Later this month, I'll be playing the Tyros in full style mode with my horn player (no problem) and my drummer.

How about some words of wisdom or advice on how to have this work out best?

I've already unstructed my drummer to be subordinate to the Tyros and not get busy anywhere, but surely, it's not that easy, I fear...

Bill in Dayton

Bill, when we use a live drummer in the band, he knows his job is to follow my Roland arranger and sequences..He plays Roland electronic drums,and does a great job, without overplaying..

Make sure your drummer has his own monitor that he can control what he hears from the tracks and his own drums..With the Roland electric kit, it is easy..it has it's own monitor controlls..

My only "ground rule" when usoing live drummers is this:

NEVER use a bass drum during sequence playback. (or arranger) Just let the drummer play fills and light rhythm over top of the mix. The bass drum will ALWAYS complicate things...I hate those flams that come from getting off beat.

So, my rule is:
Seq on = bass drum OFF

Hi Bill,

As both a drummer with impeccable timing AND keyboard player playing with a Tyros in a band I have a few points to make.

You must provide excellent monitors. If the drummer can't hear and feel the music, he will not be able to stay in the pocket. Also, if the monitors don't provide enough bottom end, he will not be able to hear the bass or bass drum which will impair his/her ability to groove-along.

Also, try to keep the mix as DRY as possible. Unwanted reverb (which the Tyros is famous) makes it difficult to determine when the actual attack of the sound occurs - this is crucial for a drummer.

I would also check out the drummers sticks!!! Make sure he's playing with size 7A or smaller. The larger the stick, the louder the sound.

If the drummer has excellent timing, and can play to a click track, let him play anything he wants over the Tyros.

If not, your going to have a very hard time of it. Either the drummer wins or the Tyros wins - there can be NO compromise when it comes to timing. An occaisonal kafuffle is ok, but if he/she is constantly lagging or ahead, this is going to make for a very very long event.

Let me know if I can help any further.
Al

That's really interesting Dave - I just auditioned a drummer for future events, and I came to the exact same conclusion - no bass drum. He's not very happy, but when the bass drums from the Tyros and drums clash you've got a horrible sound. Also the drummer keep a relatively basic and uncluttered sound.

I'm wondering if anyone's muted the keyboard drums altogether - can that work?

Sure it CAN work, but honestly, the drum kits in the Tyros are about as good a sound as you will ever hear live, and no UNmic'd kit at normal volume will sound as good.

The basic tone of the drums is what impressed me most about the Tyros - it'd be a shame to loose that. Add some "gingerbread" and sizzle, but don't loose the "meat & Potatoes !"

The drummer needs some percussive rhythmic groove to play to. It doesn't need be a lot but it does need to be able to cut through onstage sound and it does need to be constantly present in the music.

Ah Dave, but I must disagree. In my humble opinion, the drum kits on the Tyros (the snares anyway) are one of the main problems with it. At least in my opinion and for my style of music. The sound I'm getting from the Roland V-Drum module by far beats it.

I love the V drums! I tholught we were comparing the Ty to acoustic kits.

My mistake Dave, I got the threads mixed up - over here we're talking about LIVE drums - and I fully agree with your meat and bones / ginger and spice (something like that) analogy!

Chony