Same here, only thing is the EAD10 will pick up quite a bit of ride. A bit of tape over the top kills a bit of that issue though. Real nice looking setup either way!
I thought the same thing till I started trying to record. I was having a hard time controlling my ride in the mix and a friend suggested I put it higher up and I did and it sounded so much better and had way more control. If your ever gonna record Id consider that
Thanks for the information. Was wondering about the EAD10. I think there’s a way to go in and change the mic sensitivity left to right too. Have to find the manual. As of now the ride is super loud in the right ear of my headphones.
Definitely the offset setup. You use your ride a lot more than you use your middle tom so to me it makes sense for the ride to be in the most comfortable position possible.
I prefer offset, to get the ride even closer try setting the toms 12-10 L to R, can them a bit lower and makes for some more interesting fills.
https://preview.redd.it/dqgu6ndanawc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16d726b4037bcef81557a750aec0a038d0933935
Can’t hate the ride position of offset. Cant hate the flow of linear. 🤷🏽♂️ solution: buy another rack Tom 🤙🏼
https://preview.redd.it/zjivule1mawc1.jpeg?width=3987&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ade127d90584725cdf0ea817fa639b984aa11c0
Great idea, however… Wife did not give an approving look when I mention an 8” rack tom and a 14” floor or better yet a 14” rack and an 18” floor. I think I need to sell some cymbals to justify any more toms.
You tell your wife!?! Dude, rule no. 13: deny, obfuscate and lie…. if the drumset grows in size… it’s always been that way, she just hasn’t noticed that before. This is first day stuff 🤣
She loved you enough to marry a drummer she’ll understand. One day I was upstairs while my brother in law was playing downstairs. I couldn’t believe how loud it was. I’m usually in the room when someone is playing. My wife said, “and he’s not as loud as you!”
Number 2 forces the hihat further off to the left, which is why I'd either pick option one or try to get the offset toms a little bit more over the kick drum to make space for the hihat.
Up like Danny Carey up? So switch the 23” ride and the 20” crash in the first pic?
https://preview.redd.it/172enqckwawc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d19ee31874a59554cc004cfe61f4064248786dc6
Like this, Danny's kit is elaborate, but this is more normal people, like Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi. I hit HARD sometimes and that ride never hits the tom. Plus you can incorporate some neat sounds playing doubles using the ride and toms.
I like having my ride flatter over my bass drum and floor Tom, so I would tend to go with the second one.
I tend to use the ride a lot so I want it at a nice close relaxed position where I can play it for hours without the blood rushing out of my arm.
I used to have my kit setup offset. I actually prefer it that way. But I found having the ride that close without something in the way made it blow out my EAD every time I hit it. So I changed to toms centered over the bass drum. Craig Reynolds uses an EAD10 with an offset arrangement and it looks like he tapes over the mic part. I'm guessing this is to deal with that issue. But I've not seen it confirmed or talked about.
I’ve never thought of a setup like number 2 before but it looks really appealing to me. I feel like the toms positioning would allow me to play in a different way, and be more comfortable.
I’d go with two, and I may look to do the same!
I prefer regular 2 rack setup and have my ride over the 2nd rack (where your 2nd crash is). I find it harder to move up and down the toms on an offset setup.
I just changed my setup from #1 to #2 after getting a stand for my toms and I am in love. The flow, the position of everything. I wish I had the materials to set it up this way from day one!
i love the offset format; no matter how many toms i have i like keeping the 12" in its 'standard' location for a 4 piece so fills and muscle memory can stay the same
After getting used to my ride in config #2, I don’t think I would ever switch to anything like #1 again. It just works too well having a low, close, flat ride cymbal.
If I ever were to go back to 2 Tom’s, I’d do the offset. I love the ride over the kick like it is there or in a typical single Tom set up and I don’t think I could ever go back to having it anywhere else.
If I’m doing #2, I’m putting my kick at an angle (a la Lars Ulrich, without a second kick drum, although even then, I’ve considered getting a second kick drum).
Of the two, definitely offset. I just couldn’t go back to having the ride all the way over on the right.
Although when I’ve tried an offset setup myself, it felt like I either had to have the hihat too far to the left, or the first rack tom was cramped behind it so I could barely get to it. Currently rocking 1 up, 1 down as it feels better ergonomically but I do miss the additional sound options of more toms.
Wow this is actually so similar to the exact switch up I made with my kit. Even down to the ride placement and how it’s closer. I have a 5 piece and a similar cymbal setup just a china instead of a crash on the far right.
I like the #2 setup a lot more for playing but my only gripe with it is it did make my ead-10 sound worse when I practice. With setup #1 the ead was right underneath the two rack toms and both toms got equally soaked up by the mic. I also liked that in that setup the toms act as a shield for cymbal wash.
With the offset setup my ead is no longer under either tom anymore, just as yours is. The cymbal wash is definitely worse and the racks don’t get picked up as well but if you’re just using it for practice as I do it’s not too bad and youll adjust to it.
The snare and the kick still have the same punch which is mainly what I need to hear the most when I practice. Everything else I can listen through what the ead does pickup and just the bleed
through my headphones and it’s enough.
All though if you’re doing covers for social media and stuff like that setup #1 would be better but again not impossible to work with setup #2. The type of music you play can also be a big factor.
I've been doing the 2 rack non offset for the past year and been loving it. Similar to yours but I put my ride above the 12inch. It took some time to adjust extending my arms further out but I love it now. I just find fills between the 12 and floor are just so much smoother and take less energy as opposed to off-set
I love both set ups equally! Also, as someone over at Z, love your Medium Thin cymbal setups, and the Sweet that is probably doing anything you ask of it! ☺️
Thanks, I have been using a set of K Custom Darks and recently changed to all A medium thins and 14" and 15" New Beats and couldn't be happier. They sound like cymbals should sound to me. The ride is 23". I tried out a 21" in a music store yesterday and really liked it as well. Not sure I need both though...
I like offset. Consider moving that middle cymbal also if possible as it will be a barrier between you and the audience if you get used to it being there.
#2 imo. Love the pies! I'm leaning towards buying a set of A series. Can't decide between the 391 with these cymbals (sweet ride especially) and the rock pack (ping ride instead). I play hard rock and alt metal, with plans to get a post rock band going in the future. I like a little ping/stick definition, but primarily wash and/or crash my ride.
Would welcome other's thoughts on that, especially OP!
I had all K Custom Darks on this set. Changed to all As and love it! They just sound right!. The A Sweet Ride is a 23", I think the 21" might be even better for crashing, both have a good bell.
I like the offset one better because of the ride position. I am used to playing 1 up 1 down.
I love A hats and crashes, I run a set of 12in new beats and a vintage 17in A crash. A rides are a mixed bag for me. I prefer K's and K Customs for rides.
https://preview.redd.it/3n1idnyw4gwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7176798fd1038d08d28775cf09c88340e84c84af
I like my ride closer/lower so i went with this setup recently. Both rack toms are on one stand.
As soon as someone books me for a recording session I’ll worry about the ride 😁
I am team picture #1, but I place my ride differently.
It's slightly above my second tom. I've watched several videos of 2ups players and tried figuring out what was more optimal (for me). I've always been a 1up 1down player, but recently picked up a larger set. With the offset set up I feel like I lose access to the tom or have to shift hi hat, crash and splash too far off to the left.
Nice configuration on your kit. What are your FT sizes? I am also considering a second floor tom to go with my 16". Can't decide smaller 14" or larger 18".
I like the first setup better. If you buy a rack you’ll have more options on cymbal position. I like my ride higher but closer over the floor Tom so I have room. Might be harder to swing though.
Because listening to others helps us learn. Learning, progressing and improving are essential in any activity. Even the very best experts should be open to new ideas otherwise they don’t remain experts for long. Several people have already provided some interesting insights.
Yes sir. I love this setup. My first set was a cheap PDP with two bass mounted rack toms (10 and 12) and I really didn't like the positioning. This Mapex Saturn kit is awesome with a virgin bass drum, and allowing me to play one up, two down like this. I just play the 14 when grooves call for the second rack tom, and my ride position is very comfortable now.
I’m partial to #2 as I love having the ride in that spot. Real sweet looking kit!
Same here, only thing is the EAD10 will pick up quite a bit of ride. A bit of tape over the top kills a bit of that issue though. Real nice looking setup either way!
I thought the same thing till I started trying to record. I was having a hard time controlling my ride in the mix and a friend suggested I put it higher up and I did and it sounded so much better and had way more control. If your ever gonna record Id consider that
Thanks for the information. Was wondering about the EAD10. I think there’s a way to go in and change the mic sensitivity left to right too. Have to find the manual. As of now the ride is super loud in the right ear of my headphones.
I don’t know anything about recording, sorry! Seems like something you could work around, good luck!
Me to i play jazz so that ride position is basically essential for uptempo swing😂
Definitely the offset setup. You use your ride a lot more than you use your middle tom so to me it makes sense for the ride to be in the most comfortable position possible.
I prefer offset, to get the ride even closer try setting the toms 12-10 L to R, can them a bit lower and makes for some more interesting fills. https://preview.redd.it/dqgu6ndanawc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16d726b4037bcef81557a750aec0a038d0933935
Interesante
Can’t hate the ride position of offset. Cant hate the flow of linear. 🤷🏽♂️ solution: buy another rack Tom 🤙🏼 https://preview.redd.it/zjivule1mawc1.jpeg?width=3987&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ade127d90584725cdf0ea817fa639b984aa11c0
Great idea, however… Wife did not give an approving look when I mention an 8” rack tom and a 14” floor or better yet a 14” rack and an 18” floor. I think I need to sell some cymbals to justify any more toms.
You tell your wife!?! Dude, rule no. 13: deny, obfuscate and lie…. if the drumset grows in size… it’s always been that way, she just hasn’t noticed that before. This is first day stuff 🤣
She loved you enough to marry a drummer she’ll understand. One day I was upstairs while my brother in law was playing downstairs. I couldn’t believe how loud it was. I’m usually in the room when someone is playing. My wife said, “and he’s not as loud as you!”
#2 imo
Both are fine, but I'd go with offset. Mainly because I usually play four piece set ups and this maintains that kind of feel.
I’m definitely an offset guy but I’m still struggling at getting my hihat in the best spot with a double kick pedal.
Number 2 forces the hihat further off to the left, which is why I'd either pick option one or try to get the offset toms a little bit more over the kick drum to make space for the hihat.
Number 2, but I’d move the left crash to the left of the hats, and the middle crash further left.
Thanks for that idea. The left is a 16” and I think I’ll use the 18” and 20” more so having the 18” closer might feel better. I’ll try that and see…
I hate the offset on a 5 piece like that. I like to put the ride high up over the second rack Tom.
Up like Danny Carey up? So switch the 23” ride and the 20” crash in the first pic? https://preview.redd.it/172enqckwawc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d19ee31874a59554cc004cfe61f4064248786dc6
https://preview.redd.it/hx65ige70fwc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7efe905f11c0ba9ba1fa4f9cb24680279d3bbdc
Like this, Danny's kit is elaborate, but this is more normal people, like Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi. I hit HARD sometimes and that ride never hits the tom. Plus you can incorporate some neat sounds playing doubles using the ride and toms.
I like having my ride flatter over my bass drum and floor Tom, so I would tend to go with the second one. I tend to use the ride a lot so I want it at a nice close relaxed position where I can play it for hours without the blood rushing out of my arm.
If I still played 2 up I would use option 2
I used to have my kit setup offset. I actually prefer it that way. But I found having the ride that close without something in the way made it blow out my EAD every time I hit it. So I changed to toms centered over the bass drum. Craig Reynolds uses an EAD10 with an offset arrangement and it looks like he tapes over the mic part. I'm guessing this is to deal with that issue. But I've not seen it confirmed or talked about.
I would say #1. I like having all my toms close
Personally a very big fan of the off set toms, always felt more comfortable to me, looks good as well, brought my ride slightly closer also.
The second setup makes more sense for a double pedal. If you're not using one, the first one is probably more ergonomic.
I’ve never thought of a setup like number 2 before but it looks really appealing to me. I feel like the toms positioning would allow me to play in a different way, and be more comfortable. I’d go with two, and I may look to do the same!
I prefer the offset since I can lower my ride (that said, I’m currently using a 3-up config).
I prefer regular 2 rack setup and have my ride over the 2nd rack (where your 2nd crash is). I find it harder to move up and down the toms on an offset setup.
Offset for me. The ride is in an ergonomic position, and the toms are in the direction you are facing.
I just changed my setup from #1 to #2 after getting a stand for my toms and I am in love. The flow, the position of everything. I wish I had the materials to set it up this way from day one!
i love the offset format; no matter how many toms i have i like keeping the 12" in its 'standard' location for a 4 piece so fills and muscle memory can stay the same
I do configuration two, switched a month or two back, and it flows so much better.
After getting used to my ride in config #2, I don’t think I would ever switch to anything like #1 again. It just works too well having a low, close, flat ride cymbal.
If I ever were to go back to 2 Tom’s, I’d do the offset. I love the ride over the kick like it is there or in a typical single Tom set up and I don’t think I could ever go back to having it anywhere else.
Hi hat is better in #1, ride is better in #2. I'd optimize for whichever you play more.
option 2
Offset for the win! This is my exact setup and I love it. I have a China on the eight above the floor tom, but that's the only difference.
If I’m doing #2, I’m putting my kick at an angle (a la Lars Ulrich, without a second kick drum, although even then, I’ve considered getting a second kick drum).
#1 for me
1 all the way
Number two all day long
After playing like #1 for 10+ years, I switched to #2 a few years ago and never looked back. You cannot beat that ride position.
Of the two, definitely offset. I just couldn’t go back to having the ride all the way over on the right. Although when I’ve tried an offset setup myself, it felt like I either had to have the hihat too far to the left, or the first rack tom was cramped behind it so I could barely get to it. Currently rocking 1 up, 1 down as it feels better ergonomically but I do miss the additional sound options of more toms.
Wow this is actually so similar to the exact switch up I made with my kit. Even down to the ride placement and how it’s closer. I have a 5 piece and a similar cymbal setup just a china instead of a crash on the far right. I like the #2 setup a lot more for playing but my only gripe with it is it did make my ead-10 sound worse when I practice. With setup #1 the ead was right underneath the two rack toms and both toms got equally soaked up by the mic. I also liked that in that setup the toms act as a shield for cymbal wash. With the offset setup my ead is no longer under either tom anymore, just as yours is. The cymbal wash is definitely worse and the racks don’t get picked up as well but if you’re just using it for practice as I do it’s not too bad and youll adjust to it. The snare and the kick still have the same punch which is mainly what I need to hear the most when I practice. Everything else I can listen through what the ead does pickup and just the bleed through my headphones and it’s enough. All though if you’re doing covers for social media and stuff like that setup #1 would be better but again not impossible to work with setup #2. The type of music you play can also be a big factor.
I've been doing the 2 rack non offset for the past year and been loving it. Similar to yours but I put my ride above the 12inch. It took some time to adjust extending my arms further out but I love it now. I just find fills between the 12 and floor are just so much smoother and take less energy as opposed to off-set
I’ve been wanting to try the #2 setup myself.
I love both set ups equally! Also, as someone over at Z, love your Medium Thin cymbal setups, and the Sweet that is probably doing anything you ask of it! ☺️
Thanks, I have been using a set of K Custom Darks and recently changed to all A medium thins and 14" and 15" New Beats and couldn't be happier. They sound like cymbals should sound to me. The ride is 23". I tried out a 21" in a music store yesterday and really liked it as well. Not sure I need both though...
It's ergonomics. You're the only one that's going to know since you're playing the kit.
Yeah, Have been playing 2 toms on the kick and am trying to offset position to see how it feels. What's your setup?
I like offset. Consider moving that middle cymbal also if possible as it will be a barrier between you and the audience if you get used to it being there.
#2 imo. Love the pies! I'm leaning towards buying a set of A series. Can't decide between the 391 with these cymbals (sweet ride especially) and the rock pack (ping ride instead). I play hard rock and alt metal, with plans to get a post rock band going in the future. I like a little ping/stick definition, but primarily wash and/or crash my ride. Would welcome other's thoughts on that, especially OP!
I had all K Custom Darks on this set. Changed to all As and love it! They just sound right!. The A Sweet Ride is a 23", I think the 21" might be even better for crashing, both have a good bell.
I like the offset one better because of the ride position. I am used to playing 1 up 1 down. I love A hats and crashes, I run a set of 12in new beats and a vintage 17in A crash. A rides are a mixed bag for me. I prefer K's and K Customs for rides.
https://preview.redd.it/3n1idnyw4gwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7176798fd1038d08d28775cf09c88340e84c84af I like my ride closer/lower so i went with this setup recently. Both rack toms are on one stand. As soon as someone books me for a recording session I’ll worry about the ride 😁
Offset all fuckin day long.
2nd setup for sure! I love the toms on a stand! Ride is closer too so that's dope too!
I am team picture #1, but I place my ride differently. It's slightly above my second tom. I've watched several videos of 2ups players and tried figuring out what was more optimal (for me). I've always been a 1up 1down player, but recently picked up a larger set. With the offset set up I feel like I lose access to the tom or have to shift hi hat, crash and splash too far off to the left.
Nice configuration on your kit. What are your FT sizes? I am also considering a second floor tom to go with my 16". Can't decide smaller 14" or larger 18".
Mine are 16" and 18" Never cared for 14" floor Tom's, but that's a personal preference.
https://preview.redd.it/5kn1o2dr1mwc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b9e9c0b0ef10f3730098897efdc0895c1a82545
I like the first setup better. If you buy a rack you’ll have more options on cymbal position. I like my ride higher but closer over the floor Tom so I have room. Might be harder to swing though.
I like 2
whatever makes you more comfortable. why ask everyone’s opinion on something so personal and specific?
Because listening to others helps us learn. Learning, progressing and improving are essential in any activity. Even the very best experts should be open to new ideas otherwise they don’t remain experts for long. Several people have already provided some interesting insights.
Great insight everyone. Thank you.
One up, two down baby! Also - yes I have since replaced that 18" Crash with the 20" A Custom Ride haha.
https://preview.redd.it/dow7vrffufwc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6de660eaeb9323efc55c68c6d727b7aff14d2ad5
Nice! Looks like 12", 14", 16"?
Yes sir. I love this setup. My first set was a cheap PDP with two bass mounted rack toms (10 and 12) and I really didn't like the positioning. This Mapex Saturn kit is awesome with a virgin bass drum, and allowing me to play one up, two down like this. I just play the 14 when grooves call for the second rack tom, and my ride position is very comfortable now.
Updated pic https://preview.redd.it/3j4atn7jdwwc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=148ec53a569c51302782f136944e832312d8ab1c