You should be fine if the drummer is a good listener, and it will add a lot to the mix.
Tony - I had 4 dates at the New Jersey Shore over the 4th holiday, and not a drop of hooch while I'm workin!
Thanx for the well wishes - I'd love to visit your place sometime .. I'm dying to travel somewhere where I can still communicate without an interpreter.
(Like Kentucky USA - good thing I have my good pal Russ when I'm out there!)

Or, at least only play with others who don't keep strict time either!
I have always said that EVERY drummer should own, and practice with a drum machine or click track. Why should everyone have to follow the drummer anyway? It's no more or less important than any other instrument in the band, right? Everone needs to be proficient on their instrument, and that includes KEEPING TIME. I've been spoiled all these years with machines - I can count off BPMs pretty close.

Dave is right. Drummers...ALL drummers need to be able to play with a click track...even when an arranger isn't used.

Having a drummer switch to all percussion instruments when an arranger is used, and change his attitude to one who SWEETENS usually results in more fun, variety and an all-round better product.

Takes some getting used to (for the drummer), but most I've used really learn to like it!


Russ

(PS-Dave, I'd really enjoy another visit...anytime!

Played a 'tribute' to a departed former band member last year ... his 15 year old grandson played drums, our sax player, and I used my technics arranger - sometimes with little accomp, sometimes with more, depending on the song ... had a good monitor for the drummer, with the kb bass volume up ... this kid NEVER missed a beat ...

Russ - I need another vacation ... just can't get the time off! Come up here sometime! At least we'll have good coffee and jam sessions!

There you go again, knocking the "horse piss" coffee!' You can only get it in Kentucky, you know. And I had is brewed especially for you!

R.

Horse piss???? Where was THAT? I would have probably enjoyed THAT brew! (compared to the river sludge that you call coffee out there!)
I love ya, man!

DITTO!


R.

Bernie9,

Here is my take on this (as this is how we play most of the time).

1. Do not mike the KICK/BASS Drum of the Drummer. As great as a drummer may be, it is very VERY hard to accurately match both the kick from the Arranger and that from the drummer. He can play it to help him keep 'time', but your audience should hear just the Arranger kick. This way, any dubble 'Thumps' are eliminated from the PA.

2. Avoid using the FILL-INS from the ARRANGER. Have the DRUMMER do these 'LIVE'. They add a lot more to your performance and also reduce the 'redundancy' a regular ARRANGER might create after a while.

3. Having a good monitor with just the ARRANGER DRUMS and a little of the DRUMMER's Drums right next to the Drummer is a good idea - gives him/her a better feel for where they are in the mix - especially with timing.

4. If using the KETRON AUDYA, use MIDI DRUMS, rather than LIVE DRUMS (where and when applicable). This gives the DRUMER more 'space' to play rather than him fighting with ... yes, another DRUMMER! Also, when using MIDI DRUMS, you can instanly mute other 'redundant' parts!

Just my suggestions on how to handle this.

Thanks,

AJ

AJ
Thank you for responding.

In my case, nothing is mic'd to a PA send, but I overlooked the kick duplication. I will set up next to the drummer so he will hear me loud and clear.

As far as fill ins are concerned, I am doing my own manual lead in's and have reduced the styles to drums, bass, and rhythm guitar except for Latin. KISS.

Thanks