So, why do you put a rug under a drum set? How big of a drum rug should I use? What are the factors I should consider before buying a drum rug? What other materials aside from drum rugs can you put under a drum set? Many novice drummers are still curious about the importance of a drum rug for a drum set, which is why we are here to assess if it is really that important.
So, what are drum rugs? If you can see a rug that is placed under the drum set in stages or studios, or even at home, then that is the drum rug. Drum rugs are usually often used to stop the drum set from moving while you are playing. It is really a hassle for a drummer when his drum kit is frequently sliding while he is playing; that is why there is a need for them to be stopped from moving, and the drum rug is an excellent solution for that problem.
Another reason why drummers use drum rugs or carpets for their drum sets is that it dampens reverberating sounds from the drum set. The drum carpet can help in the room’s acoustics as it can dampen sounds, which soaks up the echoing sound. It also prevents the drum set from vibrating, which is really annoying if you are a drummer, as it also produces a sound that a microphone can pick up.
How Big Should A Drum Rug Be?
Drum sets today have many configurations, so there are different sizes of drum rug that you will need for a specific configuration.
Junior Drum Sets
Junior drum sets are specifically made for kids who will be uncomfortable playing regular-sized drum sets. They have a smaller size, which is why they are easier to reach and hit when you are sitting on a drum throne. These sets usually come up with the same configuration as the regular-sized, but they only come in smaller sizes.
Junior drum sets usually take up a length and width of 35″ and 38″ respectively, so if you are going to find a drum rug for your junior drum set, then it should be that it is larger than the dimensions above to be safe, as it is also better that the cymbal stands will also be placed above the drum rug.
Compact-Sized Drum Sets
Compact-sized drum sets are made for those drummers who frequently travel and always bring their drum kits with them. These drum sets are also smaller compared to the regular ones, and they take up less floor space.
Usually, compact-sized drum sets take up a length and width of 30″ and 45″ respectively, so if you are going to purchase a drum rug, you should buy a larger one than the given dimensions to be able accommodate also the cymbal stands.
4-Piece and 5-Piece Configuration Drum Sets
Drum sets that have standard sizes usually come in either a 4-piece or a 5-piece configuration. It is generally composed of a bass drum, a snare drum, one floor tom, and one rack tom for a 4-piece setup, and two rack toms for a 5-piece setup. These two configurations are what you usually see in music stores, as most entry-level and mid-level drum sets come with these configurations.
These drum sets usually take up space with a length and width of 48 inches and 60 inches, respectively, so if you are going to buy a drum rug or carpet, then you should buy larger than those dimensions mentioned, to also accommodate the cymbal stands, as these configurations usually have three, more or less.
Expanded Drum Sets
Usually, these drum sets consist of an additional two or three toms or an additional bass drum. A double bass drum configuration would really take ample floor space. Even with some additional floor toms only, it would still take some space.
These drum sets take up space with a minimum length and width of 48″ and 88″ inches, respectively. If you are planning to buy a drum rug or carpet for these types of drum sets, then you should find those that are larger than the given dimensions to be able to accommodate the cymbal stands. Usually, there are three to five cymbal stands with these drum sets.
What Are The Types Of Drum Rugs Available In The Market?
There are three different types of drum rugs: a portable drum rug, a permanent drum rug, and an isolation mat.
A great example of a portable drum rug is one that is used in live performances. When playing the drum on a stage, drum rugs are frequently used to stop the drum set from moving freely. These drum rugs are easier to transport and usually can be easily carried.
Permanent drum rugs are those that are purposely placed under a drum set without any intention to transport it with the drum kit to other places. This type of drum rug is usually the heaviest, as they do not have any features that make them easier to be transported.
Isolation mats are specifically designed to eliminate vibrations. These rugs are acoustically superior compared to portable and permanent drum rugs. They do not always have a non-slip bottom like some portable, and permanent drum rugs have, as they are specifically made to negate vibration and not to stop the drum set from freely moving.
What Are The Factors To Consider Before Buying A Drum Rug?
In buying a drum rug, you should consider some factors to match really what you need for your drum set. These are some of the factors you should assess: Non-slip base, weighted corners, design, transportability, and cable management.
In purchasing a drum rug, you should check if it has a non-slip base. This type of rug has a rubberized coating to prevent the drum set from moving freely. Some drum rugs also have weighted corners, which adds weight to them, which prevents the drum rug from wandering.
There are drum rugs that have woven designs, and most of them are made in Asia. These drum rugs are one of the best, and many drummers prefer these drum rugs. You should also consider whether the drum rug is easy to transport or not.
Lastly, you should check whether the drum rug allows you to manage the cables for the microphones. Some drum rugs have cable management ports built into them.
So, why do you put a rug under a drum set? It is important to place a rug under your drum set to stop it from moving and sliding anywhere. It also eliminates vibrations and echoes. It is important that you put a drum rug below your kit, or else it will be a hassle for you when it starts to move on its own when you start to play with it.
