5 Handy Drum Accessories That Make Life Easier for Both PA Engineers and Drummers

June is here, which means Japan’s humid rainy season has arrived. It can be a difficult time of year to stay motivated, but once the rains are over, the summer festival and live concert season will finally begin!

When you’re rehearsing in the studio or preparing for a live show, do you ever struggle with drum setup? From the perspective of a PA engineer, there are actually several items that can make soundcheck faster and improve the overall sound quality simply by having them on hand.

Today, we’d like to introduce five drum accessories that we highly recommend from a live sound perspective.

1. TAMA / QC8 Quick-Set Cymbal Mate

Tightening and loosening cymbal wing nuts during a performance can be surprisingly time-consuming and inconvenient. And if you’re using studio-provided hardware, you may occasionally find that a wing nut or felt washer is missing, leaving your cymbal wobbling around. From a PA perspective, a moving cymbal also makes microphone placement less predictable.

That’s where the TAMA QC8 comes in. This quick-release cymbal mate can be attached or removed instantly by simply pinching the buttons on both sides. Keeping a few of these in your stick bag along with your cymbals not only prevents loose cymbals during a performance but also dramatically reduces setup and changeover time!

• Compatible Thread Size: 8 mm (fits most standard cymbal stands)
• Features: One-touch installation and removal, helps prevent cymbal loosening during performance

2. Evans / EQ Pods Gel Drumhead Dampeners

“Why won’t my snare or tom stop ringing?” When excessive sustain becomes a problem, PA engineers often rely on EQ or noise gates to control unwanted resonance. The traditional solution of using gaffer tape certainly works, but it tends to leave sticky residue on the drumhead.

That’s where EQ Pods come in. These gel dampeners simply attach to the drumhead and help reduce unwanted overtones and excessive resonance. The pack includes seven pieces in two different sizes, allowing you to tailor the amount of damping to achieve your desired sound. Another nice feature is that when the adhesive begins to lose effectiveness, you can simply wash them with water to restore their grip. By reducing excessive resonance, EQPODS also make the drum easier to mix from a FOH perspective.

• Contents: Pack of 7 pieces (includes storage case)
• Features: Flexible gel material, adheres securely to drumheads, washable and reusable
• PA Advantage: Creates a tighter drum sound without leaving tape residue on equipment

3. Evans / EQ Pad

When it comes to bass drum muffling, many drummers simply throw a blanket or bath towel inside the drum. However, adding too much damping can rob the drum of its low-end impact. From a PA perspective, this often results in a kick sound that has plenty of attack but lacks body and fullness.

The Evans EQ Pad offers a more refined solution. This specially designed pad attaches inside the shell using hook-and-loop fasteners. When the drum is struck, the pad briefly lifts away from the batter head before gently returning to provide controlled damping. The result is a powerful attack combined with a tight, focused low end that translates exceptionally well through a microphone!

• Features: Hook-and-loop mounting system, adjustable damping level
• PA Advantage: Makes it easier to control sustain without sacrificing low-frequency punch

4. Pearl / PPB-KCP5 Drum Setting Mat

Many drummers have experienced the frustration of playing an energetic set only to discover that the bass drum and hi-hat have gradually slid forward until they are difficult to reach. Unfortunately, when the drums move, carefully positioned microphones also move, changing the sound that the PA engineer worked hard to achieve.

The Pearl PPB-KCP5 offers an effective solution. Its standout feature is the built-in kick block positioned at the front of the mat. In addition to securing the bass drum spurs, this block physically prevents the kick drum from moving forward. Even during aggressive footwork, the bass drum stays exactly where it belongs. Because the microphone positions remain unchanged throughout the performance, this mat is also highly appreciated by PA engineers.

• Size: 1,600(W) x 1,400(D) mm
• Features: Equipped with a dedicated anti-slip kick drum block
• PA Advantage: Completely prevents forward movement of the kick drum and maintains consistent microphone positioning

5. Evans / DADK (Magnetic Head Drum Key)

A drum key is one of the most essential tools every drummer owns. But have you ever noticed a loose tension rod during rehearsal, reached for your drum key, and then accidentally dropped it into a dark corner of the stage?

The Evans DADK helps solve that problem. A magnet is built into the tip of the key, allowing it to securely attach to tension rods. This makes it easier to apply force while tuning and significantly reduces the chance of the key slipping from your hand. Its ergonomic design also fits comfortably in your fingers, making quick tuning adjustments easy. Simply keeping one in your stick bag can provide valuable peace of mind!

• Features: Built-in magnet, ergonomic design
• Advantage: Greatly reduces the risk of dropping the key in dark stage environments or cramped spaces

For drummers, these may seem like simple convenience items. However, they are also valuable problem-solving tools for the PA engineers working on the other side of the stage. With the exception of the drum mat, all of these accessories are compact enough to fit easily into a stick bag or equipment case pocket. Before your next rehearsal or live performance, be sure to check them out at Sound House.