Stick Noise

[cloudstrife]

Hi,

I did search for this and found this thread http://www.vdrums.com/forum/forum/ad...k-noise-levels, but my issue involves not comparisons across pads. At the moment, I find the stick-pad contact noises distracting, especially since my home setup requires the speakers to be a few feet away from my kit. The noise is greater on bow shots and the cymbals in general. Holding my drum kit as a constant (CY-5, CY-8, CY-12, PD-8), what can I consider doing to minimize stick noises? I'm using Zildjian antivibe sticks. I'm speculating that tip density is the chief predictor of contact noise. Do nylon tips reduce noise? Is there any removable covering I can put on my wood tips to dull the noise while still keeping the hit accurate?

[Cheddies]

I use both nylon and wood, and whilst the nylons are slightly quieter, its not a 'night and day' style change. it's certainly not going to be your magic bullet to stick noise

[hairmetal-81]

*double post due to forum issues*

[hairmetal-81]

Welcome to the forum, cloudstrife!


I'd say stick-noise is less about the type of sticks you use, but more about what pads/surface you strike with them! If rubber is too loud on the pads, consider mesh pads.

You might also want to consider a pair of closed-back (circumaural) headphones, that feature good attenuation-figures/isolation of outside noise!


HTH

[New Tricks]

Turn up the volume

Stick noise drives me nuts also. It's one of the huge disadvantages of the E drums.

play a lot of closed HH on a hard rubber pad and, unless were are playing loud, I can always hear it louder than the sound from the PA across the room. The reason the HH bothers me so much is that it's such a drastically different sound. Cymbals are bad too.

[Kenster]

Welcome to the forums! I agree with the others, it's all about the pads and cymbals you are striking. How about a nice INTRO post on the INTRO thread, with pics, and a descrition of your kit? Tech questions get much better response in the Tech threads, this is the goof off for fun thread.

K ;-)

[hemiboy]

Hello and welcome> When I bought m y first e kit I thought all my noise problems would be over! Not! I have found a few options for stick noise problem on the cymbals. obviously as mentioned the mesh heads and what mesh head you use make a big difference.also for the cymbals I used regular cymbal mutes and just changed the sensitivity settings on the cymbal to pick back up what i was losing with the mutes.
also, if you are hearing that much noise you may want to look into a better pair of headphones that noise isolate

[perceval]

When playing alone, practicing or to a mp3 file, stick noise is more noticeable. When playing along with a band, that stick noise is buried from the guitars, bass, etc... Headphones are a good start, but even the closed back ones leak some stick noise in. Plus, they make my ears sweat. The best I found are IEMs. They block all external sounds completely, so I am able to play or listen to the song at lower volume, which will save my ears int the long run... If you go for great and moulded ones, they cost a leg at least, but there are very good offerings in the mid ranges from Shure, Westone, etc... I have the UM1, and they sound great, at around $150. If you want better bass, the UM2 are a bit more expensive. They also come with comply tips, which are like having molded ones.

[cloudstrife]

Thanks for the feedback.

Hemiboy, Something like this? http://www.samash.com/sabian-cm2p-cy...FU9ffgodOgkAGg

Mesh is great for the drums, but I assume you guys aren't suggesting to use them for the cyms? The CY-5 does seem particularly cheap and thin. Would even the CY8 be an improvement for the hi hat? I just got a CY12 for my crash, so I have a CY8 free right now.

I have headphones and can definitely turn them up, but one of the ways I like to practice is by sending the TD sound out to a computer. I can mix it with whatever audio I can play on the computer and that computer is connected to my receiver+speakers, I just have to turn up the volume quite a bit due to to lack of amplification.

[perceval]

Can't you connect your headphones to your computer? or receiver?

Watch out when you "turn them up"... Perfect recipe for tinnitus

[hairmetal-81]

I agree with Perceval: Connect those headphones to your receiver (...if it has a phones-output) or directly to your computer...!