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katzrock
Sea Monkey
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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 Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:24 am Post subject: Need advice for playing in a small room... |
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I have a 6 pc. Mapex Saturn kit which is setup in a 12 x 12 room. (approx). To make matters worse, because of the room layout, they are pretty much up against one wall, facing it. I guess I could move them out to the middle, or turn them the other way, but that would severely limit the usability of the room...
Anyway, my issue; When playing them in this room, they really sound, well, bad! Kinda like beating on a cardboard box - well not that bad. Also, because of the size of the room, I suppose they all should be muffled somewhat. I have read about Moongels, but I don't really think they are what I need in this particular situation.
Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas about the placement, sound deadening, more?
I appreciate any/all feedback!
Thanks!  |
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bytor
Admin
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 5260
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| If they already sound reminiscient of cardboard boxes, then why would you want to muffle the drums? I would think that would only make it worse. What heads do you have on them? How do you have them tuned? |
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katzrock
Sea Monkey
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | If they already sound reminiscent of cardboard boxes, then why would you want to muffle the drums? |
I guess what I meant by that is; because of the size of the room, they are too loud, even when playing with light sticks or brushes. They have the Mapex/Remo - Weatherking heads that came with the set.
| Quote: | | How do you have them tuned |
Umm...I don't really know how to answer that question. I have tuning instructions that I printed out from the 'net when I got them, so they are tuned; they sounded good in the larger room, but this smaller one that I am in now just makes them sound horrible. |
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bytor
Admin
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 5260
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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The clear Remo Ambassadors that come with the kit are the real deal, and they're fairly lively, as drum heads go. If the drums all sound like they're blending together into a mush, then yeah, you probably need some type of muffling to get more definition from each drum. Have you tried anything, yet? Duct tape? Studio rings? Moon gel? My personal preference is the Moon gel. Put a piece of that on each of your toms, and it might make a significant difference.
By the way, do you wear ear protection when you play? If not, I can guarantee you that your drums will sound better with ear plugs or gun mufflers on. You'll hear much more definition from your kit, and you'll be doing your ears a tremendous favor. Hearing damage is no fun. |
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TheArchitect
Newbie Alert
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: |
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| The heads that came on my M Birch were Remo, but made in china and were not good. I would work with tuning/muffling first but don't rule out a head change. |
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bytor
Admin
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 5260
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| TheArchitect wrote: | | The heads that came on my M Birch were Remo, but made in china and were not good. I would work with tuning/muffling first but don't rule out a head change. |
Mapex Saturns have real, USA made Remo heads, though. They shouldn't require changing, unless they're just plain worn out. |
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sfauts
Fierce Wolf
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Saturns come with Emperors on the batter side now.
The kit is made for live venues and studio situations, not really suited to a small room.
Saturns resonate massive, you don't realise the full extent until you get your own Saturns.
You're not going to get away from it not sounding great in a small room because you've got the sound bouncing off all 4 walls at you. |
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edgewood_drummer92
Bear
Joined: 16 Feb 2007
Posts: 676
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:56 am Post subject: |
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pretty much what sfauts said is correct. There is one thing that you might try. tune your heads up until when you push on the head they don't dip in. So in other words it will feel like a hard surface. Leave it there for at least a couple of hours. Then tune them down to the desired pitch. Doing this helps get a lower pitch while the head isn't too loose, which might make it sound better in the room. Also it might depend on what kind of drums you have, meaning what kind of wood. In my 10ftx10ft room i have birch drums and they have too much resonance. The amount of stuff in your room will also effect the sound. Obviously if your bass drum is up against the wall then the bd is going to be muffled. Hope this helps
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katzrock
Sea Monkey
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:55 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | You're not going to get away from it not sounding great in a small room because you've got the sound bouncing off all 4 walls at you. |
Yeah, that is pretty much what I feel most of the problem is. Unfortunately, I am stuck in this size room for now, & these drums don't want to be cooped up! The suggestions are all good, I will try tuning the heads up tight & then backing them off after awhile.
Thanks for all the input! |
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sfauts
Fierce Wolf
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Katzrock
The only other suggestion is Mesh Heads.
Very little sound, great feel. |
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katzrock
Sea Monkey
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | The only other suggestion is Mesh Heads.
Very little sound, great feel. |
That is interesting; I never gave those a thought. I don't believe I have ever heard them played either. What do they typically sound like? Are they tunable to give a decent sound, or are they severely lacking in the tonal quality? |
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bytor
Admin
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 5260
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| They hardly make any sound at all. They're primarily for electronic kits. |
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sfauts
Fierce Wolf
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| katzrock wrote: | | Quote: | The only other suggestion is Mesh Heads.
Very little sound, great feel. |
That is interesting; I never gave those a thought. I don't believe I have ever heard them played either. What do they typically sound like? Are they tunable to give a decent sound, or are they severely lacking in the tonal quality? |
Unfortunately, you're not going to get a happy medium.
You will hear the impact, but very little of it. |
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bytor
Admin
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 5260
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:42 am Post subject: |
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| They do indeed have a nice, responsive feel to them, but I doubt they're the answer for you. |
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DespisedIconMTL
Sea Monkey
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Montreal,QC
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| Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:40 am Post subject: |
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| TheArchitect wrote: | | The heads that came on my M Birch were Remo, but made in china and were not good. I would work with tuning/muffling first but don't rule out a head change. |
yo The Architects is for the band right?
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''Now I stare at life,like never did before'' |
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