This is crucial for drummers all over Australia, from the thriving music centres in Sydney and Melbourne to the next generation of artists emerging from regional townships, for whom a DRUM riser plays one of the most essential roles in all of this. If you’re doing a local pub gig in Brisbane or headlining at a major festival in Perth, you cannot deny that a drum riser makes everything sound and LOOK amazing!
What is a Drum Riser, and Do You Need One?
A drum riser is a platform which raises the drummer and their kit above the stage. This rudimentary piece of equipment plays a few critical roles:
Better Visibility: Raising the drummer allows audiences to see what is happening more clearly, enhancing the visual aspect of the performance.
Better Sound Projection: Raising the drum kit helps the sound project better over the heads of other band members into the audience.
Stage Visibility: By raising the drummer higher than the other musicians on stage, a riser can provide a more pleasing visual layout and prevent the drummer from being hidden behind other musicians and equipment.
Vibration Isolation: Elevating the drum kit on the raised platform can isolate it from vibrations from the stage, which may enhance sound quality.
WHY PORTABLE DRUM RISERS ARE A GAME CHANGER FOR AUSTRALIAN MUSICIANS
Portability is a necessity in a place as massive as Australia, where tour dates can lead you from the thriving cities of Adelaide to the outback venues of the Northern Territory. Portable drum risers have been growing in popularity amongst musicians in Australia for many reasons:
Easy Transport: These risers are typically lightweight and sometimes foldable, so they can be quickly moved in a van or ute if cross-country touring is involved.
Easy Setup: Portable risers are often designed for quick assembly and disassembly, allowing faster setup times during soundchecks and load-ins.
Flexibility: Such units are often height-adjustable and modular in design, allowing them to adapt to any venue or stage design.
Feature Rich: Most portable risers are customisable, so you can adjust the height and its utilities based on the event size, elevating the entire space.
Drum Risers For Hire In Australia
Hiring is a good option for peak users not yet ready to invest in their riser or those running a one-time event. Australia has a vibrant stage and equipment hire industry that serves the music sector. Here are a tips for hiring a drum riser in Australia:
Make Bookings in Advance: Make sure you book your riser well in advance, especially when you want it around peak festival seasons or popular weekend dates.
Inspect Specs: Verify that the riser’s size and weight limit are appropriate for your drum setup and performance requirements.
Think About Delivery: Many hire companies provide delivery and setup, which can be a boon for gigs in tricky-to-access locations.
Inspect Before Use: Always ensure the stability of your riser and check for any issues before you set up your kit.
Know the Terms: Know the hire duration, how/where to pick it up and return it, and any extra fees.
## Staff; Outdoor Events Drum Risers: The Australian Elements
Australia has long loved outdoor music events, whether they be summer festivals or beach-side gigs. Here are things to take into consideration when using drum risers outside:
Weather Resistance: Choose risers of weather-resistant materials and non-slip surfaces in case of unexpected rain or hot days.
Stability: In coastal areas prone to wind, the riser must be securely fitted.
Sun Protection while we avoid the sun while playing, many kits use untreated woods that you should protect from the harsh sun elements if possible with a canopy or, if your venue permits, an umbrella.
Personalising Your Drum Riser Experience
Every drummer and every performance is different, so your riser setup will likely look different. Think about those customisation possibilities:
Height: The drums can be set up at various heights for comfort while playing.
Material: Some risers feature replaceable surface materials, including carpet for more grip or hardwood for superior resonance.
Branding Opportunities: If you’re a band with a strong image, see if you can get the riser customised with the band’s logos or artwork.
Evolving the Approach to Drum Risers in Australia
But this wasn’t a question posed by just a few eccentrics, and the Australian music scene continued to change, as did the technology used to send out an exciting beat on drum risers. Look out for innovations such as:
Bright Risers: Platforms with built-in monitoring systems or electronic drum integration
Eco-Friendly Options: Choices crafted with sustainable materials, catering to Australia’s increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Multi-Functional Designs: Risers that serve as storage units or can be reconfigured for different instruments.
If you play the big stages of Gold Coast – or you are a budding drummer sitting behind a kit in your Hobart garage – a goodly hefty drum riser will be an essential part of your arsenal. So when you bring up your kit, you’re not just talking about your physical height – you’re bringing the whole music scene up for you and whoever is listening.
So the next time someone plans a gig or you’re considering stage hire, give at least a moment of thought to that little, humble drum riser. It could be the platform to bring out your drumming potential in Australia’s multi-purpose dynamic music scene.