Big Tone Tweaks for Drummers Who Know the Details



Your options are many.

There’s something truly beautiful about a perfectly tuned kit — crisp snare, fat toms, buttery cymbals that shimmer in the mix. But here’s the secret every good drummer learns:

it’s the small stuff that makes the magic.

Those tiny tweaks, those clever little bits of kit that tame overtones, tighten your feel, or make your cymbals sing just right. That’s the difference between a “good drummer” and a drummer with fans in the sound booth.

We’ve rounded up five small but mighty accessories that can completely change your sound, or just enhance it a little — all in stock now at Musicmaker Dublin, both in-store and online.

Let’s hit it.



Why not drop in to the shop and we can help out in person!

1. Tone Control: Vater Buzz Kill & Buzz Kill Extra Dry

Overtones: lovely in theory, horrifying when your snare sounds like a banshee in heat.

That’s where the Vater Buzz Kill family swoops in. These handy tone control gels stick directly to your drumheads, instantly reducing unwanted ring while keeping your tone fat and focused.

  • Buzz Kill: smooths the highs, keeps your drums punchy.
  • Buzz Kill Extra Dry: the heavy hitter — darker, more controlled, perfect for recording or tight live stages.

The best bit? You can reposition them endlessly, and they don’t leave sticky residue all over your heads.

Pro tip: Mix and match! A single Buzz Kill on your snare, a couple of Extra Dry gels on your floor tom, and suddenly your kit sounds like it’s been through a million-dollar desk.



Effective simplicity - The Vater Buzz Kill and the Buzz Kill Extra Dry.

2. Tuner Fish Lug Locks & the Tuner Fish Essentials Pack

Loose lugs are the bane of every drummer’s life. You get your perfect tuning, smash through two songs, and suddenly your snare sounds like it’s filled with soup.

Enter Tuner Fish Lug Locks — the simple, colourful solution that keeps your tension rods exactly where you set them. Slide them under your lugs, twist them into place, and boom: your tuning stays locked, even under punishment.

And for the organised drummers among us (or at least those pretending to be), the Tuner Fish Essentials Pack bundles everything you need:

  • 12 black lug locks
  • 12 secure bands
  • A pack of tone gels
  • A tidy accessory pouch

It’s like a first-aid kit for your drum sound — fits in your stick bag, saves your gig.



Lock your sound down! Tuner Fish Lug Locks are the choice of professionals worldwide.

3. Vater Brushes, Mallets & Splashsticks

Not every gig calls for a full assault. Sometimes it’s about control, texture, and style — and that’s where Vater Brushes, Rods, and Splashsticks come alive.

  • Vater Brushes: For jazz, acoustic, and café gigs — smooth sweep, warm sound, total vibe.
  • Vater Splashsticks: Birch dowels bound tight for that halfway house between sticks and brushes. Less volume, same attack.
  • Vater Mallets: The softness is here — A new dimension. Think orchestral vibes and world rhythms. Atmosphere.

Each type changes your kit’s voice dramatically, giving you pro-level control of dynamics. One minute you’re whispering, the next you’re roaring — all without changing the kit.

Bonus: Brushes and rods are also amazing for late-night practice sessions when the neighbours have had enough of your “solos.”



There are indeed many, many options available - explore at your whim.

4. Evans E-Rings & Mini EQ Pods – Shape Your Sound

If Buzz Kill is the artist’s brush, Evans E-Rings are the scalpel — surgical precision for taming ring and tightening tone. Slip one onto any snare or tom, and instantly you’ll hear a more focused, professional sound. Perfect for live or recording, especially if your heads are a bit past their best.

Then there are the Evans Mini EQ Pod Drum Gels — these little tone dots let you dial in exactly how much dampening you want. Stack them for extra control, or use just one for subtle shaping.

Pro tip: Use E-Rings for overall control, and Mini EQ Pods for fine-tuning. Together, they’re a sound engineer’s dream — and your secret weapon for consistency gig after gig.



Sound control for the win. Get your Evans E-Rings and Evans EQ Pods in-store or online today.

5. Meinl Hi-Hat & Cymbal Accessories – Add the Sparkle

Drummers: let’s be honest — we love our toys.

And Meinl makes some of the best.

Their range of Hi-Hat Tambourines and Ching Rings turn your cymbals into percussive playgrounds. Clip one onto your hi-hat for that instant jingle texture, or drop a Ching Ring on your crash for that glorious sizzle-pop blend that cuts through the mix.

Highlights include:

They’re cheap, fun, and wildly effective — a little jangle goes a long way when you want to sound bigger, brighter, and more alive.

Bonus: Stack a Ching Ring and a tambourine on your hi-hat for the ultimate “I’m the percussion section now” flex.



Small, but very effective - the Meinl Ching Rings.

Bonus: The Secret Weapon — Tea Towels

Before tone gels, EQ pods, and custom dampening rings, there was… the tea towel.

It’s the oldest trick in the drummer’s book, used by session legends from Ringo Starr to modern groove master Ash Soan. A simple kitchen towel (yes, really) draped over your snare or toms can completely change your kit’s personality — think warm, fat, thuddy perfection straight out of the ‘70s.

Why it works:

  • It kills harsh overtones while keeping that satisfying low-end punch.
  • It’s adjustable — slide it up for more ring, pull it down for full-on “Let It Be” vibes.
  • It costs literally nothing (unless you borrow your housemate’s fancy patterned one, in which case prepare for conflict).

Pro tip: Keep a clean tea towel in your stick bag at all times. You’ll thank yourself during soundcheck when the room’s too bright or the snare’s too lively.

It’s proof that sometimes, the best sound control isn’t high-tech at all — it’s hanging in your kitchen.



Sometimes, it's that easy.

Drummer’s FAQ – Small Accessories, Big Results

Q.Do these drum accessories really make a difference?

A. Absolutely. You’d be amazed how much tone control gels, rings, or lug locks can transform your sound. The right accessory can take a boxy snare and make it studio clean in seconds.

Q. Are these good for beginners?

A. Yes! These accessories make learning more enjoyable — less harsh ring, better feel, and cleaner tone. You’ll sound more polished right away, which keeps the motivation (and the neighbours) happy.

Q. Do tone control gels like Vater Buzz Kill work on all drumheads?

They sure do. Coated, clear, single- or double-ply — no problem. They’re reusable too, so you can move them around until your kit sounds exactly how you want.

Q. What’s the difference between Vater Buzz Kill and Extra Dry?

A. The Extra Dry version goes further — darker tone, shorter sustain, tighter feel. Great for controlled studio work or smaller venues. The regular Buzz Kill keeps more openness and attack.

Q. What are Tuner Fish Lug Locks actually for?

A. They stop your tuning rods from loosening when you play — a must for hard-hitters or live drummers. Once you’ve used them, you’ll wonder how you ever gigged without them.

Q. Do Meinl Ching Rings and Hi-Hat Tambourines fit any cymbal?

A. Yep! They’re designed to fit snugly on standard hi-hat and crash cymbal stands. Just drop one on and enjoy that instant percussive sparkle.

Q. What’s the easiest way to improve my drum sound at home?

A. Start small: a few tone control gels, an E-Ring or two, and some Vater Rods for quieter practice. Those tweaks alone can make your kit sound cleaner, warmer, and more professional — without spending big.


Final Hit

Every drummer knows: your kit is only as good as your setup. These little accessories might not grab headlines, but they’ll make you sound like you’ve just walked out of a pro studio.

Drop by Musicmaker Dublin or shop online — grab a Buzz Kill, some Ching Rings, a pack of Tuner Fish Lug Locks, and start hearing your kit differently. Small changes. Big results. Massive fun.



Browse our sweet, sweet Drum Stuff HERE.