FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Slip Knot Drum Set

Question:
Me and two buds are playing in a basement. Were not professionals, but we make our own songs. Our style is Korn, Slipknot, and Fear Factory. We would like som tips about how to get better sound, like patting on the walls or something??

Answer:
A lot of the techniques for improving your enviroments sound this will depend on the actual enviroment you are playing in. So that begs the question, what is the basement like you are playing in? I'll assume for the sake of the argument, you are playing in a concrete unfinished basement. Rule 1: Anything is better than concrete. It may sound like I'm being snide there, but I'm not. Concrete walls and floors will bouncy your sound all over the place causing you to sound like you are playing in a tin can. You'll here alot of the higher ear end splitting tones and lose some of your end in this type of situation. If this is your situation. Here are a few pointers for such an enviroment: Carpets are always a plus. First it deadens the sound, and eliminates some of the rattle from the drum kit acting as a sort of shock absorber. Also, try hanging some heavy curtains or blankets on the bare walls. Concrete block walls are your chief colprit for the noisy echo that makes it sound like you are playing in a tin can. Leave an inch or two between your curtain and the wall.. the extra air the sound has to travel through will deaden the sound more before it bounces off the wall. I've also heard of people just filling the room with pillows, or throwing a couch into their practice arear to absorb some sound. Have you ever notice how much quieter a room with furniture is, compared to one without? Same rule applies. Soft fabrics or materials that insulate not only keep in warm or out could, the also block noise. You could also go all out and but up insulation which will really help kill excess noise. But insulation can get expensive. You should be able to go to a local thrift store, or a garage sell and pick up stuff like this for very cheap. Any of this should help improve the sound quality of your practice area.