KickPort

I just picked up one of these and installed it... If you wanna know where the beef is, it's here.

This unit is pretty awesome.

http://www.kickport.com/kickport.html

Had one installed on my new drum head too ! LOL



Peace, TED

Ted E. Bear wrote:Had one installed on my new drum head too ! LOL



Peace, TED

That's really cool, Ted. From what I've read from you in the past, you never struck me as one to get
your hands dirty as far as your drum sound. Glad to read that things are changing for you in that area.
You being the good player you are, a good drum sound is only going to enhance what you do all the more...

So what do you think of the KickPort?!

Well D, that's kind of tough for me to answer just yet, as I've only done one gig with it so far. I have another on the 29th when i will use it again. But I think it the sound is more defined using the kickport as versus no kickport. Not necessarily louder, but with a bit more presense.

The dilemna for me is that I had been adjusting to trying to use a resonant head on the bass drum when for the last 25 years or so, I just only used the batter head. Sure had great projection that way, but visually always looked cheap, like I couldn't afford another head. LOL I guess I never cared what it looked like, as long as it sounded good, which it did. And it gave me a spot to store one of my toms when traveling, which made things that more compact. Nowadays I want it to look good too, but I admit I can't yet decide if it sounds better with the kickport versus no head at all. time will tell.


Also at this writing have parted ways with my cover band, 5 Hits & a Miss over stupid shit, as usual. Their loss, not mine. So I will be looking to see what I can find to join .


and so it goes ...........



Peace, TED

Yeah,

The thing is, Ted, as you already know, you have to invest in some things through trial and error.

I would suggest to you to try the Evans E-mad or G-mad bass drum heads. A very punchy kick system
with the G-mad having a more compact sound. I have a number of different drum sets (7 to be exact)
and I use both systems. I have the KickPort on my white ddrum kit which has the E-mad head and I
absolutely love the combination. I will be buying more kickPorts for some of my other kits as well.

It's amazing that you were able to attain projection with no resonant head as I've always found that
to be a problem when I did that, which has been many years ago now. You're right about the KickPort.
It's not that it's louder as much as having a more focused punch and more defined presence. You do
however have to experiment with different head systems to find the ideal system that works for you.

I generally like an open sound but I went to the music store yesterday and tried out some Attack tom
heads. Med/thin 2plys on the top with a med/thin 1 ply on the bottom. Considerably less overtones
than I'm normally accustomed to but with a rich, round defined presence that grabbed me by both ears.
I bought a complete set for my Mapex kit... I haven't put them on yet but when I do I'll let you know
how they work out.

"And so it goes."

Don.

Hi Don,

I am using Evans heads now, but I use all hydraulics as that's the sound I like, without overtones. I can't afford to try different heads and since I'm not a full time drummer I will have to do without. If I can retire soon, that might change.




Peace, TED

Hahahaha....

As a "full time drummer", some days it's chicken and other days it's feathers for me, Ted.
I could actually make a considerable amount more money in the "real" workforce.

Heck, I wish I could afford a Pearl Demon. You must be doin somethin right...

Am I complaining?! No way!!!! It beats the heck outta punching a time card.
Wouldn't want to do anything else.

Oh, btw, I'm sorry your band didn't work out. Yep, stupid stuff will do it every time.

Going to send for one, unless my local Sam Ash has them. For 39 bucks you can't beat it.

Looks like a great product. Think I might try one.

Don't mean to sound silly, but it looks simillar to a mid-seventies birth control diaframe

Would you know what the inner material is made of?

Thanks,

rac

My apology D, I went back to see the video and there is no inner material-just the port. But come to think of it, maybe if a softer material (cloth) attached to the back-end of the port, may make the kick that much more damper and deeper. Would you think? This cloth I'm suggesting would be like a dust-catch found on electric sanders.

Just me,

rac

Hi Rack,

It's all plastic with a rubber collar-flap that folds back against the inner resonant head
to hold it in place... You could be onto something with the cloth idea, I couldn't say
for sure. What I CAN say is that this unit works.

Here's an installation/removal video.

http://www.kickport.com/installation.html

I don't think the cloth would do much except block the air from escaping Rac, which is against the purpose of the port in the first place.

I have a damper against the batter head already installed inside the drum to accomplish what I think you're getting at.

I gotta take a picture and post it.

maybe tomorrow.






Peace, TED

I don't think the cloth would do much except block the air from escaping Rac,

Teddy

Yes I understand from my own experience with using cloths inside of shells...for sure. But what I ment to describe was that the cloth would have to be a 'mesh' type where air would circulate freely in and forced out by kick impact.

I fine this product very intrigueing and has many possible options for improvement; would you guys think?

One is that it's affordable and secondly it's a new product ventured for critique and redesign if it's engineer would allow constructive comments from a peanut factory of course. But then peanut factories are known to produce one of America's favorite affordable lunches.....peanut butter on rye.

rac

A bunch of Kick Port stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnt_dQ1NLAk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeiWPG4_bNg

Waiting on a late client. Anyways, this is very basic in what I'm invisioning regarding concept addition to the 'Kickport' device. I know of someone who ties the science of acoustics and substance interaction. Could be interesting if i can get him away from his busy schedule, more less my self. But just thought it would be fun trying to illustrate my thoughts.

rac

Critiquing can surely be a good thing, Rac. But I would think those critiques would hold more water
if the one(s) doing the critiquing had some actual on-hand working knowledge of the product being
critiqued. My suggestion would be to buy the unit, try it out and then see what possible added
idea improvements might work.

Once you actually work with it, hear it and feel it's results, you may very well decide that it needs no
improvement at all.

D.

I agree - I'm purchasing one next week, maybe a couple of them. Reason for two KickPorts because one will be used experimentally incorporating my concept of the mesh fabric. I'm aware that would defect the warrenty for sure but I'll always have the spare incase I need to resort back to having the original design.

But thank you for sharing the KickPort site. From what I know, this product was not known too well.

rac

Finally got around to taking some photos ; Here is the kickport I had installed on my new personalized drum head. It was done by vintage drum logos company, including the port.

will be using this again tomorrow night with Tim curtin & Friends up in the Bronx !


[img][/img]

Hate to disappoint you, Ted, but that's not a Kick Port. That unit is called "Holzs" and I'm sorry to say it has nowhere near the effectiveness of the KickPort. I would suggest that you go here: http://www.kickport.com/installation.html and check out the actual one.

Here's what you have:

http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10021&productId=900113991

Cool head though.

D.

So could I use the same hole and take the HOlz out and put the kickport in ??




Peace, TED

I just watched that video and it seems I can probably use the hole I have , which is a 4 " i believe, and still install a kickport. Now explain to me why the kickport is much more than what I have ??




Peace, TED

Ted E. Bear wrote:I just watched that video and it seems I can probably use the hole I have , which is a 4 " i believe, and still install a kickport. Now explain to me why the kickport is much more than what I have ??

Peace, TED

The KicKPort is designed to create a low punchy kick, Ted, not only in sound but feel also. This unit is not simply about changing the tone of the head but works through a focused projection ported system, the same concept as a ported bass speaker cabinet. It requires less dampening, and in some cases, none at all! I can tell you first hand that it works and it's awesome!

You generally need a 5 - 5.5 inch or so sized hole, but that's not a problem. It comes with a template ring (5.25") that sticks on and then simply cut out the inside with an exact o knife while the head is still mounted on the drum.... Easy, peesy...

Well worth the $40.00 investment.

thanks Don, If you say so, then I will get one. What I meant was that I can still use the same head, which only has a 4 " hole for the Holz port by widening it a little bit.

I wonder if I can find one tomorrow before the gig, and change it. Will try ! thanks !






Peace, TED

What I meant was that I can still use the same head, which only has a 4 " hole for the Holz port by widening it a little bit.

I gotcha, Ted.... That's what I meant also. Just place the ring template around your existing port.

Hello D,
I ment ask how would the KickPort work on a 18" BD? I know the promo video says it can, but not sure. Do you know of anyone who has played with it on a 18" BD? It sells here for $60 smacks. I probable be saving a tad bit if ordered from the mainland. If the savings is not substantial, then I'll have to purchase it here. I'm screened on everything I purchase cause it's going through my business account.

Also Ted, how is that port you have? Does it produce the same kind of effect as what the KickPort says it does? How could you have made that mistake my friend?

rac