Making the TD-30 sound awesome live

[cyberdyke]

Hello,
I have been able so far to keep my kit and miracles of miracles I have actually attended an audition. Relying on a "PA" system owned by someone else my kit sounded like a tinker toy. They liked my playing but aren't sure about the e-drums.
I have a 2nd chance this coming weekend. What I need from the tons of knowledge here is what will help my kit sound awesome?
I did use the search feature - but found lots of posts on "monitors" but not so much on amps. Forgive me if I don't really know much about the "live" sound arena.

Should I borrow a subwoofer? If so what should I get?
Should I borrow a powered PA/Main speaker and use that as an amp?
Should I do both?
PS - I had to sell my KC-550 and no longer have any kind of amp.

[Intruder]

I would do both think something like QSC Ksub and K12 or K10.
Depending where you are at (big city) you might find something suitable to rent.

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

I agree with Intruder here. If this gig is important to you....get something nice in the powered "full blown PA" realm with lots of gut thumping bottom end to blow them away. "All-in-One" amps seem to be lacking for the "Wow factor" to exploit what most e-drums have to offer for live stage presence.

[cyberdyke]

Thanks guys!
Stupid question: can I run my drums through the sub into the PA?

[Intruder]

My Ksub works that way. Not sure if all subs are the same but I would think so.

[kgoroway]

My JBL sub works the same way. Out of the TD-30, into the sub, from the sub to the "top" (15" powered EV). By me, Guitar Center and SamAsh both offer rentals.

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Just out of curiosity...what did they have for a PA?

[cyberdyke]

8 channel mixer - didn't notice the brand name of it. They were using what looked like monitors, you know the ones that are cut so they aim at you on stage? Didn't recognize the badge on the speakers.
I stopped by 2 of the places in town that rent equipment - and 1 had a subwoofer that was 3'x2' that wouldn't fit in my Cherokee. 2nd place had a "smaller" sub that was 2.5'x1.5' not what I would call small. But both of these places deal with "pro-sound." I did end up with a powered QSC K12, hopefully that will be enough to give some bottom to the sound.

[Intruder]

Yeah, subs are huge! (so are bass drums). The k-12 will put out some great sound. The sub just adds that feel of being inches away from the kit even when yards away. It depends (sort of) on the genre of music as to how important the level of sub is. It can make one forget you are playing electronic drums though.
It sounds to me like the mixer at your audition was set for guitars and vocals. It may have sounded better if a sound person were to spend about 3 min. to adjust the lows, mids, and drop some compression which is usually set higher for vocals. Hopefully just the adjustments on the k-12 will be enough to make you shine. Try setting the LF switch to deep and the HF switch to flat first. Then try LF to normal to see the difference. You may have to play a little with the ambiance slider and the on the TD-30 don't over do it like so many do. Hopefully you will have a little time to play around with the k-12 before the audition. A little chalk or nail polish is good for marking settings on equipment. I am not a pro sound engineer by any means but just like a guitar needs tuning e-drums need adjusting at the mix for the room.
The best of luck to you! Let us know how it went.

[redsumsum]

I play my kit(td-20sx) live all the time..... 27 x's last year....I love it. we play casinos etc where volume can be an issue. here is what I do....
first I send 6 direct output sends to the foh...1kick, 2snare, 3all toms, 4 all cymbals, 5 spds-sx(mono l out), 6 vocal mic

second i have a tda-700 roland monitor i send my phones out from my module to this(v drums channel)

third i take my phones out spdsx to the mix in on my drum module(stereo).

fourth- Sound guy sends me a mix of the band and my vocals(no drums)

fifth- I use in ears from my monitor and set my own mix( i only have to ask soundie to assist for the band)

I can set the monitor to send any channel to my ears only or to both the speaker and the in ears...this enables me the ability to make things super loud in my ears and keep levels low or vice versa....you may ask why do you need a monitor...well because edrums are an instrument and they sound the ****s through 10-15" monitors.

the same can be done using a small mixer and a sub and top....

Lastely get a sub...the tda 700 is the only monitor that has good enough sound for elec drums....before I found this I lugged a 18" sub and 15" powered top....yes it was worth it.

This system kicks ass over acoustic drums....even though I still love acoustics at home and when we play big venues and outdoors....oh by the way-in ears is the only way drummers should drum

[cyberdyke]

Redsumsum - do you have an 18 wheeler to haul your stuff around in? That Roland tda-700 is enormous! I'd like to get a sub that is smallish like 30".

[redsumsum]

hahahah no my wifes mini van hahahahaha the roland is great...the qsc is overkill but you definatly need something more that 2 15" speakers....otherwise the kit just doesnt cut it....

[cyberdyke]

UPDATE: Took the K-12 to the 2nd audition this past Sunday. Took your advice and left it on "deep" and it did the trick - I could totally feel the kick. Everyone commented on how good the V-drums sounded and I got the gig!

Question: should I buy a subwoofer or a powered/PA speaker to be used only for rehearsals?
Question: Is there a way with those powered speakers to feed it back into my "Mix In" so I can hear myself? How do others do this?

Thanks for all your support!

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Congrats! I would think it would work just fine...but check your specs to be sure. Yeah...if you get a pa speaker...get one with a 15" driver. That should give you some good bottom end and be fine for practice.

[Rail Dawg]

Do we have to have 2 of the TDA 700's or is 1 just fine? Any recommendations on where to get a TDA 700?

Thanks!