A $30 "Do Anything" Drum?
Working drummers know that its not always your nicest drums that make it to the gig, or get beat up on by your students in your studio. But unless you find someone with several great used drum sets for sale, you can shell out a lot of money to avoid purchasing cheap drum sets for this purpose. But what if there was an alternative to a mini drum set that could get you through the gig, or replace some of the drums in your setup more easily? Well you're in luck with the Pearl Hip Kit .
So lets be clear - the hip kit is somewhat of a drum set for beginners, but given its affordable price tag, with the correct tuning and mounting, it can turn into a versatile small drum set with a sound that might inspire you. Believe it or not, the hip kit can work in the following capacities.
- -Snare Drum
- -Floor Tom
- -Jungle Bass Drum
- -Timbale
- -Tenor Drum
- -Frame Drum
It can also work well in the following capacities, given the included shoulder strap
- -Parade Drum
- -Drum Circle Drum
What is included when you buy your Hip Kit?
When you purchase your Pearl Hip Kit, included is a 14" Frame Drum with a coated head . Additionally, there is a rim mounted snare attachment which makes it possible to add a snare effect to the top head of the drum. Looking for a more responsive snare sound? Using a phillips head screwdriver, you can easily flip the snares and mount them on the underside of the drum! In addition to the drum, and snares, it also comes with a convenient shoulder strap for easy mobility, and the ability to play freely with two hands. This makes it a great option for drum circles, parades, or schools looking for an affordable option for front ensemble members to participate at football games in the stands.
So how do you unlock the capabilities of this drum?
Well it comes down mostly to two factors- mounting and tuning. When tuned very high, the resonance of the slim shell resembles that of a timbale. Using this sound is a great alternative to a full set of timbales for someone doing local musical work. To get a great sound as a snare drum, mount the snares to the top or bottom of the drumhead. This naturally mutes the drum a bit, drying out the snare drum sound. Great for hip hop! You can easily mount the drum on a normal snare drum basket, or off a hi-hat stand using a Liberty One Percussion Clamp , Black Swamp Tambourine One Mount , and 3/8" mounting rod. To create an incredible jungle bass drum, tune it low and mount using a pearl foot pedal bracket. Use some muffling such as moon gel , and a dragonfly big softy beater to really bring out the low frequencies!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! The Pearl Hip Kit can be a great mobile alternative for a small performance, or a way to bring less to your next gig. Contact a Percussion Specialist to get yours today!
