In music videos how do drummers minimize their volumes for syncing purposes?

Question

just wondering when a band is playing along to a sync track for a non live video what are some things a drummer can do to minimize their volume so not to over power the sync track. im pretty sure the track is played through a PA system but still a hard hitting drummer could overpower the mix anybody know?

Answer 1

it's rare for a close up of a drum hitting the skins so more often than not the drummer will play muted with rubber pads on the drums themselves. sometimes it's a simple as a tea-towell or similar cloth.

close ups of a drummer will only last a moment or two and will usually be a single shot so the drummer will play 'live' and will follow the playback sans rubber padding.