First gig live with TD30KV

[Chancho]

Had my first live experience with the TD30 KV. First set the band members and myself were trying to get use to the new sound/mix. Sound improved as the night went on. Using factory pre-sets. Of course, the sound from headphones is completely different than the one coming from the monitor (Roland 550) which is a bit disappointing. Had to take most of the bass out and pump up the treble. Then the toms were not as booming and had a lot more sound definition. What also helped was positioning the Amp off the ground (on a crate). Any other suggestions??? Overall, very very happy

[jammin777]

i have pretty much the same amp as you, the kc 500 which in it self can sound under whelming but with a bbe sonic maximizer it really brings it to life with more punch and clarity from the mids and highs. also doing some edits to the module and or vex kits from vexpressions would also go a long way for sound improvement.

[Kenster]

Welcome to the Forums!!! How about a nice intro with pics in the Foyer!

As for gigging with e drums there are many HUGE threads here, particularly the PA MONITORS thread to help you get set up. Basic rule of thumb, don't spend $5000 on an e kit then try to gig with a $200 amp. NOTHING underwhelms an audience more than an underpowered e kit. This is one of the MAIN REASONS why most bands don't like or want an e kit drummer...NO THUMP!! NO FEEL as compared to A kits.

Not sure of the size stages you play or size venues, BUT...basically, if you want thump and better sounding E kits live, you need AT LEAST a good 12 inch monitor or a pair and most likely a 15 inch sub, better with an 18 inch. That's just for STAGE MONITORING for you and the band to hear your kit. You also need a GOOD FOH system with subs preferably, or at least thumping 15 inch cabs with lots of power to really carry your kit at lower volumes. Opinions vary but this seems to be the general consensus here on the Forums, YMMV as well as your BUDGET may vary. You can get by with a good 15 inch like a higher end JBL and others, and as I said, LOTS of reviews and advice on what is working for folks NOW.

Wish I had better news but sounds like your monitor system needs a MAJOR upgrade from what you have, and you will need to spend some money on it. You can always go used and get GREAT gear on the CHEAP if you're savvy and patient and know how to shop.

Good luck and POST SOME PICS of your kit now AND your progress!!

K ;-)

[Chancho]

i have pretty much the same amp as you, the kc 500 which in it self can sound under whelming but with a bbe sonic maximizer it really brings it to life with more punch and clarity from the mids and highs. also doing some edits to the module and or vex kits from vexpressions would also go a long way for sound improvement.

Thanks for the info. Usually the venues we play are small and unless one or two gigs per year I may need to upgrade otherwise it'll be fine. And as you said, doing some edits to the module should do the trick. Thanks again!

[Chancho]

Welcome to the Forums!!! How about a nice intro with pics in the Foyer!

As for gigging with e drums there are many HUGE threads here, particularly the PA MONITORS thread to help you get set up. Basic rule of thumb, don't spend $5000 on an e kit then try to gig with a $200 amp. NOTHING underwhelms an audience more than an underpowered e kit. This is one of the MAIN REASONS why most bands don't like or want an e kit drummer...NO THUMP!! NO FEEL as compared to A kits.

Not sure of the size stages you play or size venues, BUT...basically, if you want thump and better sounding E kits live, you need AT LEAST a good 12 inch monitor or a pair and most likely a 15 inch sub, better with an 18 inch. That's just for STAGE MONITORING for you and the band to hear your kit. You also need a GOOD FOH system with subs preferably, or at least thumping 15 inch cabs with lots of power to really carry your kit at lower volumes. Opinions vary but this seems to be the general consensus here on the Forums, YMMV as well as your BUDGET may vary. You can get by with a good 15 inch like a higher end JBL and others, and as I said, LOTS of reviews and advice on what is working for folks NOW.

Wish I had better news but sounds like your monitor system needs a MAJOR upgrade from what you have, and you will need to spend some money on it. You can always go used and get GREAT gear on the CHEAP if you're savvy and patient and know how to shop.

Good luck and POST SOME PICS of your kit now AND your progress!!

K ;-)

pictures are coming! thanks!!

[Kenster]

Thanks for the info. Usually the venues we play are small and unless one or two gigs per year I may need to upgrade otherwise it'll be fine. And as you said, doing some edits to the module should do the trick. Thanks again!

I'm confused.......your OP said the bass had to be removed and the toms sounded bad. Now you're gonna stick with your setup and just tweak the module? I realize you said you're only playing once or twice a year, but, having no bass and bad sounding toms is not only not ideal, it's just wrong. Gotta represent the rest of the E dum community brother lol!!!

If you don't want to spend the money, maybe borrow or cheaply rent a good pair of 15 inch cabs just for the gig. All the module tweaking in the world isn't gonna help an underpowered Monitor or PA. There is probably hundreds if not thousands of years of collective live playing experience on the Forums that will agree, you should get the best sound you can for any live gig, even if small. Don't let it detract from your experience of playing out live, nor detract from the AUDIENCE experience. I always say if I'm gonna play, I don't want to be embarrassed and want to put my best foot and sound forward. You shouldn't have to "settle" when there are so many better options for you. Just my 2 cents.

Have fun!

K

[Chancho]

Thanks Kenster for your response. First of all, don't worry about not representing the "live edrums community" the way we should. We all want to have the best sound possible.

The other day the drums sounded better as the night went on. Like I mentioned, once we took off some of the bass from the amp, there was a lot more definition specially on the toms. And the drums blended nicely with the rest of the instruments. At the beginning was hard also because the guys in the band were not use to the "new sound" but by the second set it was much better.

The idea when we play bigger venues is to send a stereo line to the PA and like you said I may have to add a couple of 15" monitors.

Thanks for your 2 cents! I appreciate it

Daniel

[Kenster]

Rock on brother!!!

K ;-)

[Drum]

I agree with kenster,your e kit need to have presence on stage , volume does not necessarily compensate for lack of "presence" .like you said you had to roll back the bass to get the volume up to be heard, by doing so you are at the same time dialling down the presence. Your kit doesn't necessarily have to be loud to be heard , it more importantly needs to be felt.I have a Yorkville parasource ps12p It runs at 1400 watts rms,4400 watts peak .all the volume in the world doesn't make up for the bass I had to dial back to get it there without over coming the speaker. I was renting a sub to go with it but just recently purchased a yorville nx720s sub to pair with it. Makes all the difference in the world , even at rehearsal or low volume situations, it is 10 times better because the kit is present with all of its frequencies.
Here's a pick of my personal stage monitor set up , all hooked up for rehearsal in my garage ,at low volume but full impact!

[Chancho]

Hi Drum............thanks for your input and picture. As you mentioned the key word is "presence" so that everyone on stage feels comfortable.

[Chancho]

Has anybody changed the factory pre-sets on the TD 30? to make it more efficient specially when playing live?

[MS-SPO]

Of course, the sound from headphones is completely different than the one coming from the monitor (Roland 550) which is a bit disappointing.

I was surpised, too. However, phones and speakes transmit different frequencies differently (transfer function, frequency response), so there must be differences. Run a different headphone, and it will sound different again. Use EQ for adjustment/compensation, if needed, e.g. to make the headphone sound more like the speakers. (See block diagram at the end of the TD-30 manual for indications)

Had to take most of the bass out and pump up the treble. Then the toms were not as booming and had a lot more sound definition. What also helped was positioning the Amp off the ground (on a crate). Any other suggestions??? Overall, very very happy

What helped me was to (a) level all sliders at its zero-line, (b) adjust some triggers, e.g. for kick and hi-hat. Not all drum kits sound good to me. My favorite is "43 Rock Solid". But that changes with time as well ;-) So far I used only Master Out and did not try the Direct Outs: they should make a difference, too.

[BWaj]

Hi Chancho, I,like most experienced edrum users have changed the factory presets so they suit our own taste. You must understand that buying a killer edrum kit is the same as buying a killer Akit. You still have to get the heads you want, tune it the way you want, buy the microphones that give you the sound you want, place those mics in the position you want, add the effects you want, the compression, the gates, the EQ and all that.

I have tweaked my module and still send 8 direct outs to my sound man so he can work his magic. You absolutely must tweak the TD30 for your ear. What sounds good to me, might not sound good to you. What sounds good in headphones, might not sound good in a PA, etc.

If you work at it, you will be very happy with the sounds. If you do not, you will not be.

[Chancho]

Hi BWaj........thanks for your input, very much appreciated. I understand and agreed with all of your concepts however I don't think I explained myself correctly. A while ago I read a thread which I will reproduce here (not the whole thing as it's too long). I need to know if this is worth doing it, and what the results were. Here it is:

"

Step 1: Group FadersStep 2: Mixer Adjustments

[Kenster]

Before embarking on a lengthy modification process, maybe the writer has some vids posted of what the kit sounds like AFTER the mod, and you can evaluate if that's what you want.

K