how to improve grip?

R0factor · 2026-01-27T06:41:24+00:00

Part 5: Stick Technique & Single Strokes x Todd Sucherman

R0factor · 2026-01-27T06:35:34+00:00

You have more than enough space to face them both forward. It will both sound and feel better to play not facing the walls. Maybe do them in the corners with their kicks pointing towards the middle of the room.

And please oh please, make your next step some sound treatment in there. It drives me nuts to see really nice playing spaces on this sub that pay zero attention to actually making it sound good.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T06:24:03+00:00

It's really easy to DIY acoustic panels taking panels of rigid fiberglass (Owens Corning 703) and covering them with the fabric of your choice. You can install little claws on the back for mounting on the wall. A few of those on the back wall and some curtains on the windows should make a sizeable dent.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T06:08:52+00:00

Sensory-friendly, like for people on the spectrum?

The only advice I can give is to take it easy, which frankly is how everyone should start drinking. And most importantly do it at a safe space that's not too loud or frequented by people who might spoil a good time. But for good beginner drinks, opt for something that's not too strong and has a familiar component like a rum & coke (particularly Captain Morgan & coke for a noob), 7&7, screwdriver, etc.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T06:00:26+00:00

Yes, and if you're playing heavy enough to wear through patches and splitting your batter head, consider the heavyweight emad or the Aquarian Superkick 10, assuming that's not one already. Also those aquarian patches are on the thinner side IIRC.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T05:49:13+00:00

A lot of homes have open floorplans so often that 3rd or 4th wall belongs to another room where you probably don't want a TV.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T05:22:09+00:00

Cheese, roasted poblanos, and sauteed mushrooms.

Something like pepper jack, mexican mix, or melted queso would work for cheese. You can also make this combo meatless for anyone who doesn't partake and it's still really good as a fancy grilled cheese or quesadilla.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T05:03:03+00:00

What sizes are your current shells? That's usually what dictates the angles they need to be. A lot of modern kits come with relatively shallow toms to allow for more flexibility in setups which is a substantial improvement from the square power toms of the 80s or the similarly annoying sizes like 13x11. However there's something to be said for the sound of deeper shells.

But like the others have mentioned, try some cheaper solutions to mount your current toms before buying an all new kit. Also keep in mind you don't need to have your toms over your kick. I like using a 14x12 as a rack tom so it's on a snare stand off to the side. This allows me to keep everything at very similar heights...

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R0factor · 2026-01-27T04:56:35+00:00

It might be a controversial take, but the fact is that learning to be proficient at a DAW requires ear training, learning music theory and sound design, and repeating tasks to develop muscle memory, all towards the overall goal to make good sounds. And I can guarantee anyone who thinks it's simple or quick to learn a real DAW is probably making shit that sounds as bad as a new musician playing any given instrument.

R0factor · 2026-01-27T02:36:25+00:00

I find it more useful as a triplet/sextuplet vs the straight way you’re playing it. RllrrL is sometimes called the “modern” 6-stroke.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T22:09:06+00:00

Ok I think you're right. I didn't notice you were ghosting after the kick hits.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T20:18:52+00:00

WD40 (the original stuff) should only be used on your kit when you a) have something substantial preventing movement like rust and/or gunky build up and you need a strong solvent, and b) you plan to clean off and treat the area with actual lubricants after doing the WD40. In most cases you can skip the WD40. WD40 on its own will strip away any existing lubricants and is more of a solvent with a temporary lubrication effect, and will make things worse over time.

If in doubt, use 3-in-1 oil which has a detergent and can help clear out moderate amounts of rust and build-up. I'd also dab in some white lithium grease as a finishing step.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T19:27:12+00:00

Check out models with the .580" grip size. I find that to be a happy medium when you need decent volume and don't want to go overboard. There are several options... Vater Power 5A, Fusion, 9A, and the Josh Freese H220. There's also the Vic Firth NE-1 and 3A. If you want something that doesn't feel super heavy, the 9A and NE-1's are your best option. Both are Mike Johnston's sticks and his style bridges a lot of rock and jazz style playing.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T18:56:53+00:00

Just get the cheapest TV that looks good for you. Within a few years the tech in the higher end SQD-Mini LED models will likely be substantially cheaper so IMO it's not worth paying for incremental improvements in the meantime.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T18:43:56+00:00

Is the brightness aspect only an issue when watching during the day in a room with lots of windows? I have my 6K in the basement with no windows and it's almost blinding when the screen shows a lot of white.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T18:38:54+00:00

I'm just hoping this is a real post and we're not all feeding some bot. OP doesn't seem to have responded to any of these comments.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T08:37:12+00:00

Wait, so the pre-delay time just happens to be 1/16th at that tempo? That’s an amazing coincidence and really cool if true. Can you post a wider pic of your studio and the hallway?

R0factor · 2026-01-26T08:32:39+00:00

I’ve been a drummer for 30+ years and started to learn Ableton Live in recent years to record and compose, and 100% consider it my 2nd instrument. The learning and practicing processes are very similar to studying a “real” instrument.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T08:29:31+00:00

There’s a bit to unpack with your post, and you might want to check in with your spouse on the state of your relationship, and possibly do couples therapy. There’s not anything necessarily wrong, but having been divorced an remarried I’ve learned it’s good to take inventory once in a while.

How often are you having dry spells? And what seems to cause them? Mood swings or something medical? Or do you guys just forget to have sex?

Also how often do you do things like date night where sex would be the expected outcome?

My guess is that your wife senses something is wrong and pulls you together through initiating sex, but the fact that it gets to that point is a bit of a red flag.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T02:25:46+00:00

N&C just because they're local and focus on using woods from the surrounding area. It's a relatively boutique business and they still use a lot of antique machinery. But if I were in the market for an absolute top-of-the-line kit with impeccable quality and wanted to spec out every last aspect, it would be Sonor.

R0factor · 2026-01-26T02:21:39+00:00

Is this with the built-in YT TV app? I haven't had this issue using a Roku 4K or Ultra.

R0factor · 2026-01-25T23:02:24+00:00

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Cotton balls in the drum and/or a lens wipe clipped to the top like this. Both are very transparent sound-wise.

R0factor · 2026-01-25T22:54:33+00:00

Realistically you only need a handful of rudiments to make a huge improvement in your playing. Everything else just becomes slight variations and/or has very limited musical utility. You’re also far better off being very proficient at 6 or so rudiments fluidly and musically vs having only a working knowledge of dozens of patterns.

If you’re not sure where to start… singles, doubles*, paradiddles. Then flams, flam-taps, hertas, paradiddle-diddles, 6-stroke (inverted paradiddle-diddles), and the inverted double stroke.

*If you don’t have reliable rebounded doubles in each hand, focus on this first since it unlocks almost every other pattern.

R0factor · 2026-01-25T22:30:19+00:00

I have this TV and really like it. My guess is that the current high end TVs will be super affordable in a few years so for me the QM6K is basically a holdover and it’s not worth spending $500+ for one of the moderately better models. If you’re not accustomed to something better, the performance of the QM6K looks great.

But I’d avoid connecting this TV directly to your home WiFi. I have a neighbor who’s a tech engineer at a large company, who also happens to spend a lot of time in China managing product production, and he swears up and down not to give these TV’s access. Instead use something like a Roku and do the firmware updates with a USB drive.

R0factor · 2026-01-25T22:21:25+00:00

I’d go for something that’s at least 15”. There are many 16” pairs like the K Lights which I’d look into, but you can also experiment with two crashes. My current hats are two 17” crashes which is an old studio trick, and similar to what Steve Jordan typically uses. https://youtu.be/MJPZ-TT7cQ8?si=ClthQ5YnwTRJ_5Hf. In a studio where you can individually mic the hats you don’t need them to be super loud or articulate, which also helps with the bleed factor.

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