Cover: ACDC - The Jack

[Guinness]

Click Here for Video

Made another video.

Did this Friday night and I was super tired. I probably shouldn't have bothered, but I did it anyways. You can see at the beginning how much I'm slouching... Shi*t, I must have been tired. :eek:

Anyways... Custom Created Kit, which I really like. Tell what you think about that kit, and the video itself, of course. I know you won't hold back. :p

Also.. like the duct tape across one of my tom's? That was an easy fix to a failing drum head. :)

[CaTaPulT]

Hi Guinness.
You did a pretty good job with one of my favorite AC/DC tunes. The DM-10 sounded good and the drumming was great! :)
Drum head failure already? maybe your toms have to sharp of a downward angle thus hitting them with the sharp end of the drumstick tip thus puncturing the heads?
Great video, thank you for sharing.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[Guinness]

Thanks Bud. I've thought of reducing the angle of my toms, lowering cymbals too. that seems to be the trend nowadays. I'm sure there's a good reason for it. But for now, they stay.

The snare head failed in under 30 days. I've had the roland head on there for awhile now and no sign of wear and tear. Based on my experience, I don't recommend the billy blast mesh heads.

Anyways, thanks for listening, err watching.

[TAKnipe]

Hey Guinness, Great Job on the video, I think I would like the drums turned up a bit more in the mix. Great Job

I used the old Billy Blast 2 ply black mesh heads and they were great, I havent heard much good about the new heads. I hope all is well, Tom

[drumslinger50]

Sounds good and I like the kit settings. What do you mean by drum head failure?

[Guinness]

Sounds good and I like the kit settings. What do you mean by drum head failure?

Mesh head's "strings" are coming apart. So, if I strike the head at that very point, my stick goes through the head and into the pad. that's "failure", don't ya think?

The duct tape is just a temporary fix.


As for Tom angles, I changed 'em and played a bit this morning. It is definately different, but I can do rolls on the tom easier and stick bounce is better. But I also kept hitting the rim trigger at times. So, I need to get used to it.

[dschrammie]

Hey Guinness -
I gotta say, I love that you seem to love doing these videos and love playing. That's pretty respectable. Between kids and work and who knows what else in my life, it's hard to find the motivation to sit down and play sometimes...so I'm jealous of you.

After you get used to it, I think changing your head angle will benefit you. I've gone through many different set up styles, including having tom heads at pretty steep angles...I've definitely found that the more horizontal the heads, the more comfortable the stick action. But yes, you definitely have to get used to it. Dave Weckl did an interview once where he talked about the placement of each piece...he learned if from someone else, can't remember who. But basically he would set up his drum set one piece at a time, starting with the most important/frequently used. So he'd get his snare in the most ideal position first. Then the kick. Then the hihat & ride...and so forth. He ended up with a set up that looked a little awkward, but was actually the most comfortable for him. Anyhow, just food for thought.

Don't be too quick to indicate a "simple blues" rhythm. My opinion is that Blues and Swing are deceptively difficult...and that's because they sound easy. However, the hard part about both of these is the feel. We've all heard musicians that can play something technically correct, but for some reason it still just doesn't sound right. This is very obvious with a guitarist playing the blues...if he doesn't feel it, it ain't gonna sound right at all. It's the same thing with the drums...and to some extent it's even harder on the drums because in blues the drums aren't meant to be in the forefront, yet if the feel from the drummer isn't right then the whole tune can just sound "off". Using an old cliche', at least for these styles, the drums are meant to be felt, not heard.

On that same subject, the one thing that I'd recommend for you is to loosen up your playing a bit. From a technical point of view, your playing is fine...sure a couple of little mistakes here or there, but we all do that and you recover from them very well. However, the playing just sounds a bit stiff to me. I just feel like it needs to be a little looser. It's hard to really explain it, or pinpoint exactly what I mean...it's just the way it feels. I did note that you mentioned downloading it from Rock Band or something like that. My personal opinion - if you are playing along with the actual video game and playing what the video game tells you to play...then stop it. As much as I understand that some may say it's a fun learning tool, I think it also develops stiff lifeless playing habits. Just play along with tunes you enjoy through your headphones...close your eyes and let your sticks go. And enjoy it.

[Guinness]

dschrammie, great feedback. THANKS!

I don't know how I find the time to play either. Wife, 3 sports playing kids, work, life... That night (Friday) was the first time I played all week.

As for playing with "passion", I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. Your points are valid and accurate. I play The Jack on guitar, at least I used to, with feeling. That's what I like about it. Playing it technically correct is not the same. Same goes for Drums.
I usually play that song better on the drums. And did so in a quick warm up. But when the video camera clicked on, I tensed up. I noticed it, and I'm impressed you did too. Not to mention I was super tired. That definately affected my play. But, like I said, I wanted to lay this down. I'm not trying to be perfect, just entertaining (to me :) ).

You're right, I do enjoy making these videos. It's confirmation that I can still play the drums. I pretty much stopped after college.... and that was over 15 years ago.

I remember setting up my accoustic set way back when and did so as you described Dave did. I didn't do that with this kit; just tried to set it up based on memory from accoustic kit's setup.

As for GarageBand, I don't own the game or play it. My kids don't have it either. These are songs I downloaded from some drum site. I was looking for Drumless tracks. I like playing "with" another drummer, but also want to lay down my own version and not be bothered with hearing another drummer in the background. Also, when playing with another drummer (blind), you have to be perfect otherwise the snare, for example, will sound like a double tap, and not a single snare (ie, my GnR video).

Anyways... I appreciate you taking the time for feedback.

What did you think about the sound of the kit? I created it and really like it, particularly the toms.

[dschrammie]

...Anyways... I appreciate you taking the time for feedback.
What did you think about the sound of the kit? I created it and really like it, particularly the toms.

I'm glad that you take my comments as they are intended. I'm always nervous about leaving any kind of feedback because I know a lot of times it can be taken as being really critical, or like I only have bad stuff to say...and it's not meant that way at all. So thank you for catching my intent! :D ;)

The sound of the kit - I meant to mention that and forgot. For the most part I like the sound of each voice. The main thing to me is the same as what Tom mentioned...just a little bit more from the overall mix. I think the one that really stands out as being lost from the mix is the kick...I can't really hear it at all (granted, that could certainly be because of the compression required for a youtube vid!). And the ride...couldn't hear that much either. But I thought the other voices sounded pretty good.

[Guinness]

I'm glad that you take my comments as they are intended. I'm always nervous about leaving any kind of feedback because I know a lot of times it can be taken as being really critical, or like I only have bad stuff to say...and it's not meant that way at all. So thank you for catching my intent! :D ;)



Yes, I like your feedback. Suggestion to alleviate the "nervous about leaving feedback..."
Peanut Butter Sandwhich technique: Simple management technique that works well. Bread is good, complimentary things, where the peanut butter is critical/constructive criticism. Start with good (Bread), then to bad (peanut butter), then end with good (bread).


As for the mix, I think I mentioned this above... the kit sounded loud and clear through my headphones, but when I got to the computer to mix into the video, the kit was too far in the background. I didn't have the time or patience to do it again. :)

[Padowan]

Cool!

I too, envy the guys who can set all this stuff up to vid themselves...I am nowhere near that stage yet!

you know it's not as simple thing to do as some might think - and I appreciate you putting yourself out there (tired or not) for some straight-talk feedback. Not everyone can take constructive criticism...especially from what could be unseen, unknown critics -

Kudos - I think you did well!...;)

[drumslinger50]

Hey Guinness, i just wanted to jump back into this thread and also say thanks for putting the videos out. Your videos helped me decide to buy the DM10. I studied them carefully looking for sounds and nuances that you are probably not aware of. When you watch pre-made advertising videos, you may not get all the facts. What you hear is what the company wants you to hear. I love your "raw footage" drum vids because they give me the real sounds.
You saved me hundreds of dollars by not making yet another bad Roland decision. I just spent the last week working 4 hours a night on a house TD-20 set at a Reno casino. After having a couple weeks with my new DM10, the TD-20 was a nightmare. Sure, most of the problems were due to the casino not maintaining their kit, but I had good sounds from the DM10 in a few minutes and I fought with the TD-20 for a week and was never satisfied with ANY of the sounds or kits that I could come up with. Thanks to you, I bought the DM10 and not a 6th Roland module. Keep up the good work!
by the way, I have had the same Hart mesh heads for 4 1/2 years with no problems. Are you playing with the heads loose? In my experience, the heads must be tight. Or maybe you just got some flawed heads. Peace-d

[Guinness]

Re: Heads... It's a Billy Blast thing. The heads are tight. These are NOT a fine mesh type and fail rather easily, imo. I'm not the only one who's experienced a failed Billy Blast mesh head. I think Hellfire's snare lasted 45 days.

Drumslinger... I'm glad my vid's help! That's awesome! When are you back in Reno, btw? I'll be there in a couple of weeks, and if you're in town and playing, I'd like to come check you out.

[drumslinger50]

Our schedules will probably miss, but the Aces will be at the Boomtown Casino June 18, 19 & 20 and we will be at the Peppermill Casino (late shift) June 25th, 26th & 27th. Be sure to say hi if you come by. It's an Edrum thing!

Bummer about the Blast heads. I have always used Hart or Pintech and have never had one fail.