Rack Ring
Ever noticed that metallic “ping” sound that resonates from your drum rack? Most of us don’t so try not to panic. A majority of drum rack systems have a hollow metal tube as the main part of the structure.
Those tubes can resonate with every hit to the drum or cymbal that is attached to it. It is very subtle but it can be an issue when recording with close micing techniques.
I tried to devise a way to alleviate this extra noise and have come up with an easy and affordable solution – noodles!
Yes, those colorful foam pool noodles that you buy at the toy store are the solution. I simply cut them lengthwise into sizes that fit just slightly snug into the inside of each tube so it contacts the metal around it. It has the same effect as if you grabbed the metal tube with a soft gloved hand.
Suddenly all the extra ring is soaked up by this lightweight (and invisible) slice of a kids toy. You can fill the full length for maximum deadening but I usually do lengths of 6-8” at either end of each tube and it seems to have the same outcome.
I even went as far as inserting smaller pieces (cut from 3/4’ foam pipe insulation) into cymbal boom arms and tom mounts. Basically anything that is a metal tube I treat the same way. My kit has never been so – unpingy!
I probably would have never noticed if my kit wasn’t under the microscope of studio microphones but now that I have done the dampening even when playing a live gig the sound guy always comments on the sound of my drums. Well worth the effort and definitely helps any of us tinnitus sufferers sleep at night with one less ring to worry about.
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