Alexei Volkov
Drum shields, also known as drum screens, are large structures made of plexiglass or acrylic that are used to enclose a drummer and their drum kit during performances. The primary purpose of these shields is to control and isolate the sound of the drums, preventing mic bleed or the spill of loud drum sounds into other microphones on stage. This sound isolation helps create a better mixing environment for sound engineers, enhances the overall sound quality of the band, and allows for intricate sound setups on stage. While drum shields are popular, particularly in churches and smaller venues, some drummers feel that they can be physically restrictive and cause a sense of disconnection from the rest of the band.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Perspex glass, plexiglass, acrylic |
| Purpose | To prevent drum feedback, isolate drum sound, and prevent "bleed" into other mics |
| Benefits | Better sound control and quality, easier for sound engineers to mix |
| Downsides | Can cause drummer to feel isolated, gets hot inside |
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What You'll Learn
Drum shields prevent mic bleed
Drum shields are an effective way to prevent mic bleed, which occurs when the sound of drums and cymbals is picked up by other microphones on stage, such as vocal mics. This can cause issues with sound quality and make it challenging to keep the mix sounding clean and tight.
By placing a shield or screen made of glass, acrylic, or plexiglass around the drums, the sound is contained and prevented from spilling into other mics. This isolation improves the clarity of the drum signals and reduces cymbal bleed, making EQ'ing easier. The shield also helps to block out stage sound from entering the drum mics, giving the drummer more control over the volume and quality of their sound.
The placement and angle of the shield are important factors in reducing mic bleed. It is recommended to have at least 18 inches between the front of the drum and the shield. Additionally, the shield should be positioned as close to the offending instrument or microphone as possible to optimize its effectiveness.
While drum shields are an effective tool for preventing mic bleed, they may not always be the ideal solution. In some cases, they can make the drummer feel disconnected from the rest of the band. Other alternatives to reduce mic bleed include adjusting the band layout, using more directional vocal mics, or having the singer stay closer to the microphone and sing louder.
Overall, drum shields offer a practical solution to the issue of mic bleed, helping to improve sound quality and control for both live performances and studio recordings.
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They dampen the sound of drums
Plastic shields, also known as drum shields or drum screens, are used by drummers to isolate their sound and control the volume. They are usually made of plexiglass or acrylic and are supported by sound-isolating materials.
These shields are particularly useful in studios and live performances to prevent the "'bleed'" of the drum kit from spilling into other microphones. By containing the sound, drum shields allow for better control over the volume and quality of the drum sound. This is especially important in intricate sound setups with multiple microphones on stage, where the high-energy performance of a drummer can become a problem for the rest of the soundscape.
Drum shields are also commonly used in churches to soften the sound of the drums for those who prefer lower volumes. They are useful in situations where there may be a complaint about the volume being too loud.
While drum shields are effective in dampening the sound of drums, they can make the drummer feel disconnected from the rest of the band and the audience. Additionally, they can get quite hot, requiring the use of a fan to maintain a comfortable temperature for the drummer.
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They are used to isolate the drummer
Drum shields, also known as drum screens, are large structures made of plexiglass or acrylic, often supported by sound-isolating materials. They are used to isolate the drummer and their kit, both physically and acoustically.
The primary purpose of drum shields is to control the sound produced by the drums and prevent "mic bleed" or "cymbal bleed". In other words, they stop the sound of the drums from spilling into other microphones on stage, ensuring that the drums are not picked up by other mics. This isolation of the drum kit's sound allows for better sound quality and control over the volume, especially in intricate sound setups with multiple microphones. It also enables sound engineers to work more freely with the mix, resulting in an improved overall sound for the band.
While drum shields effectively isolate the drums acoustically, they can also create a physical sense of isolation for the drummer. Some drummers feel that being behind a drum shield can leave them feeling slightly disconnected from the rest of the band and the audience. This sense of isolation may be more pronounced in smaller venues or with larger drum shields.
Despite this potential drawback, drum shields are particularly popular in certain settings, such as churches, where they help to soften the sound of the drums to accommodate those who prefer lower volumes. In such cases, drum shields can be a simple yet effective solution to manage the volume of the drums without compromising the overall sound of the band.
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Drum shields are used in intricate sound setups
Drum shields are an essential component of intricate sound setups, helping to control and manipulate sound output. They are particularly useful when multiple microphones are used to capture and amplify the sound of various instruments.
The shields are typically made of plexiglass or acrylic and are supported by sound-isolating materials. By creating a physical barrier, the shields prevent "mic bleed" or "cymbal bleed", where the loud sound of drums spills over into other microphones on the stage, causing unwanted noise and feedback. This isolation allows each instrument's sound to be captured clearly and separately, without interference from the drums, which tend to be the loudest instrument.
The use of drum shields gives sound engineers greater control over the mix, as they can adjust the volume and quality of each instrument's sound independently. This results in a clearer, more balanced, and better-sounding performance, especially in smaller venues where the sound can quickly become overwhelming.
While drum shields are advantageous for sound control, some drummers feel that they can be a hindrance, creating a sense of disconnection from the rest of the band and the audience. Additionally, the enclosed space behind the shield can get quite hot, requiring additional measures like a fan to keep the drummer comfortable during their performance.
Overall, while drum shields may have some drawbacks, they are a valuable tool in intricate sound setups, helping to manage the unique challenges posed by loud and energetic drumming performances.
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They are popular in churches to make drums softer
Drum shields are used by drummers to isolate their drums and control the sound. They are particularly useful in smaller venues where the sound can easily spill or "bleed" into other mics on stage. Drum shields are also used to prevent the band and crowd from going deaf, especially in smaller venues.
Drum shields are popular in churches to make drums sound softer. They are used to redirect the sound of the drums, preventing it from overwhelming the congregation and distracting them from worship. While drum shields do not actually reduce the volume of the drums, they redirect the sound towards the drummer, who is then free to bounce it off a rear wall or ceiling and back out towards the congregation. This is known as the principle of "reflection".
Drum shields are also used in churches to give the sound crew more control over the mix levels and drum sounds. This allows the FOH (Front of House) engineer to put the drums in the mix, rather than having the drums dictate the mix. With a full booth, the drummer can play naturally and react to the musical environment without worrying about volume.
However, some people argue that drum shields are not necessary and can even be detrimental to the sound. They believe that the role of the drummer is to "'play to the room' and provide the sound guy with the best dynamic balance of drums and cymbals at a volume he can work with to make the band sound good. By using a drum shield, the drummer may be ignoring the dynamic limitations of the room and inadvertently becoming a distraction to the congregation.
Additionally, drum shields can be quite large and unattractive, detracting from the beauty and stage presence of a raw drum kit. They may also give the illusion that being a good copyist is the same as being a good musician, prioritizing "creating the sound of the record" over "creating art and good music".
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic shields, also known as drum shields or screens, are used by drummers to control the sound of their drums. The shield prevents drum feedback and stops the sound from bleeding into other mics on the stage.
The sound gets trapped within the shield, preventing it from mixing with other sounds on stage. This isolation of the drums gives the sound engineer more control over the volume and quality of the sound.
Drum shields are usually made of plexiglass or acrylic and are supported by sound-isolating material.
Plastic drum shields are commonly used in studios and live performances, especially in churches, to prevent the drums from being too loud.
