How to Make Drum Shields
It's no secret that drums are loud, which is fine if you play them in large auditoriums or soundproof rooms. But if you regularly gig in bars or perform in a small church, this can be a nuisance for the audience. You can always play quieter, but this tends flatten a song's dynamics. Drum shields are collapsible isolation booths that significantly reduce your drum set's projected volume when placed in front of it. They are usually made of plexiglass and can be constructed at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Plexiglass panels
- Measuring tape
- Permanent marker
- Electric drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- Hinges
Instructions
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Set up your drum kit on a flat surface as if you were setting up for a performance. Measure length-wise around the drum kit and height-wise from the ground to the top of the highest cymbal or piece of hardware attached to the drum set. Add four to five feet to both your length and height measurements.
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Purchase several 1/4-inch-thick plexiglass panels to fit the measurements recorded. For instance. if the length of your setup is 20 feet, you'll need at least five sheets of 4-foot-wide plexiglass. You may want to buy an extra sheet or two for safety.
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Select the first plexiglass panel to be your left-most panel. Lay the plexiglass panel on a sturdy work surface. Measure 6 inches from each corner on the right side of the panel, using a measuring tape. Mark the measurement with a permanent marker. Repeat this process with the middle panels, but mark all four corners. Mark only the left corners of the right-most panel.
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Place the first hinge onto a marked point in one of the corners on the panel's right side. Align the top edge of the hinge with the marked point. Use a permanent marker to mark the screw locations on the plexiglass through the holes in the hinge. Repeat this process to mark the hinges on each panel. Attach a 1/8-inch bit to your electric drill and drill at each mark.
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Place the first hinge on the mark of the designated left-most plexiglass panel. Line up the holes on the hinge with the drilled holes on the panel. Attach the left side of the hinge to the panel with the screws or bolts included in the hinge kit. Repeat this to attach another hinge to the opposite corner of the panel.
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Position the next panel so it is to the right of the first panel. Align the top and bottom corners so they are flush and even in height. Grasp one of the installed hinges. Open the hinge so the opposite site of the hinge sits flat on the adjoining panel. Align the screw holes on the hinge with drilled holes on the panel. Fasten the hinge to the panel with the included screws. Repeat this to attach the other hinge to the panel's opposite corner. Continue the process of mounting hinges on each panel.
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Stand up the plexiglass drum shield structure. Place it around your drum kit.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
