Practice kit setup.....Basic or elaborate?

[L mandrake]

I'm interested in what everybody considers to be the most useful or practical setup up for practice pad setup. The one that gets the most use for me is just a simple 6" real feel pad taped on top of a guitar stand( it gives it a good angle and it can be raised or lowered). But I also find that having a kick pedal while I'm on the pad is really helpful. I just built one out of wood with a soft pad for the beater. The other thing I use is a plastic shaker egg taped to an old shoe for the left foot which acts as a ' hi hat simulator' when you tap your foot up and down. gets a nice little chick chick chick sound to complement the kick.
I also built myself a full practice setup out of wood with the toms, snare, hi hat etc in the right place so that I can practice moving around the kit a bit more, but that doesnt get much use these days as I live out in the bush and I might as well just play the drums. I saw a video of Jo Jo Mayer playing a pad with a second pad raised a few inches above it which I assumed to be used as a hi hat. Anyone got any favorites or variations on the norm?

[NegadivOne]

I just practice on my real drums. If I need to be quiet I throw on the Sound Off drum silencers.

[L mandrake]

I forgot about those. I have a set that I was given and they were a few years old so every time I hit them all this black dust would go everywhere and I was probably breathing it all in. Every time I see those things now I associate them with lung cancer or some unpronounceable respiratory affliction. I better buy a new set so I can put that to rest. And while I am on that topic, I bought one of those Billy Hyde 12 inch practice pads used it a couple of times but the smell of the toxic rubber was a bit overwhelming. I returned it. I dont know if I am overly sensitive or just turning into a pussy.

[Tim Brown]

I use a 10" Remo tunable pad on a stand.

I have a piece of foam that I can put on it if I want utter silence. The foam is also good for completely absorbing the strike - so I actually have to "stick" each stroke - no bouncing - which is good for building your fingers up.



Tim

[daav]

Originally Posted by NegadivOne

I just practice on my real drums. If I need to be quiet I throw on the Sound Off drum silencers.

What do you do to quiet the kick?

Daav

[BlackHawk2029]

a lot of those silencing pad sets come with a kick pad with elastic cord that goes up around the tension rods. as for me, i use a book taped to a board and my pedals for my feet, a mousepad for hands.

[L mandrake]

Originally Posted by BlackHawk2029

a lot of those silencing pad sets come with a kick pad with elastic cord that goes up around the tension rods. as for me, i use a book taped to a board and my pedals for my feet, a mousepad for hands.

I like the minimalist approach.
I have this leather couch that has a bit of nice firm padding at the bottom, right at kick beater height. It makes a great whump sound with perfect rebound with a kick pedal.

There is also a soft rubber mesh inner sole for shoes that you can put on a piece of wood (glued or taped) , has a great practice pad feel.

The soft part of the inside of the steering wheel is a great pad as well. But of course you only use this when you are stopped at traffic lights!!! or when you are waiting for your kids when they are 1/2 hour late.

[rayc]

Do Billy Hyde & bush give you away often?
I have nothing to offer as I don't play anything other than the arm of the lounge.
I love the inventiveness of you folk though.

[L mandrake]

Originally Posted by rayc

Do Billy Hyde & bush give you away often?
I have nothing to offer as I don't play anything other than the arm of the lounge.
I love the inventiveness of you folk though.

Gday Ray From memory...Billy Hyde is an aussie isnt he? I know that question could be enough to have my passport revoked

[Supercreep]

Originally Posted by L mandrake

I dont know if I am overly sensitive or just turning into a pussy.

....Ummmmmmm.....

[L mandrake]

Originally Posted by Supercreep

....Ummmmmmm.....

Shouldnt hitting the practice pad be an enjoyable olfactory experience though??? Id like to have the choice of various scents like 'pine forest', or 'spicy indian curry' 'durian' or for the more smell oriented 'bicycle seat' ,or 'bankok traffic' etc