Academic Research Publications by iDrumTune
The iDrumTune app is developed from thorough academic research into percussion acoustics and drum tuning by Professor Rob Toulson and a number of colleagues. This research has brought new knowledge on the acoustics of drums and has enabled for the first time a quantified approach to drum tuning. The first iDrumTune patent was applied for in 2007 and in 2008 Professor Toulson gave the first public demonstration of the iDrumTune system at the international Art of Record Production Conference in Lowell, MA, followed by an invited showcase presentation at the Audio Engineering Society Convention, New York in 2009.
Professor Rob Toulson, inventor of the innovative iDrumTune Pro mobile phone application, has also authored the first full-length, 212-page book on drum tuning, titled ‘Drum Sound and Drum Tuning: Bridging Science and Creativity’. The book brings together Professor Toulson’s 25-year career evaluating drum acoustics and drum tuning, as well as documenting professional approaches to optimising drum sound in recording and mixing projects. Drum Sound and Drum Tuning is published by Routledge Focal Press as part of the Audio Engineering Society Presents series and includes 212 pages of drum sound discussion and is printed with full colour images.
Toulson. E. R. 2021 – Drum Sound and Drum Tuning: Bridging Science and Creativity (book). Published by Routledge/Focal Press, London.
A number of other articles, patents and research publications related to iDrumTune are listed below, many which are available online and open access.
Toulson. E. R. & Hardin, M. 2020 – Evaluating the accuracy of musicians and sound engineers in performing a common drum tuning exercise, proceedings of 149th The Audio Engineering Society Conference, New York, October 2020. available online here
Toulson, E. R. 2017 – The Resonant Tuning Factor: a new measure for quantifying the setup and tuning of cylindrical drums, proceedings of 143rd The Audio Engineering Society Conference, New York, October 2017. download paper
Toulson, E. R., Richardson, P. G. M. & Nunn, D. J. E. 2012 – Analysis and manipulation of the modal ratios of cylindrical drums. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 131, Issue 1, pp. 907-913 (2012). available online here
Toulson, E. R. & Richardson, P. G. M. & 2011 – Fine Tuning Percussion: a new educational approach, The Journal of The Art of Record Production, Issue 5. download paper
Toulson, E. R. & Richardson, P. G. M. 2010 – Drum Tuning Education, presented at The Art of Record Production Conference, Leeds, UK, December 2010. download slides
Toulson, E. R. & Richardson, P. G. M. 2010 – Clearing the Drumhead, Proceedings of Reproduced Sound, Cardiff, UK, November 2010. download paper
Toulson, E. R. 2009 – Percussion Analysis and Quantitative Drum Tuning, tutorial presentation at The 127th Audio Engineering Society Convention, New York, October 2009. download slides
Toulson, E. R., Cuny-Cringy, C., Robinson, P. & Richardson, P. G. M. 2009 – The perception and importance of drum tuning in live performance and music production, Journal of The Art of Record Production, Issue 4. download paper
Toulson, E. R., Cuny-Cringy, C., Robinson, P. & Richardson, P. G. M. 2008 – The perception and importance of drum tuning in live performance and music production, presented at The Art of Record Production Conference, Lowell, Massachusetts, November 2008. download slides
Toulson, E. R. 2008 – Instrument Tuning Device, International (PCT) Patent application number PCT/GB2009/002017. read on Google Patents
Toulson, E. R. 2007 – Instrument Tuning Device, UK Patent application number GB0713649.2. read on Google Patents