Derek Mixon's Drum Setup: Gear & Configuration

Hey, drum enthusiasts! Ever wondered about the secrets behind the incredible sound of Derek Mixon? Well, you're in the right place. We're going to break down his drum setup, exploring the specific gear he uses and how he configures it to achieve his signature sound. Whether you're a seasoned drummer or just starting out, understanding a pro's setup like Derek's can offer valuable insights and inspiration.

Decoding Derek Mixon's Drum Kit

Let's start by dissecting the core components of Derek Mixon's drum kit. Identifying the brands, sizes, and types of drums he uses is crucial to understanding his overall sound. His choice of each element plays a significant role in his musical expression.

• The Drum Shells: Derek is known to use a variety of drum brands, but he has a fondness for DW Drums. DW Drums are highly sought after for their quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and sonic versatility. The specific shell material (maple, birch, etc.) can dramatically alter the drum's tone. Maple shells provide a warm, resonant sound, while birch shells offer a brighter, more focused tone. Depending on the musical context, Derek might opt for one over the other. The sizes of the drums also matter significantly. A standard rock setup may include a 22" bass drum, 12" and 16" toms. A jazz setup might involve an 18" bass drum, 12" rack tom, and 14" floor tom. These size variations impact the pitch, sustain, and overall feel of the kit. Having a versatile collection of drum shell sizes and materials enables Derek to adapt to a wide array of musical genres and performance environments. Ensuring proper tuning and maintenance of the drum shells is also a vital aspect of maximizing their sonic potential and ensuring consistent performance.
• Snare Drum Magic: The snare drum is the centerpiece of any drum kit, and Derek's choice here is particularly telling. His snare drum is known for its crispness, sensitivity, and ability to cut through the mix. A snare drum's construction consists of several key components, including the shell, hoops, snare wires, throw-off, and batter head. The shell material (e.g., metal, wood) significantly influences the drum's overall tone and sustain. Metal shells generally offer a brighter, more penetrating sound, while wood shells provide a warmer, more resonant tone. Different hoop types (e.g., flanged, die-cast) can alter the drum's rimshot and cross-stick characteristics. The snare wires (also known as snares) are responsible for the drum's characteristic buzzing sound. The throw-off mechanism allows the player to quickly engage or disengage the snare wires. The batter head is the drumhead that the player strikes, and its material and thickness affect the drum's response and durability. Snare drum sizes typically range from 13" to 15" in diameter and 5" to 8" in depth.
• Cymbals: Let's not forget about the cymbals! Hi-hats, crashes, rides – each one contributes to the overall sonic landscape. The choice of cymbals in a drum kit plays a significant role in shaping the overall sound and style of the drum set. Cymbals come in various sizes, thicknesses, and materials, each with unique tonal characteristics. Hi-hat cymbals, typically ranging from 13" to 15" in diameter, provide rhythmic and textural elements, offering crisp, defined sounds when played with sticks or the foot pedal. Crash cymbals, available in a wide range of sizes (16" to 20" or larger), deliver explosive accents and colorful bursts of sound, adding emphasis to musical phrases. Ride cymbals, usually ranging from 20" to 24" in diameter, offer sustained, shimmering tones that create a foundation for rhythmic patterns and melodic expression. Beyond these standard cymbals, drummers often incorporate effect cymbals such as splashes, chinas, and bells to add unique timbral colors and textures to their playing.

Drumheads and Tuning: Crafting the Sound

The drumheads you choose and how you tune them are pivotal in shaping your kit's sound. This is especially true for a drummer of Derek's caliber. The drumheads are responsible for producing the initial sound when struck, while the tuning determines the pitch, resonance, and sustain of the drum. Selecting the right drumheads for a particular musical style is essential for achieving the desired tone. Drumheads come in a variety of materials, including coated, clear, and pre-dampened options, each offering unique sonic characteristics. Coated drumheads provide a warmer, more controlled tone, while clear drumheads offer a brighter, more resonant sound. Pre-dampened drumheads feature built-in dampening rings or dots to reduce unwanted overtones and sustain. Tuning the drumheads involves adjusting the tension of the head using the tuning lugs around the drum's circumference. Properly tuning the drumheads ensures that they vibrate freely and produce a clear, consistent tone. The batter head, which is the head that the player strikes, is typically tuned slightly lower than the resonant head, which is the head on the bottom of the drum. This creates a balanced, full-bodied sound with plenty of sustain. Fine-tuning the drumheads to the desired pitch involves using a drum key to make small adjustments to the tension of each lug. This process requires patience and a good ear, as even slight changes in tension can significantly affect the drum's sound. The goal is to achieve a consistent pitch around the drum's circumference, which ensures that the drum resonates evenly and produces a clear, focused tone.

Hardware and Pedals: The Unsung Heroes

Don't overlook the importance of hardware and pedals. These components are crucial for playability and overall performance. The hardware components of a drum set play a crucial role in supporting and positioning the various drums and cymbals, while the pedals enable the drummer to control the bass drum and hi-hat cymbals with their feet. A typical drum set includes several essential hardware components, such as cymbal stands, a snare drum stand, tom mounts, and a drum throne. Cymbal stands are used to hold the cymbals in place, allowing the drummer to strike them with sticks or mallets. Snare drum stands provide a stable platform for the snare drum, ensuring that it remains securely positioned during playing. Tom mounts are used to attach the tom-toms to the bass drum or cymbal stands, allowing the drummer to position them comfortably within reach. A drum throne, or drum stool, provides a comfortable seat for the drummer, enabling them to maintain proper posture and balance while playing. The pedals are used to control the bass drum and hi-hat cymbals, allowing the drummer to create rhythmic patterns and accents with their feet. The bass drum pedal is attached to the bass drum and is used to strike the drum with a beater, producing a deep, resonant sound. The hi-hat pedal is used to control the opening and closing of the hi-hat cymbals, allowing the drummer to create a variety of rhythmic textures and patterns. High-quality hardware and pedals are essential for ensuring stability, durability, and smooth operation.

The Mixon Touch: Personal Preferences and Setup Nuances

What truly sets Derek Mixon's setup apart are the personal touches and nuances he incorporates. He might have a unique way of positioning his toms, or a specific type of beater he prefers for his kick drum. The personal preferences and setup nuances of a drummer significantly influence their playing style, sound, and overall comfort on the drum set. Every drummer has unique physical characteristics, musical influences, and performance preferences that shape the way they approach the instrument. Some drummers prefer to position their toms at a specific angle or height, while others may have a particular type of drumhead or cymbal that they favor. These individual choices contribute to the drummer's distinctive sound and playing style. In addition to personal preferences, setup nuances such as drum tuning, cymbal placement, and hardware adjustments can also impact the drummer's performance. Drum tuning involves adjusting the tension of the drumheads to achieve the desired pitch, resonance, and sustain. Cymbal placement refers to the positioning of the cymbals around the drum set, which affects their accessibility and sound projection. Hardware adjustments, such as the height and angle of the cymbal stands and tom mounts, can influence the drummer's reach and playing posture. By carefully considering these personal preferences and setup nuances, drummers can optimize their drum set to suit their individual needs and create a comfortable, ergonomic playing environment. This can lead to improved performance, reduced fatigue, and a more enjoyable drumming experience.

How to Incorporate Mixon's Style into Your Own Setup

Now, how can you take inspiration from Derek Mixon's setup and apply it to your own? Here are a few tips: Begin by identifying the specific elements of Derek's setup that resonate with your personal preferences and musical style. Consider the types of drums, cymbals, and hardware that he uses, and evaluate whether they align with your desired sound and playing style. If you admire his warm, resonant tom sound, you might consider exploring similar drum sizes and shell materials for your own kit. Likewise, if you appreciate his crisp, articulate snare drum tone, you could research snare drums with similar shell materials and hardware configurations. Once you have identified the key elements of Derek's setup that you want to emulate, start experimenting with your own gear to see how you can achieve a similar sound and feel. This might involve adjusting the tuning of your drums, experimenting with different drumheads, or repositioning your cymbals to optimize their placement and projection. Don't be afraid to try new things and think outside the box as you explore different setup options. Remember that the goal is not to replicate Derek's setup exactly, but rather to draw inspiration from his approach and adapt it to your own unique needs and preferences. Ultimately, the most important thing is to create a setup that feels comfortable, inspires creativity, and allows you to express yourself musically.

Conclusion: Finding Your Own Drumming Voice

Ultimately, understanding Derek Mixon's drum setup is about more than just copying his gear. It's about understanding the choices he makes and how they contribute to his unique drumming voice. You can achieve the sound of your dreams with time and experimentation. Analyze the setup of drummers that you admire. Try out different gear to see what is a good fit for you and your style. The most important thing is to have fun, and continue to explore new techniques. Remember that consistency is key, and you have to put in the time in order to become better.