Drummer WAY Too Loud!

[Russell L]

I don't get it.

I'm back helping out an old band since their current bass player just quit. At the first gig, during sound check, the drummer was so loud that I actually could NOT HEAR THE BEAT. Never seen anything like it. I did the usual staring at the snare, but could'nt hear it, nor the high hat. It was like the bass drum covered it all up, as well as the fills on the toms (which ring, btw). About four bars, the leader stopped us and told the drummer he HAD to play softer.

Problems: 1)-the drummer is heavy-handed. 2)-his set is loud on its own. 3)-the band leader always puts him in the mains and has the kick drum eq'd too low and way too loud, wanting to "feel" it. 4)-the toms ring with a note. 5)-no one will listen to me when I complain about it all. 6)-the soundman's hands are tied by the leader's desires. So, the whole problem isn't the drummer himself. The stage is set up with a plexi screen around the drums, just to quell the volume of them. I moved from beside them to the outer edge of the stage. Everyone complains about the drums' volume, but no one is fixing it. I once quit playing on a song when the kick overpowered me (and I was in the mains)---no one even noticed that there was no bass.

No wonder I quit this band, but here I am again in it, although it's not my priority gig. Sheesh.:scowl:

Just had to rant. Thanks for listening.

 

[staindbass]

why did u go back ? if you dont have two 8x10 cabs its unlikely you would compete with most drummers. if the drummer switches to thinner sticks, he can still play just as hard and it will be quieter. i dont understand how he could be so loud and not hear the beat. never encountered that. maybe the reflections off the plexiglass and confusing your ears? anytime u are in a band with a "boss" there will be problems. i wont join a band that is not democratic. fight fire with fire. johnny a. staind

 

[SBassman]

Situations like this really suck the life out of playing.

In my experience, a drummer like that can never change.

 

[Russell L]

Right. He'll never change. I don't think the situation will change either. The reason I went back is simply mercenary. They pay well. But, like I said, I'm just helping out. My main gig is elsewhere. I'm sure there will be enough conflicts coming up before long to get me back out of it.

But yeah, I thought you guys might find it interesting that I couldn't hear the snare or high hat. All I could do was watch his snare hand to keep time. But, I guess the drums weren't the only thing awry in the stage mix. I remember a low hum they were chasing earlier, and some static. I think there was a ringing going on, created by the toms and kick. Odd, yes, but I really couldn't hear the snare.

This band also just bought a new 24 channel all-digital board. But, no matter what they ever buy, seems they are always having sound trouble. I've never seen anyone have so much trouble. I was hoping for things to have gotten better in the year I was gone, but nope. The drummer has no finesse in his playing. All klunky and loud, loud, loud.

(This is NOT meant to be a thread about bashing drummers and sound men in general, btw).

I guess I'll take it until I can't stand it anymore. I have no obligation to this band.

 

[Marko 1]

Stooped-loud stage volume, they’ll always have problems.

Sounds like a nightmare.

 

[fenderhutz]

Digital Drums.

 

[Russell L]

Digital Drums.

LOL, that's what me and the keyboardist keep saying (to ourselves).

Ya know, even the vocals in this band have too much bass in them. Sometimes, the keys. What is it these days where everyone thinks everything should have so much bottom? Even movie soundtracks have too much bottom in the voices (I've noticed that it's much easier to understand lines in the old movies from the 40s where the voicing is more mids and highs).

 

[fenderhutz]

Most bars I play at request digital drums since they know we have them. Is isn't the 1987 wall of deafening sound anymore and bands are doing bar patrons a disservice making them go deaf.

If I go see a local band and they are too loud I walk right back out. Not worth wearing ear plugs to see a band play.

 

[Mushroo]

When I'm on a gig, I worry about the one thing I can control (my bass playing) and shrug off everything else. It sounds like you aren't being paid to express any opinions or show any leadership on this particular gig, end of story.

Oh yeah, one constructive tip I'll give you, if you aren't already, wear earplugs! Not only will they protect your ears from stupid-loud drummer, but they might make it easier to hear the beat. Good luck!

 

[SAlcott]

Ditto on the earplugs.

 

[Marko 1]

When I'm on a gig, I worry about the one thing I can control (my bass playing) and shrug off everything else. It sounds like you aren't being paid to express any opinions or show any leadership on this particular gig, end of story.

Oh yeah, one constructive tip I'll give you, if you aren't already, wear earplugs! Not only will they protect your ears from stupid-loud drummer, but they might make it easier to hear the beat. Good luck!

He wasn’t pushing his agenda there, just sharing with us here. Perfectly reasonable.

Earplugs definitely make things sound clearer.

 

[Mushroo]

LOL, that's what me and the keyboardist keep saying (to ourselves).

Ya know, even the vocals in this band have too much bass in them. Sometimes, the keys. What is it these days where everyone thinks everything should have so much bottom? Even movie soundtracks have too much bottom in the voices (I've noticed that it's much easier to understand lines in the old movies from the 40s where the voicing is more mids and highs).

Not to sound alarmist but this is possibly a sign of high-frequency hearing loss, very common among musicians... earplugs are must these days, IMHO!

 

[Ewo]

Shee-ot! The kick and toms are so bass-heavy they drown out a snare?

My .02: put in the earplugs (+1 to comments), do the gig, take the money (+1 to other comments above). Sounds like this gig ain't about friendship/musical comeraderie, and ain't about aesthetics/enjoying playing, either.

 

[mambo4]

Quit again, telling them exactly why.

 

[younggun]

I quit a church band for the exact same reason. No matter how constructively or diplomatically I approached the issue, it never changed. I imagine its a pretty common story, as many musicians prefer serving themselves instead of the music.
Get paid while you can tolerate it, then move on. Good luck!

 

[Marko 1]

Earplugs are cool, but I went a bit further…

My guitarist used to be too loud. I complained but he kept making the typical guitard excuses (“tone” “feel” etc), including that he wasn’t actually loud, it was just the shape of the stage or some crap. Finally I brought an SPL meter and gave it to our sound guy, and they don’t lie.

Anyways, after I got done beating a new GK 212MBE into a rattle trap in a few gigs (even having it propped up to my head level), then bringing out the huge rig and becoming a problem myself,

I left the amp/cabs at home went straight DI to the board, and from the DI to a headphone amp into in-ears for me (iow, only bass in my ears), and they get whatever they put in the drummer’s wedge (front is using those little HotSpots, so can’t put any bass in there), and that’s what they’ve got to hear of me on stage. (Drummer’s quite happy with it)

Guitarist is finally to an acceptable volume now, but he waited a bit too long I guess. He’s not happy with my new setup, as he can’t hear me as well, and blames certain problems with the fact that I can’t hear what he’s doing as well (I hear him, but the in-ears dampen the volume some, so if he does something different sometimes I don’t catch it right away).

He complains (very diplomatically and tactfully), but I just ignore it. He knows that he brought it to that, and now he’s just gonna have to deal with it.

 

[JumboJack]

I quit a church band for the exact same reason. No matter how constructively or diplomatically I approached the issue, it never changed. I imagine its a pretty common story, as many musicians prefer serving themselves instead of the music.
Get paid while you can tolerate it, then move on. Good luck!

Same here,only it was a guitarist.Drowned everyone out because of volume + EQ....My bass was invisable at all times except the most quietest/softest (when I was not playing much anyways)..

 

[Joe Louvar]

I hate earplugs. I’d crank up my bass, demand more money, or quit.

 

[SBassman]

Unfortunately too many people playing live don't Get It when it comes to volume.

These days, people listening to live music do Not want it at ear bleeding levels or with a noisy mix. They want it clear and low volume - so that they can actually have a conversation while out with friends.

 

[DirtbagDan]

Too loud of a drummer? Are you playing chamber music good god?! Some of you seem to forget what playing music is all about....the love of playing music not getting paid. Yeah getting paid is great n all but if that's what you are doing it for you are wrong in every way. The only problem I seem to encounter is sound guys telling me that I don't need any more vocals in my monitors(UH hello and thanks but if I didn't need anymore I wouldn't say that I did!). I'd quit because it sounds like you aren't enjoying yourself and like I stated earlier its the love not the money...