DRUMMER CAFE

I love the 18". I only use felt strips for a bit of muffling. It can sound wide open or you can tune it to be very punchy also. You will miss the stage volume punch of a bigger drum though if you are in a louder situation. But it still mics up well, even in a large venue. Oh boy! and is it easy to carry around.
I do not have a lift, I thought about it, but I don't mind hitting the drum off center, its part of the charm of an 18" to me, being able to get some tone to the drum. Like any drum, some rooms you can't make it sound good, and then some rooms, the 18" will be larger than life.
As far the the SD, its still early in my looking around, so I'm very open. I hoping to go to the Chicago drum show, so maybe I find something that I love there or get some ideas.

My fav acquisition was a large, used Tempus kit (2 each 17x24 kicks, 13, 14, 16, 18 toms).  I completely disassembled it, removing every piece of hardware from every drum.  I had to get rid of the old black Gibraltar mounting parts (toms & spurs), remove tons of black spray paint, replace most of the hoops, and had Paul cut two the toms down.

If I remember correctly, I got it in September.  Well, today I'm picking up the last two parts I ordered to get this kit ready to play out.  I'll post pictures in the drum porn thread in the near future.

My most recent acquisition (certainly the best of 2007/8 to date) has been a small PA system so that I can have rehursals at my place instead of lugging my kit around.

The system consists of:
2 Madison M2-15 main speakers
1 ART power supply
1 ART 2x15 EQ
1 Carvin DCM1000 power amp
1 Soundcraft E8 mixer
3 Audix OM2 mics
2 MXL 2003 mics
...and a seemingly infinite number of cables.

Pics below...all of a sudden, my man-cave has become a popular place to hold rehursal! 

Cheers, Bob

Mostly a few mics (SM57s, Beta52) and also a mixer that was a deal I could not pass up.

On the drum gear side, nothing too interesting -- heads, sticks, a couple shakers. Saving up and researching some kits for a planned purchase later this year... but so many kits still to be heard. (Top of the list: DW Jazz series, Ludwig Legacy Classic)

But really, the mics, mixer and software has given me a whole new set of things to play with and learn about.

Though I did check out the Steve Jordan signature drum today and was sorely tempted.

My favorite gear purchase in the last year was a power amp that has enough power to properly run our subs.  It made a BIG difference on our overall low-end sound, but I am pleased with being able to 'feel' the thump of my bass drum now.

Rick

Yeah, PA gear is a whole 'nother addiction. I picked up a PLX1804 (13#!!!, weight, not cost) for our mains, shifted the PLX3002 to the subs bridged, bumping the PLX2402 to monitors.

Added a matching 31 band EQ for a third IEM mix. Band's just started trying them out, Shure PSM200s, luckily NOT affected by the FTC frequency selloff ;>).

Just found & bought slipcovers for my extra SM12IV monitors as closeout/demos from www.undercovernyc.com for half price.

I did buy an S-hoop for my Acrolite (used from a drumsmithy). Sounds nicer (I think), takes some getting used to how low the rim is for cross-sticking.

Picked up several used Pearl TH100s tom arms for my kits & racks. Hidden ball type adjustment. Cheaper than the new ones and I like the look better than the TH1000 & 2000s.

Boomerweps

Bob, I know that PA buying feeling very well. A few years back when I had my house I purchased a complete Sun sound system (remember them?) for practice and small clubs. Then I came to the conclusion that, "Hey, why am I doing this? I'm just a drummer." So I sold my electronic gear, drums, plus the house. Moved, payed bills, and started over again. Now I don't have the house and electronic gear, just more drums. Funny how that works....

Yes! I have the PA, not a very big one, but big enough for vocals at practice. A good drummer friend of mine recently bought a PA for his band. After all, we have the money to dish out for all of our drum gear, we might as well pick up the PA too, right? Hah!

I also have the practice space, which was a primary goal of mine when I bought this house a few years ago. I love recording/production. I'm actually trying to get a couple of my friend's bands in here to do some demos for them. I had an interview today with a very busy DJ/soundman in this area whom I will hopefully be learning a lot from in the near future.

Yeah, I finally broke down a couple years ago and got three matching lightweight amps and then they change them ;>( But that PLX1804 is a monster AND lightweight, just not 2 ohm capable.


Two primary reasons and a lot of secondary ones.
1. We can't get just ONE mic, stand and cable to do our business.
2. We are used to hauling a lot of crap and buy vehicles (& trailers) to accomodate everything.

Secondary is that after hauling, setting up, tearing down and performing maintenance on all our own stuff, we want it to sound great and be heard. And be more self suffient.

I find bassists often get into PA gear, too. I guess we are all about overall band support rather than "More Me" primarily.

Boomerweps

Does a new soundproof studio count?