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Thread: Fog machine in bass drum.

  1. #1

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    Default Fog machine in bass drum.

    I had an idea while I was staring at my Rocktober GC flier that was sent in the mail yesterday. I saw a fog machine in the catalog and after thinking about getting one to use for my drum covers one day, I thought: "Wouldn't it be great if you put a fog machine in a ported bass drum?"
    But then I thought it would ruin the wood (making it expand, moisture, etc...
    But I don't know much about fog machines, or if the special liquid generates moist fog or something, and thats why I'm asking you guys.
    I think it would something really cool and fun to try!
    I know since the machine is kind of big that it would take up a good amount of real estate in your bass drum and impede the sound some, but I think the cool effects would outweigh the negatives of the sound. Or maybe the sound will get deeper due to the heavier air?
    Let me know what you think!
    -DrumRookie

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  2. #2

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    I can't answer any of those questions but I sure like the idea!

  3. #3

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    Cool Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Hey, DR!

    Sounds cool, but I'm not sure that would be a wise move, for a number of reasons:

    The "fog" in a fog machine is not water, so it wouldn't be a matter of your shells getting warped from water vapor. More often than not, it's a chemical solution which is heated to form the fog. I would be more worried about the chemicals in the fog solution messing up the adhesives, the wrap on your shells, and on your hardware.

    The fog solution is supposed to be non-toxic, but concentrating that in the typical space of, say, 22 x 18" (your bass drum shell), could make your breathing a bit dicey to boot.

    And, as you hit upon in your original post, the machine itself "takes up a good amount of real estate" inside the drum, and, like anything else, it's gonna affect the way the drum sounds. I would experiment with something about the same size of the machine and see how it affects the sound before goin' for the fog machine.

    Experiment with it, though, and let us know how it works! Good luck!
    keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!

    Charlie

    "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854

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  4. #4

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Quote Originally Posted by DrumRookie View Post
    I had an idea while I was staring at my Rocktober GC flier that was sent in the mail yesterday. I saw a fog machine in the catalog and after thinking about getting one to use for my drum covers one day, I thought: "Wouldn't it be great if you put a fog machine in a ported bass drum?"
    But then I thought it would ruin the wood (making it expand, moisture, etc...
    But I don't know much about fog machines, or if the special liquid generates moist fog or something, and thats why I'm asking you guys.
    I think it would something really cool and fun to try!
    I know since the machine is kind of big that it would take up a good amount of real estate in your bass drum and impede the sound some, but I think the cool effects would outweigh the negatives of the sound. Or maybe the sound will get deeper due to the heavier air?
    Let me know what you think!
    Fog machines make everything moist. I use a few f them at a friends house for halloween, so i know this because we have to be careful if it is below freezing so we do not create ice.
    Cool idea, but it would ruin your bass, especially with the cheaper fog machines which create a really dense moist fog.
    -Steven

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    I can just see a cloud of fog coming out the porthole with every stroke of the bass pedal.

    I might try it with an incense stick as I hate the fog stuff. I'd have to be careful to not to burn my bass drum tho'!
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  6. #6

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Get a crappy bass drum cheap and try, it Sounds pretty awesome.

  7. #7

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Have a piece of PVC pipe coming from the hole in the fog machine and out the porthole that way not nearly as much smoke is entering your bass drum. Also if you fill the tube with dry ice it will look really cool. Heres a very informative video: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIv_L7xG54&feature=related"]Halloween party fog machine PT 2 - YouTube[/ame]
    Last edited by Yoda; 10-18-2011 at 09:36 PM.

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    DR, I've got a fog machine, and I would have 2 concerns about putting it in the bass drum. The first is the moisture, and the second would be that the nozzle heats up - hot enough to burn your fingers if you touch it. Besides, the fog from a fog machine rises. I would get a unit that cools the fog, or a DIY contraption to cool it. Then you could put it behind the kit letting the fog curl around the kit, and the tumble off the drum riser.
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  9. #9

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    As a drummer who also sings, I hate fog machines!

  10. #10

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Quote Originally Posted by pastor_bob View Post
    DR, I've got a fog machine, and I would have 2 concerns about putting it in the bass drum. The first is the moisture, and the second would be that the nozzle heats up - hot enough to burn your fingers if you touch it. Besides, the fog from a fog machine rises. I would get a unit that cools the fog, or a DIY contraction to cool it. Then you could put it behind the kit letting the fog curl around the kit, and the tumble off the drum riser.
    I forgot about the heat too. It is hot enough to melt plastic and duct tape. And you know there is a problem when duct tape isnt working...
    -Steven

  11. #11

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    A lot of times the fog liquid is something similar to baby oil, and leaves a thin layer of oil around where it is sprayed. I would not recommend this.
    And the trees are all kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw. . .

  12. #12

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Quote Originally Posted by northern redneck View Post
    as a drummer who also sings, i hate fog machines!
    +1
    PDP MX Series Drums, Zildjian A Custom cymbals, Tama Simon Phillips Gladiator Signature snare, Roc-N-Soc throne.

  13. #13

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    "The fog solution is supposed to be non-toxic, but concentrating that in the typical space of, say, 22 x 18" (your bass drum shell), could make your breathing a bit dicey to boot."

    Many use propylene glycol to create the vapor or "smoke". PG is safe, used in many inhalers, foods and the main ingredient in the nicotine liquid I use in my electronic cig. Been using ecig for more than 2 years and no ill effects.
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  14. #14

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Maybe get a cheap second kick just to house the fog machine (if it's only for show)

  15. #15

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Fog machines leave a residue......my group uses one from time to time and the residue gets all over my hardware and everything else. The quality of the juice used just makes it worse.

    I'm not certain that this "non-toxic" residue will "ruin" your kick drum, but I'm sure it will effect it in ways you may not be thrilled with.

    I have had fog get into my kick drum area unintentionally during gigs....and have on occasion seen smoke rings come out of the port hole....which I admit is pretty cool at times.

    The other thing to consider is the pressures and heavy vibrations inside your kick drum - probably not good for the components inside the fog machine. I put a chrome skull with a strobe light inside of it on top my kick drum this Halloween. Seems as if the bulb blew out or broke. Don't know why exactly...but I'm thinking the vibration may have had an adverse effect on the filament maybe?

    Although I'm not afraid to try "new" things or ideas....I've learned over time that if something I've thought of is not being done by anyone, or I've not seen it done before.....there's probably a reason why - and I've just not figured it out yet. Thinking this may be one of those scenario's.
    "The problem with information on the Internet is that you can not validate it's authenticity. " -Abraham Lincoln

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  16. #16

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    Default Re: Fog machine in bass drum.

    Quote Originally Posted by EddieV View Post
    Fog machines leave a residue......my group uses one from time to time and the residue gets all over my hardware and everything else. The quality of the juice used just makes it worse.
    +1... I drum tech for a band that uses a fog machine and when we used my kit recently for a few shows, the residue from the fog oil was a major hassle to clean. The black OEM reso heads on both kicks have nasty oil spattered stains that will NOT wipe off. The fog machine was placed low near the kick drum so the fog could roll out. Looked really cool but hated cleaning everything...


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