Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A drum key includes a shank portion and defines a top hole for receiving an elongate rod, such as a drumstick. A distal end of the shank includes a socket engageable with a tension rod in a drum. A drumstick is insertable through the hole of the drum key to form a torquing wrench in situ. When formed, the drumstick forms a cross member that is used to apply a torquing force about the axis defined by the shank. Once used, the drumstick can be removed, yielding a low profile drum key that is portable.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: A snare system for use with a drum has a snare assembly with snares extended longitudinally between opposite end plates. The end plates define a slot from a top surface to a bottom surface with obliquely extending walls. Two connectors, each with a strap carrying a latch member, are attached to opposite sides of the drum via its strap with latch member within the drum rim. Each latch member includes a flange with oblique configuration complimentary to the oblique slot in the end plates. The snare assembly is attached via sliding engagement of the respective flanges into the respective slots with the surfaces of each in surface-to-surface contact so that the connectors maintain the snare assembly attached to the drum. The snare assembly is removable quickly by reverse sliding of the flanges from the slots to interchange with a different snare assembly having end plates with a common configuration.

Abstract: A snare system for use with a drum has a snare assembly with snares extended longitudinally between opposite end plates. The end plates define a slot from a top surface to a bottom surface with obliquely extending walls. Two connectors, each with a strap carrying a latch member, are attached to opposite sides of the drum via its strap with latch member within the drum rim. Each latch member includes a flange with oblique configuration complimentary to the oblique slot in the end plates. The snare assembly is attached via sliding engagement of the respective flanges into the respective slots with the surfaces of each in surface-to-surface contact so that the connectors maintain the snare assembly attached to the drum. The snare assembly is removable quickly by reverse sliding of the flanges from the slots to interchange with a different snare assembly having end plates with a common configuration.

Abstract: A switchboard apparatus and method are provided including a switchboard bus with conductors secured to the switchboard apparatus; a power quality meter operatively connected to the switchboard bus to obtain bus voltage and current. The apparatus also includes a capacitor operatively connected to and electrically in-parallel with the switchboard bus; the at least one capacitor further including a switch, the switch configured to open and close so as to connect and disconnect the capacitor operatively connected to the switchboard bus upon the occurrence of predetermined conditions; a controller controls the switch. The capacitor is connected to and disconnected from the switchboard bus as a function of the power factor.