Day: January 3, 2026

DIY, Gear

Buyer Beware: The new wave of TD-12/TD-20 screens on AliExpress

If you own a Roland TD-12 or TD-20 module, you already know you’re caring for a vintage classic. Roland stopped supporting both modules almost two decades ago, and genuine replacement screens have long since disappeared from the official supply chain. That’s why the sudden appearance of a plethora of new TD-12/TD-20 replacement screens on AliExpress — most around the US$100 mark — will no doubt raise a few hopeful eyebrows. Unfortunately, hope isn’t the same as certainty. A quick scan of buyer feedback paints a very mixed picture. One frustrated customer reports that his screen didn’t work at all. After the buyer was asked to return it at his own cost — and complying — the seller then demanded additional […]

Performance, Recording, Samples, VST

Why DAW integration matters more than ever for drum libraries

In online discussions about electronic drums, one recurring theme keeps surfacing: many virtual drum instruments still struggle to deliver flawless e-drum performance straight out of the box. German e-drummer software guru Martin Trommler recently summed up the issue in a detailed post to the community, arguing that DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) integration is essential for serious players. With the exception of Toontrack’s Superior Drummer 3, Trommler says that most drum samplers “need improvement in order to deliver flawless electronic drum performance”. For many libraries, the standalone version simply doesn’t provide enough control to adapt perfectly to the player and the hardware. Instead, a DAW such as Reaper becomes the essential link in the chain. Below are the three main problem […]

Gear, training

Rebel Drum Tutor app launches

A new practice app aimed squarely at electronic drummers has just been released on the Google Play store. Rebel Drum Tutor, developed by Austrian solo developer Martin Diermayr, connects to e-kits via MIDI and provides real-time visual feedback on timing accuracy. According to the developer, notes turn green when hit ‘correctly’, offering a simple way for drummers to monitor their precision. The app includes a number of features commonly sought by e-drummers, such as free-play mode, MP3 and MIDI import, and a built-in tab editor for creating exercises or full arrangements. Users can also record, loop and share their performances. Diermayr says the app supports multiple drum-kit layouts and includes a tablet-optimised mode for clearer visualisation. One of the app’s […]