Comments on: A POLL: To Drum Shield or NOT to Drum Shield is the question http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/ leading the church in worship through music and beyond... Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:49:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Armin Wrape http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Armin Wrape Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:32:24 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-183 I have been a drummer in worship services since the 70s and have played in several countries and many various churches, and have gotten much praise because I learned how to control my sound to meet the volume and style of the music. This came about due several factors; (1) much practice, (2) right drums (some drums are designed to be loud and others more mellow), (3) heads, heads , HEADS!!!! (the right ones), (4) correct tuning and muffling, and (5) NOT THE LEAST.... Being a worshipper, not just a performer!!!! There have been those who complained about the sound level but many, many more who have been surprised at how drums, when tuned and dampened correctly, and played with sensitivity (to the Holy Spirit) can add great effect and, actually LEAD into more passionate worship. I HATE DRUM SHIELDS! I am more interested in WORSHIPING my Lord than in making a great performance so that man, even a worship leader, won't be embarrased. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in giving God sloppy music, but when music quality requires a drummer to NOT be a "participating" worshipper, then the value and focus (the worship) isn't towards God anymore, it's toward looking or sounding good to MAN. When I was in charge of worship, I would rather have a less-than-perfect sound and more heart-felt worship from the worship team any day! Biblically, a worship team is supposed to lead into worship, not just perform!. In other words, they are to be MINISTERS, "A holy example to others as spiritual leaders calling others to follow them into the presence of the Lord" or... maybe their just supposed to be musicians and singers.... hirlings... what do you think? The Lord shows up when it's genuine, not when a beautiful substitute is given! If a worship leader or pastor is really after genuine, heart-felt worship, maybe they should seek God as to whether a Drum/Sound Shield draws people (including the drummer) closer to God or something less. I have been a drummer in worship services since the 70s and have played in several countries and many various churches, and have gotten much praise because I learned how to control my sound to meet the volume and style of the music.
This came about due several factors; (1) much practice, (2) right drums (some drums are designed to be loud and others more mellow), (3) heads, heads , HEADS!!!! (the right ones), (4) correct tuning and muffling, and (5) NOT THE LEAST…. Being a worshipper, not just a performer!!!!
There have been those who complained about the sound level but many, many more who have been surprised at how drums, when tuned and dampened correctly, and played with sensitivity (to the Holy Spirit) can add great effect and, actually LEAD into more passionate worship.
I HATE DRUM SHIELDS!
I am more interested in WORSHIPING my Lord than in making a great performance so that man, even a worship leader, won’t be embarrased.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in giving God sloppy music, but when music quality requires a drummer to NOT be a “participating” worshipper, then the value and focus (the worship) isn’t towards God anymore, it’s toward looking or sounding good to MAN.
When I was in charge of worship, I would rather have a less-than-perfect sound and more heart-felt worship from the worship team any day!
Biblically, a worship team is supposed to lead into worship, not just perform!.
In other words, they are to be MINISTERS, “A holy example to others as spiritual leaders calling others to follow them into the presence of the Lord” or… maybe their just supposed to be musicians and singers…. hirlings… what do you think?
The Lord shows up when it’s genuine, not when a beautiful substitute is given!
If a worship leader or pastor is really after genuine, heart-felt worship, maybe they should seek God as to whether a Drum/Sound Shield draws people (including the drummer) closer to God or something less.

]]> By: F.O.H. and the Band Leader « Eric’s Blog http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-151 F.O.H. and the Band Leader « Eric’s Blog Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:36:47 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-151 [...] Up @ Guitar for Worship To Drum Shield or NOT @ Tehilla Music How do you set up your monitor mix @ Electric Community Live Music Applications @ [...] [...] Up @ Guitar for Worship To Drum Shield or NOT @ Tehilla Music How do you set up your monitor mix @ Electric Community Live Music Applications @ [...]

]]> By: eric http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-149 eric Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:44:03 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-149 "Hate" isn't a strong enough word. Electronic kits destroy the mix in my opinion. When I arrived at my current Church they were using an electric kit. When I asked the reasoning behind it my Pastor (a talented musician) shared with me in a round about way that it was because a) they didn't always use quality drummers and b) they didn't always have quality sound techs. So the electric kit was a way to ensure the drums would never be heard. ;) While they sound great on the recording they sound horrible when combined with live instruments. Would Chef Ramsee mix a fake crab meat with hand made pasta? Don't think so! Drum Shield? We use one... I don't really like it, but it appeases the masses. We do use a number of different drummers. Some of them know how to hold back and some don't so the shield is a constant. Here is a related post with some of my comments on getting a good mix with or without a shield. I've played in some very small venues with and without shields. I think it all has to do with the musicians and sound techs... http://guitarforworship.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/turning-up/ “Hate” isn’t a strong enough word. Electronic kits destroy the mix in my opinion. When I arrived at my current Church they were using an electric kit. When I asked the reasoning behind it my Pastor (a talented musician) shared with me in a round about way that it was because a) they didn’t always use quality drummers and b) they didn’t always have quality sound techs. So the electric kit was a way to ensure the drums would never be heard. ;)

While they sound great on the recording they sound horrible when combined with live instruments. Would Chef Ramsee mix a fake crab meat with hand made pasta? Don’t think so!

Drum Shield? We use one… I don’t really like it, but it appeases the masses. We do use a number of different drummers. Some of them know how to hold back and some don’t so the shield is a constant.

Here is a related post with some of my comments on getting a good mix with or without a shield. I’ve played in some very small venues with and without shields. I think it all has to do with the musicians and sound techs…

http://guitarforworship.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/turning-up/

]]> By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Rich Kirkpatrick Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:02:40 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-112 Am I not right in stating that drummers and most musicians HATE electronic drums for worship?? Am I not right in stating that drummers and most musicians HATE electronic drums for worship??

]]> By: Phil H http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Phil H Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:27:12 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-111 Screens are a means to an end, not an end in themselves (hence my point about their misuse) That said, I've played in very small venues at all kinds of volumes and yes you can hold the volume down if you're good. The problems is that due to the wonderful laws of physics, unless a drum or a cymbal has a certain amount of energy put in to it, it's impossible to get certain sounds out of it. For a simple example, Hillsong music uses lots of riding crashes. It's a very high energy sound and it results in a lot of volume. All that said, yes, most drummers do love to go nuts every now and again... Screens are a means to an end, not an end in themselves (hence my point about their misuse)

That said, I’ve played in very small venues at all kinds of volumes and yes you can hold the volume down if you’re good. The problems is that due to the wonderful laws of physics, unless a drum or a cymbal has a certain amount of energy put in to it, it’s impossible to get certain sounds out of it.

For a simple example, Hillsong music uses lots of riding crashes. It’s a very high energy sound and it results in a lot of volume.

All that said, yes, most drummers do love to go nuts every now and again…

]]> By: Matt Anderson http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Matt Anderson Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:23:09 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-110 I'm gonna have to say if your church can afford all the equipment: drum shield sound canceling headphone monitors, and the drum mics to maximize the sound I would do a drum shield. Our church cannot afford that, but our drummer holds down the volume and it balances out. I know drummers love to go nuts, but wouldn't a good drummer be able to play well and control the volume? (I don't really know cause I'm just a guitarist, who loves to hear himself without the band ;) ) I’m gonna have to say if your church can afford all the equipment: drum shield sound canceling headphone monitors, and the drum mics to maximize the sound I would do a drum shield. Our church cannot afford that, but our drummer holds down the volume and it balances out. I know drummers love to go nuts, but wouldn’t a good drummer be able to play well and control the volume? (I don’t really know cause I’m just a guitarist, who loves to hear himself without the band ;) )

]]> By: Phil H http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-109 Phil H Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:23:52 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-109 We use a screen. Im a drummer and I also design our sound, so it was my idea. We have a difficult room to working in and I needed the best vocal sound I could get ie no drum bleed. It works for us but IEM's or plugs are essential. I do wonder if people realy know how to use screens properly. Often you'll see them without any acoustic dampening. How many people account for the redirected acoustic sound? It's got to go somewhere! We use a screen. Im a drummer and I also design our sound, so it was my idea. We have a difficult room to working in and I needed the best vocal sound I could get ie no drum bleed.

It works for us but IEM’s or plugs are essential.

I do wonder if people realy know how to use screens properly.

Often you’ll see them without any acoustic dampening. How many people account for the redirected acoustic sound? It’s got to go somewhere!

]]> By: Beautiful Intellectual http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Beautiful Intellectual Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:41:00 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-107 This is an ongoing issue for us...I can see why we need them for some services where mixing louder isn't an option, but I'm always going to go for the louder mix... This is an ongoing issue for us…I can see why we need them for some services where mixing louder isn’t an option, but I’m always going to go for the louder mix…

]]> By: nate davis http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-106 nate davis Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:40:18 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-106 shield but working out options for no shield...our stage is pretty shallow due to our screen and rear projection. Our drummer sets up stage right and this puts him very close to the congregation. We are working on front projecting to gain more stage and in hope, we can make the shield go buh bye not a fan of the shield look....we run in ear so stage volume isn't an issue for the rest of the band...just house shield but working out options for no shield…our stage is pretty shallow due to our screen and rear projection. Our drummer sets up stage right and this puts him very close to the congregation. We are working on front projecting to gain more stage and in hope, we can make the shield go buh bye

not a fan of the shield look….we run in ear so stage volume isn’t an issue for the rest of the band…just house

]]> By: Vince http://www.tehillamusic.com/2008/12/16/a-poll-to-drum-shield-or-not-to-drum-shield-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Vince Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:21:02 +0000 http://tehillamusic.com/?p=187#comment-105 No. I can confidently say that, acoustically, we have the worst room in town. It's probably the loudest service in town. But I guess it works out OK since we have the most rock oriented band around. I can't remember the last time there was an acoustic guitar in the band. i think the last time we had a Db meter in there we were at a consistent 110 Db No.

I can confidently say that, acoustically, we have the worst room in town. It’s probably the loudest service in town.

But I guess it works out OK since we have the most rock oriented band around. I can’t remember the last time there was an acoustic guitar in the band.

i think the last time we had a Db meter in there we were at a consistent 110 Db

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