Drum Shields!!!

Does your drummer ride the cymbals a lot?

We had the same problem until our drummer did two things:

1. Stop using the cymbals so much
2. tighten the stand clamps. They'll damp out qicker and you'll have less ambient noise to deal with.

Yes he likes using the fine china quite a bit, we were hoping not to change his playing at all, but we were hoping to deal with it. The cymbals are the problem child I think, the kick and toms we can deal with, it all the highs that seem to resonate everywhere. We have in the past put little strips of duct tape on the cymbals to take some of the ringing out, it seems to help a bit, but make them a bit dull, but not to bad depending on how many strips are added.

The theory to the sleeping bags and drum shield is..... that the sound would bounce off the drum shield, back at the drummer and be caught in the sleeping bags behind him, rather than bounce off the walls....right now the walls are fairly bare, just gyp roc and the floors are hardwood, so the sound bounces around quite a bit.

Would this work, in terms of sounding better or would this work in the whole band being able to turn down, or would it still be a waste of time and money..?

Thanks for the suggestions so far, please keep them comming so I have lots of things to try the next time we get together, and if you have any comments regarding... or have used something simular to the drum shield idea, please let me know.

Thanks!

Hey Moonrider,

I snugged up the clamps on the cymdals, and that made a bit of a difference, we will see if the drummer even notices the next time he gets on his set. But we still would like to control the volume more.

Thanks

Use all the suggestions above. I like the sleeping bags idea on the back walls because it will absorb some of the reflections. For a drum shield you might get one of those cheap clear vinyl shower curtains and hang that up in front of him.

Plus he could also learn to play a little softer. He could still get the tone if he got used to it. The energy of a song doesn't necessarily come from volume, but the mind set and the intent.

Regards.

Hey Moonrider,

I snugged up the clamps on the cymdals, and that made a bit of a difference, we will see if the drummer even notices the next time he gets on his set. But we still would like to control the volume more.

Thanks

Your drummer is the one that can control the volume. Sometimes a bit of subtle reinforcement helps. We'd deliberately set up a string of up-temo songs to practice and rip through them one after another. When our drummer asked for a break, we'd comment "You know, you really don't have to hit them that hard. . . if you didn't you wouldn't tire out as fast." He finally figured out what we were doing to him, but by that time he was in the habit of playing with more restraint. Plus it improved his speed and timing on fills and rolls.

Moonrider, it would be nice if we could get a Disney movie ending out of it, but as a lot of other bands have experienced.... Im assuming, I know in our situation at least... that has not worked, that is why we are trying to figure out another solution. Maybe if I would drape thick blankets all around the drum set so he cant see out, might drive the point home for him to play quieter, but that would be........ well lets just say that wouldnt be a great idea!

I would be interested in seeing some pictures or hearing some ideas on how other people have caged there drummers in and if they used economical material that they have had around the house or other interesting ideas.

I think a big plastic bubble would be perfect, we could kill 2 birds with one stone.....control volume and it could be a gimick... "COME AND SEE THE DRUMMER BOY IN THE BUBBLE!!!" .....rump a pum.. pum.. pum.. pum

thanks

Moonrider, it would be nice if we could get a Disney movie ending out of it, but as a lot of other bands have experienced.... Im assuming, I know in our situation at least... that has not worked, that is why we are trying to figure out another solution. Maybe if I would drape thick blankets all around the drum set so he cant see out, might drive the point home for him to play quieter, but that would be........ well lets just say that wouldnt be a great idea!

Will, you're telling me that he won't do what needs to be done to make the band sound its best. If that's the case, you're better off without him.

The drummer in our band has been my best friend for over 30 years. I haven't hesitated to state baldly: "If you're not willing to do what's needed to make ALL OF US - the band - sound OUR best, TOGETHER, pack your kit and go. We need to work as a team."

There's no "Disney" about it. To succeed as a band, the music and making musical sound MUST come first.

It sounds easy enough but all of us have fun playing together, all of us do it as a hobby, none of us have the asperation that we will make a living out of it, we all started playing at the same time and just know where each guy is going when we jam together. We have fun comming up with original songs and just feeling like kids again.

Like I said my basement has gyp roc'd walls and hardwood floors so the sound bounces around alot. I have jammed with other drummers in the basement some alot louder, some quieter....yes our drummer could go down in volume and yes it would be a battle but even playing with quieter or more controled drummer it is still loud. We stand about 3-4ft facing the drummer and I think we still need something to dampen the sound between us and the drummer.

Moonrider, thanks for all the advice so far, and I know it would be best for our situation for him to play as quiet as possible but unless hell freezes over or for some reason i finally know exactly what my old lady is thinking all the time....,it wont happen.

Thanks

P.S. Honey, if you read this, I mean better half, not old lady.