Sound testing/playing... please review!!

[hendecahedron]

Ok I don't have a nice recording system at the moment, so I'm using a camcorder set up right in front of my set to record anything I play. After literally months of trial and error, I finally found what I think is the best recording position for the camera to capture all of my setup's sounds. I took the opportunity and tried to hone the ol' chops a bit, trying to work in segments of 2-3 minutes per recording. Instead of just hitting the record button and wander off, I tried to keep it more structured and see what I could come up with in a short length of time. Please keep in mind this is still improv, so you'll hear some tempo changes, as I come up with different ideas. Please listen to it and leave your comments as to how I can improve. Thanks!!

P.S.: I shut the camera lens off; there's not much to see as the camera is right in front of my set. I'm not playing in the dark...

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/Hendecahedron/?action=view&current=MVI_0245.flv

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/Hendecahedron/?action=view&current=MVI_0246.flv

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/Hendecahedron/?action=view&current=MVI_0247.flv

[wert90]

always good to record and hear yourself play even if the quality isnt the best.

what heads are you using? sounds pretty plasticy to me, but thats easily sorted. and may i suggest practicing to a metronome? cos whens theres nobody else there to tell you youve slipped out of time, a metronome will be your new best friend.

[hendecahedron]

Yes, that plastic sound is annoying. I'm using Evans G2 heads on all toms, but I'm still using the stock reso heads. I'm using a moongel on all toms and snare as well.

Any Ideas on how to make the drums sound more like... well, drums?

[wert90]

hmmm..... hard to say... is it just the recordings that sound like that or the kit in person? what kit is it by the way?

also, try taking the moongel off and loosening the heads. did you put the moongels on because you dont like to hear them ring?

if so.... good choice! i dont either.

[hendecahedron]

It's the kit, actually, and as an attempt to minimize tom ring and sympathetic resonance, the moongels are used. As soon as I remove the gels off the toms, the snare stars to ring and I don't really like that. I've tried tuning the toms and snare in different ways but to no avail.

As for the kit, it's a Ludwig Accent Custom. Nothing too fancy!