Porthole problems

drumn00b · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 07:00 PM

Hey there!
I've been thinking of maybe putting a porthole in my bass drum. Well...not really I've just been wondering what it really does to the sound. I know it makes it easier to mic, but what if I'm just jamming in my basement? I think I want the sound of the beater more than the boomy sound, and also I'm recording with 1 mic in front/ above the kit. It's a good mic, I'm experimenting with locations. The kick sounds a little boomy and dead right now, although it's a good head. Evans EQ2, and factory reso head.
So forum, does the porthole add/ take away resonance? And how is the sound changed? Does it give to/ take away the sound of the beater?
Any help is appreciated

If you have questions for clarification, ask away!

**Der Trommler** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 08:15 PM

Well a porthole gives the air inside the drum a place to escape when being struck. In doing so it does remove some of the resonance but it can also liven up the tonal quality of the drum in many cases.

Here is what I mean by that. If the bass drum has only a small breather either in the shell or in the resonant head the pressure created inside of the drum when being struck with the beater can hinder or even kill the shell's ability to vibrate, which in turn deadens the drum to some degree.

So you can try a couple of things. The first is to get another reso and cut a port into it (it doesn't have to be an expensive head, particularly if you are just experimenting) and give it a try. If you like the port but you want to hear more of the beater click on the head then you can try a plastic beater or even a wood beater to increase that effect.

drumn00b · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 08:30 PM

Yeah I have all kinds of beaters

I think I will experiment with portholes. I'll start with a new head and cut a 4", and maybe try it bigger later.
Thanks a lot

chaser334 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 12:32 PM

I just got an Evans EQ3 resonance head with a 5" porthole. I love it! It sounds much better than my previous Remo Ebony weatherking with no porthole. It allowed me to take out alot of internal muffling because it provides less resonance and ring, and a much more thuddy sound if that makes sence. Also more attack, i think you should go for it and make yourself a porthole or buy a head with one. good luck

butter · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 04:25 PM

Check into a Kickport. I bought one recently and it made my bass much better sounding.

Andy B · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumn00b

Hey there!
I've been thinking of maybe putting a porthole in my bass drum. Well...not really I've just been wondering what it really does to the sound. I know it makes it easier to mic, but what if I'm just jamming in my basement? I think I want the sound of the beater more than the boomy sound, and also I'm recording with 1 mic in front/ above the kit. It's a good mic, I'm experimenting with locations. The kick sounds a little boomy and dead right now, although it's a good head. Evans EQ2, and factory reso head.
So forum, does the porthole add/ take away resonance? And how is the sound changed? Does it give to/ take away the sound of the beater?
Any help is appreciated

If you have questions for clarification, ask away!

Hi when you remove the out side head or put a port hole in straight away you allow the envoirement into the base drum ..damp condensation excessive dryness..experts reckon this can effect the dryness of the wood that can lead to the wood to shrinking warping splitting or any other effect such AS INFESTATION rodents beetles and wood worm larvee,,,, I would as it is in the basement you want to set up remove the front head and put some blankets or a pillow in the bottom then replace the front head. and use a drum cover or motor bike cover over your kit to prevent dust.water spillage.have a portal head just for gigs and recording to slip on...keep it stored in the box it comes with...and change it just before the gig

xxvenom13xx · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011, 05:19 PM

Well, you can always try out a port-hole head at the store instead of just cutting into your bass head now. There should be at least one set at the music shop that has a port hole in the head. Try it out a few times, then transfer to the head without a port hole and see what you thing. Personal preference is always key.

However, if you have already cut a port hole in your head, then kudos to you. DIYin it is always nice.

But if you are wanting a port hole, like Der said, it gives the air room to flow out, giving the sound resonance and fullness. I am sure you know all about how a head without a port hole sounds (which is what I usually prefer). Go with the flow(:

Andy B · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2011, 04:19 AM

Funny story:Back in the days before Asbo's and council inspectors with decibel readers. We used to rehearse in the guitarist Tim's living room in an old terraced villa property in West Bromwich. What I am about to tell you is a real live event that happened in 1992. We always left the gear set up in the room because it was a spare room a front Parlar that wasn't used and was rarely cleaned due to the equipment everywhere. what I am about to tell you is a true account the room was frequented with several Cats. We normally got together from 7:30pm-10:30pm every Tuesday or Thursday.
I used an old spare Trixon kit that I had given to me. I stripped, stained it because you do daft stuff when you don't know any better. I took the old scratched covering off re-varnished it just for practice kit. The front was cut out on the bass drum with an old blanket inside. I remember seeing the odd cat turd in the room on a regular basis with a tape worms doing a pole dance on a guitar lead from time to time and sometimes moths used to attack me from the curtains. The guys tuned up and i counted us in and we went into a new cover that we had been learning. It was quite a busy song and all of a sudden i hit the bass and i heard a dull thud i thought the skin had popped. i then saw a flash out the corner of my eye and a cat shoot out the bass drum and up to the top of a pair of curtains at the side of me bumping me as it went up into the bay window behind me where i was playing. It must have climbed in and fallen asleep under the blanket and must have woke up with a start as hi head touch the kick head we all stopped playing and erupted it was so funny with a ginger blur shooting out the drum and up the curtain's.....all wide eyed and fur standing up and a look of shock on its face........

Andy B · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumn00b

Hey there!
I've been thinking of maybe putting a porthole in my bass drum. Well...not really I've just been wondering what it really does to the sound. I know it makes it easier to mic, but what if I'm just jamming in my basement? I think I want the sound of the beater more than the boomy sound, and also I'm recording with 1 mic in front/ above the kit. It's a good mic, I'm experimenting with locations. The kick sounds a little boomy and dead right now, although it's a good head. Evans EQ2, and factory reso head.
So forum, does the porthole add/ take away resonance? And how is the sound changed? Does it give to/ take away the sound of the beater?
Any help is appreciated

If you have questions for clarification, ask away!

check this out dude

YouTube - How To Melt a Bass Drum Head Porthole