Roland has released two all-new electronic drum kit lineups based around the new V31 and V51 sound modules. These next-generation modules are part of a unified ecosystem with the flagship V71 from the V-Drums 7 Series, providing full cross-compatibility across V-Drums modules for the first time. The new modules feature the same onboard sound library as the top-end drum brain and are paired with...
Alesis Drums has released the Nitro Ultimate, an upgrade to its entry-level Nitro series, introducing a stand-mounted hi-hat controller and a dedicated amplification system in the Nitro Amp Pro. The new 10” dual-zone hi-hat cymbal features a stand-mounted controller, allowing it to work with traditional hi-hat stands for more authentic open/closed dynamics. This directly addresses a common...
Okay, so we’ve been banging on about stem separation for some years now – all because e-drummers are constantly asking digitalDrummer about sources of drumless tracks. As we have reported in the past, the mainstream story began in 2020, when online music library Deezer released Spleeter, a stem separation technology which forms the backbone of many online and in-app separation tools available...
Toontrack has released its 70th EZX expansion pack: the New Orleans EZX bydrummer Terence Higgins (Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Dirty Dozen Brass Band) andmulti-award-winning engineer/producer/mixer Misha Kachkachishvili (Jon Batiste,Ziggy Modeliste, Smokey Robinson).The New Orleans EZX was sampled by Higgins and recorded at Esplanade Studios,one of the hubs of today’s New Orleans recording circuit...
Finger drumming leader Akai has launched a new instrument, MPC Live III, that delivers “a complete production and performance workflow in a compact, portable device” without the need to connect to a computer. The launch comes on the back of Yamaha’s entry into the finger drumming market with its FGDP with onboard sounds. Akai is describing its MPC Live III as “its most advanced standalone music...
For decades, the acoustic drum kit has been the undisputed king of percussion, shaping drummers’ muscle memory, dynamic approach, and even their stage presence. But as electronic drums have evolved from niche devices to powerful, expressive instruments, a fundamental question emerges for the acoustic drummer making the switch: do I need to change how I play? The short answer is yes – but...
We were among the first to review Aerodrums, the virtual drum kit launched at the NAMM Show in 2014. The system, a camera-based airdrumming solution, turned virtual drumming into a real performance option, and was the forerunner to a number of other airdrumming solutions. While the rivals, mostly toy-like offerings, have stood still, Aerodrums has continued to refine the system, addressing a...
Toontrack has released the Real to Reel SDX, a new expansion for its flagship Superior Drummer 3. The library was recorded at Real World Studios by producer and engineer Kevin Killen, adding to Toontrack’s pattern of collaborating with notable figures in the music industry. The company has a history of working with a range of professionals on its SDX titles, including Al Schmitt, Bob Rock...
This year’s E-drum Labs at the UK Drum Show will feature a line-up of artists who represent the cutting edge of electronic drumming. The sessions are designed to highlight how technology is shaping new forms of performance, education, and musical expression. The Artists and Their Innovations Adam Tuminaro will show how e-drums can expand a drummer’s toolkit for content creation and...
AI is making its presence felt in music technology, with a growing number of online tools offering a range of functionalities, including stem separation. digitalDrummer spent some time with one of the new entries, eMastered, which is primarily promoted as an intelligent mastering tool. It promises “more control over your sound (by enabling you to) adjust parameters like compression, EQ...
digitalDrummer Magazine
Access all our magazines online
About
By electronic drummers,
for electronic drummers.
FROM THE EDITOR
Electronic drums have come a long way since the 1970s and are now seen alongside their acoustic siblings on stages around the world. They also draw crowds at music trade shows and attract strong interest on the floors of music shops.
As an electronic drummer, technology enthusiast and professional writer, I know first-hand how hard it is to be taken seriously when your kit needs a powerpoint and amp. That’s why we launched digitalDrummer in 2010. I wanted to create a communication channel dedicated to this vibrant market and the musicians who are so enthused by the digital opportunities.
Because it is aimed at a niche audience of dedicated enthusiasts, digitalDrummer is able to explore drum technology in great detail, but it is written for drummers, not techno-geeks.
Please enjoy our content and subscribe to our monthly updates.
Allan Leibowitz
Join other digital drumming enthusiasts by subscribing
We have upgraded our website so that you can still find all of our previous resources and blog content in our Blog Archive.
Subscribe for new content, or enjoy some time scrolling through our stories, pictures and video from over 10 years of research via links below. And check our out social media to join the e-drums conversation.
