The 4 Best Roto Tom Sets (2026) (What They Sound Like, How They Work)
Roto toms are great-pitched drums that can add a bit of spice to your sound. They have no shells and are tuned by rotating. Because they are pitched, they are also a great instrument to match the key of any song you would like to play and fill in with amazing sound combinations and pitch.
My top pick is the Cardinal Percussion CPRT6810 Roto Tom Set. It comes with three sizes and an adjustable stand, so you can fit the set beside your kit or play it standing up.
My budget pick is the Gammon Percussion S-RT83 Roto Tom Set. It has the same three drum sizes and includes a double-braced stand.
Contents
- The 4 Best Roto Tom Sets (2026)
- 1. Cardinal Percussion CPRT6810 Roto Tom Set
- 2. Gammon Percussion S-RT83 Roto Tom Set
- 3. Remo ER-0680-06 Rototom Set
- 4. Ashthorpe Roto Tom Set
- What Are Roto Toms Used For?
- How Do You Mount Roto Toms?
- What Is The Difference Between a Roto tom and a Concert Tom?
- Some Famous Drummers Who Use Roto Toms
- Benefits and Drawbacks of Roto toms
- Conclusion
The 4 Best Roto Tom Sets (2026)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Cardinal Percussion CPRT6810 Roto Tom Set
Pros
- Three sizes on an adjustable stand
- Quick pitch changes by spinning each drum
Cons
- All three drums sit on one straight rail
The Cardinal Percussion CPRT6810 gives you 6-, 8- and 10-inch roto toms on an adjustable stand. The three sizes give you a useful spread of pitches for moving across the kit without adding a row of conventional toms.
You can turn each drum to raise or lower its pitch. Start with the largest drum where you want the low note, then set the smaller two by ear. The included stand holds all three in a row and can be adjusted for a seated or standing setup.
This is the one I’d choose for a typical drum kit. The 10-inch drum gives you more room at the low end than the two smaller drums. Cardinal also makes an 8-, 10- and 12-inch set if you’d prefer the whole range to sit lower.
2. Gammon Percussion S-RT83 Roto Tom Set
Pros
- Double-braced tripod included
- Drum positions adjust along the rail
Cons
- The tripod and wide rail need room next to the kit
The Gammon Percussion S-RT83 is a budget-friendly set that comes with 6-, 8- and 10-inch roto toms and a double-braced tripod stand.
The cast metal frames slide along a 24-inch rail. Move them closer together if you want to reach the high tom quickly, then tighten their mounts. Turning each drum changes the head tension and lets you tune it without reaching for a key.
The Gammon is a good way to try the three classic sizes. Check where the tripod legs will sit before you settle on a position, especially if your hi-hat stand or a floor tom is already taking up that space.
3. Remo ER-0680-06 Rototom Set
Pros
- Remo publishes replacement head and hardware part numbers
- Wide pitch range
Cons
- Pricey
The Remo ER-0680-06 is the original maker’s three-drum set in 6-, 8- and 10-inch sizes. It’s my pro pick if you want Remo’s spin-tuning design for regular performance or recording.
Remo rates the rapid tuning system for a range of more than an octave. Each head is held on an aluminum frame with a threaded center bolt. The set comes with a stand for the three drums.
Remo publishes a replacement-parts list with compatible heads and mounting options. That’s useful if you plan to keep the set in service for a long time or want to experiment with individual mounts later.
4. Ashthorpe Roto Tom Set
Pros
- Remo UT-series heads and sticks included
Cons
- The shared rail limits independent placement
The Ashthorpe Roto Tom Set is a budget-friendly alternative that comes with 6-, 8- and 10-inch drums, Remo UT-series heads and a pair of sticks.
You can spin each drum to change its pitch, then play the set on its own or add it to your kit. The double-braced stand is height-adjustable, so you can set the row where it’s comfortable to reach.
Choose the Ashthorpe if you’d like the Remo UT heads and sticks included from the start. Like the other three-drum sets here, it uses a shared rail, so the drums sit in a line.
What Are Roto Toms Used For?
Roto toms are typically easy to play and tune. Roto toms create a timbale-like sound. They are relatively light and affordable, which makes them a nice option to add some nice sounds to your set without much hassle. Because they are pitched instruments, they can be tuned to the key of the song being played, which is a big advantage.
How Do You Mount Roto Toms?
The mounting of the roto toms seems a little complex as there is more than one option to mount them. The standard one is the track mount. The track is made up of a long metal rod that has got a built-in channel that holds the central threaded spindle.
Tightening handles or levers are threaded with the spindle to fasten the roto toms in the track space. There is a drawback to the track mount system; the drums are to be positioned linearly, whereas, some drummers find it easier to position their drums in a curve or a non-linear arrangement.
Other than the track mount, there is an individual clamp mount that supports only a single roto tom. But you have to do a significant amount of tilting over the top of the stand to make it vertically upright.
The single drum is attached to a screw in the center whereas the hoop is connected to a wheel that has a central nut. The nut slides on the screw. Once you turn the wheel, the single drum experiences a tension that creates a clear sound.
What Is The Difference Between a Roto tom and a Concert Tom?
Roto toms are drums without shells that can be tuned by rotating them. Concert toms are single-headed toms with shells and they have quite a different sound because the wooden shell gives concert toms quite a different tone and resonance.
Some Famous Drummers Who Use Roto Toms
Many prolific drummers have used roto toms to up their musical game. Some of these notable stars were Phil Collins, Taylor Hawkins, and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.
Phil Collins used roto toms early in his career. Taylor Hawkins from the band Foo Fighters likes to include several roto toms in his traditional drum kit. Likewise, Nick Mason used roto toms to record the special introduction of the band’s popular song ‘Time’ from the album The Dark Side of the Moon.
Many such names have utilized roto toms, that too, in a great number. Composer Sir Michael Tippett had a whopping total of 38 roto toms, tuned chromatically and spanning across 3 octaves.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Roto toms
Pros
- Super versatile instruments that can produce sounds of various pitches
- They have an octave-plus range of tunes and are easily tunable
- Cost-effective instruments that are great as additions to existing drum sets
Cons
- They take up some space on stage or in your drum setup
- They require a stand
- They do not project as well as deeper drums
Conclusion
To wrap it up, roto toms are a great investment if you are looking to expand the sound combinations of your drum kit. They’re not the default go-to choice for drummers, but they are a reliable drum set add-on that can spice up your sound.
My top pick is the Cardinal Percussion CPRT6810 Roto Tom Set. It has the three familiar sizes and a stand that works at the kit or on its own.
My budget pick is the Gammon Percussion S-RT83 Roto Tom Set. The included tripod and rail give you a complete mounting setup.
Featured image by Andreas Hünnebeck / CC BY
