Bass Drum Hole

[Horus]

I was looking into cutting a hole in the resonant head of my bass drum. I want to do this because I will be mic'ing the kit for recording purposes and i want to capture the beater attack and what not. The question I have is: how would I go about cutting the hole? I was thinking just to create a template and then cut around that with a really sharp knife. If at all possible, I don't want to take the head off the drum. Also, would you guys reccomend doing it? and what are the disadvantages? I don't really want to go out and spend 30 bucks buying a new head with a precut hole...

thanks.
:chug:

[MeaninglessPhoto]

They make templates with instructions that come with rings which are needed to prevent ripping.

When I put a hole in mine, I took a coffee cup top, I lit it on fire so it was red hot, then I put it on my head. It created a perfect hole without cutting.

[Horus]

Can you explain why you need to prevent ripping? Will the edge vibrate or something?

[MeaninglessPhoto]

If the hole rips then the hole will get bigger and it will change the sound you are looking for because the size of the hole will be bigger.

[Horus]

oh, alright. What size hole do you recommend starting with?

[keaton_86]

6" is the average ;)

[Cocaberry]

I think it's best to start with a 4" hole. 6" is too much if you aren't really used to the sound and feel of a ported reso yet.

Make sure you don't put the hole in the center of the drum. Offsetting it will give you the best results.

Also, you must take the head off the drum when making the hole. It would be pretty hard to make a clean hole with the head still on the drum.

[Corkofski]

i heated up a baked bean can, literally just surrounded it in newspaper and set it on fire. used tongs to put it on myu head, and it went through perfectly

[ringworm]

Either buy the Holz kit, do the hot can trick or just use a bladed compass.
Don't forget the cut edge needs protection against ripping to.
I got some hose from Lowe's & made my own.
http://x402.putfile.com/2/5717390434.jpg (http://www.putfile.com)

[pitchfork]

I drew it on with a compass and very very carefully cut it out with a stanley knife.

[pasulpepe]

there are kits you can buy for about 15 to 20 dollars.

[crazyguy832]

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id6.html

Everything you need to know about holes.

[dairyairman]

i used a kit from aquarian that was under $10. it was easy to cut the hole and it comes with a nice looking reinforcement ring.

[maniac0796]

I cut around a yorkshire pudding tin with a stanly knife, and lined it with some brewery tubing, which fell off, and i'm too lazy to put back on...

3.5" mine is

[tonalfusion]

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id6.html

Everything you need to know about holes.



great website thanks