Regarding the T1's proprietary "kick gate"; is it used primarily for V-drums, or is it recommended for acoustic drums as well?

We mike my brother's bass drum (part of cocktail drum set) with a Shure Beta 52. Would the kick gate be recommended in this scenario?

Hi 7777,

The KickGate is for a Kick Drum, amplified through a microphone.

You can read all about it here.

See: KickGate® in the wiki.


I was using it this weekend and it made a world of difference. Tight, punchy, accurate sound with all the power you could want and no ringing or lingering anything after the hit.

But I'm not a Drummer, so I've never really figured out how to make a Kick Drum sound right. Now I don't have to. It sounded just great this weekend with the KickGate.

Hi 7777,

ST is right, the kick gate is for acoustic drums.
Vdrums don't need it, as the kick envelope (sustain/dampening/muffling) is internally adjustable in the module.
I've tinkered with the kick gate with my TD-12, but it doesn't do more than you can with tweaking the module.

For acoustic kick, it's great, chopping off the long sustain.
It's has a tiny amount control to *loosen up* the gate, but it's very minimal.
You can not adjust the envelope from short to normal decay time.
It's big plus is that it keeps bass guitar from leaking into the mic and muddying the stage sound.

The gate allows you to actually turn up the kick drum *all-the-way* without feedback.
Using it with 4-B1s is pretty awesome.

NOW...the cocktail drum!
You could gate the mic on the bottom of the drum, but I have a feeling the gate would also affect the top head,
whether it be snare or tom.

I've been looking at cocktail kits, but as kick and floor tom are one drum,
I've not bought into it for that reason, probably can't use the kick gate.

Typically though, a cocktail kit is going to be used in a low volume group,
the kick gate probably wouldn't be necessary.
If you need too, damping the kick drum down to cut off the ring might be your best bet.
MoonGel will even stick to a bottom head, I use it on my floor tom.

Is your application different?

Hello Drumr Pete,

My brother plays a DW Cocktail Drum Kit, in which the tom and the kick drums are two different drums. That allows for more control of the sound projection.

While the tom is positioned above the kick drum, it responds very differently from his prior setup (another brand) where the two were actually one drum.

We play as a duo - guitar and percussion (no bass player). So; the kick drum makes a vital contribution to our overall sound.

quote:

My brother plays a DW Cocktail Drum Kit, in which the tom and the kick drums are two different drums.

Does this look like your kit?



If so, it looks like hitting the drum over the kick might set off the gate, you'd just have to try it.
How do you usually mic that kick?

I know that in tight quarters with the *loud* band, my bassist will trigger my kick gate.
That is a nice drum kit...I'd not seen that one before.

Drumr Pete,

The set that you have pictured is the one that I'm referring to. My brother added a couple of cymbols, a roto-tom, and chimes.

He attached some adjustable hardware on one of the the legs that holds the Shure Beta 52. We put the mic as close to the drum head as possible.

I was thinking that with the kick gate, we could eliminate the boominess and sustaining ring.

quote:

He attached some adjustable hardware on one of the the legs that holds the Shure Beta 52. We put the mic as close to the drum head as possible.

Hey 7777

Are you miking the batter head or the resonator head?

Either way the kick gate will help you control the tom directly above the kick drum.

I think the kick gate would give you the same control over the tom as it would over the bass.

DrumrPete said

quote:

It's big plus is that it keeps bass guitar from leaking into the mic and muddying the stage sound.

I hope this helps
Starvin

Starvin,

We are miking the kick drum from down under.

We play a lot of outside events where the kick drum needs that extra amplification (debatable). We had other drummers tell us that even though we do not mic the other drums/cymbals, our balance is good.

Thanks a bunch!

Hydrolic Black

I've seen these used on small kick drums that you can't buy real kick drum heads for.They are much dryer than most heads which is what you should be looking for in a kick drum that is being miked.

I like Pete's idea of using moongels, they will also help and there is no problem putting them inside the batter head. That way you will never loose them.

I'm just guessing but I'll bet the hydrolics ,a little drum dampening (moongels or dead ringers), the kick gate and good bass drum tuning will give you a killer kick drum sound.

quote:

We are miking the kick drum from down under.

Good.
You might also, if need be, aim the mic *across* the drum head so it doesn't point up into the drum toward the tom mounted above.

Another really *dead* head is the Aquarian Performance II which I tried on my toms, but it killed the sustain so completely I removed them. Might be just the thing for you though.

quote:

We had other drummers tell us that even though we do not mic the other drums/cymbals, our balance is good.

You must have a great band...this sez it all.
You know how to blend yourselves on stage.

While it's true, that with my trio, I could go mic-less, I prefer the thump the T1/KickGate/2 (or 4)-B1 method gives me.
Before the L1, I was never able to *feel* my kick drum.

Thanks DrumrPete.