djarrett

Hey Keyboard Freak! I normally do not endorse a retail outlet, but I have to let you know about this source. I happen to know the owner of the shop very well and know that he would only carry items of the highest quality. It just so happens that he has plexi screens made local to his shop and has them custom built by drummers for drummers. Find them on his home page at: www.ajpropercussion.com Hope this helps! DJ

>Thanks to everybody for your input........ I think a few of you may have misunderstood the problem. Hopefully I can clear it up.......... djarret said "I **TOO** play for a very large church......" Apparently he thought this was a big church we play for. It's not at all....... our average attendance is approximately 250-300. No offense to you djarrett.... but I don't think we'd have anything even resembling a problem if we were playing in a building as big as yours!< Hey KeysFreak! I actually understood perfectly. My point was ... if we get complaints in a huge church ... I know what you are going through in a smaller church. I really think you should check out the Auralex Max-Wall system. These foam studio panels are free-standing and mounted on modified mic stands. They are designed to be used high or low. I have two behind my kit at head level and one on the floor in front of my kit. I is a "V" of acoustic foam that absorbs sound. It is not as attractive as the front of my bassdrum, but the difference these foam panels make is remarkable! (and by the way ... the Max-Wall is not an unattractive product. I just favor the look of my bass drum! ) Besides using my studio for making music and producing stuff for MusicPlayer.com ... I use the studio for live rehearsals as well. The difference these panels made for that purpose has been enormous. We know can hear what is being played by everyone! The package for the foam is not expensive -- relatively speaking. You may also benefit from a couple of their bass traps as well. DJ

Hey, Keyboard Freak: I feel your pain! I too play for a very large church ( an 8000+ member Baptist) in Nashville. This place is a huge as an arena and we have the very best technology in the world with two sound guys ... and *STILL* the drums are complained about. I am actually on tympani or percussion most of the time and the guy playing set feels like he has to play with #2 pencils!! I do not think you offended Felix ... the thing is, we drummers are blamed for the volume level offense all the time, when truly ... (dare I say this!?!) it is the other musicians inability to listen and their selfish need to hear primarily themselves! Felix is correct about listening in a circle ... blending ... NOT competing for the volume! This would solve a huge amount of your problems. Chances are that adjusting the overall volume down would produce a better product for the listener as well. Yet I digress. The issue is a drum shield. May I suggest you check out all the options. I will do some checking with my industry buds to find out about a cheaper alternative for you regarding plexiglass. Do not think that this will solve the problem completely or give the drummer free will to wail after you have on! We have one in front and in the back of our set at church as well as acoustic foam on the lower 2/3rds of the plexiglass inside the walls! And we still get complaints. Might I also suggest you check out auralex max-walls as well. Go to www.auralex.com. There is a thread posted in this forum regarding their drum platfoam as well. The bottom line is this. There is more than one approach to solving this problem, but you guys as the musicians that are serving the Lord with your talent (as a ministry) should not have to dig into your own pockets to find the solution. If folks in the congregation are complaining. Let them fund the solution!! Once I have more plexiglass answers ... I will post again! Thanks, Dendy