Electronic Drums

Need some advice. We have a VERY small sanctuary. Its about 20X40 with low ceilings. We have struggled to manage sound as you might imagine. We are running bass, keyboards and guitars through our sound board with good results when our professional sound guy is there and with mixed results when he is not.

The biggest problem we are having is with the volume of the drums. They are pitched at a frequency that interferes with the guitar and the vocals. Part of this is volume, part is the limited space with low ceilings and part is the frequency. This is handled for the recording by the sound techs but for live I am getting lost in the mix, the singers feel pushed volume wise by the drums and the "groove" is suffering to a point.

My potential solutions are a plexi glass shield but in a room this small I'm not sure it will make a difference and there is a space/emergency evacuation concern. The next thing is an electronic drum set. Do you guys have any suggestions as to which is better and why. If we do look at electric drums what are your recommendations?

Thanks

we've been using this kit:

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-TD12KV-Electronic-Drum-Set?sku=501602

in our chapel for quite a while. It's probably a bit larger than your space, but with brick walls and wood covered ceilings, sound just bounced off of everything. We tried drum shields, but it still didn't contain the sound very well. Most drummers don't want to play the electric kit, but they are also pleasantly surprised after they play it.

The plexiglass will definitely help. I don't know if it will get the volume all the way down where you want it, though. It seems to me that the plexi glass is less expensive and less work than the electronic drum kit, so why not try that first?

Set of Roland TD-3s go for about $1,000. Should find used sets on Craig's for less. E-drums are the way to go - stage volume nothing more than some taps and the range of sound options on the TD-3 is quite good.

We use a pretty nice set, not sure what the model is, I think it's Roland.

Honestly, I hate the things. There is nothing like playing with real drums. However - in our situation, they are much more manageable than acoustics. We are always fighting stage noise and a lousy building setup for sound, and electronic drums work the best for us.

Maybe it would be possible to rent a set or something, and see what works best for you. They definitely are more manageable than acoustics - especially if your drummer has a heavy hand.

The problem I have found with ele drums is that the dynamics are very limited for a real drummer. For a biginner it is a huge help cuz every hit sounds good and you can control the volume.For anyone with skill they get boring fast. I've been using Roland TD-6 for about three years.

See if you can contact either a local music shop, or Roland, and see if they are willing to let you demo a set at your facility. They may even send a tech to help you set up and dial in a good sound.

The reason why I say this is, Roland has a department for helping church facilities, and I hear they are very helpful. They High-Lighted this function during NAMM this year. Get ahold of Roland, I think they can help you.

I see two choices. Get a completely enclosed drum shield like one from Clearsonic.

http://www.clearsonic.com/IsoPacs.htm

Or get some nice electronic drums. If you get Electronic drums don't skimp. The problem with electronic drums is getting the same dynamics out of them. Especially the cymbals. Ideally if you barely tap the cymbal pad you will get a very quiet resulting sound. The harder you hit the sound should slowly build in volume and the sound will also change. However if you set the sensitivity level too low you will get false triggers. In other words every time you hit the kick your cymbal will feel the vibration and go off. When you adjust to compensate you lose some of your trigger range. Now, you have to hit the cymbal harder to get that quiet sound, but if you hit it much harder it's loud. If you get a cheap or older system you might not have as much adjustment or dynamic range.

I should have mentioned this and I do agree: E-drums are nothing like the real thing. Two totally different approaches from my experience (32 years, last two with a TD-3 set as well). I could never own just E-drums. The wood and chrome and heads are so much of the experience. But that's a personal ownership thing.

E-drums. What they give is a lot of variety and a "set it and forget it" maintenance. Real drums require constant tuning, head replacement ($$), expensive mics, cables, shields, sticks (real rims!). That is a ton to deal with and proposes a dozen different problems/distractions when you're trying to worship. And you still get the stink eye for the stage volume.

E-drums all the way for worship service. The TD's are pretty dynamic - I've been real impressed. Picked them up practically new for $700 with everything needed.

we've been using this kit:

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-TD12KV-Electronic-Drum-Set?sku=501602

in our chapel for quite a while. It's probably a bit larger than your space, but with brick walls and wood covered ceilings, sound just bounced off of everything. We tried drum shields, but it still didn't contain the sound very well. Most drummers don't want to play the electric kit, but they are also pleasantly surprised after they play it. +1 Same kit for our church too.....Oops ! Ours is the TD20 S
http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-TD20-Electronic-Drum-Set-with-Expansion-Board?sku=483432

It was a gift from a member in honor of her late Father. He was a drummer...And hey! Please no jokes about drummers always being late...It would be in bad taste.

At my church, if we are having a meeting in a smaller room, we'll maybe just have acoustic, keys, and maybe a percussionist, with a singer or two.

I am assuming that if it is a room that small, then your congregation isn't stadium sized, so maybe an "acoustic" style approach might work for you. Get the right balance, and the intimacy of that setup can be amazing!!!!

In saying that, in one of our smaller rooms, we have a full acoustic kit, with screens and everything, and it is still the sound guys worst nightmare. It takes a talented and experienced drummer to be able to play at appropriate levels, which unfortunately aren't as common as we would like...even still, its pretty uncontrollable.

Drums are almost always a problem. I think the plexi glass shield would definitely help. These (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProMark-Cool-Rod-Specialty-Sticks?sku=443401) are also helpful.

I went to a church in Northern NH last week. They had used an electric drum set it was great. You could tell they were electric, but the volume control is what is most important. I'm not a big fan of electric drums...but for the small church venue...they're perfect.

For all your help. I met with some of the music/recording team and it we will be looking into the electronic drums. The physical layout of the space precludes the drum shield.

My wife and I look like we will be getting a bit of a windfall because of an overpayment of property taxes for about 6 years. So there will be approximately $1000 to donate to the drums.

Stephen thanks for the info on Roland. Once we have money in hand we will give them a call.

Praise on y'all.