The Benefits of Using a Drum Shield

drum shield

Whether you’re playing a small gig or a big show, a drum shield is a useful tool to help minimize sound bleed. Using a drum shield can improve your live mix, as well as protect your ears from the drums.

Drum shields come in a variety of styles. Most of them are made of acrylic. Acrylic is usually less expensive than polycarbonate, and can be more scratch resistant. The material used for acrylic is also better finished than polycarbonate, so it looks more like a drum than a piece of glass. In addition, acrylic can be used to match the color of your stage or branding. Acrylic drum shields are available in a wide variety of translucent colors.

The most common drum shields are full front shields, which go in front of the drums. They are also commonly used in small venues. A partial front shield is similar, but it’s not as tall as a full front shield. It’s also not as reflective, so the sound won’t bounce back at the drummer as much. Partial front shields allow the drummer to see the stage, but they don’t significantly block the drummer’s view of the band.

In addition to reducing bleed, a drum shield can also help minimize crosstalk between instruments. A shield will also reduce the volume of the drums. This means the band’s sound will be clearer and easier to mix in a live setting. Drum shields can also be used in a home studio or worship house.

Drum shields are typically made of acrylic or polycarbonate. Acrylic can be more scratch resistant, but it’s also brittle. Polycarbonate is softer, which makes it less likely to break. The material is also more forgiving. If the drum shield is broken, it won’t shatter, unlike acrylic.

Drum shields also come in different sizes. The shortest drum shields are four to six feet tall, while the tallest are eight to ten feet. The size of your drum kit will determine which size shield is best. The drum kit must be small enough to fit inside the shield, and the shield must be tall enough to accommodate the kit. The height of your cymbals also affects the size of the shield. For example, cymbals that are five feet tall or higher will cause more bleed on stage.

Drum shields come with hinges, which make setting up and taking down the shield easier. The hinges are flexible, and provide better sound dampening than before. They also make the shield easier to move around. You can also use a plastic living hinge, which is a more temporary solution for drum enclosures. Many local distributors offer plastic living hinges. You can also choose to use a long piano hinge. If you’re looking for a permanent drum enclosure, you can use a metal frame.

If you’re just starting out with a drum shield, you’ll want to look for one that’s easy to adjust. You’ll also want to make sure that it won’t impact your performance. You should also take the time to learn about how to set up and tear down the shield, and how to protect your ears.