• Drum Discussion Thread
    3,045 replies, posted
[QUOTE=bltsponge;29459027]This. I was going to make a comment about inconsistent sound and the need for more relaxed rebound and velocity in the left hand, but this looks like the root of the problem. Good news: it's a quick fix. I find the best spot for the left fulcrum is at the bottom end of the flag on VF sticks.[/QUOTE] How many inches from the bead? I use tape on my stick. Ill make another video trying to give it a more consistent sound.
[QUOTE=thatguyinthecorner;29457038]i was thinking that. the way. i was talking to my instructor about that. he uses mid-level equipment and gets quite an excellent sound out of it. (and another friend i know who plays) i really only need to upgrade my rack toms. my bass sounds good. i have a good snare. the floor tom will be absolutely dead because i want it like that. my kit isn't bad sounding at all to be honest, just needs a bit of TLC that i need some assistance with in terms of tuning and if i ever bought a full kit, it would have to be a tama granstar (if i could ever, ever get so lucky to find one, ha ha)[/QUOTE] what kit are you on anyway? so you don't like your racktoms, but instead of replacing them you buy two extra crappier toms? also dead floortoms sound horrible, learn to tune it, you'll know it sounds better that way. besides this, details details details, what is your kit, what is your snare, how is your hardware. get a good base before you start adding all kinds of shit to it, otherwise you'll end up with one of those mismatched horrible sounding huge drumkits you see everywhere over craigslist and ebay.
[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;29463588]How many inches from the bead? I use tape on my stick. Ill make another video trying to give it a more consistent sound.[/QUOTE] Most guys leave a gap in the tape for the fulcrum, but that's just personal preference. Anyway, that 'sweet spot' will differ for each type of stick as they have different shapes. Generally, it's about 5 inches from the butt.
[QUOTE=BassB;29463876]what kit are you on anyway? so you don't like your racktoms, but instead of replacing them you buy two extra crappier toms? also dead floortoms sound horrible, learn to tune it, you'll know it sounds better that way. [/QUOTE] no no no, i love my toms. I was just saying if i was going to buy new drums, it would be rack toms. i just need to put some TLC into them and spend a good day tuning them differently to try out all my combos, and then pick a good tuning. well im working on a ludwig accent I replaced the ZBT shit with xs20 hats and crash, and an AAX crash and a wuhan china (the xs20 and aax crashes sound pretty similar.) I dont plan an adding any more than a splash and a ride I have two snares. one came with the accent. the other i bought off my instructor (the 5th time writing this out in this thread i think)
Uploading a video with me not on a couch but holding a snare with a pad on it. It's still leaning though because my camera is on my congas which are leaning. I watched it; I really want to improve, I know I really suck consistency wise. How can I improve it? I'm supposed to be playing 3, not 6, for the taps. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] I guess I'll just have to keep doing the exercise until it's perfect. I will document my progress in this thread. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ouLm4y5Ns4[/media]
[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;29471993]Uploading a video with me not on a couch but holding a snare with a pad on it. It's still leaning though because my camera is on my congas which are leaning. I watched it; I really want to improve, I know I really suck consistency wise. How can I improve it? I'm supposed to be playing 3, not 6, for the taps. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] I guess I'll just have to keep doing the exercise until it's perfect. I will document my progress in this thread. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ouLm4y5Ns4[/media][/QUOTE] Tap heights. On the buzz roll really press into those buzzes, do not let them float. Press the stick into the head as hard you can.
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;29474255]Tap heights. On the buzz roll really press into those buzzes, do not let them float. Press the stick into the head as hard you can.[/QUOTE] Will do. So that improves tap heights?
[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;29474358]Will do. So that improves tap heights?[/QUOTE] Pressing into the buzzes improves sound quality. When you play marching snare you need to be putting as much velocity into each stroke as you can without going over your currnet height. If you let your buzzes float no one will hear it.
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;29474435]Pressing into the buzzes improves sound quality. When you play marching snare you need to be putting as much velocity into each stroke as you can without going over your currnet height. If you let your buzzes float no one will hear it.[/QUOTE] Good to know. Also, here's where my left hand is at now when I play: [img]http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3690/20110427181525.jpg[/img] Closer/farther away from bead? This gives me as much rebound as possible, so I think I should keep it? [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] But my 12 on my left hand is not nearly as loud as the 12 on my right hand. It's because I have less of the stick. So I should move it back a bit?
I would say move further from the bead a bit. I typically follow the rule, a fists width away from the butt of the stick.
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;29475469]I would say move further from the bead a bit. I typically follow the rule, a fists width away from the butt of the stick.[/QUOTE] Ok. Less bounce but more sound. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] Holy shit, my taps are amazing now. For me, at least
[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;29475529]Ok. Less bounce but more sound.[/QUOTE] You should not be relying on the bounce to get good sound quality.
I just did triplet buzzes with accents on the beat at 150 for 30 minutes straight. They're much more solid. Automerge, I was saying I did that, and combined with that tip about where my left hand should be, my taps sound great. Thanks.
I was always told the fulcrum is different for each individual. There is a general spot that is considered correct, but it can vary. What I've been told anyways. Of course you still don't wanna choke up on the stick. There is a distance that is just a blatant no.
when buying a second bass drum (because im doing some research) is it as hard to match two different brands as with toms, or do bass drums generally sound the same? i might consider, if i want to buy a second one, bringing it to guitar center and hearing what they have to say about tones
Why are you buying two different ones? What research?
i have one and i would love to buy another end of this year. i research things before i buy them. i cant find where to buy one that matches my kits, else i would buy it
I just think having more than one is a waste of space and money. To each his own, I guess
Save money, buy one whole kit. Don't waste your time with mixing and matching kits.
Is there a Pro Mark alternative for [url=http://www.vicfirth.com/product/buynow/product.php?button=MS4]Vic Firth MS4's[/url]? Or an IP alternative? I heard Vic Firth MS4s are starting to suck when it comes to endurance. People said they used to last them months and years, but now they're breaking after only a few weeks, even days.
[QUOTE=Funcoot;29479342]Is there a Pro Mark alternative for [url=http://www.vicfirth.com/product/buynow/product.php?button=MS4]Vic Firth MS4's[/url]? Or an IP alternative? I heard Vic Firth MS4s are starting to suck when it comes to endurance. People said they used to last them months and years, but now they're breaking after only a few weeks, even days.[/QUOTE] No, but there is a VF alternative! The new Hardimon Hammers are pretty awesome. They're basically a Ralph Hardimon stick made in Sta-Pac. They have the same weight as my old pair of Delucia's, except with the classic Hardimon feel.
[url]http://www.innovativepercussion.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?id=104[/url] This is the closest thing I can find. Pro Mark has nothing with the same bead type. Its 3/4ths of a inch longer though and like .025" thinner though.
[QUOTE=bltsponge;29479538]No, but there is a VF alternative! The new Hardimon Hammers are pretty awesome. They're basically a Ralph Hardimon stick made in Sta-Pac. They have the same weight as my old pair of Delucia's, except with the classic Hardimon feel.[/QUOTE] Do you still fancy and love Vic Firth? I've been reading that their quality control has been going down the tubes lately. [editline]27th April 2011[/editline] Also, is Sta-Pac patented by them or something?
I've always used vic firth. I've had brief chop-out sessions with innovative and promark, but I've mainly been with VF. The quality depends on what stick you're looking for, I think. I find that it's easy to find a good pair of hardimons. If a brick of 6 storebough pairs, they'll usually be at least 2 that are really good, 3 that are decent, and only 1 dud. They do tend to die rather quickly though. I'd go through a pair every 1.5 weeks when I was marching snare for indoor. With Aungsts, it's much harder to find a great pair. In a pack of 12 sticks, you'll probably have 4 duds, 7 decent pairs, and one great pair. The thing with Aungsts is that a great pair will last long as hell (4 or 5 weeks or so during a season), and they'll keep feeling great right up until the moment they fracture. I might have screwed up the numbers a bit, so don't take this as cannon, haha. The new mike jackson's are pretty nice too. At bluestars, we get free sponsor sticks and they feel gooood.
Thanks for your input blt. Are there any method books you would recommend to someone learning snare?
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;29478787]Save money, buy one whole kit. Don't waste your time with mixing and matching kits.[/QUOTE] How bout you pay for it rich boi. If thatwas an option I would do it
[QUOTE=gerbile5;29483878]How bout you pay for it rich boi. If thatwas an option I would do it[/QUOTE] Saving your money until you can afford a better kit is not possible?
[QUOTE=Funcoot;29481058]Thanks for your input blt. Are there any method books you would recommend to someone learning snare?[/QUOTE] I bought Jeff Queen's 'The Next Level' my freshman year and played around with that a bit, but I didn't stick with it much. It seemed pretty good though. There's also Bill Bachman's Rudimental Logic. I haven't used it myself, but his other book, Quad Logic, is pretty great. Although, the best way (and most fun) way to learn is to drum with someone else.
Yeah, I drum and get help with most of the people on the snare line.
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;29484093]Saving your money until you can afford a better kit is not possible?[/QUOTE] nope i would have a new kit by the age of 25
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