So, do you mean producers purposely turn down the drums with the expectation that people's systems can't handle it? What about the symbols, intricate high-hat work, or the poor drummer that's doing a quieter piece? I believe he loses impact because of the poor volume level. Guitar work can be extrordinarily amplified. Sidssp - If what you say is true about bass overwhelming the room, how come it doesn't always happen live, like in an acoustic arrangement as Drubin says? The wierd thing as well is that this seems to be an across the board problem, regardless of music style. It's the pervasiveness of this that seems strange. You would think SOMEBODY would push the envelope a little bit.
Drums reproduction
Considering audio's desire to reproduce live performance as accurately as possible, why do you think the drums are recorded so far back in the mix? I've attended many jazz and fusion performances and many drummers are at the sonic forefront of their bands. Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, et all sonicly fill the room like nobody's business. Even less powerful drummers are on equal footing with their bandmates. Why does it not sound so on recordings? The drums are politely included for percussive colorations but in no way dominate like live. Example: Elvin Jones live powerfully fills every bit of the room to the point that it can border on exhaustion. But on recordings he can sound like a pipsqueak in comparison, just another polite member of the band. Please don't confuse the performance of the musician. It seems like it is the producers choice. Why?