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ThomM - Drummers- Would you use these? Are there any cons?

by John Durham
19 replies
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I see alot of pros... wondering what the cons are. Is there any reason not use them live? Any ADVANTAGES?

Im thinking a con might be if a kick sensor goes out or something... your gig might be over. Would they be safe to move alot or carry around? Are they easier or harder to set up? Yeah I know the rubber cymbals feel freaky... but other than that (you can get used to that). I played em once but didnt get to really spend time.

What do you know that I dont about these? Would you record with them?

How much can you really beat on electronics before a disaster happens?

One advantage I see is that your kick drum isnt always moving away from you while you play... Also of course the big one is practicing at home with a drummer. Thats what I want them for... so I can bring drummers in and play with them without blowing the whole neighborhood away or having to drag kits in and out of my house all the time...It would be cool if a drummer friend could come over and just sit down and its all there, without having to crank up to ten to play over him... (practicing at lower volumes or with earphones......) , but it would also be cool to know if they are good for live.

  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    I'd use them for practice at home, but that's about it.
    I played on a set once and they where fun, but then practice pads can be fun sometimes also
    As for gigs maybe a couple on the side.
    I can't think of any type of music I play where they would be better then acoustic drums though.
    Can't do this, on them
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Thanks for the input Thom. I figure mostly I could use them for having drummer friends over... Was hoping they would be more useful than that, but that serves my purpose well enough.

    Cool. BOA! Havent heard them in awhile.

    Jim Dandy to the rescue!
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      One of the issues I have with them is the difficulty in producing proper flams and drags. Also cymbal accents can be a little tricky.
      My current issue with my current kit is having two different makes of bass drums. I can't get them to sound even close to each other and it's driving me up a wall.
      My buddy who plays bass finally has convinced me to try double bass pedals, which I should have in a couple of weeks.
      Still it won't feel the same as double bass and I know I won't be able to use some of the same techniques I use with two bass drums.
      But I guess the double pedal will do for now, at least till I can save up for the expansion pack for my kit which will give me another bass drum and an 18 in. floor tom.
      I'm also lacking in cymbals at the moment, so they will come before the expansion pack.
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      • Profile picture of the author ThomM
        Speaking of Black Oak, this is my morning wake up song
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        flams and drags. Also cymbal accents can be a little tricky.
        My current issue with my current kit is having two different makes of bass drums. I can't get them to sound even close to each other and it's driving me up a wall.
        My buddy who plays bass finally has convinced me to try double bass pedals, which I should have in a couple of weeks.
        Still it won't feel the same as double bass and I know I won't be able to use some of the same techniques I use with two bass drums.
        It's cool to hear you talk about the different techniques and confirms to me that even with drums there are different tones and attack techniques you use... I mean I would think it wouldn't matter that much that a double kicker pedal would kill your sustain a little to the undiscerning ear on the drum; sustain that might be there if your were actually using two bass drums.... However YOUR ear isnt undiscerning.

        With the double kicker, the next kick would mute out the first and the drum wouldnt have any chance to ring... so I can see in my minds eye what you are saying.

        Double kick pedals would be more staccato than actual double bass drums and limit probably some techniques.

        Now I know you are seasoned, if the whole home made drum conversation didnt say that already.

        I have seen some people rock with double bass pedals though.... then on another note... I have also seen people rock on cheap fender squires...that dont mean I want one as my main ax!

        Edit: It might be surprising how you could adapt, and adjust your techniques to work with them though.
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          I have seen some people rock with double bass pedals though.... then on another note... I have also seen people rock on cheap fender squires...that dont mean I want one as my main ax!
          So have I It seems to be more of a young drummer thing and I can understand that. I do know a couple older drummers that use them also, more so because it gives them the option (same as with the young folks) of playing double bass without lugging two big drums around.
          But with me it's not only about the 'feel' with the foot pedals, which won't be right anyways until I pick up a couple vintage speed king pedals, but also tradition.
          The last double bass kit I had I bought in 1969 and played it till 1996. I learned from listening to Baker, Moon, Aldridge, Palmer, and even some Louie Bellson. So there's some tradition there, same as with your Strat
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          As you are I was, as I am you will be
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        One of the issues I have with them is the difficulty in producing proper flams and drags. Also cymbal accents can be a little tricky.
        My current issue with my current kit is having two different makes of bass drums. I can't get them to sound even close to each other and it's driving me up a wall.
        My buddy who plays bass finally has convinced me to try double bass pedals, which I should have in a couple of weeks.
        Still it won't feel the same as double bass and I know I won't be able to use some of the same techniques I use with two bass drums.
        But I guess the double pedal will do for now, at least till I can save up for the expansion pack for my kit which will give me another bass drum and an 18 in. floor tom.
        I'm also lacking in cymbals at the moment, so they will come before the expansion pack.
        I don't have the room for the two bass drums so I learned on he double bass pedal. Seeing as I never played double bass drums, I can't compare, but I do like the double pedal. I think you'll like it to once you get used to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    That drum solo made me tired just watching. That would take a lot of stamina. I wonder how many times he struck a drum or symbol during that solo.

    PS to Thom - While that drum solo was good, I'm not sure it stands up to this drum solo I posted yesterday. (scroll down to the third video)
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      That drum solo made me tired just watching. That would take a lot of stamina. I wonder how many times he struck a drum or symbol during that solo.

      PS to Thom - While that drum solo was good, I'm not sure it stands up to this drum solo I posted yesterday. (scroll down to the third video)
      That guy had some beats
      I'm going to have to start walking and just exercising in general more when I get that double peddle, I need all the stamina help I can get now-a-days.
      I know some drummers just build up their stamina just from playing. In my (much) younger days I would practice a min. 3 hrs. a day, everyday. I know drummers like Baker and Aldridge did the same. But then you have someone like Carl Palmer who had a daily workout that included running, martial arts, yogi, pretty much anything that would increase his speed, precision and stamina.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      That drum solo made me tired just watching. That would take a lot of stamina. I wonder how many times he struck a drum or symbol during that solo.
      It did look rather painful didnt it

      Did anyone notice that the SG in the BOA video is out of tune?

      Tuned a half step too low.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post


        Did anyone notice that the SG in the BOA video is out of tune?

        Tuned a half step too low.
        Nope. I have a hard enough time tuning my own guitar, let alone noticing something like that. :p
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      • Profile picture of the author ThomM
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        It did look rather painful didnt it

        Did anyone notice that the SG in the BOA video is out of tune?

        Tuned a half step too low.
        I didn't. But did you notice the mistake Aldridge made in the solo video I posted?
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Absolutely.
          Originally Posted by garyv View Post

          The one good thing about the electronic drums - is that if you're playing in a smaller venue, it's easier to control the volume, so that the drums are not drowning out the rest of the band.

          ps- of course it depends on the band - drowning out the band may be a good thing.
          That's really more the drummers fault. The majority of drummers today know how to hit a drum, but don't necessarily know how to play a drum. The Rev. explains it pretty well here. Reverend Horton Heat: Greetings from Texas » Blog Archive » The Problem With Modern Drummers and the Modern Public Address System
          Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

          I don't have the room for the two bass drums so I learned on he double bass pedal. Seeing as I never played double bass drums, I can't compare, but I do like the double pedal. I think you'll like it to once you get used to it.
          I have no doubt I'll get used to it. There's also the possibility that over time I might prefer it to having two bass drums
          I'm planning on starting with the Mapex double pedal.
          I have a Mapex single pedal now and figure their double will be a good place to start. One advantage I see to the double pedal over the double bass is I can fit more drums into a smaller area.
          I'm going to set up my second snare where the left bass drum is now and when I re-skin my congas I'll have room for them to the left of the hi hat.
          Out of curiosity are you using a drop clutch on your hi hat?
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          • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
            Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

            Absolutely.

            That's really more the drummers fault. The majority of drummers today know how to hit a drum, but don't necessarily know how to play a drum. The Rev. explains it pretty well here. Reverend Horton Heat: Greetings from Texas » Blog Archive » The Problem With Modern Drummers and the Modern Public Address System

            I have no doubt I'll get used to it. There's also the possibility that over time I might prefer it to having two bass drums
            I'm planning on starting with the Mapex double pedal.
            I have a Mapex single pedal now and figure their double will be a good place to start. One advantage I see to the double pedal over the double bass is I can fit more drums into a smaller area.
            I'm going to set up my second snare where the left bass drum is now and when I re-skin my congas I'll have room for them to the left of the hi hat.
            Out of curiosity are you using a drop clutch on your hi hat?
            No. I just have your basic, run of the mill kit - 5 piece and I added 2 extra toms. This year though I want to add to it a little and replace my cymbals. I am using some old Paiste's I got from my brother in law and the 18 and 16 crashes are cracked. They're probably close to 20 years old so we got our moneys worth. I want some rototoms, a different snare and a second floor tom (if I can fit it). A drop clutch would be a good adder - looks like a good stocking stuffer gift my wife can get me

            Edit: My son plays drums and guitar in one of those death metal bands. For Christmas one year he asked for an Iron Cobra double bass pedal - the good one. Cost at the time $379.00. With the type of drumming in that genre he basically ruined the double pedal inside of 4 months... ow.
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            • Profile picture of the author ThomM
              Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

              No. I just have your basic, run of the mill kit - 5 piece and I added 2 extra toms. This year though I want to add to it a little and replace my cymbals. I am using some old Paiste's I got from my brother in law and the 18 and 16 crashes are cracked. They're probably close to 20 years old so we got our moneys worth. I want some rototoms, a different snare and a second floor tom (if I can fit it). A drop clutch would be a good adder - looks like a good stocking stuffer gift my wife can get me

              Edit: My son plays drums and guitar in one of those death metal bands. For Christmas one year he asked for an Iron Cobra double bass pedal - the good one. Cost at the time $379.00. With the type of drumming in that genre he basically ruined the double pedal inside of 4 months... ow.
              I just happened to see the hi hat drop clutches when I was looking for double bass pedal
              The kit I got is just a cheap Pulse kit. The second bass drum is a Royce that the guy had laying around in his basement.
              The hi hat cymbals are OK, but the ride and crash sound like poorly made garbage can lids
              The prices on some of the double bass pedals are insane.
              I figure with the kit I have now that it would be cheaper to get an expansion pack and a couple vintage speed kings then to upgrade or get a more expensive double bass pedal.
              The expansion pack for my kit is another 22 in. bass drum and an 18in. floor tom for 250. I found a guy on eBay that sells rebuilt vintage speed kings for 130 ea. without the mallets.
              So far I like the Pulse kit. All the drums have a nice sound to them. The Royce bass on the other hand sounds more like good coffee table material
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              Getting old ain't for sissy's
              As you are I was, as I am you will be
              You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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              • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
                Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

                I just happened to see the hi hat drop clutches when I was looking for double bass pedal
                The kit I got is just a cheap Pulse kit. The second bass drum is a Royce that the guy had laying around in his basement.
                The hi hat cymbals are OK, but the ride and crash sound like poorly made garbage can lids
                The prices on some of the double bass pedals are insane.
                I figure with the kit I have now that it would be cheaper to get an expansion pack and a couple vintage speed kings then to upgrade or get a more expensive double bass pedal.
                The expansion pack for my kit is another 22 in. bass drum and an 18in. floor tom for 250. I found a guy on eBay that sells rebuilt vintage speed kings for 130 ea. without the mallets.
                So far I like the Pulse kit. All the drums have a nice sound to them. The Royce bass on the other hand sounds more like good coffee table material
                I hear you on prices. That's why I still have those cracked cymbals. I don't see the point in buying more cheapies - I prefer to save for some good cymbals - though having trouble deciding which ones to get

                My kit is a Tama Imperial Star 5 piece. It was pretty cheap considering it came as a complete set, including starter cymbals (which I gave to my son).
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    The one good thing about the electronic drums - is that if you're playing in a smaller venue, it's easier to control the volume, so that the drums are not drowning out the rest of the band.

    ps- of course it depends on the band - drowning out the band may be a good thing.
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