Bass Drum Port Hole

**xxkmanxx** · 07-17-2009, 01:25 AM

Okay I'm thinking of putting a porthole on my bass drum. Whats the best place to put the porthole, and how big should it be?

Thanks

**Reindeer** · 07-17-2009, 02:03 AM

Speaking from just seeing the holes in the reso skins, not from experience here. About halfway from the edge of the drum to the center of the skin on the top left/right.

I had a drummer friend tell me that if you place your drumskin on the floor and heat up a tin can however wide you want the port to be (4-8 inches/10-20cm) and slowly press it into the skin you'll punch a hole right through. It'll be damn hot though so handle it with a oven mitt or something. As long as your patient you should come out with a perfect circle.

~Cheers

**kaosotis** · 07-17-2009, 08:34 AM

There are also cheap porting kits, $12, which basically just give you a template to use for cutting and a ring to put in the hole.

Why are you porting? As far as I know, the only real reason to port is to get a certain sound when mic'ing the drum. (Mine is ported). Many recommend not porting, even if you are going to mic.

**jazzkat** · 07-18-2009, 01:00 AM

the bigger the hole, the less head resonance you will have. the closer to the center, the faster the air will escape also creaitng less head resonance.
personally i like my hole somwhere between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock postition. makes it easier to mike with a boom stand.
as for size, that all depends. for country/rock where im mic'd, i like a 5"-6" hole at the 2 o'clock position

**itchie** · 07-18-2009, 04:55 AM

you can use a tin can on the floor but personally i think its easier and looks better with an actual port hole

**Quadcam79** · 07-18-2009, 05:51 AM

you may just want to buy a pre-ported head. Theres a whole science to porting drum heads, just like porting a subwoofer box.

if you get it wrong you'll never get the sound you want from your kick.

theres also a product called Holz, chrome rings in various diameters that snap together and protect the edge of the port

**nucjd** · 07-18-2009, 07:03 AM

Jazzkat is dead on right. I record with a D6 about 1.5 inches from the batter head and a subkick mic on the reso. I like the 1/2 o'clock position as well because the mic stand can't really get any lower to the ground.