Thanks,
Mangorockfish
Another thread about baffling
-
mangorockfish
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:23 pm
- Location: arkansas
Another thread about baffling
In the pics of baffling techniqs that have been shown on this forum, I'm not clear as to wheather or not the baffling is directly on the bottom head or is it up a few inches? Also, since my main drum is not a "snare" will I benefit from baffling my drum?
Thanks,
Mangorockfish
Thanks,
Mangorockfish
-
fw
The baffle can go almost anywhere in the drum, depending on what sort of tone you want. Dinkus' baffle is more like bass drum muffling, whereas Keith puts his around where the bottom of a snare drum would go.
If you have an auxiliary snare, I wouldn't baffle the drum. My hunch would be to get two different tones by using two different types of head and muffling the bottom head with a thin felt strip or something like that--muffle the bass and leave the tom open. People seem to like the coated powerstroke 3 heads on cocktail kit bass drums. You might do a coated ambassador or emperor on top. I'm still into the idea of trying a coated diplomat on my snare head--it's just hard to find 15"ers. Also, I'd tune the heads differently.
I've found that fiberfill makes a nice bass drum muffle. The pressure from the impact shoots the fiberfill into the air for an open tone, then the fiberfill falls and mutes the overtones.
Will
If you have an auxiliary snare, I wouldn't baffle the drum. My hunch would be to get two different tones by using two different types of head and muffling the bottom head with a thin felt strip or something like that--muffle the bass and leave the tom open. People seem to like the coated powerstroke 3 heads on cocktail kit bass drums. You might do a coated ambassador or emperor on top. I'm still into the idea of trying a coated diplomat on my snare head--it's just hard to find 15"ers. Also, I'd tune the heads differently.
I've found that fiberfill makes a nice bass drum muffle. The pressure from the impact shoots the fiberfill into the air for an open tone, then the fiberfill falls and mutes the overtones.
Will
-
mangorockfish
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:23 pm
- Location: arkansas
Baffling
I came up with a really old, I think it is called, "Duraline or Duramax" head. It has like a woven coating on it and is very muffled. I'm going to try it tomorrow. I don't even know if they make them anymore. I think they used them alot on marching drums.
BTW, thanks for the insight on placement of baffling. That is what I thought, but wasn't for sure.
Mangorockfish
BTW, thanks for the insight on placement of baffling. That is what I thought, but wasn't for sure.
Mangorockfish
-
Keith Cronin
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 8:21 am
The only reason I baffled mine was because I use the top head as my primary snare. If I were using it as basically a floor tom, like many cocktail drummers do, I wouldn't bother with baffling.
Some people use the top head as the snare but don't use baffling - I believe John Mettam does this, and has managed to make it work. I couldn't get the different snare and bass sounds I wanted that way, so I put in my baffle, probably about 4-5 inches below the surface of the top head.
kc
Some people use the top head as the snare but don't use baffling - I believe John Mettam does this, and has managed to make it work. I couldn't get the different snare and bass sounds I wanted that way, so I put in my baffle, probably about 4-5 inches below the surface of the top head.
kc
-
mangorockfish
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:23 pm
- Location: arkansas
baffling
Keith, with the drum baffled does holding the beater against the bottom head affect the sound of the top head. I know that unbaffled with the beater against the bottom, the top doesn't have any resonance. 
-
Keith Cronin
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 8:21 am
Re: baffling
Nope - no effect.mangorockfish wrote:Keith, with the drum baffled does holding the beater against the bottom head affect the sound of the top head. I know that unbaffled with the beater against the bottom, the top doesn't have any resonance.
kc
baffling
Hey Mango,
I'd have to say I'm with the rest... if you're not using the top head for snare, it's probably not worth baffling.
Keith is right that I don't use baffling in my drum(s) even though I use the top snare. My trick is a powerstroke 3 on the bottom, diplomat on top and tune them pretty extreme. The top is cranked up about as tight as it will go (the depth of the trum still gives it some body) and the bottomhead is tuned very low with lots of muffling and lug locks to keep them from coming loose. Ithink it sounds pretty damn good for a 14" drum.
I've got to make a recording one of these days and post it....
Nothing like a drummer who doesn't have any time! : > )
John
I'd have to say I'm with the rest... if you're not using the top head for snare, it's probably not worth baffling.
Keith is right that I don't use baffling in my drum(s) even though I use the top snare. My trick is a powerstroke 3 on the bottom, diplomat on top and tune them pretty extreme. The top is cranked up about as tight as it will go (the depth of the trum still gives it some body) and the bottomhead is tuned very low with lots of muffling and lug locks to keep them from coming loose. Ithink it sounds pretty damn good for a 14" drum.
I've got to make a recording one of these days and post it....
Nothing like a drummer who doesn't have any time! : > )
John
-
mangorockfish
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:23 pm
- Location: arkansas
Baffling
Hey John,
I'm going to install a dual strainer system on my drum like Phattie did on Joe's, so I will probably baffle it and then again maybe not. This Cocktail thing is so cool. It is kind of like anything goes on these kits. Thanks for the site and thanks to all those who have contributed so much valuable information.
Mangorockfish
I'm going to install a dual strainer system on my drum like Phattie did on Joe's, so I will probably baffle it and then again maybe not. This Cocktail thing is so cool. It is kind of like anything goes on these kits. Thanks for the site and thanks to all those who have contributed so much valuable information.
Mangorockfish
-
Keith Cronin
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 8:21 am
-
mangorockfish
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:23 pm
- Location: arkansas
Baffling
Thanks Keith, I wasn't aware that it would cut down on the volumn. When we played an unplugged gig awhile back the boys had their guitars plugged into the PA and my kit hung right with them, so now maybe I won't baffle unless I'm going to use the main drum as snare & kick on a quiet jazz gig. Thanks again
Mangorockfish
Mangorockfish
-
Keith Cronin
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 8:21 am
It cuts down the volume bigtime, because it essentially becomes two single-headed drums. To get an idea, take a regular floor tom, take the legs off, set it down on some thick carpeting, and then play the top head. It's very muted in comparison - that's roughly what the bass chamber of a baffled drum would sound like.
That's why I cut vent holes in my drum - to help the sound project and make the drum less choked. It's great to have a viable kick and snare sound out of one drum, but it is NOT a kickass sound - it's a mellow thing.
That's why I cut vent holes in my drum - to help the sound project and make the drum less choked. It's great to have a viable kick and snare sound out of one drum, but it is NOT a kickass sound - it's a mellow thing.