LOW volume shells

[dirtyharry]

Now, most of us like our kits to be resonant and capable of a big sound. I am looking for the opposite thing right now, a kit wich will have rather a "low" sound, a kit to practice in my garage and to play in small venues... despite possible muffling, what is your advice on this? I guess small sizes, maybe bebop style but, wich wood will give me a sound under control?

[Porker69]

I think thin shells and drums made out of poplar are quieter.

[Jusstickinaround]

Now, most of us like our kits to be resonant and capable of a big sound. I am looking for the opposite thing right now, a kit wich will have rather a "low" sound, a kit to practice in my garage and to play in small venues... despite possible muffling, what is your advice on this? I guess small sizes, maybe bebop style but, wich wood will give me a sound under control?

Good luck trying to find a "quiet" drum set, unless ofcourse it's electric.

[Skitch]

Now, most of us like our kits to be resonant and capable of a big sound. I am looking for the opposite thing right now, a kit wich will have rather a "low" sound, a kit to practice in my garage and to play in small venues... despite possible muffling, what is your advice on this? I guess small sizes, maybe bebop style but, wich wood will give me a sound under control?


The Remo Acousticon shells were rumored to be a quiet drum.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[DamoSyzygy]

Drums, when not being hit, are noiseless - It all comes from the drummer. If you have trouble playing quitely, look at using Hot Rods, brushes and as a last resort, drum mutes or O-rings.

Buying a thin shelled kit for lesser noise is not a great idea, because its minimal.

[harryconway]

The Remo Acousticon shells were rumored to be a quiet drum.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw
Some of the loudest drums I've ever played, just to bust that myth. If you need to make virtually no noise, you need either a practice pad kit or an e-kit. Bundle stix/Hot Rods are great for low volume venue gigs, and I've played entire gigs with 'em. Certainly a cheaper way than buying a whole new kit. If you can afford an e-kit, I'd say get one. And keep your acoustic. Then you have your bases covered.

[Skitch]

Drums, when not being hit, are noiseless - It all comes from the drummer. If you have trouble playing quitely, look at using Hot Rods, brushes and as a last resort, drum mutes or O-rings.

Buying a thin shelled kit for lesser noise is not a great idea, because its minimal.

This is a great idea asI was using the Hot Rods today just for this purpose!

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[dirtyharry]

Good luck trying to find a "quiet" drum set, unless ofcourse it's electric.

I don't need it quiet, I was just wondering if there are kits less resonant than others. When I read "loudest drums I've ever played", it also means there must be "quieter", or "softer" drums than others, and I believe a few dBs less can make a big difference when it comes to disturbing neighbours or not.

Put together, as I have read, poplar+thin shells+small sizes+... That surely must sound somewhat quieter than a Bonham kit, despite you are a hard hiter or not (and I am not).

Are thin shells realy quieter? I read somewhere they are more resonant though. I personally don't like Hot Rods because they won´t give me the rebound I need.

Anyway, thanks for all the ideas!

[Ozzy Biz]

Thin shells resonante more and project less than their thicker counterparts; all variables such as heads, sticks, venue and playing style being the same.

Biz

[DamoSyzygy]

poplar+thin shells+small sizes+...
In theory, perhaps. But bare in mind that some woods which are lower in density can not be made into thin shells because there would be structural issues.

The beauty of denser woods is that thin shells can be produced and accurately cut. Drum manufacturers will therefore aim for woods which have grown slowly (such as in colder climates, eg North American maple) and have a much more dense fibre structure within the shell. It does make the drum a lot harder to machine and the whole production process can be a lot more labour-intensive, which is where part of the higher cost of good drums comes from.

One of the biggest misconceptions I believe is that retailers try to sell you the concept of "A higher quality drum sounds better". Sure, the potential may be there, but its mostly dependent on what heads are on the kit and how well they're tuned. Shell material, bearing edge profile and shell thickness do indeed play a part, but you probably wouldnt notice it unless you were an absolute drum nut - And even then I doubt anyone could confidently tell the difference.

Higher quality drums dont necessarily sound better, but they DO necessarily sound bigger.

[Deathmetalconga]

I've heard goo things abot the Pearl Rhythm Traveler. There is a whole genre of jungle and Hipgig kits that are much lower volume than standard sets.

www.terrasonus.com

[dirtyharry]

I've heard goo things abot the Pearl Rhythm Traveler. There is a whole genre of jungle and Hipgig kits that are much lower volume than standard sets.

www.terrasonus.com

YES! My decision is the Premier Heritage Club Kit. It's small-portable, and it's thin birch. Thanks all.