Working natural skins in itself requires much experience, fingertip sensitivity and expertise, as goatskins are composed of 7 different structures each of which have different characteristics.

The only part of a goat that continues to live on for decades is the skin which is personally carefully selected for each individual requirement by me. I am always very aware that I am dealing with part of a living creature and therefore this work demands respectful handling.

Natural skins have a tendency to want to stretch evenly all the time, because, just like wood, they can absorb and release moisture, expand and contract, adapting to the ambient humidity.

When used correctly, synthetic drumheads offer exceptional tuning stability and outstanding sound quality.
We always recommend combining them with a tuning frame specifically designed for synthetic drumheads, which we also offer as part of a convenient bundle. When tuned precisely, they meet the expectations of even the most discerning ears. The sound remains clear and nearly indistinguishable from natural drumheads, while being virtually unaffected by climate changes or sweat on the drumhead.

However, synthetic drumheads require more precise tuning than natural ones, as they don’t stretch evenly by themselves. Our specially designed tuning frame for synthetic drumheads leverages their unique qualities and meets the increased demands of tuning. A smaller radius where the head meets the frame enhances the precise, clear tone, while the cotton padding acts as a buffer, making it easier to tune evenly and allowing the drumhead to vibrate more cleanly.

Natural drum skins that are not pre-mounted under tension are sensitive to environmental conditions, particularly humidity. They can absorb and release moisture from the air, which may lead to contraction or warping. In extreme cases, this can render the skins unusable.

To protect the drum skins during transport and storage, each one is delivered in a resealable vacuum bag. This bag allows for easy re-storage, helping to maintain the integrity of unmounted skins. The vacuum valve enables you to reseal the bag using a standard vacuum cleaner—detailed instructions are provided on or within the packaging.

For natural skins, simply storing them in the sealed bag, without removing air, is typically sufficient. This prevents moisture absorption and ensures the skin retains its shape.

In the case of synthetic skins, especially HEDge skins, creating a vacuum is recommended. This helps prevent the black tape from peeling off—a risk that is more likely with newer skins, as the adhesive takes time to reach full strength.

Since 2014, various methods have been explored to prevent unmounted drum skins from deforming. Initially, a thick plywood plate with centering holes was used, secured to the ChangeHED skin by a metal tensioner. While this approach was effective, it was costly, complex, heavy, and did not protect the skins from environmental factors.

In a later attempt, the transport plate was made thinner and held in place with rubber plugs. This solution was more affordable, easier to assemble, and lighter, but the drum skin remained exposed to changes in ambient climate.

After extensive testing, the vacuum bag method has proven to be the most effective. Though vacuum pressure may cause slight contraction of the skin, the playing surface largely retains its shape. More importantly, the vacuum seals the drum skin from the environment, which is the key to preventing deformation.

An added benefit is that if the vacuum bag becomes damaged, it can be easily replaced with inexpensive, locally available clothing vacuum bags.