Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Kinky Boots - Sammy Merendino

Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Sammy's write-up and gear list below photos.

Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

“This kit evolved over nine months during rehearsals and previews. I am responsible for running the click and backing sequences (percussion, arpeggiators, effects, etc).

The bulk of the show is played on my Sonor Kit, but I need to be able to switch quickly between acoustic and electronic. The electronic kick pedals are located to the right of my acoustic kick. I can turn slightly to my left to play the Roland V-Drums while still in position to play acoustic drums. There are various pedals on the ground to allow me to trigger sounds and/or click tracks with my heels. Other loops (located within Ableton Live) are triggered via a Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad.

My drum booth is on the 5th floor of the theater (100 steps) and the rest of the band is in the pit. I have a conductor and stage monitor to take cues from and the conductor has a ‘Sam Cam’ so he can see me.”

Drums: Sonor ProLite

  • 22"x17" Bass Drum (Evans EQ3 Batter, Front head removed)
  • 12"x8" Rack Tom (Evans Onyx top, Clear G1 bottom)
  • 15"x15" Floor Tom (Evans Onyx top, Clear G1 bottom)
  • 18"x16" Floor Tom (Evans Onyx top, Clear G1 bottom)

Snare:

  • Sonor 14"x6" Artist Bronze Series Snare (Evans EC1 Reverse Dot top, Hazy 300 bottom)

Hardware:

  • Sonor Giant Step Double Pedal
  • Porter & Davies BC Gigster Throne and Engine
  • Auralex HoverMat
  • Kelly SHU Kick-Miking System
  • Snare Weight and Drum Wallet Mufflers
  • DrumDial Drum Tuner
  • GK Isolation Headphones
  • Kitchen Sink

Cymbals: Paiste

  • 15" 602 Medium Hats
  • 19" Signature Full Crash
  • 20" Signature Full Crash
  • 22" Dark Energy Ride Mark II with 2 Brass Rivets
  • 20" Rude Novo China

Electronics:

  • Roland TD-30 V-Drums
  • Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad
  • Apple Mac Mini and two RME Fireface interfaces and Ableton Live software
  • Radial SW8 Backing-Track Auto-Switcher
  • Roland KT10 Kick Pedal
  • Custom M.A.R.C. Footswitch Triggers (courtesy of Vincent Gutman)
  • Miktek and Neumann Mics
  • Drum Tech Pole Pad Pro

Percussion:

  • Grover Spectrasound Mark Tree
  • RhythmTech Tambourine

Sticks:

  • Vic Firth 3A drumsticks
  • Various Mallets

Sammy is a proud endorser of Sonor Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Porter and Davies, Miktek Audio, Roland US, Auralex, Kelly SHU Kick-Miking System, Snareweight, Drum Wallet, DrumDial Drum Tuner, Drum-Tec, and Prologix Practice Pads.

Kinky Boots - Broadway - Sammy Merendino
April 2013 thru April 2019

Sammy Merendino's setup for the Broadway production of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

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