Where to practice in LA?

[FuseU1]

Hey, Nikk -
I'm not in LA, but 4 me I finally bit the ole proverbial bullett, worked up the $$, & bought a set of electronics [ddrums - & now I also have the Roland TD-10 V-Drum Pro kit]. They are expensive, but 2 me, I was wasting a lot of time with which I could've been practicing/playing, which is time you CANNOT REPLACE if u r serious about it. But, also, a friend of mine was work'g on buying just the brain [ddrum or Roland TD-10 - because of their levels of sensitivity/dynamics] & build'g/rigging up his own acoustic drums [foam padded to death] w/ decent triggers [such as the ddrum triggers] to cut down on the cost. Other than that, acoustic drums w/ full foam padding/shell inserts, & towels clothespinned over the cymbals [as crappy as this may sound] may be another option. After that, find'g a practice space [such as thru another musician u r jamming with / a friend u can trust[!] / family member / time-share type deal / rent'g a space, etc.] seems 2 be the only other option.

[Randy walker]

For me before getting a house, I practiced in my apartment, most of the neighbours worked during the day and were not aound. Made it very easy. 5 in the afternoon would roll around and I would quit.
That complex is on Raymond in Glendale, CA. Obviously every situation is different.

[Nikk]

How do all you LA guys practice, or I guess the better question is "where?" I'm assuming (and we know where that gets people) that many of you can't practice drums in apartments, etc.

[FuseU1]

Yep - forgot that one - always work out a good "deal" or "understand'g" w/ potential neighbors, ESP. in apts. ... I definitely had to, fr. time-to-time ....

[PocketPlayer]

Guest House over an apartment all the way! They are usually way in back, off the main street. Get one unattached to the main house w/a backyard if possible. No neighbors, no thin walls, lots of absorbant space...it's the way to go!
Oh..try to also find a place where the landlord does not live in the main house- serious buffer space always welcome.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 12, 2002 04:04 PM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

[Clintuplet]

Aside from living behind O.J. like Kato...I mean PocketPlayer(just kidding) I would suggest mesh heads. Contrary to popular belief they do provide some sound. Not a lot though. I live in an apartment. As long as my wife is happy I don't worry about the neighbors. Hope this helps.

Clint

[XNavyDrummer]

Like FUSE I'm using the V-drum Pro as my practice kit. Lots of advantages. I really like being able to work out when everyone in the neighborhood is asleep. I can play through a nice amp if I want and not blast out my ears (its a good thing!). I like the built in metronome which includes this really annoying (but useful) voice counting the beats. The groove loops are cool to practice with. I've even started doing rehearsal at my place with everyone wearing headphones. Every instrument goes into a main mixer and then is routed to a headphone amp. At the same time we have a mix going to an 8-channel recorder. The sound is very clean. You can hear a sample on the listen page of my site (look for the Rhythm bay stuff). Also, my students really enjoy playing on the V's and I've had them make recordings which I transfer onto audio CD for them.

The down side is that there is a small but annoying delay between the time the stick strikes the heads of the drums and when the sound is actually presented. This delay is approximately 3 milliseconds. It might not sound like much but is is perceptible. I prefer playing while being able to hear the acoustic attack of the stick on the mesh head.

I'd much rather play on a great set of acoustics! But doing this electronic thing has increased the time I spend woodshedding my chops.

[jonthibault]

I'm starting classes in Sept. at LA city college. I'm joining the concert band and thereby get full access to the percussion room, so I plan to shed for an hour or two a day while school's in session (at only eleven bucks a credit). Anyone who lives near a local school should check it out. I really have no interest in joining the concert band (the jazz band presented a scheduling conflict); I'm just doing it so I can practice in the room, which is open till about ten every night.

[FuseU1]

Man, Navy, readin your last post - it's as if I was readin my own thoughts.
That delay u were talkin about seems 2 b a lot less when using headphones [@ night]out from the TD-10 [naturally]; but routed thru a receiver [like I have it for during the day,etc.], there IS that slight delay. However, it seems 2 b hardly noticeable when I put it thru the 16 ch mixer/power amp set-up [possibly because of the good amount of power supplied.]
& about that TD-10 metronome - [quote fr. guitarist-friend/Holdsworth/Scott Henderson/Gambale/Stan Jordan/Metheny/Martino/Diorio phreek [whew]: "sounds like there's a lil 'Oompa-Loompa/Wizard of Oz/Willy Wonka dude ['on amphetamines for the faster tempos'] in there!" But it IS a great tool, esp. when workin out your 'Vin/Weckl/Chambers/Novak/Gratton/Donati-ish' phrasings [helps ya hear 'where the 1 is']. Roland just forgot to put a 'HH' metronome sound in there [even tho it has a bunch of other sounds]!! Also, good comment about the mesh heads.
& Thibault - you mentioned another good idea ....

[FuseU1]

... the only other thing about the V-Drums: after play'g on those mesh heads 4 so long, it takes some gettin used 2 when u get back on the acoustic kit - the mesh heads are more 'springy/bouncy/cushy' than the 'traditional' heads on a real drum, so u need a couple hours practice or so 2 're-adjust.' But when one goes immediately fr. 'V-practice' to real drums on a live gig, it can be a little hairy @ 1st - warm up on the ole knee-pad 4 1/2 an hr.!] Also, I have the old cymbal pads - the new 1's r much better [closer to a real cymbal in look, 'hang'/mount, feel & response - I need 2 get some of these newer 1's - but it costs $$ - & I already have a lot invested in my equipt. - seems like youre NEVER done buying new stuff 2 keep up w/ necessity & the times/technology!