drummerrhys Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Hey all... I just took delivery of my nice new acrylic drum kit, in time for me to take it on my 2 week tour with me next week.I have been wondering how easy it would be to place LED par cans in the drums themselves to give a bit of atmosphere and light to the kit. however will this dramatically change the sound, and how will I manage to get in power cables?I have seen this done before and I even recall a picture of it here on the BR a few weeks back but don't remember where it was. Thanks,Rhys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungOne Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I wouldn't even go there mate.. in my opinion the sound would change way to much for it to be even worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhys west Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Have you thought about using a Par Can just to uplight the inside of the drum? It would be a lot easier that putting a lantern inside the drum. Just a though.Rhys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatross Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 If you are going to do it, go small lights, ie. LED pin spots.You'll have more than enough intensity from them to light the inside of a kick drum. If you have a sound hole on the front end of the drum, place it inside as you would a boundary microphone, and it should have no greater affect on the sound of your drum as would a Mic.You may have a temperature problem with the light, this could change the drum tuning. You MAY have issues with power or DMX interfering with the mic signal due to proximity of cables. For smaller drums, I suggest Customising LED's rather than placing an existing light inside. Anything large in a snare/mounted tom will drastically affect the sound of the drum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wol Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I'd stay with keeping the lights outside of the kit. It's just generally easier, and don't have any of the wiring problems mentioned above!Also means that if you have a few cans, you can use a couple to light the bass, then can use another few to light the underneath of the cymbals and other bits of the kit, which should give some nice reflections, rather than just having a glowing bass (bass-ed on the fact that its the one a punter is most likely to see), and the rest of the kit looking a bit... left out! The reflections off the metal form the rest of the kit should broaden the effect Try maybe a profile behind the drum to create some form of silhouette of the bass pedal too maybe? Dunno if that will work, I've only been up 5 minutes so my imagination isnt at its best ;-) Might have problems focussing it so its just the bass pedal and leg in it, although the other leg might be a bit out of the way on the hi-hat pedal. I'm not personally a drummer so not 100%! Anyone have any ideas whether this works? Rope light around the front rim (not sure what the technical word for that bit of the drum is!) of the drum? Or even get a LED hoop to go around the thing..... Okay I really am tired |-) Maybe ill stop posting crap when I get back from work! heh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berry120 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 This is really the sort of situation where I'd say just keep it simple and put them outside. A few pars of different colours pointing up at the drum kit from in front and the side can look really effective without a lot of work, whereas placing the lights in the drums themselves is going to introduce a whole host of issues, some (like the sound) that you won't know until you try. Perhaps I'm just lazy, but it really doesn't seem worth the hassle when there's a far easier solution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 This is one place that LED pars can really shine (literally!)Don't put them inside for all the mentioned reasons, but drum kits being full of chrome and other shiny bits have always been a good focal point to uplight, especially during quiet numbers. Stick 3 or 4 around the kit and mix away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HobitLight Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I have seen this done before and I even recall a picture of it here on the BR a few weeks back but don't remember where it was.Was this it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerrhys Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 I have seen this done before and I even recall a picture of it here on the BR a few weeks back but don't remember where it was.Was this it? yeah it was. I was thinking of putting the pars round the kit. The profile behind the bass is a good idea too. I think I will definitely use LED pars though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I would use some Colour block (DB4) or some chroma-crabs cleverly placed. with some clever brackets you could mount one to each drum on the outside facing out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 If it's just one colour or an effect your looking for then just get the shortest piece of ropelight you can buy and loop it inside. Seen it done many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_the_LD Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Hi Rhys, Just so you know, the lights I used for my kit in the pictures hobitlight linked to, were 4 LED PAR 36's I borrowed. They are about £32 each to buy from Thomann. http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_led_pa...alu_poliert.htm They did the job very well! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Jelfs Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 if you're not looking for huge light output why not try EL wire or sheet. http://www.surelight.com/electroluminescen...ts.htm#ELSheets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I have seen battery operated, colour changing LED Christmas lights installed inside drums, simple and safe, and compact, but not controllable (they go through a random sequence, no sound to light or other control) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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