As drumline percussionists, you’re well aware you’ve got to be on your A game for judges and large crowds under stadium lights. After all, you’re the timekeepers and often both the leadoff hitters and the closing metronome. And the process of getting to that point is a practice schedule that often seems to follow you home! So, when you need to practice with max effort without going max volume, Sweetwater is a great place to turn for all the rehearsal essentials. Tools for hushed practicing, nailing down time, and note accuracy are all on standby to help prep you for the best performance possible.
Atten-HUT! Grab your sticks and let’s get started!
Snare Pads
Snare practice pads these days aren’t what they used to be — and that’s a good thing! Engineered to exude the specific rebound, feel, and even the sound of a traditional snare drumhead, modern singular practice pads will get you as close as possible to the real thing. And, coming in a selection of sizes, you’re sure to find one that nails the vibe of your specific instrument of choice.
Prologix Percussion Vortex
Prologix Percussion always has some nifty tricks up their sleeves, and the Prologix Percussion Vortex is one of our favorites of their premium practice pieces. This snare practice pad has an 8mm-thick rubber top surface with enviably responsive playability that rebounds like the real deal. Encompassed by a counter-sunk Poly Tech rim, you can easily achieve tonally realistic rimshots and cross-stick patterns. Flip it over, and a 5mm-thick rubber bottom grip surface is a second sound option with the same fantastic playing action. Both sides rest on a sturdy Baltic birch ply plank, and, as a bonus, all rubber surfaces on the Vortex are made from recycled rubber! Throw it on top of your instrument, in your lap, or on virtually any flat surface for instant rehearsal. Available in 8-inch and 12-inch diameters, you get a bit of breathing room to find a comfortable fit.
Ahead Practice Pad with Snare Sound
The Ahead Practice Pad might be more up your alley for a little more sonic, size, and travel versatility. This snare pad features Ahead’s acclaimed snare-simulation technology built into the playing surface, providing a snare head’s crisp and snappy sound at super-low volumes. This extra touch allows for more realistic practicing, which makes performances much easier! It also responds with that same realism, making those long rolls, paradiddles, and complex rhythms just as articulate as your actual drumhead. The underbelly of the Practice Pad is a fine, soft, and slip-resistant material that offers stability while protecting your hard surfaces. Mount it easily onto your snare stand and travel securely with the integrated carry handle!
Ahead S-Hoop Marching Pad with Snare Sound
Looking to up the ante even further? Try the Ahead S-Hoop Marching Pad with Snare Sound! You’ll achieve that same phenomenally snappy snare tone and articulate Kevlar-like response, just as with the Practice Pad, but with some upgrades that will turn your average at-home practice sessions into stunningly accurate routine replications! The secret is in Ahead’s S-Hoop rim design, angling inward and down toward the playing surface and allowing greater durability for the pad and your sticks, too! When played with nylon-tipped drumsticks, there’s no telling how long this pad will last you. The full-round 10-inch top gives you more playing surface; rim knocks feel like the real thing — who are we kidding? It’s the next best thing to a legit marching snare!
Multi-pads
Singular pads are great but not always logical for your instrument or rehearsal preferences. Whether you’re a marching tenor player looking for a convenient solution or someone just needing to get on the same page with their drumline, Sweetwater carries some stellar multi-pads that will do the trick. Below are a couple of superb choices to fit the bill!
Cardinal Percussion Folding Tenor Practice Pad
Calling all multi-tom players! Cardinal Percussion has a special treat for streamlining your rehearsal time. The Cardinal Percussion Folding Tenor Practice Pad includes six rubber pads arrayed in a typical tenor configuration in five different sizes, offering a genuine multi-tom layout wherever you need it. It also stays securely on various surfaces, courtesy of some backside bumper pads. But the real attraction is in the name: this foldable beast is as portable as they come! With a compact design that folds in half and built-in carry handles, space efficiency and ease of transport are high priorities — finally! For the drummer that’s always on the go, you can’t go wrong with this beauty from Cardinal Percussion.
Prologix Percussion Logix Tri-pad
We’re back to Prologix again, and the Vortex brought its friends this time! Well — not really. Meet its cousin, the Prologix Percussion Logix Tri-pad! It combines three green Logix Practice Pads in one, which functions the same way as the Vortex aside from having a 5.5mm top playing surface instead of an 8mm one. This allows for better hand coordination and stick-control development, making it an excellent fit for scholastic and rudimentary rehearsal. All three pads boast Prologix’s Poly Tech non-marking rims and are set into sturdy Baltic birch, complete with a trio of underside holes to seamlessly mount on your snare stand. For nailing down those complex patterns, cues, and techniques, a tri-pad like the Logix is ready to serve the greater good of your drumline outfit!
Practice Tips
Downtime can always mean practice time, but having only a pair of sticks on you feels pretty limiting — or is it? Soft drumstick practice tips are becoming an increasingly popular solution for optimized rhythmic training. Why? They’re inexpensive, incredibly compact, and, let’s face it, ingenious!
Vic Firth Universal Marching Practice Tips
Open the door to drumline practice wherever and whenever the moment calls with Vic Firth Universal Marching Practice Tips. These unique tools are made of soft rubber and are designed to fit securely onto marching-size drumstick tips. The sonic result you’ll achieve is a softer strike still with plenty of rebound, while its accompanying durability ensures that you can use them, remove them, and use them again without quickly wearing out, losing grip, or leaving marks on your surroundings. And, speaking of surroundings, take your pick! From coffee tables to desks, dashboards, and beyond, you now have a unique and reliable solution for sharpening your chops on bus rides, study breaks, and last-minute staging. They’re small enough to travel in your pocket and affordable enough to fit any drummer’s budget.
Metronomes
Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own drum major following you around — one that could instantaneously change to complex time signatures, create personalized exercises, keep you in tune, and even fit right in your pocket? Sweetwater has the next best thing: metronomes! Take a gaze at a couple of our top picks.
Korg KDM-3
The Korg KDM-3 metronome offers a traditional look on the outside but with digital DNA that gets right down to business. With an astounding range from 30–252 bpm and a tap tempo feature, along with 19 beat patterns including duplets, triplets, claves, and more, it’s safe to say that this metronome can accommodate just about any practice session. Choose from eight selectable sounds and listen through the powerful onboard speaker or via the 1/8-inch headphone jack. The KDM-3 also features dedicated buttons throughout, eliminating the lengthy process of menu diving. Additionally, a built-in timer is great during crunch time and for maintaining your focus on the task at hand. Trust us — the KDM-3 is a must-have for every practice space!
Peterson StroboPlus HDC
For a more advanced routine, and an extremely portable one at that, you’ll want to look at the Peterson StroboPlus HDC. It’s the most advanced metronome ever designed under the Peterson name, and that’s no understatement. The StroboPlus HDC is the definition of a workhorse, offering tempo ranges from 10 to 280 bpm and time signatures from 2/2 to 19/16 and every combination in between. Advanced features include 90+ accent patterns, five voice types, extensive polyrhythms, and even designable tempo maps through the Peterson Connect web application. Set up personalized rehearsals to fit your marching routines and customize the HD LCD display of the StroboPlus HDC with varying LED backlights. Use the 3.5mm jack for private headphone practice or large-scale amplification via outdoor sound systems. In addition to these incredible elements, it functions as an incredibly versatile acoustic-electric tuner also, keeping your head tension as precise as possible. Toss this tiny piece in your bag or pocket, and you’re on your way!
Did You Find What You’re Looking For?
As you can see, there are many ways to optimize your home-based and mobile practice sessions both on your own and with a group. These are just a few of our favorite practice companions from some of the broader categories, but Sweetwater proudly carries hundreds more products to meet every drummer’s needs. If you’d like assistance in narrowing down the right piece(s) of practice gear for you, then give one of our knowledgeable Sales Engineers a call at (800) 222-4700, and they’ll help you get set up with precisely what you need. At rest!
