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 The Slay the Bay event will be held over four weekends leading to a finale!
The Grand Prize winner will not only get to play the Ink the Bay Tattoo Convention, but also get a Grand Prize from each respective sponsor! There will also be prizes for runner up bands along with FREE swag bags with loot from each sponsor for every band that competes. Click the link above to enter and learn more! Sponsors: Convicted Printing, Santoku Media, Dead Wing Recordings
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 RING IN THE SEASON WITH SOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM VRATIM! Every order throughout December will get a FREE GIFT (or two) from us! - No discount code code necessary - Shipping Deadlines Below is a list of dates your order needs to be placed by to ensure arrival before Christmas.
US Shipping Deadlines: Flat Rate - Dec 15 USPS Priority Mail - Dec 19 UPS Next Day Air - Dec 23 International Shipping Deadlines: First Class International & Global Post - Dec 07  by Eventide Design Co. We've got a Cyber Monday Discount for YOU!
**Today only: 15% OFF ANYTHING!** Automatically applies, no discount code required  photo by Javier Morales We wanted to take this time to thank everyone for the love and support over the past year as we've pushed through the tremors still felt from 2020.
We also know we're not alone and that it hasn't been the easiest year for everyone. But let's look at some positives: We're really happy to see shows and tours coming back! It's great to see artists getting back on the road along with the music industry as a whole pushing forward! Here's hoping everyone has a great holidays this year and that 2022 is even better! -The Vratim Team  BLACK FRIDAY DEALS ARE HERE!
NO DISCOUNT CODES + STACKABLE DEALS This year we're giving away a bunch of stuff! That means you can get something for yourself AND a gift for someone else all in one. Everything stacks too, so the more you spend the more you get!
 Photo by Steven Wang Having the right gear is essential for musicians. Not only will it enhance the quality of your performance, but it can also keep you in the best shape possible to play music, especially for extended periods. Drummers are especially prone to playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (www.researchgate.net), particularly in their wrist joints and lower back. This can significantly affect their performance and cause even greater injuries over time if not addressed. Having the right gear can reduce the chances of developing these ailments as most equipment is now designed with ergonomics in mind. It improves performance ergonomics Choosing drum thrones or stools will depend on your height and weight and your preferred adjustability (www.latimes.com). However, it is really important to consider the ergonomics of the seat and how it will affect your lower back, which bears the brunt of your weight while you perform. A seat that’s too low can exacerbate this particular problem, while a seat that is too high can affect balance and put additional strain on your body as you play. Another factor to think about is that you shouldn’t be under any restrictions while playing. A seat that cuts into the sides of your thighs can restrict blood flow and cause discomfort during performances. While there is no one recommended throne height that fits all, it is worth taking the time to figure out which is most comfortable for your personal needs. It improves sound quality These days, most of the equipment you’re likely to be practicing with, will be the same you use to perform live and record with. While not all drummers are adept at signing vocals, those who are will need a decent microphone to prevent straining their voice. The best microphone for vocals will have a frequency response optimized for the human vocal range, which typically falls between 85 Hz to 255 Hz (www.shout4music.com). High-quality microphones like the Neumann U87 AI also provide consistent performance across the entire dynamic range with a vibrant character and balanced response. It also comes with three different polar patterns for the perfect tone. This may not be essential in all drummers’ kits, but it is an especially important one to have for those who do a fair bit of singing. Focus on ergonomics when setting out your kit Ergonomics also needs to be considered when looking at foot placement. To maximize your speed and stamina while minimizing potential injury to your knees, calves, and ankles, the bass drum’s angle needs to conform to the natural angle of your foot. If you’re facing forward, then the pedal should be angled just slightly to the outside of your body. The right accessories on your kit can also prevent injury in this case. Kick grips allow your foot to stay secure on the pedal while you perform. The Vratim Kick Grip, in particular, is a stellar choice as it's less damaging to socks and shoes, and barefoot players find it comfortable (www.vratim.com). Thanks to high-quality kick grips, not only will they reduce the chances of injury but they will also improve the stability and quality of your playing. It makes playing easier Good gear that’s configured the correct way will make playing much easier. Cymbals are a good example of this. It’s difficult enough to sustain a long or fast pattern, so you shouldn’t need to exert unnecessary effort that can lead to additional strain. Getting your cymbals as close as you can to your arms while maintaining a 90-degree elbow bend is ideal. The closer you get to this position, the better your endurance will be. This in turn will help you maintain a solid rhythm even throughout longer performances or practice sessions. When choosing your cymbals, make sure that you can get them into this position to maximize comfort and make playing easier. JBurress Feature specially submitted to vratim.com  This collaboration was done with endorsed artist, Mike Wrench, and his company Upbeat Outreach. Upbeat Outreach works with individuals suffering from disabilities by using drumming and other forms of percussion to raise awareness, encourage acceptance, promote positivity, and offer healing/dealing techniques. Struggling with ADD/ADHD and OCD disorders throughout his life, Mike chose to help others. Mike has worked in several schools, learning centers, and community centers using drumming as a therapeutic means to overcome obstacles of physical, emotional, and mental handicaps. We hope this collaboration helps bring awareness as well as aid Mike further with his endeavors with Upbeat Outreach Every collab sale will have a portion given to Upbeat Outreach!   Kick Grips are back in stock!
There's also a clear version available now, but we didn't stop there! We made some minor improvements too such as: decreased the thickness, adjusted the texture for more comfort, and are working on some eco-friendly packaging.
We had some new lanyards made! Since it's been awhile since we've had them in stock, we figured we would give some away with each order. Spend as much or as little as you want and you'll score our new super soft Vratim Lanyard!
 Everyone is aware, 2020 was not the easiest year...
It tested us for sure, but we were blessed with some awesome support from everyone and we cannot thank you all enough! As things begin to return to normal, some of the effects from last year's, and this year's, ongoing restrictions are being felt by us. Last year, overseas manufacturing was virtually brought to a halt. As factories began to implement social distancing and other safety precautions, limited staff and shipping/supply chain disruptions meant factories could only operate at limited capacities. These limitations are still in place with many factories only able to operate at 30% production capacity. What does this mean for us? As a smaller company it means we lose out to the bigger companies that bring in more money. For manufacturing, it's a much safer option to go with a higher dollar, bigger contract as it's more profitable plus it brings more stability to the factory. With factories only operating at around 30% capacity, it means their resources are solely dedicated to the bigger contracts. Not to be discouraged, we've been working to find a suitable factory to work with. Each day as things return to being more normal, the chances of finding a factory to work with increases! Until then, know we are trying our hardest and doing our best to be ready! We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding. On a brighter note: We are happy to say domestic and international shipping is basically back to normal! Some transit times are still longer than normal, but for the most part we've been successfully shipping on time everywhere. It's also worth noting the production of all our other items from Kick Grips to t-shirts to everything else in our store has remained the same with no supply chain issues! We will continue to keep everyone informed about our Manufacturing and Supply Chain status as things progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us! -The Vratim Team |
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