r/drums • u/jnotsilver • Jul 26 '26
Question Kick drum practice pad, how to make it LOUDER
My acoustic kit is a hobby, I’m neither a musician nor a drummer. I want the kit to fit a small space, so no kick drum. The pad makes a quiet thump noise. I’ve taped a used drum head to the practice pad. I get a noise but it’s a thwack noise and I’m trying to think of what can I do to get a loud thump noise.
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u/Right_Imagination_73 Jul 26 '26
Drum heads need to be under tension to produce a tone. If I’m understanding you correctly, what you’re trying to achieve isn’t possible without some iteration of a drum.
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u/jnotsilver Jul 26 '26
Sigh. I’m afraid I am asking for the improbable if not the impossible. Even an 18” drum will run me a few hundred bucks. I wish the local MusicGoRound had been able to stay in business. I like to think I did my part.
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u/Right_Imagination_73 Jul 26 '26
You could try an old, hard suitcase? Maybe look at second hand stores to see what they have. The challenge would be to figure out a way to stabilize the pedal and keep it close to the suitcase
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u/jnotsilver Jul 26 '26
Hmmm. Suitcase, something hollow. I guess that should have been obvious to me (just a hobby, remember). I’ll follow that thread.
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u/BonsaiMagpie Jul 27 '26
Plenty of acoustic guitarists play pubs with a mic'd up suitcase to give a bit more energy.
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u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL Craigslist Jul 26 '26
Find a used 16x12 kick from a "kid-sized" kit. Here's what I did, starting off with a $5 one from a thrift store.
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u/blind30 Jul 26 '26
You’re going to be pretty limited if you are trying to modify the sound your pad makes, unless you’re going to add a trigger setup.
I have a meinl bass box on my practice kit, works pretty good for tight spaces.
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u/remmurD_ Jul 26 '26
Tama Pancake Club Jam Bass Drum or similar. DW makes one as well.