Never breaking cymbals

[Stroman]

I probably should’ve experienced that but getting to see all these sub-par bands playing around our neighborhood and for family get-togethers, sadly, taught me something

I learned eventually! And eventually made enough money to get proper sound reinforcement equipment.

 

[A J]

I have been playing drums for a little over 40 years and I have never broken a cymbal. Yeah... My drumming sucks, but I'm focusing on the broken cymbal thing!

 

[Bo Eder]

I learned eventually! And eventually made enough money to get proper sound reinforcement equipment.

Isn’t it ironic it’s always the drummers, who are already carrying around more stuff than anybody, would also be ok with hauling around a PA system? I’m definitely playing the wrong instrument…..

 

[Suburbankidz]

Isn’t it ironic it’s always the drummers, who are already carrying around more stuff than anybody, would also be ok with hauling around a PA system? I’m definitely playing the wrong instrument…..

My drum instructor, when learning I had a truck, early on warned me not to start hauling the band's PA system around. The bass player, who also has a truck hauls the PA.

 

[Bo Eder]

My drum instructor, when learning I had a truck, early on warned me not to start hauling the band's PA system around. The bass player, who also has a truck hauls the PA.

My point was that Gary Chester recommended drummers having their own PA to be used to bring their volume up enough to balance with the rest of the band - not necessarily to have a PA for the entire band.

And listening to Gary Chester, as impractical as it would be, he’s right. When un-mic’d drums are confronted with amplified guitars in a good-sized room (or worse, outside) as loud as people think drums are, they simply won’t project as well as a guitar through an amp (regardless of brand), and won’t sound as full. There’s a reason it’s called “sound reinforcement” - you just want enough presence so you don’t have to pound your instrument. You can actually play it, like the other musicians who get to play their instrument.

 

[jda]

i remember back in 74 my bass player handed me or sold me two AKG mics and the assumption was my drums were going to become another instrument . Carrying around cords and mic stands and..

It was then I decided I'm changing music going in another direction.
Haven't carried a mic since

Have been mic'ed but by someone who that was his job.
I know luxury... Jazz is luxury

 

[Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX]

I think that people don't realize you can "outplay" a cymbal...if you hit it too hard, it actually speaks less aggressively. Same with drums. There is only so much vibration the materials can give...I feel like about 50% of the drummers I have encountered don't know this....and 98% of guitar players...and even some sound engineers...

 

[jda]

"I wasn't going into microphone prison"

You'll have to come and get me copper

 

[Tamboreter]

And listening to Gary Chester, as impractical as it would be, he’s right. When un-mic’d drums are confronted with amplified guitars in a good-sized room (or worse, outside) as loud as people think drums are, they simply won’t project as well as a guitar through an amp (regardless of brand), and won’t sound as full. There’s a reason it’s called “sound reinforcement” - you just want enough presence so you don’t have to pound your instrument. You can actually play it, like the other musicians who get to play their instrument.

Golly, that is the absolute truth! When I have to play even on an ekit, there are times I can't hear myself hit the pads over all the amplified bass and guitars. And you know how it goes, everything is already loud, so no we can't turn the drum volume up any higher, lol.