Hi Poppy!

IMHO, best thing to do with the volume issue, with minimum alteration of normal features of resonance, fundamental notes, etc. is to surround your drum kit with foam acustic panels, which b.t.w., gives a dry sound but doesn´t "kill" resonance as some mufflers or external "devices" (read towels, etc.) over the heads, etc

You can also use some lightweight drumsticks (as AJ5 V. Firth´s) in order to reduce impact and volume.

Regards!

Put up a shield plexiglass, other than that tell the accoustic guys if they are playing with a drummer to plug in..... otherwise unless you are playing a waltz you are hamstringing the drummer, you can not play when you are trying to be quiet, or putting towels on the heads etc.... make everyone the same volume...... then add or subtract as needed for the mix.

Play with brushes. Or, just play quietly. It's a lot harder to play well soft than it is loud but it is possible. Think of it as a way to help you improve your technique even though it is a pain in the butt. I also agree that the accoustic guys should plug into an amp if they are playing with more than one other guy.

Play softer. It's a art to play softly AND imply intensity. Practice with a metronome at three volumes (FF=mF- and pp) so that you can switch evenly between them. If you can't easily hear the rest if the instruments, you are probably hitting too hard.

I have to agree with tomswift, it is art to play soft and easy, but like the starter of the tread said, not everybody is a pro! I am a normal working guy who plays in a Rockband, and i am quite good at Rock, but i probably would fail in playing really soft and noiseless:-)

But i found out that(we sometimes do our set in the acoustic way), when you use a drumset with very little konfiguration, like a 10" or 8" racktom a 12" or 13" floortom and a 16" Bassdrum and you play the set with rods, you can play just like you play on your regular set and you are not loud!

So the acoustic guys can not complain then;-)

You should give this a try:-)

regards

Christian

The acoustic guys will be plugged in but not shattering the windows.

I was wondering about smaller drums and those rods. Thanks for the input guys!

Poppy,

You pose a valid question... how not to play loud.

Without electronic amplification, you simply cannot "turn down" an acoustic instrument (guitar, piano, sax, violin, whatever). Everyone who plays an acoustic instrument (and drums are an acoustic instrument) needs to learn how to play dynamically, both loud and soft, depending upon the conditions. Lighter sticks or any of the various split rods will help you play quieter without changing your style significantly. I play in an acoustic jazz quartet and find brushes give me all the volume I need. Remember that you are not the primary instrument. Just keep a soft beat (softer than you normally play) behind those acoustic guitars and don't worry if you're loud enough for the audience to hear... you will be. Too many drummer think they have to play as loud as the lead instruments. Good luck, have fun, and hope it all goes well.

Mike

As I said in my original post. It will be plugged in acoustic. Y'all have given me plenty of pliable solutions thanks!!!

It's all about which drum kit you choose. You can't rely on the drummers who pass through to have the skills needed to play well softly. I'd start out with a 3-ply mahogany kit because mahogany drums are known for two things; fat, warm tone and -low volume-!

A low volume 3-ply mahogany kit can be mic'd up for electric music and simply left un-mic'd for acoustic sets. Lighter weight sticks will reduce the volume even further.

Start with choosing the right drums!

John