Plywood Drum/Cab Platform

[Vinny]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I figured it could easily fit in both Production Tips and Equipment categories.

But anyway, I am gonna try out the plywood thing for drums to brighten up the sound since I record in a carpeted room (several people have told me to try it out, and I also saw that acoustic drum recording thread talk about it). So what kind of wood should I get? Because I'm sure the wood type would greatly affect the sound, no? The first thing that comes to mind is Birch, but I'm not sure. Also, what dimensions would you recommend? And how much would it affect the sound if I put a thin layer of felt over it?

ALSO. Would this work just as well for an amp cab? Or would it best to actually raise the cab a foot or so off the ground?

Thanks so much guys

 

[Trevoire520]

To be honest I'm not sure if the actual species of wood matters too much. I just grabbed whatever plywood was in the local timber yard and used that. Get 2 sheet's of 8x4 and that should be big enough for any drum kit. Make sure it isn't warped or you'll find that it wont sit flat!
Don't bother with a layer of felt. The whole reason to put wood down is to increase reflections from the floor and putting felt down will only dampen it.

For a amp/cab you're really better off raising the amp from the floor to avoid reflections. I actually stick mine on top of another pair of 4x12's to get it up off the ground. This actually makes adjusting mic positions much easier as you dont have to bend down to do it.


Slightly off topic but how do you guys secure your kit when using a wooden floor? Bass drum creep can sometimes be a bit of a problem I find. I'm currently raising the kick legs to get the kick off the ground and letting the spikes dig in, also grabbed a couple of stageworks mats to stick under the kick pedal so will see how I get on with them. Just wondering if anyone has found a good solution.

 

[Djabthrash]

@trevoire520 : sorry for necrobumping but how are those stageworks anti-slip mats been working for your kick pedal ?

I have a Roland TD-4K e-drumkit in my room (hardwood floor), and whenever i hit the kick pedal, the kick pedal and the kick pad keep getting pushed further away. Right now i put them on top of a folded (approx. 5 layers instead of one) bathroom carpet (mat ?) (note : they have their own separate carpets so far : one for the kick pedal+kick front, and one for the kick rear part) so that they don't sit directly on my hardwood and don't damage it.

I know the best solution is to have an entire carpet/rug/mat on which the entire drumkit sits, including the drum throne, so that everything stays in place when i hit the pedals, but i'm lacking space in my room and i'd like to give those anti-slip mats a try.

EDIT : i created a thread dedicated to this issue, and Trevoire answered me there : http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...-pedal-mat-kick-drums-pedals-pedalboards.html