My Neighbour Friendly v-drums platform.

Hi everyone

Just thought I'd share the details of the platform I just built for my TD-12KV BK electric drum kit. I am doing so just in case any of you have issues with neighbours below or family members who spend time in a lower levels of the house you play in.

Say goodbye once and for all to neighbours who besiege your home with fitchforks and burning torches. This was the scene outside my house just last night.



I'm happy to report that those days are now gone thanks to my tennis ball riser/sandwich platform. Phew !!!

I found out how to buid it at the V-Drums forum on several old posts from several years ago.

Basically, it comprises:

• Two 4'x4' crash mats.
  
• Two 4'x4' Pieces of 18mm thick Plywood, each with twenty five 1 3/4" holes which I cut with a hole saw.
  
• 25 Tennis Balls
  
• A 4'x4' piece of carpet
  

See the pics of the various stages below.



York Fitness Floor Guard (£14.99)





4'x4' 18mm thick piece Plywood with 1 3/4" holes (£12.99) - The pilot holes were marked 4" from each edge with 10" between each hole's marking.





25 Tennis balls in the holes (£20.00)





Another '4x4' 18mm thick piece Plywood with 1 3/4" holes (£12.99)





Another York Fitness Floor Guard (£14.99)





4'x4' Piece of carpet from my local carpet fitters (end of roll cast-off £10.00)





Roland TD-12KV BK V-Drum Kit on the finished platform.





And again.




Total cost of Platform = £85.96



Note: Although the MDS-12 stand/frame specifies that it requires a minimum of 4' in width, if you have the space I would go with a 5'x5' platform or 4.5'x4.5' if in a pinch. I had to go with the minimum so that I could still squeeze past it etc. However, it still works in the 4'x4' space but I know wish I had a bit more to play with. A slightly wider space with a bigger platform would allow for the MDS-12 to have it's side portions open wider. Some folks may prefer this. I would still probably opt for the 25 tennis balls if using a larger platform but the choice is yours.

Given that any surface you play on will be required to be at least 4' in width and at least 4' or so in depth, this means that the surface area presented to the kit for transference of vibration will be approximately 14884cm squared. However, with the tennis ball riser, the area of transference from the upper platform to the lower one (via the tennis balls) is a mere 94.2cm squared. This is 158 time less scope for transference of vibration than a solid platform would create. Also, with this platform the vibration needs to travel through the carpet and floor guard first before reaching the upper wooden part. It then has to travel through the tennis balls, then through the lower floor guard too. All this before it gets to my own flat's carpets and floorboards etc.

The platform itself is fairly sturdy. However, if you make one I would avoid stepping onto it on its edges just to be on the safe side. In my estimation it would easily hold even the heavier drummers out there, providing that user don't jump up and down on it. Also, it all stores away at around 15 minutes notice.

Like I said, I would go with 5'x5' if I could have and had the space. However, not being an experienced drummer having not been accustomed to a lavish setup previously, the 4'x4' platform is good enough for my needs. I would strongly recommend 4.5'x4.5' though.

It's now 1.59am here and I'm off work this week and am full of life right now. Therefore, I'm off through to do my facial impressions of Keith Moon....


Hope this helps other.

ZippsInc