The Ultimate Percussion Setup!

Some tips on creating an efficient low-volume percussion setup that has full drum kit capabilities. Next time someone tells you they don't need drums because they're "too loud," show them this setup! Shape your sound and double your gigs!
Full setup listed below!
*Video recorded during my COVID-19 quarantine. More to come!
-Pat Gerasia
www.patgerasiadrums.com
instagram - @patgerasia_drums
SETUP
LP Cajon
LP Detachable Castanets
LP Mini Timbales Twist Shaker (Loud)
16" Grestch Catalina Club Maple Floor Tom
14" DW Titanium Snare (Muffled)
Vic Firth VicKick Soft Bass Drum Beater
18" Zildjian LV80 Crash Ride
13" Zildjian LV80 Hi Hats
Snare Weight
Sticks
Vic Firth SD4 Combo
Vic Firth Split Brush
Vic Firth T1 Timpani Mallets
Vic Firth Rute 606 Bundle Sticks

[@vesuvius2444]

Love the setup I've recently started exploring the cajon and different setups. A few jazz players were really impressed with what hot rods and a cajon can do. Still figuring out the different setups but it opens up the types of sounds and vibes I can do. The low volume is a big plus because I find myself playing with acoustic guitars a lot.

[@gcorriveau6864]

Thanks for the ideas ... I'm too oooold to sit hunched over on a cajon - but I still use one as a kick drum in the usual spot in front of me while I park myself on a nice, comfy throne. Those timbales look like a great idea - many possibilities!

[@rofferdal]

Fantastic inspiration. The compact foundation of the cajon with a normal bass drum pedal is a game changer.

[@Ds_Drums]

That is really creative. I like your setup and what you have put together. Great vid. Thanks for posting.

[@jonesvox1]

Great to hear a drummer find ways to adapt to lower volume settings! As a singer myself, it has been my life’s effort to find ways to lower drum kit volume and locating drummers who actually care! I have built many tiny drum kits and will likely continue to explore ways to provide interesting, low volume percussion alternatives. Most of my designs are hybrid, incorporating mostly samples and using a Kong Wavedrum as the snare, allowing for quiet snare work and audible brush work. I have been leaning towards the specialized cajon kit from Finland called Loota. Check out some vids if you’re not familiar with the kit. Anyway, great video and your approach is fantastic! I’ll be sharing with my drummer so he might absorb some of your enthusiasm and inventiveness! Cheers!

[@PatGerasia]

great stuff. singers seem to enjoy the low volume approach the most. only makes the band sound better in the right situation. thanks for your comment!

[@byerlys93]

Great setup! I’ve been doing gigs with a similar cajon-based kit, incorporating a foot-tambourine and other toys (shakers, cymbal, cowbell, woodblock) as needed. You can add a lot of groove to small gigs with a simple setup.

[@craigl.393]

Very innovative and creative, Pat! I never thought to turn the kick pedal backwards! Thank you for the ideas!

[@PatGerasia]

thanks man!

[@robertryder1097]

Really creative and versatile - nice musicianship and beginner’s mind. ☮️🙏🎶

[@LeeVenters]

Pat also I saw recently a guy put a piece of thin plywood under the cajon to attach the pedal … with a players weight on the cajon the pedal stays solid give it a try…

[@christianharold3]

I’ve been thinking of doing something very similar, including the low volume cymbals. This is great inspiration! Thanks for demo’ing your setup!

[@shawnlennon1947]

ive been calling that thing a Can-June for years now, idk why. this is an awesome set up sir. thanks!

[@PonticelliA]

Nice video. Good to someone else using this set up! I’ve been doing this on and off for years with my guitar and other instruments added. Bravo and thanks.

[@PatGerasia]

Thanks Alfonso. This was just a quick video I threw together when COVID first hit. Happy to hear so many people have enjoyed it. Cheers

[@jorhay1]

Great work! You sound good!

[@DeadtreeFilms1]

Add a chain/sizzler to the crash/ride and it gives a longer decay to the cymbal.

[@PatGerasia]

good call!

[@twincrows3362]

@@PatGerasia You can add rivets to the l80 cymbals.

[@Non-TypicalDrummer]

Bet I've watched this 10 times! Probably use some of your ideas in my setup. I don't own a cajon, I bought a jungle gig kit and use my floor tom for the kick. Basically the Harry Miree kit from his cajon video. It has made me think differently about how and what I play, lots of fun!

[@PatGerasia]

love it! floor tom jungle vibe sounds sick.

[@Dampa33]

Lovely setup Pat! And great playing too!

[@thahoustonbassrunnaz4389]

Great video

[@davefieldhouse5119]

Like the content bro got my subscription 🤙

[@donniebobb74]

nice man! Inspired!

[@djstackhouse]

Nicely done!

[@seancambern1235]

WoW! Thanks for sharing.

[@josephkim1]

Honestly, the individual instruments themselves dont sound all that phenomenal especially recorded through a single mic. But your awesome playing really brings them to life and is super inspiring. Cheers for the tips!

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Pat the master of the low settings

[@PatGerasia]

way better at playing loud. had to really work on the soft touch haha

[@aministradoror]

​@@PatGerasiaaa

[@KnarlyDrums]

Great video!

[@realastrology3976]

Exceptional

[@ronspagnola607]

Pat , around 2021 I became interested in your exact setup I can not agree with you more how your kit setup brings down the sound….but never thought about turning a bass pedal around and playing it with the heal of your foot…. I turn to the DW cable cajon pedal Thank you for spending the time with us acoustic drummer. Yes I would like to view more from you.

[@steadytime]

Incredible. Very inspiring

[@PatGerasia]

thank you. the beauty of percussion is that anything can be an instrument

[@ianmclean5541]

Thanks! Very helpful video.

[@meta9302]

Very cool. I’m building my own cajon kit. Started with that same lp snare box.

[@channelite]

This video gave me some great ideas for a low volume setup. Thanks!

[@PatGerasia]

thats the idea! thanks john. happy to hear it.

[@alexr.5888]

These are great ideas- spot-on.

[@PatGerasia]

much appreciation!

[@joelalleyne]

Hey! Very cool setup. I'm trying to figure out a portable percussion setup. This is a great idea.

[@TrevorHelt]

good stuff man!

[@metropolitandream]

dig it!

[@DavidIancu]

Haha, looks very similar with my setup. I have cajon with pedal, hi hat, crash/ ride, side snare drum and pearl tombourin mounted on the hi-hat, as well as a cowbell, a jam block and a normal tambourine, and also a djembe instead of a floor tom :D I was also thinking about buying a picolo tom to have two toms, but I can always add my bongos to the set if I want to :)

[@PatGerasia]

love it!

[@ProvidentMediaLLC]

Thanks for sharing this setup, for talking through it, and for some tight grooves. Keep um coming! The. reverse kick pedal is a really good idea. Does the other drummer, Jim Rock {sp?} have any videos? I'd be interested in his set up as well.

[@PatGerasia]

His name is Jim Brock. I believe he has some content on youtube. Thanks for listening Keith!

[@johotrod66]

Excellent ideas, really inspirational and realistic grooves, keep it coming.

[@grahamedwards1476]

Awesome stuff. I'm a guitarist, but have already send this to my drummers :) Much appreciated.

[@rcspaintservice]

Do you still tilt the cajon when playing?

[@rizkifaskia6108]

Vintage audio 😍

[@PatGerasia]

the best

[@mazukakai]

First time seeing you, and enjoy your approach. You ever use chopsticks and glass and brass bowls?

[@PatGerasia]

haven't tried incorporating that (yet)

[@LeeVenters]

Where are from? I know Jim Brock for many years.. BTW great lil set up. I recently put an acoustic rig together used backwards heel cajon 8” mini Sn LP Meinl Bongos lp claves and an effects cymbal. I also play salsa gigs use congas , timbalitos Bongos bells clave’ 16” bd 5.5 Sn and a splash Trying fiqure it out…

[@N0Camping4U]

what mount do you have for your LP timbales? Killer sound and groove, man!

[@PatGerasia]

it came with a mount, i just mounted it on the bottom half of a cymbal stand.

[@jamesparker1063]

@@PatGerasia had a full Pearl kit "back in the day"....had to sell :-(....now @ 59, I am "rebuilding"...mostly a percussion set....got 2 timbales (MP 13"/14"), and a cool set of LP Timbalitos (10"/11"), and an old Tama "mini tim" set, in transit (8"/10")....after watching you, I think I have to have those LP minis!! (I also have a tambourine, with a nice low tone, and a cardboard box, that does a great "kick" impersonation! Plus a set of bongos, and a double-side hand drum,,,,got a cajon too, have to work with it....oh, and a killer cymbal: a Sabian 18" sonix crash, I bought, w/cracked edge....I cut out about 3" all around; mount upside down, flip the rim, and it sounds like a perfect crash/chinese combo!

[@PatGerasia]

@@jamesparker1063 sounds like a great setup to me! highly recommend the micro timbales. not very expensive either which is an added bonus

[@gigelvacaru2129]

Hello, you have chosen a minut setup and it sounds very good! Can you please tell me how low-volume they are from fuss? Thank you

[@PatGerasia]

from fuss?

[@beatmydrum]

Hey great vid! Just curious: Did you add those snare throw-offs to the LP mini- timbales? They don’t come with those, do they? And what did you say is that snare weight you place on the low tom? Very cool indeed and thanks for sharing, thanks! 🙏🏽🥁

[@PatGerasia]

The snare throw offs came with the micro timbales. They are still selling these are far as I'm aware. Snareweights are great too and worth checking out.

[@beatmydrum]

@@PatGerasia Hmmmm... I have a set of the mini-timbales but they've been sitting in their original box for years (I was using a different set so didn't actually need these right away), so I'll check - thanks for letting me know! As for the snare weight, do various different companies make these? Which brand are you using (just out of curiosity)? Thanks so much!

[@PatGerasia]

@@beatmydrum I believe they added the micro snares in 2018/2019. Snareweight is actually the name of the brand itself. I'm using one of their original designs which they've improved a lot since then. they're fairly easy to find nowadays!

[@beatmydrum]

@@PatGerasia​​⁠thanks for clarifying. Now that makes sense because I got mine out of the basement closet and definitely no micro-snares in there (mine are from mid-2000’s)! But I’ll check LP’s website as now I’m curious how much it might cost to buy them separately and add them on. And thanks also for the info re: Snareweight! 🙏🏽😊

[@deanandthebeans857]

Great! - very musical setup. What brand are the timbales?

[@PatGerasia]

LP! (Latin Percussion)

[@hermanjuel1843]

Tell me about the timbales, please, mikro timbales with snares? Can you actually buy those or are they custumised?

[@PatGerasia]

LP produces there. I believe I ordered my set on sweetwater.com

[@byerlys93]

LP used to sell a package that had the 2 micro-timbales and a cowbell, but they didn’t have the snare attachments. I bought mine in 2008. I think when they dropped the cowbell from the package, they added the snare feature. If you buy used, make sure you know which version they’re selling.

[@LeeVenters]

Where are you from?

[@hdrjunkie]

This little set up is pretty cool but, what about electronic drums? I know that there’s a big expense but, couldn’t you use a set of electronic drums and just control the volume through the amp?

[@PatGerasia]

sure. that would certainly work. but this is a more interesting, and organic sounding setup. i think if I added an electronic element or two to this setup (spd-sx etc), it would put the cherry on top. not to mention this is way easier to lug into a venue than an electronic drum kit.

[@melvinpranaware]

What hihats are those?

[@PatGerasia]

zildjian L80's (their low volume line)

[@yasararfathkamali713]

4:15

[@SamuelGarcia-jt4rg]

Super cool...im pretty sure you can afford a cajon pedal...

[@anthonyn1312]

Is that your acoustic setup?

[@PatGerasia]

more or less, yes. i generally use a least a few components from this setup based on the gig

[@smackpac]

You need to check out Smackpac on KZbin

[@kavanpyle1352]

Dude! I dont want to play cajon Dude!!!

[@PatGerasia]

at least in this situation you'll be kicking it! i hear you tho. it's not really exciting playing a wood box

[@tharrock337]

Happy to find another "Dude-I-Don't-Want-To-Play-Cajon-Dude-Percussion-Rig."

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Cool set up. But you’re mispronouncing the word cajón. It’s not called a ca’hone.

[@rubenkeller5543]

It's the original pronunciacion. It's a spanisch Word. Or brazilian or something

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

@rubenkeller5543 Do you speak Spanish or Portuguese? Check out some of the tutorials in Spanish and listen closely to how the word is pronounced.

[@eddgutierrez5811]

Im a metal drummer what kind if coffee house has metal

[@PatGerasia]

deathwish coffee. 2x the caffeine haha. pretty metal if you ask me

[@cmtcfu]

whitest "hip hop groove" i've ever heard

[@PatGerasia]

you're welcome