What to do with the drums?

[Rob22315]

My church has a PA system with no sub so I got a small combo and extension that seem to do just fine in filling out the bottom end for bass. The Music director wants to run the electronic drums through my bass combo too. What do you guys think? The combo is connected to the PA via XLR out of the pre so the bass is heard through both.

I don't think the drums will work well through the bass amp, especially since I use the modeling features of the amp to get the sound I like. It won't sound right. I know the church should probably add a sub to the PA for both of us and just solve the whole bottom end problem once but I don't think that's likely to happen any time soon.

thoughts?

[Kael]

Bad idea. Bass guitar and kick NEED to be EQ'd differently. Tell him to get a powered sub.

[Jimbob Jones]

+1. it'll sound bad.

Get a sub, or just put the drums through the mains and EQ it carefully so that the bass doesn't melt your tops.

Either that, or get a keyboard amp (or similar) purely for the drum kit.

I've put together a few mixes with 'bottomless' drums; you can make it work.

[prd004]

Beyond bad, just run the drums through the PA, with or without subs. Subs are nice but most soundmen don't know how to use them and you just end up with an over-blown, over the top sub sonic thud that kills tone anyway.

Bass guitar and bass drum need seperation, anyway. Running them through an amp together will ruin your sound

[Rob22315]

Thanks for the expert feedback! I'll take your advice along with some prices for a powered sub to the MD and see what he thinks.

[Exploiter8]

H3LL NO!

Don't let anyone try to guilt you into it, either!

X8

[Rob22315]

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

H3LL NO!

Don't let anyone try to guilt you into it, either!

X8

Also great advice. I can tell you've been in one or two of these situations before.

[Exploiter8]

Originally Posted by Rob22315

Also great advice. I can tell you've been in one or two of these situations before.

I know a keyboardist that occasionally shows up at our jams. NEVER brings an amp, just plugs into our vocals only PA. It's not my house or PA, and it doesn't seem to bother anyone else. I'm struggling with hearing my vocals nowadays, and the added keys just make it more difficult. Maybe I should bring my SansAmp BDDI and join the party! It's all for fun, but I don't know why it bugs me like it does. Oh well, my problem!

X8

[Rockmusician]

It's your amp. I wouldn't let anybody run anything through it.

[drummer5359]

Originally Posted by Rob22315

My church has a PA system with no sub so I got a small combo and extension that seem to do just fine in filling out the bottom end for bass. The Music director wants to run the electronic drums through my bass combo too. What do you guys think? The combo is connected to the PA via XLR out of the pre so the bass is heard through both.

I don't think the drums will work well through the bass amp, especially since I use the modeling features of the amp to get the sound I like. It won't sound right. I know the church should probably add a sub to the PA for both of us and just solve the whole bottom end problem once but I don't think that's likely to happen any time soon.

thoughts?

"My church has a PA system with no sub so I got a small combo and extension that seem to do just fine in filling out the bottom end for bass."

You saw a need to improve the sound and went and got your own combo amp to inprove things. (Very cool, by the way...)

Your drummer or the church should be worrying about the sound of the drums, not you. (And I'm primarily a drummer!)

Explain nicely that your combo amp solved your sound issues, but it won't solve theirs.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Another vote for no.
The amp itself would be fine, the speaker(s) would blow.

The only downside of El. drums is their insane demand for low end amplification if a modern BD sound is required.

In order to amplify a traditional 24" acoustic bass drum so it actually sounds amplified in sub 100Hz region requires IME at least an amp capable of delivering 1000W into a decent sub with the sensitivity of at least 95dB. The snare, toms and especially the cymbals require way, way less.

Regards
Sam

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Another vote for no.
The amp itself would be fine, the speaker(s) would blow.

The only downside of El. drums is their insane demand for low end amplification if a modern BD sound is required.

In order to amplify a traditional 24" acoustic bass drum so it actually sounds amplified in sub 100Hz region requires IME at least an amp capable of delivering 1000W into a decent sub with the sensitivity of at least 95dB. The snare, toms and especially the cymbals require way, way less.

Regards
Sam

Thanks you… the sound was addressed, but that it would likely destroy the bass speaker(s) needed to be mentioned.

[groooooove]

Originally Posted by prd004

Beyond bad, just run the drums through the PA, with or without subs. Subs are nice but most soundmen don't know how to use them and you just end up with an over-blown, over the top sub sonic thud that kills tone anyway.

Bass guitar and bass drum need seperation, anyway. Running them through an amp together will ruin your sound

exactly. infact thats what makes a good mix sound right- is how well you seperate them, and how well you deal with the frequency overlaps.

[MNAirHead]

No to the bass amp

Fundraiser and get the correct people, Installation and gear

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I know a keyboardist that occasionally shows up at our jams. NEVER brings an amp, just plugs into our vocals only PA. It's not my house or PA, and it doesn't seem to bother anyone else. I'm struggling with hearing my vocals nowadays, and the added keys just make it more difficult. Maybe I should bring my SansAmp BDDI and join the party! It's all for fun, but I don't know why it bugs me like it does. Oh well, my problem!

X8

That's different. Keys often run through the PA, and with a little judicious mixing and EQ, the keys and vocals can be kept out of each other's way. The PA is no one's individual monitor; personal amps are different. No one runs their instrument through my amp with me. I don't think the equipment is at any particular risk, given that it's a church, not a mosh pit, but it's just not good etiquette to even ask. A firm "no" and no other explanation is my advice. An explanation only invites debate.

[ArcticT]

Another drummer voting no. I realize in a church setting, especially in some smaller churches, you have to do what you have to do to get by because the budget isn't always there. In this case you would be better off, as has already been mentioned, running the drums through the mains and spending some time getting the EQ right where you want it.

[IvanMike]

no No NO NO NO!

[Nagrom]

The only instrument that should ever be run parallel through the bass amp is a harmonica mic for a guest artist, just to watch the soundman pull his hair out trying to figure out where it's coming from. I did that once, one of my most hilarious antics ever. Of course I was lined in, and it sounded great,and watching the sound guy trying to figure it out was epic.

Our drummer uses electronics, and has a decent little combo he uses for stage volume. Works fine. The drummer can get his own darn amp, like everybody else.

[Rob22315]

Thanks all. I found a good deal on craigslist for a keyboard amp amd sent the WL the link. It's up to him and the drummer to deal with it.

[Rob22315]

Problem solved. I bought a used Peavey KB 300 for the drums. Sounds great and the church will reimburse me to cover the cost of only 140.