Drummer's survey : stage volumes?

[cruseaudio]

I was just wondering (as it came up at the plce meeting), is there a huge difference in the feel of the newest electronic "heads"?

Also, if more clubs had to use electronic kits, would it be a huge hassle to get guys to use them?

What if it meant getting the gig or not?

[tonefight]

I really wanted to go with electronics but our drummer told me if I wanted electronic drums I'd have to look for another drummer. However she hasn't even tried them, so yes it would probably be a hassle.
In the beginning I was running guitar direct and bass direct and wanted electronic drums to really keep stage volume down, without the electronic drums it was hard to push everything enough in the monitors and our bass player eventually went with a combo.

[DMFJ03]

Speaking for Beyond Reason, we wouldn't mind. That is less equipment we would have to carry. The only person who uses an amp still is myself. I haven't sold my soul to the V-amp yet.

We'd be more than happy to use your drums.

[rreihart]

Sometimes I use a Hart Dynamics Prodigy kit. It's probably the lowest end kit you can find that has the mesh heads. I am guessing you're talking about mesh heads?

Their can be a lot of reasons why some people wouldn't want to use them. I use mine in situations where I want to be able to have my volume controlled in the house mix by the soundman. Like, if we're playing a larger venue where the sound might be particulalry "boomy" and I want the sound guy to be able to dial me in and control my sound and not overtake everything else. I guess you could say sometimes in smaller rooms, I use them for the same reason..as to not overpower my bandmates.

Some people are going to be dead set against them. I have experimented a long time to find the combination of module (I use the DM5) and drumkit that satisfies my needs. I have also messed around with my equipment enough to know how to adjust my playing style slightly to get the best results from it. Some people are going to resist that change.

In my situation, I go with what is going to benefit my band and create a good listening experince for those of which I am playing. I don't play for money, so it exempts me from the "getting the gig or not" portion of your post.

[cruseaudio]

Yeah that is what I figured tonfight. I know some guys who like to record with them but not play live?

The snare is usually the loudest drum on stage, so let me ask if you guys would play an electronic snare?

Oh yeah and no cymbals would keep the volume down too, but the cymbal triggers don't last very long do they? and do they come in any other color than pink?

[Jones]

Switched to vdrums almost a year ago and what a difference it makes on stage. 6 guys and we can have a conversation while playing. Amazing what it does for front of house mix....tech has total control.

[Skate Toad]

I have had the Roland TD-20 since nov. and i tell you what they are the best thing ever. I was die hard against electronic drums till i played and did the research on these. The technology has finally caught up. I'm actually having trouble because of how quiet it is on stage. I need to invest next in some in-ears for it all to work perfect. The one problem for drummers to switch would be the cost..... i dropped $5000 for the good ones and that was a steal. And now i'm looking at another $500 plus for in-ears. But as far as control of volume and the playing feel it is spot on. So you'd see very few drummers switching over due to cost alone. I know that is going to be a selling point of the 3 bands i'm in when trying to get gigs is that we can control our volume alot better now.
If any drummers or techies want to check out the td-20's let me know. I wanna maybe set bup a drum night so that anyone can check them out.
Todd

[tonefight]

I know that is going to be a selling point of the 3 bands i'm in when trying to get gigs is that we can control our volume alot better now.

That will definatly be a great selling point. $5K is alot to shell out though.

[bassist_25]

Speaking for Beyond Reason, we wouldn't mind. That is less equipment we would have to carry. The only person who uses an amp still is myself. I haven't sold my soul to the V-amp yet.

When we play at Pelly's, we always use Knight Sound. Greg has some pretty killer monitors, so I'm going to ask him if he can support bass with them. If he can, I may start leaving my rig at home when I play there.

[Skate Toad]

$5K is alot to shell out though.

They are worth every penny. The options are endless. recording is a breeze, the sounds are top notch and i can carry everything in 2 cases. The editing features are amazing....i can tell each drum what kind of head it should have ie. pinstripe,coated,or clear. Where the mic should be positioned, what the room has on the walls etc etc endless options. I could go on and on all day what they are capable of.
Worth at least looking at
www.rolandus.com Td-20's great videos on the site so you can hear them and see how they play

[Banned]

I've worked with drummers who used combinations of acoustic and
electronic drums. I personally like the sound of acoustic drums better,
but also like the volume aspects of electronics. I used monitors for my
bass rig setup in past (when I played with Sidewalk Romeo) and liked
the lower stage volume it allowed me to work with, but I did miss the
punch of a regular rig (monitors lacked enough low end response).
By the way, I used 2 ElectroVoice wedges w/ 15" and horn, one wedge
for stage vocals and the other for bass guitar. Overall, the setup worked great! Right in your face at mic stand!

[bsaller]

Way back in the 80's I used a set of TAMA Rockstar Extras. Thay were maple shells and all the drums were extra deep and had Evans hydraulic heads. Without any damping on them these drums could wipeout the whole band sound wise. I'm now using asmaller set of Premier artist birch drums (22' BD, 13"snare, 13", 14", and 16"toms) and all dark (Zildgian K) cymbals. Our stage volume is really good now.
Cruseaudio can verify that cause he's our soundman of choice!

[bsaller]

To answer the question of electronics. I use a bunch of pads and an Alesis drum module. Usually ony for percussion instrments. I like acoustic drums because they let each drummer's sound be more unique because of tuning, heads, sticks, types of cymbals,etc.
I prefer hybrid myself.

[RobTheDrummer]

There are some really cool things about V-Drums, but I would never go completely electronic. There are just too many things about acoustic drumsets that I prefer over the electronic ones. For instance, feel is a big one. The mesh or rubber heads give you a lot of bounce, so you get the same feel on the snare and toms. Also the little ghost notes and such don't feel the same. V-Drums are fun in their own right and there is an assload of different things that are cool about them, BUT they cost a lot and I just love acoustic kits!

[RobTheDrummer]

Sorry to double post here, but:

I'm not changing what I play because the PLCB are dicks...Fuck that!

[HurricaneBob]

Dont forget with accoustic kits there is a thing called dynamics!
I have tried elec kits with and without mesh heads. It would be nice to have one at home for the neighbors and practice, but live i will stay with a real kit.

[ToonaRockGuy]

AMEN to that, Bobby! One thing that I learned from all the years of subbing with Felix is dynamics. I'm very proud that I can slam away on an acoustic kit, or play it at a whisper.

And as Rob said, I'm not changing what I play. I'm acoustic and proud. Besides, can you imagine a Scream or Hair Force One show with a set of Rolands or VDrums instead of a double-kick acoustic kit?? It's absolutely laughable.

To answer Doug's question, if me playing an electronic kit was the only way Scream could get a gig somewhere, screw that. It's up to the drummer to control his own playing volume, not the PLCB.

[HurricaneBob]

Right on Kev!

Damn i just figured out who Bsallers is! Heya Bo! Long time no see man!
Welcome to the boards fellow drum mentor!

[bsaller]

Right on Kev!

Damn i just figured out who Bsallers is! Heya Bo! Long time no see man!
Welcome to the boards fellow drum mentor!

It's me ! I swear I'm gonna catch you guys one of these nights! If the wife let's me. I've been keepin tabs on ya thru RP and your website.
I think you guys sound great, especially this latest version.

I thought I had retired, but after 15 years the bug hit me again! This time I'm in it till the bitter end.
Take care!

[F19Drummer]

It would take a lot of convincing to get me to trade in my acoustics. I just don't think it would feel right. Those of you who are drummers know what I mean. I'm sure that electronic kits have their advantages, but I prefer the acoustics. However, now that I'm getting .02 more a stamp, I may be able to afford a set electronic drums some day!

[orangekick]

I'm ont a drummer, but I'd have to say that lower stage volumes would be a huge problem for me. I play through tube amps like a lot of guitarists, however I like power tube distortion. If everyone started going to electric drum kits, I'd have to either sell my amp and go with a much smaller tube amp or crank the preamp gain which would end up making my guitar sound small and fizzy. That's just not cool.

Rock music is supposed to be loud!!

[HBSPro]

Stage Vol. has been a off and on problem for years. live Kits are nice . and yes the feel is different. being a Drummer myself. i have even tried the pintech heads with triggers . man that takes a bit of getting use to. also found out useing triggers on a live kit with no mics works also for the mix part one my end. with a Alesis DM5 or DMPro. 2 lines out but you have to know your way around the Unit to get the sound you want.

[Banned]

Dont forget with accoustic kits there is a thing called dynamics!
I have tried elec kits with and without mesh heads. It would be nice to have one at home for the neighbors and practice, but live i will stay with a real kit.

How much can a drummer change the volume?

Is it just a matter of how hard you hit?

different size sticks? Is it the kit?

I know there are louder drummers than others. Why is that?

I guess I am asking for a technical explanation of why some drummers are louder than others.

[HurricaneBob]

Dont forget with accoustic kits there is a thing called dynamics!
I have tried elec kits with and without mesh heads. It would be nice to have one at home for the neighbors and practice, but live i will stay with a real kit.

How much can a drummer change the volume?

Is it just a matter of how hard you hit?

different size sticks? Is it the kit?

I know there are louder drummers than others. Why is that?

I guess I am asking for a technical explanation of why some drummers are louder than others.

You sound like NS...ROFL

[Jim Price]

Hurricane wrote:

You sound like NS...ROFL

NS must have transferred the dark powers of the force to undercoverjoe when she was sent into Rockpage purgatory...