Get the complete guide to drums:  https://app.getmxu.com/playlists/getting-started-with-modern-worship-drums
Everything you should do before you mic the drums:  https://youtu.be/QyAuQRo0fZ8?si=BcwBukBAIGngXtXb

As a drummer, I love drumshields. I like the feeling of playing comfortably knowing the soundguy is having a good time actually shaping the sound, not fighting it and the audience can listen to the show without having my cymbals pierce their ears. Another HUGE thing is the stage volume is quieter so the monitors dont have to be as loud for the others and they can still hear themselfs better (if you arent using iem).Shield me anyday of the week, no matter If its metal or pop. Jazz is maybe the exception. In my view, if you have the opportunity to make the experience better for the audience and the people you work with and you dont want to take it thats just selfish.

I had acoustic drums at my church, built a full sound enclosure, and still was to loud. Now using a E-kit and absolutely hate it. O well, the point is to lift up Jesus not complain 😊

Alternative solution:
- Use hot rods
- Use silent cymbals
- get a drummer that knows what RESTRAINT is (speaking as a drummer myself)
- Turn down the drums in the mix
- get an e-kit (although I don't like that option)
- ditch the drums and get a cajon (or "drumset" made from cajons)

We went with a combination of a full height shield across the front of the kit, sound treatment on the wall behind and the ceiling above the kit but left the top of the drum kick open to the air. That way we get some control of the volume but still get the feel of the kit coming into the room. And we've worked with our drummers to get the kit dialed in a way that they enjoy playing it with dynamics and volume but know the limits of what "too loud" is for our space. Its been a great combination to allow us to still have good volume from our kit into the room naturally and through the PA to get that extra umf when you need it.

Drum shields's purpose isn't making drums quieter but to reduce cymbals bleed in vocal mics

Appropriate cymbals also help.  Thinner/dryer over thicker and brighter.

At our church, we have a 5-panel drum shield in front of the kit with a 2'x2' acoustic foam panel attached at the bottom inside of each acrylic panel. On the wall behind the kit, we have two 2'x4' fabric-covered acoustic panels with Rockwool inside. The foam in front and panels behind help to soak up some of the reflections and keep them from bouncing around so badly. Finally, I also play with Lightning Rods (slightly thicker dowels than the Hot Rods). All of this helps keep things manageable in our relatively small Sanctuary, which can comfortably seat about 200 people.

A lot of times churches don't consider acoustic/room treatment too. I play constrainted so much to the point that the band and vocalists can hear themselves but there's so much acoustic reverb from the PA that it feeds back into the mics

Great video. A good follow up (or maybe MxU already has this) would be tips and pitfalls of mic'ing drums inside a drum enclosure. (dealing with phase etc)

Played a gig a few years ago at a club - they had a shield. I was excited to try it out, but felt disconnected from the band. Love the idea, but it wasn't for me

I added pillow fluff in varying amounts to each of the drums to lower the volume without killing the tone and then added triggers and a Roland module to enhance the sound. Low volume Sabian cymbals top it off. No drum shielding, just awesome sounding drums at a controlled volume.

Check out this drummer with Chaka Khan at the tiny desk concert. The microphes are only for the recording. They are playing at acoustic voice level, not amplified.  No screens needed.

https://youtu.be/Gse1LKXuV2M?si=3fd2rMA3C7Apcf6A

My big issue with drum shields and enclosures is that they almost always result in terrible sounding drums for the congregation as some frequencies come through more than others. I much prefer quietening the kit, using quieter cymbals and Adoro Silent sticks. Drums end up a healthy volume and also sound amazing.

Let me grab my popcorn before the comments get going 🍿

I have a full clearsonic setup with the roof and pads behind it and because it’s sideways in a corner it’s still too loud even with the quieter players who play very control and the acoustics in the room make it worse.

This is exactly why I play meinl extra dry cymbals or edrums

I am a church musician since 1979, I can tell you for some people it will never be good enough whatever you do.

There will come a point where you have to decide who is more important to you, the youth and a lot of the older people sometimes jumping on the chairs the few times when the band really kicks in or the two, at most four people that come complaining about the volume, the weather and all other things that bother them every week.

What about drum & cymbal sizes all those things effect how loud the drums are. You need to check out the Red Trinity Series of cymbals. Adoro drums is another company as well helping to reduce the volume of drums on stage.

i think the future will be e-kits in a lot of places