DRUM! Magazine Forums

Tape on Cymbals

2011-03-25T08:50:14Z

Hey all,

Have a question about putting tape on a ride cymbal.

(Forgive me if I’ve missed a thread on this elsewhere. Searched forum & didn’t see anything.)

For as long as I ‘ve been playing I have avoided using tape on anything when playing live. Not on heads, not on cymbals. Just a purist I guess, and I like to hear tones ring out.

However, lately I’ve been playing some very quiet jazz gigs. My 24” K Light Ride’s too big. Until I can afford that flat ride I want…I have been using my 20” K Ride…medium heavy weight, but it’s got a lot of overtones & wash…a little too much. Maybe even some I never noticed when I first bought it.

I’ve been putting a piece of Moon Gel on the lower curve of the bell, on the top, on the side opposite where I would be playing on the bell.

Seems to cut down the wash sufficiently and makes the ride a little more pingy. But, the Moon Gel gets lost, it falls off, gets dirty, and it’s just one more thing to think of when setting up, etc etc.

So after all this time I am considering putting a piece of tape on the cymbal. Most of the time I see tape being used on the underside.

What has been your experience with this? What kind of tape? How wide is the piece you use? Is there a spot for optimum placement? I’m thinking it might be on the underside exactly opposite the spot on the bell where I had the Moon Gel on the top.

Any suggestions or pointers would be appreciated—thank you!

**Update: three days later**

I have something to add…did the jazz gig on Sunday with moon gel on the ride bell; managed to hear the cymbal in a recording that a friend did with a Flip. The cymbal rang out with a nice ping and I have to say I might have answered my own question…unless your experience with tape (a small piece, underneath?) is similar, simply cutting out some wash and emphasizing ping…I may just stick with the moon gel and deal with the one add’l step to setting up…what do you guys think??

High pitch tuning

2011-03-07T18:08:15Z

As a drummer who was influenced by drummers from the 70’s and 80’s I notice a change in how rock guys are tuning. It seems that instead of the nice low melodic thud of toms and deep snares that quite a few of the younger guys such as Joey Jordison seem to have their drums tuned similar to a marching set up. High pitch tightly tuned snares and toms that sound like bongos compared to the 70’s and 80’s . The sizes of the drums are shrinking too.

Any idea on what is causing the change? Just curious.

The Funny Stuff? What was the worst gig ever?

2011-02-05T09:55:50Z

Jason,
How about sharing some of the funnier moments of life onstage? Have you ever fallen off a stage? Had a really embarassing moment? Worst musical screwup? Worst gig ever?

Snares

2011-02-22T00:19:41Z

What are some of your favorite snares? I take it the Treebronze is up there… That thing is incredible! I actually talked to Jeff about making me a paiste signature snare a couple of years ago, it would have been the last one he ever made and it was a huge mistake not to have purchased it. I bought a Sonor SQ2 kit instead, hindsight I would have bought the snare and then pushed the kit back a few months. There are very few signature 8x14 snares out there and I imagine they will sell for an insane amount if they ever hit ebay. Live and learn I guess. Now my dilemma is Treebronze or Sonor HLD590, decisions decisions…

how did you get the gig?

2011-02-14T05:44:45Z

I’ve been trying to network with as many bands and musicians as I can but I can’t seem to get any steady gigs. I know it’s not my chops as I will be attending Berklee next year and I’m pretty sure it’s not my personality that’s driving everyone away so please enlighten me; how do you get the gigs?

relationships with other drummers…

2011-02-02T11:13:47Z

You are a kickass drummer dude, and I have a lot of respect for you when you “metalfy” drum beats in other music as you did in your video, very clever stuff! :D

I was wondering if you and Chris Adler ever traded off licks and just bullcrapped around together for the hell of it, because if I witnessed that myself, that would inspire me so much to play even more! keep kicking ass on stage man!

Your Time at Berkelee & 5 Favorite Albums

2011-02-01T12:48:42Z

Hey Jason. I was hoping you could talk about your time at the Berkelee College of Music. What was it like, in the classroom and outside of it? What did you learn during your time there?

Second, what are your 5 favorite albums?

Thanks for doing this!

Recording With the Zoom H2

2011-02-02T10:03:37Z

Hi Jason.

It’s great to have you in this forum! I think you’re a fantastic drummer. Not too long ago I saw you on DrumChannel.com playing a dueling drum solo with Marco Minnemann, and I was floored - it was awesome.

I was looking for a recording device to record my drums, and I came across the Zoom H2. One of the things that solidified my decision to purchase the H2 is a drum solo you recorded using the device. Besides playing an incredible drum solo, the sound of your drums (and cymbals) was great as well. There was no doubt - I had to get the H2. So I did!

My question to you is if you remember what settings on the H2 did you use for that recording as far as compression goes, and the like. Also, how far away was the H2 from your drums, and how high was it placed? I’ve been fiddling around with the settings on mine, but if you at all remember any of these settings, that would be less work for me. If I could get a recording of my drums like yours sounded, I’d be happy indeed.

I realize that my room most likely does not have the same characteristics as where that drum solo was recorded, but hopefully I can duplicate the settings on the H2, at least.

Again, thanks for doing this with Drum! Magazine, and continued success!

Cymbals

2011-02-01T13:54:39Z

Hey man,

I love your drumming me and the guys in my barracks watch you and your band all the time. I was wondering how often you go through your cymbals? I go through my crash cymbals like crazy. I cant stand it. All my friends say it the Marine coming out of me and getting violent with them lol. I am a hard hitter but i go through cymbals like in 3 months. Its very frustrating and costly. Could it be the way Im hitting the cymbals? Also any advice for double pedal and tom fills would be great! Im trying to get faster with fills around the kit but just cant figure out how you guys do it.

Thanks a bunch.
Lnc Cpl. Jason
Semper Fi do or die
Thats right im a Marine, much more im a Marine Drummer. Not only am I a warrior but I hit things for a hobby! Ohh Rahh!!!

The Road?

2011-02-01T11:57:27Z

I’m interested in what life is like on the road? What do you find toughest about touring? The food, hotels, being away from family? And, do you have a regimen of practice when you tour?