Drum FAQ's

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by Bobsy

look out rosanna by toto, thats a half time funk shuffle! Its also one of those beats that are a 'must know'.
And we'll just have to beg to differ i reckon. Whilst John Bonhams footwork is pretty good, put that in hate eternal? Its gonna get down to personal preferance and whilst I do (believe it or not) prefer a well tuned and mic'd kick for dynamics (rudimental bass drum chops anyone? yes please!) I will argue to death that triggers are pretty much a necessity for death/grind/speed/etc... metal. Youd be better to ask purists of their genre for their opinion and reasoning because I can see I'm likely to lose an argument I really dont care that much for. Point is, you tell derek roddy or gene hoglan that they hit like pussies and are sloppy!
THE END!

people thought linn drums were good in the 80s too

THE END.

[fraserlaeto]

see in this thread, when people say "i'm thinking about changing my bass drum head soon", should this not happen all the time?
I was under the impression it was a bit like guitar players changing strings (almost literally) except not quite as often.
i mean it's supposed to hold a note, right?
i've seen our heads go dead after maybe 5 gigs and the like.

[Bobsy]

It depends how hard you hit the head and what kind they are. Snare heads will need replacing as soon as the coating starts going smooth but bass drums are usually a lot longer lasting. Put a slam patch or something on the impact spot and not only will you get a better sound but you'll keep the head in better shape for longer. I'd say you could have a bass head and use it regularly and it'll stay in good condition for quite a while like. When heads get pitted and worn its time to change, no sooner or your wasting your money, the tonal quality will stay very much intact throughout this. At least a full headchange every year, and probably much more for the snare!

[Gemo]

Originally Posted by Chunder

Hate to say it, but I think it sounds lame.... Thats what I tried at first, and really didnt like the sound, although sometimes I try to switch to this from another beat just before a fill, cos it helps with the momentum thing a bit a bit

thats a fair point - theres a notable difference in the ease with which you can transfer from this pattern to a fast fill. It is a bit lame, but as long as its in time it'll hardly be noticable. the hideously fast kick beat will be blinding!

[behind_theory]

I have never changed my snare head since i got my newest kit atleast a year ago! I probably should sometime soon, but I'm not really a rough hitter so the skin is still perfectly playable.

I do however change my aquarian bass drum head every 2 months or so, but this is purely because of the 3 hour function gigs every weekend. If I was to use a Powerstroke or something I'm sure it'd last longer, but I'd rather have a short lasting head which sounds great. I'm gonna try one of these slam patch things though to see if I can keep heads a bit longer, how much are they anyway?! Few quid aye?

[Zildjiain]

You still have a stock head on your kit? Oh dear god...

[behind_theory]

No, I changed every batter skin on the kit the day i got it.
But since then, the snare is yet to be changed. No need really, sounds gid.

[Zildjiain]

Ah good.

[Bobsy]

Originally Posted by Gemo

thats a fair point - theres a notable difference in the ease with which you can transfer from this pattern to a fast fill. It is a bit lame, but as long as its in time it'll hardly be noticable. the hideously fast kick beat will be blinding!

you wont be able to notice it on a really sloshy hi hat, but move on to a ride or a hi hat thats a bit more 'crisp' and it sounds fucking shite! If your only gonna do quarters, do them offbeat so theyr at the same time as the snare drum and then it sounds a little better. What that dude is playing is basically a blastbeat albeit at half the speed. Being that those 'punk' beats are usually referred to as double time, would that make blastbeats quadruple time? EEK!

[Gazz]

totally off topic but:
What make of sticks do you use, what size and why?

[Chunder]

Originally Posted by Gazz

totally off topic but:
What make of sticks do you use, what size and why?

Vic Firth 5Bs.... nice and light and quick

[Keerin]

VF 5bn nylon tip.

or the Zildjian equivelent.

[johnny briggs]

vater 5b or promark 5b

[johnny briggs]

Originally Posted by Bobsy

you wont be able to notice it on a really sloshy hi hat, but move on to a ride or a hi hat thats a bit more 'crisp' and it sounds fucking shite! If your only gonna do quarters, do them offbeat so theyr at the same time as the snare drum and then it sounds a little better. What that dude is playing is basically a blastbeat albeit at half the speed. Being that those 'punk' beats are usually referred to as double time, would that make blastbeats quadruple time? EEK!

it would only sound shite if it were being played inappropriatly slow, in which case you should actually play every beat since its under scrutiny. i would say to be honest that playin it with the snare sounds the same, it just kinda masks the fact that its quite a lazy way of playin. if its proper fast then it really shouldnt matter. And dont even bring blastbeats into it! they are the singular most unmusical maneouvre known to man-no offence to anyone who likes them.

[johnny briggs]

free for all: what cymbal setup do you use?