DIY Drumlite Alternative

[The TJ]

Hey guys,

I've been interested in the Drumlite system offered online, but not interested in the price point behind it. I've been seeking an alternative DIY solution, and was wondering if anyone could confirm my line of thinking to illuminate my bass drum.

I was thinking a portable USB powered battery pack, and a couple USB powered LED lights will provide some glow to my kick (White PS3 front head), but has anyone had success with this combination before. I figure a few velcro straps should work for mounting it as well.

Will this work as a DIY alternative, or am I missing something in terms of how the portable battery packs distribute power?

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Get a $5 battery powered led gooseneck clip light if all you wanna do is glow the head.

[markthedrum]

I customised my kit myself, same LED strips that Drumlite use. Real easy to do yourself and pretty cheap.

[drumlite]

I suppose we're appropriately qualified to comment on this topic

There are definitely DIY alternatives to the drumlite LED system. Amazon and ebay have been selling generic LED strips for years now. I would imagine this is what Mark did himself. It's important to note that these are not the same as drumlite LED strips.

Truth be told, the first prototype drumlite kit (back in 2011) was made using these ebay LED strips. After 2 months of gigging the LED strips were laying in a pile on our bass drum pillow. As crazy as it sounds, the adhesive is the key. No one else uses the specific 3M foam backed double sided tape that we do because no one else manufactures LED strips specifically for drum shells. This layer of foam actually shock mounts the LED strip and isolates it from vibrations. Again, sounds crazy but it just works.

Some other differences...
- All DrumLite kits will be fit specific to your drums size. Not cutting or soldering on your end.
- All of our cables will fit through the airvent of your drum for a nice clean connection Anything you see on ebay will come with cables that are too big to fit inside of a drum. You'll be stuck with drilling holes in your drums or having a cable go through the port hole of the head
- All cables come standard with tour ready XLR connectors. These are the same connections that are used on mic cables so they're built for abuse.
- DrumLite kits will not alter the sound of your drums (studio approved)
- Our LED strips will not leave residue on the shells (if removed).
- Available DMX controllers (let your light guy control the DrumLites or pre-program them using a computer)
- Available triggered controllers (yep, they'll light up when you hit em)

We encourage anyone who has the skills to drill holes in their shells and solder electrical connections to do this on their own.

We just want to make sure the correct information is out there and explain the pros/cons to the DIY approach.

[JonnyOz]

I suppose we're appropriately qualified to comment on this topic

There are definitely DIY alternatives to the drumlite LED system. Amazon and ebay have been selling generic LED strips for years now. I would imagine this is what Mark did himself. It's important to note that these are not the same as drumlite LED strips.

Truth be told, the first prototype drumlite kit (back in 2011) was made using these ebay LED strips. After 2 months of gigging the LED strips were laying in a pile on our bass drum pillow. As crazy as it sounds, the adhesive is the key. No one else uses the specific 3M foam backed double sided tape that we do because no one else manufactures LED strips specifically for drum shells. This layer of foam actually shock mounts the LED strip and isolates it from vibrations. Again, sounds crazy but it just works.

Some other differences...
- All DrumLite kits will be fit specific to your drums size. Not cutting or soldering on your end.
- All of our cables will fit through the airvent of your drum for a nice clean connection Anything you see on ebay will come with cables that are too big to fit inside of a drum. You'll be stuck with drilling holes in your drums or having a cable go through the port hole of the head
- All cables come standard with tour ready XLR connectors. These are the same connections that are used on mic cables so they're built for abuse.
- DrumLite kits will not alter the sound of your drums (studio approved)
- Our LED strips will not leave residue on the shells (if removed).
- Available DMX controllers (let your light guy control the DrumLites or pre-program them using a computer)
- Available triggered controllers (yep, they'll light up when you hit em)

We encourage anyone who has the skills to drill holes in their shells and solder electrical connections to do this on their own.

We just want to make sure the correct information is out there and explain the pros/cons to the DIY approach.

Ha! A likely sales pitch, I don't buy it! How about a free sample for a 22" bass drum (w/ triggered controller) to test it myself!?

[DeanHartley]

I just use $30 leds from Amazon. They work fine.

[nik12]

No one else uses the specific 3M foam backed double sided tape that we do because no one else manufactures LED strips specifically for drum shells. This layer of foam actually shock mounts the LED strip and isolates it from vibrations. Again, sounds crazy but it just works.

So what you're saying is, if I buy a roll of the 3M DS foam tape and a generic strip of LEDs, I suddenly have your product?

[TheTrooper37]

I actually bought a strip from Amazon to do this on my acrylic kit but have yet to complete it. I got really confused when it came to connecting the drums together to the same power source (I want to light up my whole kit). If you're doing just the bass drum, it would be extremely easy. The connection is already made, you just have to cut at the appropriate length. The adhesive DOES make a difference as some of the generic LED strips have a weak one, but as mentioned above, you can just buy a stronger one at a hardware store.

[drumlite]

Ha! A likely sales pitch, I don't buy it! How about a free sample for a 22" bass drum (w/ triggered controller) to test it myself!?

No sales pitch intended. Again, we just want to make sure the correct information is out there and explain the pros/cons to the DIY approach.

We encourage anyone who has the skills to drill holes in their shells and solder electrical connections to do this on their own (or use the bass drum port hole).

[JonnyOz]

No sales pitch intended. Again, we just want to make sure the correct information is out there and explain the pros/cons to the DIY approach.

We encourage anyone who has the skills to drill holes in their shells and solder electrical connections to do this on their own (or use the bass drum port hole).

Just messing around, I appreciate you wanting to better explain and clarify doubts about your product.
Thanks.