You may have already heard that drum set enclosures can make your sound better, but did you know that there are other reasons why they’re beneficial? Here are some of them:
First of all, the drum shield should protect the drums from damage. A drum shield should be made of a sturdy material. If the drums are made of wood, you might have to purchase a shield made of plywood. Plywood is heavy and brittle, so it would break if you dropped the drum shield. However, polycarbonate is softer than acrylic and tends to scratch easily. Overall, a drum shield made of polycarbonate offers greater protection from failure.
Another consideration when buying a drum shield is the height of the roof. A drum shield without a roof can lead to a lack of visibility for the drummer and affect vocals. If the roof is low, sound can bounce up the back wall and affect the front of house. This can cause unbalanced stage design and impede visuals. It can also make the drums obstructing the view of the audience. So it’s vital to choose a drum shield that is high enough to minimize the risk of this problem.
Drum shields made of acrylic can look like regular drums, but they are not soundproof. Acrylic panels bounce the sound back, making playing a challenge. Drum shields made of colored plastic sheets allow light to pass through but do not block the drummer’s view of the band or audience. So, if you’re concerned about the appearance of your shield, you can opt for a custom-made one. Creating a drum shield is a great option for drummers who have the skills and the materials to build one.
Another consideration is the noise level of the drums. The higher the frequency, the louder they’ll be. Some people find a snare’s top crack offensive. If yours is a bit too loud for your liking, you might consider shielding just the cymbals and preventing this from happening. This is a safer option than shielding your entire drum set. You can place plexiglass panels in the proper positions and use adhesive spray to attach them.
In addition to noise reduction, you should also consider the cost. Drum shields range in price from $200 to $7000 and more. A good quality shield will reduce the noise of the drums by up to 60%. The lowest cost entry-level enclosure is the DS4 from Pennzoni. It comes with five clear acrylic panels that are each five feet tall. In addition to this, it will reduce the amount of noise emitted by the drums by up to 60dB.
If your set is bigger, you might want to opt for a larger enclosure. In these cases, it will be better to purchase a drum microphone to reduce the amount of sound bleed. As an extra precaution, you may also want to invest in a drum microphone to avoid annoying neighbors. If you’re playing loudly in a venue with an open back, this enclosure will do the trick. If you’re a musician, you can also get an in-ear monitor solution to reduce the level of sound on stage.