New Tricks
Platinum Member
Last summer I got back into drumming. Bought a big ass double bass set.
Was thrilled to be playing again but not thrilled with the overall sound.
Picked up an E kit (never played one before) to get extended practice hours.
Loved that I could actually hear what I was playing but cymbals less than ideal.
E kit records easier.
Many people said don't quit the A kit so I didn't.
I notice that 99% of professionals play accoustics.
Over the past few months I'd occaisionally sit at the A kit and it just sounded bad. Too much resonance and everything mushed together and the snare rings like crazy.
Yesterday I reworked my A kit, eliminating the second kick (playing with a double kick pedal), the 13" rack tom and 16" floor tom as well as some cymbals (still experimenting with those).
I like the A kit MUCH better now. For some reason the double pedal on the single kick sounds better. Maybe because of the muting effect? I didn't see the purpose of 3 rack toms and two floor toms. The bigger ones sounded too deep anyway. I put a bunch of masking tape on the snare head to dampen the ringing and it helped some.
I'm still not happy with any A cymbals either. I have a 22" Zildjian ride that's as big as a trash can lid, an 18" Sabian with a bunch of hammer marks, an 18" Zildian custom crash that I use as a ride, a 13" Zildian custom crash, a little 10" splash and a pair of 14" hi hats (which are the only ones I kind of like). I think I need thinner cymbals.
There may or may not be a question in my post. I may just be muttering to myself.
Original A kit
Modified A kit
Ekit
At this point, if I could get a good E cymbal, I'd be happy playing them exclusively.
If I could get a proper room to play the A kit so I knew what they sounded like from 20-50' away, I'd be happy playing them exclusively.
Also, I'm sure I can jump back and forth between A and E with minimal adjustments.
Was thrilled to be playing again but not thrilled with the overall sound.
Picked up an E kit (never played one before) to get extended practice hours.
Loved that I could actually hear what I was playing but cymbals less than ideal.
E kit records easier.
Many people said don't quit the A kit so I didn't.
I notice that 99% of professionals play accoustics.
Over the past few months I'd occaisionally sit at the A kit and it just sounded bad. Too much resonance and everything mushed together and the snare rings like crazy.
Yesterday I reworked my A kit, eliminating the second kick (playing with a double kick pedal), the 13" rack tom and 16" floor tom as well as some cymbals (still experimenting with those).
I like the A kit MUCH better now. For some reason the double pedal on the single kick sounds better. Maybe because of the muting effect? I didn't see the purpose of 3 rack toms and two floor toms. The bigger ones sounded too deep anyway. I put a bunch of masking tape on the snare head to dampen the ringing and it helped some.
I'm still not happy with any A cymbals either. I have a 22" Zildjian ride that's as big as a trash can lid, an 18" Sabian with a bunch of hammer marks, an 18" Zildian custom crash that I use as a ride, a 13" Zildian custom crash, a little 10" splash and a pair of 14" hi hats (which are the only ones I kind of like). I think I need thinner cymbals.
There may or may not be a question in my post. I may just be muttering to myself.
Original A kit
Modified A kit
Ekit
At this point, if I could get a good E cymbal, I'd be happy playing them exclusively.
If I could get a proper room to play the A kit so I knew what they sounded like from 20-50' away, I'd be happy playing them exclusively.
Also, I'm sure I can jump back and forth between A and E with minimal adjustments.
If the acoustic kit is tuned up properly, it should have a much more distinct sound. I have a 16 piece acoustic kit, and all the drums sound good, along with the snare. I have an electronic kit, that I have no use for because it sounds and feels like an electronic kit. It is easier to go from acoustic to electronic, then electronic to acoustic. The e-kit will make you feel like a pro drummer, until you go back to the a-kit. E-kits are much easier to play.