.
• Moisturizes rough, dry hands with botanical oils and Beeswax
• Herbal scent
7 Stainless Steel Rolling Ball Massager Glove $12-30
The PVC glove has soft plastic spikes that massage your palm as you roll it over your back, neck, arm and leg muscles. The 7 stainless steel balls move 360 degrees without pinching skin or pulling at hair. There are different brands with higher levels of design and product quality.
Gaiam Restore Pinpoint Back Massager $25
Gaiam Restore's Pinpoint Back Massager provides release of pain in the back, neck and shoulder by applying compression directly to tight, knotted trigger points anywhere they occur, breaking up tension even in the hardest-to-reach muscle areas.
Exercise
Baoding Balls $8-40
Baoding balls are usually used for exercise and meditation, but are also good when employed for medical reasons. To use them for exercise, place two Baoding balls within your palm then rotate them clockwise and counterclockwise. Gravity will help you keep on controlling the balls. There are many exercises possible. One is trying to not to let the balls touch one another during manipulation, as advanced users do. Such users of Baoding balls can frequently use more than two balls at one time. Manipulating the balls in your hand not only exercises hand muscles, but forearm and shoulder muscles as well.
Gyroscopic Wrist and Forearm Exerciser Ball $15-$40
Strengthen fingers, wrists, hands, forearms, shoulders and bicep etc., and also be beneficial in promoting co-ordination and blood circulation.
Rehabilitates sore muscles and joint, great for musicians, guitarists, pianists, drummers.
Small, compact and transportable, you can take anywhere. Simple to start with a pull-string.And the ball with flashing LED
All you need do is to increase the speed by making a rotational wrist movement and to keep in sync with the spinning of the ball.
The faster you spin the harder your muscles work.
Exercise Resistance Band $11-25
The C9 Triple Stepper Band is your go-to for the ultimate resistance band workout. The band features three interchangeable resistance bands, allowing you to use one band, or all three, giving you resistance options and variety for your workout. Featuring foam handles that provide a comfortable grip and plenty of hand clearance, this 3-IN-1 resistance band allows you to traditional resistance band exercises such as arm curls, tricep kickbacks and front arm raises. Using all three cords together will provide a maximum of 250 pounds of resistance.
Push Up Resistance Bands $25-45
Add a challenge to your workout with the Resistance Band Push Up Kit from Everlast FIT. Use the resistance bands to connect the back pad to the hand grips. The different gauges of the bands let you customize your experience so you can create the right workout for you.
Ab Wheel $12-20
Improve your core strength with the C9 Core Ab Wheel. This large, non-skid wheel allows for easy rolling on a variety of surfaces and the sturdy handle provides a secure grip. Rolling action with the Ab Wheel trains both the upper and lower abs as well as the obliques.
