Allan Speers Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 I just added Roland V-drums to my studio. I intend to use them only for kick and toms, with real snare and cymbals. All drummers I queried said that some kind of kick-thumper is a must. however, there seems to be many types. Has anyone tried them all, having a strong preference for one of them? (cost no object) Since this will be for recordng, simply using a PA speaker pointed at the drummer is not an option. -thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeq Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 I can't say I've tried them all, but I have had a few. The old KAT (the one that acutally looks like a cat sitting down) is my fave. It does not budge no matter how hard you hit it. My actual Kick Drum creeps more. In fact it is a pain to even reposition it; it weighs a ton and has little carpet grabbers on the bottom, kind of like metal velcro. Perhaps not the best for gigs. It does not fold up - nor does it even fit cleanly into any known case or bag. I don't think they are made anymore, but maybe you could get lucky in the used market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted May 15, 2003 Author Share Posted May 15, 2003 Joeg, Thanks, but I should have been more clear: By "thumper" I don't mean the device that the pedal thwacks into. For that I found the V-series to be tops, and is why I spent the bucks on that system. What I'm talking about are those devces that create a physical thump to your body, so that you get a better sense of actually hitting a real kick drum. There are some that go arounf the neck, some around the waist, and several models that attach to the throne. I don't have the oportunity o actually try any of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super 8 Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 I think they are kind of a waste, myself. I've played electronics for many years and never needed anything like that. Just get a nice headphone mix and you'll be fine. You get as much 'thump' out of a bass drum pad as you'll ever get out of an unamplified bass drum. Super 8 Hear my stuff here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djarrett Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Hey, Try the ButtKicker. Go to: www.thebuttkicker.com This thing will knock you off the throne! DJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted May 18, 2003 Author Share Posted May 18, 2003 Djarret, have you played elc drums with this device? Would you say that it does help lay down a better pocket? Despite super-8's valid opinion, several top studio drummers have told me over the last few years that this type of device is almost mandatory. Unfortunately, they used the stuff on tour, and didn't know the particular brands. super8, another factor you're not factoring in is that the BASS player feels nothing at all. I'm now thinking perhaps I should mount a butt kicker to the wooden floor, right at the V-Kick itself. This is pretty strange territory.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super 8 Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 Originally posted by djarrett: Hey, Try the ButtKicker. Go to: www.thebuttkicker.com This thing will knock you off the throne! DJHate to say it, but that sounds a lot like a factory sponsored endorsement to me... Allan, be sure and give a post on what you go with and how it works for you. I can definately relate to the feeling of techtonic movement eminating from your sticks when there is a wooden riser and some bad-ass monitoring shaking the thing. Maybe I'm just used to the circumstances I play electronics under. I know from experience that I LOVE in ear monitoring because it makes my kit sound like something on record, and I feel like I'm listening to a record of music I like AND playing on the record at the same time -it's like the best of both worlds. It's like sex and drugs combined, when its just the right mix. I can't imagine a kicker improving the situation any, but I could be wrong. Been wrong before! Hope you find the ass-kicker that works best for you! Super 8 Hear my stuff here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 Me and Super 8 are in agreement on this one. I play bass, keyboards, and drums through headphones. I prefer being part of the ensemble. A great bass drum sounds great through headphones. I did have one drummer use a powered subwoofer. We ran a signal to it and set the crossover to maybe 60Hz (as low as it went). He sat on it while playing. He got a cheap thrill and it worked. He chucked it though. Not worth the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freelance Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 The primary need for bass response enhancement is for playing drums live (in particular in larger "arena" settings (where a drummer can't hear the kick). In a studio you simply don't need it - a good headphone mix should be more than enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boose44 Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 I have to agree with freelance and super8 here. In the studio, headphones should be more than enough for any decent drummer to lay down some great tracks -- even if they're using vdrums. If you were doing live gigs, I'd say you might want to check out the ButtKicker djarret mentioned. I hear they do kick some serious arse. -bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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