Compact "Porchboard" kit for Low Volume gigs, duo, etc.

CanCountTo4 · #1 02-22-2010, 04:36 PM

Hi all, my first post here...love Drummerworld.com and contribute to it's support monetarily (we all should!).

I hope this is of some interest to some of you.

Pictured below is my favorite little gig drum kit featuring the Porchboard bass as a bass drum/bass guitar substitute.

Intended for the solo acoustic guitarist, this gem found it's way into my gear list and my heart, via a Bose L1 users conference in Little Switzerland, NC, that was attended by the Porchboard folks. They came to our gathering as a number of L1 users have invested in them, and Nadene and Bill at Porchboard have found that their instrument sounds it's best through an L1.

To use a Porchboard all you need is a sound system capable of supporting it, or a stand alone powered sub. I carry a Bose L1 with me to all of my gigs, so I always have the necessary support for the Porchboard. Typically, I'm mic'ing a kick drum with an Audix D6 or using a trapKAT electronic drum trigger with a Roland TD-12 module.

I've found the Porchboard to be a really compact and sonically compatible percussion device when used with a duo, small combo, and even bluegrass bands, who traditionally won't allow a drummer on stage with them.
It has a very low tone, that seems present only in the sub frequencies, and is not affected much by EQ. It's tone is very ambiguous, and when used without a bass guitar, it will emulate the perceived tone of that instrument.

There have been times when a real bass drum was just too much, or the stage area too small to accomodate, a real drum. The Porchboard is a life saver. Most often, I've used it in a local bar, where we set up around a big table, and the PB goes right under it. Then I have a snare, cymbal, and brushes or multi-rods. Works great for this country music gig.

Here is a video clip from this fall in the back yard. This was done with a digital camera, is un-edited sound-wise and lacks a little bass, but you can get the idea.

Pete

Cannon · #2 02-22-2010, 04:42 PM

That is interesting ut I would feel a little incomplete not having even a smaller drum down there.
But I see the need for this instrument .
Mike

CanCountTo4 · #3 02-22-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon

That is interesting ut I would feel a little incomplete not having even a smaller drum down there.
But I see the need for this instrument .
Mike

True...but when surrounded by lots of other gear, it can go unnoticed.
I'd forgotten about this other video which shows that effect.
You can see the porchboard at around 1:00.
FishFry Video