Hi ,iam at the moment returning to drumming from a layoff of around 35 years! I have a 8 by 8 sort of sound proof room that Iam looking to put a aquistic kit in and some pa speakers and just drum along to some great music, but I no this may sound stupid and I probably should of thought of this first I don't want my hearing to be effected in a bad way but I want the freedom to play along with music coming out from some speakers, now if I use earplugs Iam worried I won't hear the sound of the music and the drums clearly ,or is there another way I can have no earplugs like getting. Low volume cymbals as a example (I know that might be a stupid question) but I've been out of drumming for sometime and things have changed a bit!, I don't really want to get a electric kit as I don't like the tapping noise you get from the rubber cymbals ,I would greatly appreciate any helpful advice please thanks.
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Need some advice and help on playing drums with pa speakers and ear plugs please.
- Thread starter DB60
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I know the feeling. I'm a "basement dweller" and no longer play out, so it's just for my enjoyment or on the rare occasion that a couple of buddies come to jam. I never had the budget or desire to set up a drum room with all the technical equipment. Though it did sound satisfying.
I pretty much rationalized those dreams away when I told myself, "You know the voices of your instruments and which instrument you are striking. Do you really have to hear them in all their glory?" I guess hearing the mix would be exciting, but my hearing is damaged to the point where I use hearing aids day-to-day. I wear simple cheap muffs with no amplification. You could wear earbuds under the muffs to hear the source music better, but I don't.
Thanks for your input,sorry to hear about your hearing , this is going to be a tricky one I fear , but yes just none amplification ear muffs could be the way ,all the best to you .
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lefty2
Platinum Member
There are musicians earplugs that sound pretty good. I have some called Earpeace. They come with inserts that change the amount of volume coming in and they sound pretty natural.
www.earpeace.com
EARPEACE | Earplugs Your Ears Will Love
The best earplugs are the ones you wear. Engineered for comfort and fit, EARPEACE earplugs deliver reduced noise and clearer sound for Music, Moto, Sleep and Sport. Trusted by top brands like NPR and Motorcycle.com. Shop ultra-comfortable, reusable ear plugs now at earpeace.com
www.earpeace.com
Thanks I'll check them outThere are musicians earplugs that sound pretty good. I have some called Earpeace. They come with inserts that change the amount of volume coming in and they sound pretty natural.
EARPEACE | Earplugs Your Ears Will Love
The best earplugs are the ones you wear. Engineered for comfort and fit, EARPEACE earplugs deliver reduced noise and clearer sound for Music, Moto, Sleep and Sport. Trusted by top brands like NPR and Motorcycle.com. Shop ultra-comfortable, reusable ear plugs now at earpeace.com
lefty2
Platinum Member
There are several brands similar to these Eargasm is another that caught my eye.
Ok thanks
Ironjim55
Active Member
So I have used a variety of ear plugs, including Alpine Music Safe Pro (https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/products/musicsafe-pro) that are supposed to preserve music quality. While they do a decent job, ultimately they all muffle the sound to a greater or lesser degree. There are a variety of ways to help:
- Muffle all the drums to reduce volume
- Use l ight sticks or rods to reduce volume. or even use brushes
- Put a towel over the snare drum to reduce the volume
- Use low volume cymbal or alternatively very light complex cymbals
- Learn to hit lightly and use dynamics
- Wear hearing protection.
These will help but the muffled sound will always be present. There are two ways (that come to mind) to preserve the sound and protect the ears:
1. In-ear monitors with a mixer and overhead mic, bass drum mic and potentially a snare mic. This will give the full sound of the kit and allow music to also be played through the earbuds.
2. Use and electronic drum set through the PA with the music. Full control over volume but you loose some of the features of an acoustic set like multiple sounds from the cymbals, using brushes, rods, mallets etc.
My preference is in-ear monitors, but I do use ear plugs at some band practices where the guitar(s) are extremely loud. I also do most of my practice at home on an electronic drum set. I use in-ear monitors at most gigs, other than with a duo, where the volume is lower than with bands.
- Muffle all the drums to reduce volume
- Use l ight sticks or rods to reduce volume. or even use brushes
- Put a towel over the snare drum to reduce the volume
- Use low volume cymbal or alternatively very light complex cymbals
- Learn to hit lightly and use dynamics
- Wear hearing protection.
These will help but the muffled sound will always be present. There are two ways (that come to mind) to preserve the sound and protect the ears:
1. In-ear monitors with a mixer and overhead mic, bass drum mic and potentially a snare mic. This will give the full sound of the kit and allow music to also be played through the earbuds.
2. Use and electronic drum set through the PA with the music. Full control over volume but you loose some of the features of an acoustic set like multiple sounds from the cymbals, using brushes, rods, mallets etc.
My preference is in-ear monitors, but I do use ear plugs at some band practices where the guitar(s) are extremely loud. I also do most of my practice at home on an electronic drum set. I use in-ear monitors at most gigs, other than with a duo, where the volume is lower than with bands.
Thanks
BGDurham
Silver Member
In addition to the ear plugs and other strategies mentioned, also consider your "sort of sound proof room". If it's a concrete box in your basement it might limit the amount of sound going out to your neighbors, but the sound waves will be bouncing around inside it and crushing your ears. Be sure to put some good sound dampening products in it. Could be as simple as fabric wall hangings and carpet or rug. Personally I use thick moving blankets and my floor is carpeted. There are of course more professional/expensive options available.
cbphoto
Diamond Member
Live drums + ear protection + music from a P.A. system = loud room.
I used to play my music through headphones, which meant even LOUDER room.
I'm following this thread to see how you set up your music room.
Luv4drums
Active Member
I did not mean headphones. I mean in-ear monitors, or buds. The kind with noise cancelling/reduction from everything outside of the source sound like live drums, and deliver a safe volume for your music that won't be too loud, but if you insist on using PA speakers without earplugs I don't know if it is even a rational question. Play soft play the source at a lower volume. Headphones are not the same thing as in ear monitors. If you must use the PA speakers then earplugs or noise cancelling ear muffs like for shooting is all there is.
Luv4drums
Active Member
There are low cost options too, like 12x12 squares that come in packs to cover various sized rooms. I think they actually cost less than moving blankets.
Chris Whitten
Platinum Member
The only practical ways are...
1) IEMs
2) Standard music headphones
3) V-Drums with headphones or IEMs
1) IEMs
2) Standard music headphones
3) V-Drums with headphones or IEMs
Yes , i ve made a room within a concreate garage with acoustic plasterboard and installation and put some acoustic foam in certain areas of the room , got hold of a real quality fire door that was going to be thrown , put some rubber thick gym mats on floor then carpet over the top all done at a real cost saving venture as i also use the room for keyboard music! so at 8 foot 8 foot its not a massive room but i have to make it do, so so far with the advice i have got from here ill try the earplugs theory , the pa speakers need to see if i can buy a cheap set of yamaha stagepas as they come with a mixer but i have been told i need a pa speaker of 10 to 12 not 8 to project the quality sound but ill see, ill look at IEMs too thanksLive drums + ear protection + music from a P.A. system = loud room.
I used to play my music through headphones, which meant even LOUDER room.
I'm following this thread to see how you set up your music room.
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ok thanks , and no i wont play music through the pa speakers without some form of ear protection, i need my hearing, does anyone else here have a similar set up for what i am looking to do ? as ill be interested in what size pa or what pa speakers are best for me giving good quality sound in a small room thanks .
I have got some Kali monitors for my keyboard but i don't think they would do the job for drumming with?
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thebigbeat
Member
I suppose it's possible. But the music has to be louder than your drums. In a relatively small 8x8 room you probably will hurt your ears even with earplugs. Get these: https://www.gk-music.com/product/ultraphones/