Thread: for Drummers

If you were playing a drum solo for a dancer in a fairly large auditorium, would you use a mike? Or should the sound carry OK? Any tips?

Hi Gigi,
I think it depends largely on the acoustics of the auditorium, but normally I use a mic in big halls. There's so much audience noise usually that even with decent acoustics, the upper ranges get lost without amplification. Better to have the sound controlled, than to lose your sound to noise. You don't have to crank it up ya know.
:-)
But again, it depends on the size and acoustics of the house. See if you can get in there ahead of time with a friend and your drum to test maybe?

Thanks! I'm supposed to go this week and check it out. How close does the mic need to be generally?

Yes, I definitely would. A mic in front by the drum head and a mic in back to capture the deeper tones would work really well. If you can only have one, put it in front near the drum head. The spacing depends on the mic and the drum and the sound system, but you need to have enough room to play - usually a few inches.

It sounds like you are going to be working with the in-house sound person? They will know the best type of mic to use, Shure brand condenser mics are good for doumbeks.

Thanks! Yes, I'm assuming the sound people are working with me, and this definitely gives me info. to work with.

Hey,

If you can, sound check. This means you just play and the sound guy checks some levels and makes sure everything is turned on.

You might have a monitor if it is a big room. That is a speaker to hear yourself in(more for bands to hear each other) but not the house speakers.
It is a different relationship to the audience.

When you play it is a large room: don`t over do it, play cleanly and it is a mental game. Do not get worried if the sound seems different than rehearsal and play consistant. You have to rely on the mic to do its job and the sound guy to not be asleep and adjust your levels.

Good luck
Zach

I played this Saturday. The mic was too close to the head and I whacked it away a couple of inches! I could tell he adjusted the sound after that but yes, it is a mental game - it took a sec to get back into the frame of mind I wanted to be in, especially since it's only me playing. Live and learn! The space was odd, because it was on a stage with a long runway (they have mostly fashion shows at this event) in a giant trade center. Until a few days ago, I though we were going to be in a different area, more auditorium-like. Weird to dance or play on. Next time, I will approach the whole thing differently. It was fun, though! Thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by carpediem

If you were playing a drum solo for a dancer in a fairly large auditorium, would you use a mike? Or should the sound carry OK? Any tips?

Well I had a situation on the weekend. There was a harbour cruise on a boat, mainly samba and salsa crowd. When it was time for the show I was a guest drummer. The room was suddenly jammed with people and my doumbek wasn't mic'ed. It was next to useless.

Later on in the night a drunk belly dancer wanted a go on my doumbek. There was only 20 or 30 people in the room and the drum sounded Loud.

So to be on the safe side, have the drum mic'ed.

Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

Well I had a situation on the weekend. There was a harbour cruise on a boat, mainly samba and salsa crowd. When it was time for the show I was a guest drummer. The room was suddenly jammed with people and my doumbek wasn't mic'ed. It was next to useless.

Later on in the night a drunk belly dancer wanted a go on my doumbek. There was only 20 or 30 people in the room and the drum sounded Loud.

So to be on the safe side, have the drum mic'ed.

That sounds like quite a gig - a good and colorful illustration about using a mic.!