Q Robinson on the Dialtune Kit: “It Feels Like Drums—Just Smarter”

If you’re playing Hamilton eight shows a week, you don’t have time for gear that gets in the way. That’s why we paid close attention when Quinton “Q” Robinson—touring drummer for Hamilton—sat down behind a Dialtune kit. "The first impression is that the kit feels good," says Robinson. “A lot of times when we're talking about new technology or how to do things differently, the technology gets in the way of what the drums feel like.”

At Dialtune, this is one of the core challenges we've been trying to solve from day one. With a lot of drum innovations, you have to compromise: either give up feel for convenience, or sound for speed. Q called that out directly, “These drums feel like drums. It's just a different way of being able to tune them.” That’s exactly the balance we’re after. The tuning system should stay out of your way. It shouldn’t feel like you’re playing a new kind of instrument—it should still feel like drums.

But ease of tuning only matters if the drums sound good For Q, he said it best. “They feel incredible. They sound incredible.” What stood out most was how quickly he could dial in his own voice on the kit. “Sonically, every drummer that plays the kit can find their sound without being handcuffed to the limitations of what drum kits have been," says Robinson. No weird workarounds. No need to fight the hardware. Just the ability to get to your sound, fast.

Why This Matters

Drummers like Q rely on consistency and adaptability. Night after night, they have to bring the same energy, the same precision, and the same feel—regardless of what city they’re in or how the venue sounds.

If the gear adds friction, it gets noticed fast.

That’s why feedback like Q’s means a lot. It tells us we’re heading in the right direction: building drums that feel natural, sound great, and give players more control without the usual compromises.

If you're curious about Q’s setup, his work with Hamilton, or want to hear more artist stories like this—let us know. We’re always down to keep the conversation going.