Should we use a drum shield?
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Posted on Apr 05, 2009 12:34 pm
guitar_jim
Czar of Cheese
Member Since: Jun 09, 2004
We Cutaways are - amongst ourselves - having a bit of a disagreement as to whether or not we should use a drum shield when we play gigs. The two guitar players feel the the drums are too loud on stage, and that they need to turn their amps up in order to hear them. The drummer feels that the guitar amps are to loud and that he must therefore compensate by playing the drums harder and louder. I'm the bass player, and all I know is that I go home from gigs with ringing ears!
Who around here uses a drum shield? Pros and cons?
Help!
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Apr 05, 2009 12:47 pm Since all agree that stage volume is a problem, what would be the problem of trying out a drum shield to see if it helps. My husband is also a bass player with ringing ears. He says the stage volume is much better in his band when a drum shield is being used.
However, there is no substitute for a drummer who understands dynamics and can use them.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 05, 2009 02:10 pm Didn't have them when I played out live. It was barely even used in the studio at that time.
But, I have seen a couple bands now that use them on stage, even been seeing them on the TV with bigger name bands playing live.
It really does all boil down to the drummer as he is the end of the line for volume control onstage. IF he can play softer then everyone else can turn down.
I've seen some pretty heated arguments over who is actually causing who to turn it up. But in the end it is usually always the drummer playing far too loud. Normally they don't even know it.
monmixrIf 50hz 60 will kill ya.Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009
Apr 05, 2009 06:50 pm When I was mixing monitors for Lonestar we used one. While it will help some, they are hard to move, hard to keep clean, easliy scratched, easily cracked, and wont fit on all drum risers. with the shield you will have to mic all the drums, and mabey even overheads because you wont have the overheads bleeding into the vocal line. Guitars are usually too loud, doesnt really matter why. If the drummers using bats, try lighter sticks and EVERYONE turn down.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Apr 05, 2009 08:52 pm The clubs we play all have a house PA run by their own sound guy. Most of them would slash our throats if we played volume tag onstage. Some of the best "on stage" sound we've experienced has been a product of side washing the amps toward the drummer effectively eliminating the need for the amps in the drummers monitor mix and giving the sound man more flexibility when providing bass and guitar to the front stage monitors. Good communication with the sound man works wonders.
We use a drum shield in the basement for obvious reasons.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Apr 05, 2009 11:07 pm We had to start using 'baffles' for our practices... which did help quite a bit. I can't imagine dealing with them at a gig, though. A tough one for sure.
monmixrIf 50hz 60 will kill ya.Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009
Apr 06, 2009 03:05 am yes, side washing is good. The problem with humans is we dont have an ear in our azz. if we did, the the amp behind you would be perfect. Side washing does help with the stage volume. I had actually forgotten how well that works.
Apr 06, 2009 06:45 am Quote:
However, there is no substitute for a drummer who understands dynamics and can use them.
Alice wins. Thread over.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 06, 2009 10:47 am Speaking of drummers that understand dynamic's. I just watched a Pink Floyd concert from 1994 doing Dark Side of the Moon. You can see how effortlessly Nick Masson works while playing the drums. He almost looks like he is barely tapping them, letting the mic's do the hard work.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Apr 08, 2009 01:08 pm If you need a drum shield on stage, something is wrong and it's time for a chat.
Might be something as simple as spacing your guitar amps further away from him and point outwards.
The loudness war cannot be won on stage and must be fought before ever setting up imo.
