Will Using Smaller Drums Result In Less Volume? What Else Can A Drummer Do?

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stevieb

Just another guy, really.
Okay, another one of my "I'm not a drummer" questions.

The semi-casual group I play with includes a drummer. He currently plays a budget-priced kit that includes a 22" bass, 18" floor tom, 13" and 12" (I think_ mounted toms, 14" snare (another estimate- you get the picture.) The space we play in is rather small (40' X 60' or so) and live/boomy/reverb-y. We are mature adults, and don't fancy playing way loud- and some members complain about the drums being too loud. (Frankly, I think they are being too touchy, but nothing I can do about that.) Little or nothing we can do about room treatment, so that's not an option.

My drummer has tried several things- hit sticks, brushes when they fit the song, rags and towels to dampen the drums- all to some good effect, but still, the semi-whiners still complain.

Now, I happen to have a smaller, quite inexpensive kit- 20" bass, 15" floor, one 12" mounted tom, 13" snare. Will simply going to a slightly smaller kit make a noticeable difference in volume, and/or will it be easier to manage it's volume? I already had him audition a piccolo snare, which he hated.

We have not tried Moon Gels, hydraulic heads, recording rings, or such, yet.

So, your experiences and suggestions, please? We play together for a friendly audience on July 4, so we probably won't be making big changes before then (may play outside, so it becomes less of an issue) but there is some urgency to this- I would like to sell the smaller kit soon, if it won't be any help.

Thanks.
 
The kind of "smaller" you're talking about won't be noticeably quieter. In fact, they may seem even louder. Smaller drums generally have a higher, more focused sound. If rods and brushes are even too loud, then it sounds like you play with a bunch of mamby-pambys that need to just get over it. Drums are loud. Maybe you guys should switch to hand percussion instruments like tambourines and bongos.
 
Is an acoustic bass louder than a piccolo because it's bigger?

Bigger drums have the potential to be louder but generally they are lower not louder. They can even be less offensive because lower, less trebly tones don't offend so much.

When people say something is too loud they usually mean that the tone has peaks, so it's real important to have really good (make that exceptional) tone.

Hot Rod sticks are great when volume is a concern. I like the sound of them except on toms they are thin.

Not for all types of music and not for everybody, I use calf heads. Calf heads don't have the peaks plastic do resulting in a warm tone that doesn't stick out and piss people off.

I avoid budget priced kits and use the best drums and cymbals I can find. If you have really good tone it doesn't sound "loud". "Loud" = obnoxious peaks, and cheap gear can be full of them, especially the cymbals.

For super cheap, Wuhan cymbals are lower volume cymbals, but don't work for all music.

You've got to call the tunes right too, playing Zeppelin soft is as bad as playing Jobim loud.
 
stevieb said:
The space we play in is rather small (40' X 60' or so)
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The next time I see you complain about the size of your "small" space, I'm going to rupture something from giving you the finger so hard.

(<-pays $400/mo for a 12'x13' room)
 
What kind of music do you play? Does he hit the drums hard? Does your drummer have an ear?

Reason why I ask is, some music has to be loud. Some music, you can get away with toning it down a little. Some drummers are really dense when it comes to volume and they don't realize glocking the snare drum sounds like ass and is unappealing to listen to. And some drummers just don't have an ear and don't realize that they are not contributing of the overall blend.

And most drummers just take some time to learn about this stuff.

My most recent drummer has toned it down lately, and we sound a crap ton better as a result.
 
Greg_L said:
If rods and brushes are even too loud, then it sounds like you play with a bunch of mamby-pambys that need to just get over it. Drums are loud. .
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Exclamation point----------------->>>>>!!!

Period.
 
One option is electronic drums through a PA or amp. Then you could set the volume to be whatever you like. Maybe put mesh heads and triggers on the smaller kit?

Or earplugs. I wear earplugs at practice all the time.
 
Well, I was going to quote and respond, but every post here so far makes a good point, so quoting them all would take so much time- so I will just address them all now.

Greg, yeah, I do play with a few sissies. As I typed my original post, I thought, I might just buy them all a pair of ear plugs! Seriously. If the model of a "team" is several horses, or sled dogs, all pulling in the same direction, this bunch does not qualify. All great guys, but too often, everyone wants what they want, and takes a "the hell with what anybody thinks" attitude. I have come to the conclusion (from a former project, as well as this one) that the hardest thing to do is "lead" a band comprised of volunteer, non-professional instrumental musicians. (I think I will take that thought and start a new thread...)

Calf heads, eh? Interesting. I found a YouTube where a drummer played mylar and then calf, and it does sound different, but he seems to want to show off his chops more than doing a useful comparo, so he played different riffs on the different heads- not that useful. Jerk. Still, I am interested. I am concerned about the cost- and these ARE cheap drums- the ones he has, and all the ones I might offer- so I wonder about trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

ermghoti, I feel for you- I might suggest you find a church that you can rent space from, and maybe provide some sunday services music for- if you have theological differences, you might find a UU church that will be more tolerant of your personal beliefs (google "7 UU principals" for details.)

My drummer does understand about dynamics- he is a former jazz drummer and french horn player, and choir vocalist- I can say that he is a "musician," not just a "drummer." (Q: What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? A: A drummer! :laughings:)
 
Yeah. Odds are good you and all your bandmates should be wearing ear plugs to preserve your hearing anyway.

With a decent set of earplugs, it would be hard to play a drumset loud enough to be obnoxious.
 
stevieb said:
(Q: What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? A: A drummer! :laughings:)
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I always thought the answer was a singer or a bass player!
4.gif
 
Hey Dintymoore,
I love the video, I actually laughed out loud and posted it to facebook!!

Here's one thing that you'll never hear one guy say to another:

"Hey, do these drums make my ass look fat?" :D
 
stevieb said:
ermghoti, I feel for you- I might suggest you find a church that you can rent space from, and maybe provide some sunday services music for- if you have theological differences, you might find a UU church that will be more tolerant of your personal beliefs (google "7 UU principals" for details.)
Click to expand...

Thanks, but rehearsals tend to start about 9pm due to schedule conflicts, and due to the population density around here, the neighbors won't be having it.
 
Rimshot said:
Hey Dintymoore,
I love the video, I actually laughed out loud and posted it to facebook!!

Here's one thing that you'll never hear one guy say to another:

"Hey, do these drums make my ass look fat?" :D
Click to expand...

Thanks brother!

There's one point in that vid (and I LOL'd too) where they went cheek to cheek and holding one arm out, marched back and forth towards the camera - the Blues Brothers did that exact dance routine.

My favorite inappropriate comment is saying to a chick: "it's not the dress that makes you look fat..."

better duck!!! :)
 
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