dB, I agree totally. What you say rings true with what sound engineers, and drummers around the world have been saying ever since single headed [url=http://www.drumandbass.org]drums[/url] went out and close-micing came in.
Whythe,,#, running a drumset through a PA requires "accomodations". BOOM BOOM on an acoustic BD equates to BOOOOOOM BOOOOOOOM through the PA. And you are competing for boom boom space with the bass and guitars as well...
It is a fact of life though, recording, live (through a PA), and acoustic usually require different setups to get the best sound.
Maybe the soundguy was an idiot afterall though...