[TelePaul]

Anybody else struggle with this? My cans actually have decent isolation, but either I'm overpowered by the kit and its proximity to me, I can't hear enough of the high end through the cans, or everything comes together to overpower the guide track (acoustic guitar). I guess I'm struggling to get the balance right, has anyone else encountered the same in days gone by?

[DamagedTrax]

are you monitoring the kit in the mix aswell? most drummers i work with never want any drums in their mix.

[krd]

Originally Posted by DamagedTrax

are you monitoring the kit in the mix aswell? most drummers i work with never want any drums in their mix.

So they can play........really fffffing loud?


What's the ideal kind of guide track for a drummer to play to?

[tweeky]

Maybe a more powerful amp and a better pair of headphones will give you some high end. The built-in headphone amps on most budget desks are not powerful enough but I have never found it a problem for drummers with a good studio monitoring system
A moderate feed of the direct kit (easy on the ambience) is essential to let the drummer gauge his/her dynamic esp. with ghosting, Then add click (or not) a good dose of track and a faint vocal does most.

[DamagedTrax]

Originally Posted by krd

So they can play........really fffffing loud?

no, they just turn the cans down to a sensible level and might want the slightest touch of kit in the mix if any.

[PaulBrewer]

Depending on the drumist I've found that open backed cans like the AKG 240s may give a reasonable balance between the actual drum sound with the cans supplying click + guide.

This can lead to spill though.

[DaDumTish]

i play with in ear phones and builder mufflers on top of these .

keeps everything at a low level and you cant hear the kit really unless its in the mix
( so i add the kit to the mix at a low level )

just make sure you always keep the volume under your contorl or limited - so no one can blow the skull off you - this is VERY important.

allows me to hear click , and bass etc very well , with no kit blowing it away.

also you get no spill .

[madtheory]

Paul mentioned the AKG cans. IME good quality headphones are more effective than something that's just "loud". I always had problems whenever we used the Beyerdynamic DT-100s. Never had a problem with the AKG K270 or Beyerdynamic DT-150.

Putting drums in the cans will never work, you need a balance between the acoustic kit and the guide track.

[eoin5]

A set of vic firth headphones, a click and a guide track has me sorted. No drums in the headphone mix, I've no idea why anyone would do that unless you're so heavily isolated that the drums are too quiet through your headgear to not feel right.

[TelePaul]

Really interesting responses all! I'll give things a go with no drum monitoring, it's possible that I'm just competing with myself for a reference point.

[krd]

Originally Posted by TelePaul

Really interesting responses all! I'll give things a go with no drum monitoring, it's possible that I'm just competing with myself for a reference point.

You mean, you were trying to keep up with the other drummer?


Let us know how you get on.

[tweeky]

Originally Posted by madtheory

Putting drums in the cans will never work.

Since when? Most "professional" drummers need a modest feed in their headphones so they can hear the attack of a hit and not just a dull thud. Some feed is also needed to catch flams with their click. But then there are always exceptions.
Ive been at this 30 years and have only been asked to take them out a few times.

[madtheory]

Well I've done it when asked, but there's no way I'd put those same cans on my own lugs! Major risk of NIHL. And they didn't use my own cans either.

[DamagedTrax]

spent all day yesterday doing drums in trackmix. the drummer just wanted a hint of OH and that was it.

[PaulBrewer]

Originally Posted by tweeky

Since when? Most "professional" drummers need a modest feed in their headphones so they can hear the attack of a hit and not just a dull thud. Some feed is also needed to catch flams with their click. But then there are always exceptions.
Ive been at this 30 years and have only been asked to take them out a few times.

30 years ? Phuck !