level in the monitors.
CATCH OF THE DAY
We are blessed with a drummer who has a
great feel, amazing time, knows how to play at
a volume that is great for the room, and has a
great attitude. That said, when standing next to
him on the platform, I hear the transients of his
cymbals and snare before I hear those from my
guitar. This audio “masking” is another one of
the things that drives stage volume for us.
Sound Techs’ Perspective: I’m pretty sure
that our sound techs would welcome a shield
to reduce the drum volume both on and off the
platform. What techs don’t always get is that
great drummers play the way they do because
they are listening to what is going on around
them, and drum shields do not discriminate
when it comes to blocking sound from exiting
or entering the area covered by the shield.
Musicians’ Perspective: Playing behind a
shield is like being in a fishbowl - fish don’t
seem to complain, but most drummers hate
it for the reasons I mentioned before. It also
creates a lot of reflection that comes back into
drum mics if you’re using them. It can also drive
the need to start using drum mics (we do mic
the kick), which ads more time to your set up,
sound check and tear down!
SOLUTIONS
DELEGATE AUTHORITY
The first place I’d suggest starting is defining Backing Vocals with Keys; All Vocals with Keys; guiding force for making these and other tough
who has the ultimate say on Sunday morning. Everyone. decisions, your team will flourish because of
the value you place on the team and not the
My suggestion would be the worship leader
since they are the one who actually leads the DRUM SHIELD individual. This comes at a cost, but coming
congregation in worship. If drum volume is a consistent problem that can’t on the heels of Easter, it really hard to think of
seem to be solved otherwise, let the drummers any of the solutions we’ve just discussed as a
SOUND CHECK know that the shield is coming if they won’t play real sacrifice.
If you’re not doing a formal sound check, here at the volume the room requires. This gets back is the “Cliff Notes” version. After a quick level to the unity factor. One person (or instrument) Don’t forget that we need your comments
check, have the team loop the chorus of the blowing the mix for everyone else is not OK, for Part II of “The Sound Problem” – see you
loudest song in the following order: Drums; and does not breed unity in a team. next month!
Bass; Drums + Bass; Keys; Drums Bass +
Keys; Guitar; Drums Bass Keys + Guitar; Lead UNITY
Vocal; Lead Vocal; Drums Bass Keys + Guitar; If you and your team can use unity as your
April 2018
Doug Doppler
Doug is the Editorial Director for Worship Musician
and Gear Tech + Recording magazines.
WorshipMusician.com
WorshipMusician.com
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