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Author Topic: Speakers for drummning to?  (Read 355 times)
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misha_val
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« on: February 17, 2008, 05:58 PM »

Hello, I'm wondering if you guys have any advice on some speakers that I can hook up to either my computer or just a regular stereo that would be loud enough so that I can play my drums to music. Preferably under 100 dollars.

Thanks, Misha
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2008, 06:42 PM »

Unless you are a very light player you'd mostly likely need a mini-PA. I can't think of any computer speakers that would work. Plus you'd be disturbing anyone within half a mile.
How about enclosed headphones?
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misha_val
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« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2008, 06:50 PM »

Alright. scratch the computer speakers.
Headphones don't really work. I'd rather have the noise be around me.
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Vintage Ludwig
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« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2008, 08:05 PM »

Alright. scratch the computer speakers.
Headphones don't really work. I'd rather have the noise be around me.
I dont really understand why you would not want to use headphones Undecided

If you are using speakers thru a stereo you would want to use a speaker with the LEAST amount of impedance required to power the speakers.  Like maybe 4 ohms.  Something very efficient like Klipsch.

I would just use headphones and adjust the volume so you can hear the music in the phones as well as your drums.
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eardrum
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« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2008, 08:11 PM »

Alright. scratch the computer speakers.
Headphones don't really work. I'd rather have the noise be around me.
First, it's NOT noise  - it's music Cheesy  Second, please read some of the threads about ear protection. It's serious business.  To get to your question, you can play your computer or IPOD, whatever through a good stereo or even a boom box (most have aux inputs) and some of the boom boxes are probably loud enough. AND, if it's not loud enough, go back to my second point....  Be SAFE!
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cavanman
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« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2008, 08:21 PM »

Alright. scratch the computer speakers.
Headphones don't really work. I'd rather have the noise be around me.

I see three issues solved by quality, enclosed headphones.

1) You get used to playing with headphones on. An absolute must if you ever go in the studio to record.
2) This is the only practical way to play along with a click (metronome)
3) If you try to compete with drum volume via speaker system, PA or other, you are on the way to ruining you're hearing. Headphones at high spl can still screw your ears up but present a superior way to filter out high volume drum sounds and provide a reasonable level of music.

There are other positives but I believe these are weighty pros for headphones.

Jim
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drumnut1
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« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2008, 08:28 PM »

Unless you are a very light player you'd mostly likely need a mini-PA. I can't think of any computer speakers that would work. Plus you'd be disturbing anyone within half a mile.
How about enclosed headphones?
This is pretty much how I practice.  I used to use like a 100watt Stereo. Later I bought an Yorkville MM6, 150 watts per channel with two 15in. 200watt Yorkville speaker cabinets.  It was enough to practice too. Like Chris said here, a small PA.  I am now practicing to a 3200 watt PA with subs, Mains and monitor. You just want to cut the high frequencies a bit.  They are the most damaging to your ears. If you want just a little more cut use cotton balls.  These guys are serious about damaging your ears. Almost all of them use ear plugs.
I think that with headphones, the dbs may be higher because it is right on top of your ears. I have noticed my ears buzzing more after listening and reviewing recorded music through head phones at night. It sounds so clear, you don't realize how loud it really is IMHO.
I don't know of anything that is going to give your that much sound for under $100, other than headphones.  Just be careful.
                            Nutty
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misha_val
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« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2008, 09:27 PM »

Alright, headphones sound like the way to go I guess. Any advice on some good ones?
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2008, 10:34 PM »

 I am now practicing to a 3200 watt PA with subs, Mains and monitor.
Pardon the personal opinion here (honestly)........

But I just know I wouldn't enjoy that.
Firstly, volume is very tiring (it's been proven in studies).
Secondly, I know I would either be BLASTING the PA or struggling to hear the music. It would effect my way of playing, I'd feel tense and in knots trying to stifle my playing in order to hear the music.
I have a little experience in this area - I've tried playing to pre-recorded music in rehearsal rooms. I've also practiced and gigged with machine driven music where there was no click available, or the click was inadequate.
Here is the thing.......
When you gig, yes you can be playing at high volumes, but 1) you aren't straining to hear the timing with all the other musicians completely ignoring you  Lips Sealed.
You are running the timing.
Play drums to a record and you are the one trying to keep in time and hear clearly enough to feel the pulse.
And 2) the gig might last for 30-60 minutes. Less time exposure to high volume than if you practiced- assuming most people practice for at least an hour.
On the issue of hearing damage.
My audiologist categorises the basic volume of a drum kit above 89db.
That's in the area of international safety standards requiring hearing protection.
If you were in a factory you'd be required to wear protective ear-muffs.
Now play music over that drum volume of 89db in order to hear it clearly enough to practice with!  Shocked
The road to deafness.
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eardrum
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« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2008, 11:11 PM »

Alright, headphones sound like the way to go I guess. Any advice on some good ones?
I've been using the Extreme Isolation Headphones and like them alot...  http://www.extremeheadphones.com/
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drumnut1
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« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2008, 06:01 AM »

Pardon the personal opinion here (honestly)........

But I just know I wouldn't enjoy that.
Firstly, volume is very tiring (it's been proven in studies).
Secondly, I know I would either be BLASTING the PA or struggling to hear the music. It would effect my way of playing, I'd feel tense and in knots trying to stifle my playing in order to hear the music.
I have a little experience in this area - I've tried playing to pre-recorded music in rehearsal rooms. I've also practiced and gigged with machine driven music where there was no click available, or the click was inadequate.
Here is the thing.......
When you gig, yes you can be playing at high volumes, but 1) you aren't straining to hear the timing with all the other musicians completely ignoring you  Lips Sealed.
You are running the timing.
Play drums to a record and you are the one trying to keep in time and hear clearly enough to feel the pulse.
And 2) the gig might last for 30-60 minutes. Less time exposure to high volume than if you practiced- assuming most people practice for at least an hour.
On the issue of hearing damage.
My audiologist categorises the basic volume of a drum kit above 89db.
That's in the area of international safety standards requiring hearing protection.
If you were in a factory you'd be required to wear protective ear-muffs.
Now play music over that drum volume of 89db in order to hear it clearly enough to practice with!  Shocked
The road to deafness.
Chris,
You make some great points here and you are right. A factory would require ear plugs if you work in an area that is over 85dbs for over 8 hours a day. I am required at work. 3200 watts is what is availible. I am not peaking out my PA by any means inside my house. With a sound meter in my room the drums are around 95dbs. The PA is very clear and I can hear really well in there. Alcan requires me to have my hearing tested once a year and I have done that now for 12 years. So far the results is that my hearing hasn't changed for 12 years. My eye sight has but not my hearing.  The music is my click track.  Played the other day to a bunch of Genesis.  Great drums but mostly all of it has an electrical rhythm track playing with it.
A lot of music does.  My point is that with head phones on, you really don't know what the dbs are.  I can use a sound meter in a room.
                                       Nutty
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"You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with'. "I love The Cafe. "If there is music today, it is a great day".
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TeReKeTe
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« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2008, 09:37 PM »

lower- to mid-range inears (etymotic er6's or the shures that are down around $80/pair) are perfect for this.

then go to the hardware store and buy a $15 set of over-the-ear noise blockers.  mainly for yard work, etc.

in ears go in your ears.

noise blockers go over those.

get the volume comfortable.

BANG!  very happy practicing drummer.  alternatively, take off the the noise blockers and see how that sounds.  it's usually too loud, but-- trust me.  this works great.  it's my fav. way of tracking for the past 5 years.
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TMe
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« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2008, 11:58 AM »

Let me guess.  You want to impress your friends by playing along with a record?

Use the head phones so you can hear, AND some speakers so your buddies can hear what you're playing along with.  As long as the speakers are closer to your buddies than the drum kit, you won't need much.
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George
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« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2008, 04:08 PM »

Use the head phones so you can hear, AND some speakers so your buddies can hear what you're playing along with.  As long as the speakers are closer to your buddies than the drum kit, you won't need much.

Or maybe, in a smaller room, you could as well plug another or more headphones in your computer, so as your friends could hear the music in headphones, too (ideally with a volume control on each), and the headphones would also protect everyone's ears from the loudness of the drums. (And also prevent everybody from hearing the neighbours banging on the door.)

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