Out door gig

[Jayme]

O.k here's a question...
Soon I'm going to have a party at home in the yard with my familly (a LOT of people are comming and we are going to play live music) and i was wondering if the kit would need amplifying? Or should i just play with heavy sticks? All the other instruments are going to be amplifide.The yard is about 15m long and about 9m wide surrounded with buildings.

[Lt. Bob]

Well it depends on how loud you want it but in a small setting like that you can probably get by with a kick mic and maybe an overhead.

[golygi]

Also, although possibly not pratical, you'd be amazed how much some kind of reflector will help. Playing outside, the sound goes everywhere. The amps are pointed at the crowd, the p.a. is pointed at the crowd and the drums are pointed at the ...? If you can find anything that is non-soundabsorbant preferably at least 2mX2m and flat (or even a little concave) you'll be able to point your drum sound at least a little, like the rest of the band. Call some band instrument rental places, or build a simple frame and drywall it. Then, you'll even have a backdrop ...

[greenbaysucks]

i played a show at a yard a lot bigger than that (with no monitoring other than the guitar amp being right to my left, which was a challenge and something to bitch about no doubt) and i didn't need any mic'ing nor did either of the amps. all we had was a small P.A. (probably like 200w, can't remember) for vocals and the guitarist's piezo pickup. but this was in a really wide open yard, what kind of buildings are surrounding you? just houses? i really doubt you'll need anything special, just play out assuming you'll be able to hear the other musicians.

[geet73]

You'll be fine. I've played fairly large outdoor shows with no amplification whatsoever. I like playing outside, alot. Everything sounds better. (when there aren't buildings surrounding you)

[Jayme]

Originally Posted by golygi

If you can find anything that is non-soundabsorbant preferably at least 2mX2m and flat (or even a little concave) you'll be able to point your drum sound at least a little, like the rest of the band. Call some band instrument rental places, or build a simple frame and drywall it. Then, you'll even have a backdrop ...

I like the sound of that!!
But.........
Is there any cheaper way of doing that??
(I'm willing to do the work that's needed)