Latest news, views and reviews.
Digital hi-hat and other goodies
It’s been four and a half years since Roland launched the TD-50 module with its redundant USB input.
Well, that USB slot is no longer just a phone charge source! At last, there’s a digital hi-hat to accompany the digital snare and ride.
The VH-14D is an inch bigger than the analogue hi-hat it replaces, but also boasts a thinner profile, greatly improved...
This pad’s OK(to)
Allan Leibowitz tested an Octapad look-alike to see if it’s also a sound-alike.
Multipads are coming of age, with the range growing rapidly, especially at entry-level.
In line with the recent low-cost SPD-X knock-offs, including the nPad/Avatar PD705/Gear4Music DD90, Carlsbro has released an Octapad clone which I am surprised is not the subject of...
New amps from Simmons
Simmons is rolling out three new amps, building on the success of the DA200s and the follow-up DA2012B.
The new flagship DA2112 is a high-powered and versatile drum amplifier that combines high-fidelity sound, stage-ready power, three stereo line inputs and Bluetooth audio input — with flexible monitoring of metronome, click and guide tracks. It is rated at...
Electronics power women’s show
Electronic percussion is playing a key role in a new theatrical presentation which makes its world debut in Melbourne, Australia in April.
Drummer Queens is the creation of Australian drummer Joe Accaria and features eight multifaceted female musicians.
The idea began in 2014, when Accaria was asked to put together a large drumming ensemble for Ricky...
Toontrack releases Gospel EZX
Toontrack has released its 48th EZX expansion pack, the Gospel EZX.
Recorded by Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer/mixer Danny Duncan and acclaimed drummer Calvin Rodgers, the pack includes open-sounding tones of the early 1940s and the dry, muffled and tight ones of the 1960s as well as the punchy, distinct and crystal-clear sound of today.
The...
Buy online, but take care
The global pandemic has seen e-commerce go through the roof, and the e-drum market has certainly been shaken up as more products become available through more channels.
There are no reliable statistics specifically for online e-drum sales, but analysts in the US found that, last year, hobbies (including musical instruments) experienced the second-highest growth...
Low price, big sound
The Chinese continue to shake up the in-ear market with another budget offering that punches way above its weight.
E-drummers around the world have splashed out on KZ in-ears, especially the ZS10-PRO which we reviewed a while back.
Now, attention is turning to KZ’s stablemate, CCA, which has added a 12-driver solution at a similar pricepoint to the...
An air of dexterity
Air-drumming is the butt of many jokes, but anyone who has tried playing any of the new generation of drumless kits will tell you it’s not as easy as it looks.
It only takes a few seconds of Mitch Deighton’s YouTube Aerodrums rendition of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover to appreciate the skill required to do justice to air-drumming.
“I first came across...
E-drums shine at Super Bowl LV
While most eyes were on The Weeknd during the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, drummers would have been struck with a bit of déjà vu from last year’s Brian Frasier-Moore kit – a combination of Pearl acoustics and Roland electronics.
Canadian drummer Ricky Lewis performed on a Pearl Music City Custom kit, but there was also a smattering of electronics, including...
Akai adds plugins
With the growing popularity of beat making and finger drumming, Akai has introduced DrumSynth, the new drum plugin instrument that “brings the power to design your own electronic drum sounds”.
With advanced synthesis generators and audio effects processing, the plugin allows users to create fresh drum sounds and build their own synth drum library.
Meanwhile,...
New samples, presets
The holiday season has brought some new sample and preset offerings.
Spring, Echo, Distort
The latest pack is the first full, boutique drum sample library, Spring, Echo, Distort, from Dust Palace.
Created by drummer and musical director, Joe Clegg (profiled in the Nov 2019 digitalDrummer), the professional collection of creative and unusual...
Scientists probe drumming skills
Drummers often think of themselves as athletes, and research at an Australian university is examining how skills are developed, according to Dr. Job Fransen and Dr. Rob Bower.
Motor control and skill acquisition are important pillars in the field of sport and exercise science. Together they relate to how our brain controls movements during the performance of...
Yamaha returns to e-drums
Yamaha has added a new e-drum line built around a new module, the DTX6.
Improving on the success of the DTX502 Series, the DTX6 series includes new professionally sampled sounds and effects recorded around the world in renowned studios. For easy modification, the series features a Kit Modifier that allows players to alter sounds dynamically with EQ effects,...
Big Sur warning
E-drummers using Apple Macs are advised not to update to Big Sur MacOS.
Among those urging customers to hold off from updating is Steven Slate Drums, which notes that its SSD and Trigger solutions are not compatible for Logic or Garageband.
“We are working to resolve this issue and will notify you as soon as this is resolved,” Slate advises.
E-drum pioneer Peter Hart remembered
digitalDrummer was saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Hart, founder of Hart Dynamics.
Hart died earlier this year in Pensacola, Florida, aged 60.
Ironically, digitalDrummer was planning a feature on the Hart Dynamics business and I was in the throes of an email exchange with Peter at the time of his passing.
Hart’s untimely death...
Kallee Bernish-Good How I use e-drums
Kallee Bernish-Good won the Beatmaking category (under 18 years) in the recent Hit Like A Girl contest.
I’ve been producing music since I was in the fifth grade. My interest in beatmaking and audio production began when I discovered the glorious app GarageBand. I would make beats on my phone all the time and by high school, I got serious and became a student...
Octapad gets a makeover
Roland’s workhorse SPD-20 has been updated, with the Octapad SPD-20 PRO offering more responsive playability, additional sounds and functions, and an updated user interface.
In addition to the original SPD-20 sounds, the new product boasts new sounds covering Asian, African, Latin and many other world music styles. There are also traditional drum kit sounds,...
Roland adds TD-07
Roland has upped the ante for entry-level kits with its new TD-07KV kit, released today.
The new kit features mesh pads and a new Bluetooth-enabled module, along with the KD-10 kick pad and CY-8 cymbals.
The new TD-07 module features 142 instrument sounds, arranged in 25 preset kits, with players able to create another 25 user kits.
The...
Roland adds wireless MIDI products
Roland has released two new add-ons to “bring the convenience of wireless MIDI to modern music creators”.
The WM-1 Wireless MIDI Adaptor and WM-1D Wireless MIDI Dongle provide wireless MIDI communication between multiple devices, including drum modules, and other MIDI hardware, Mac and Windows computers and iOS mobile devices. In addition to MIDI note data,...
Sampling tool for Mac users
There are currently two modules which can import multi-layer samples – the 2box DrumIt Five (and its Di3 sibling) and the Alesis Strike.
The challenge, however, is finding suitable multi-layer samples. One solution is to source them from VST sample packs like Addictive Drums or Superior Drummer.
When the 2box was launched, a number of us devised ways...
Rubow publishes e-drum book
German e-drum innovator Oli Rubow, profiled in digitalDrummer in 2010, has published a book titled Echo Drums, focusing on the use of stomp boxes.
Rubow, a self-confessed “addict of electronic rhythm devices, but also a drummer that loves to play with echo machines for more than 20 years”, says the book is about the use of FX, mostly delay.“It’s about reconstructing...
New amp from Alesis
Alesis has added a new high-power amp to its range.
The Strike Amp 8 comes with a more compact form factor than the current Strike Amp 12, while retaining the sonic clarity and punch that drummers demand, according to the company.
The amp pushes out 2,000 watts through a main 8” driver augmented by a special high-frequency compression driver.
Striking additions
One of the selling points of the Alesis Strike module is the ability to load your own samples, with the company even providing a tool to create multi-layer samples. But for most drummers, the challenge remains sourcing the original sounds. So, it’s like having a fancy stove but no ingredients.
Enter drum-tec, the German e-drum retail pioneer. Customers who buy...
Monster kit makes it to TV
Anthony Nalli shared his e-drums with digitalDrummer in November 2017, but now he’s showing them off to a global television audience. Here’s how it came about …
My return to e-drumming took place while I was wintering in Phoenix, Arizona. As a native Canadian, I was a long way from home, “snowbirding” as so many others do, enjoying the warmth of the south during...
Marking 40 years of the 808
Roland used “808 Day” (August 8th) to mark the 40th anniversary of its iconic TR-808 drum machine.
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first affordable and widely available programmable drum machines to hit the market.
Though only in production for approximately three years, its signature kick and snare — along with many other unique...
ATV plans new strategy for US, Australia
Japanese drum maker ATV Corporation is considering its distribution options in the United States and Australia, after the collapse of its independent sales partners in the two markets.
ATV president and CEO Tatsuro Shibuya blames the UN-China trade dispute for the company’s woes. “The increased import tariffs on our products manufactured in China effectively...
Tech helps online teaching
Drum educator David Stanoch is turning to technology to overcome the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 lock-down.Since 2018, I have taught primarily through the David Stanoch School of Drumming, my private online and onsite teaching practice. I am located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and have been teaching alongside performing professionally for over 30 years. I was previously...
The Iso Files: Ben Todd (Cirque du Soleil)
Where you are in isolation: Currently, I’m in my home town of Adelaide, Australia. Prior to that, I was working with Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles.
What projects you are working on: Currently, I’m working on several recording projects from my home studio for musicians all over the world. Having time at home has allowed me to get my studio completely set up...
The Iso Files: Joe Clegg (Ellie Goulding)
Where you are in isolation: I’m in a place called Colne, which is a small town in the county of Lancashire, in the North West of England.
What projects you are working on: Mainly self-generated projects. It's really refreshing to have the time to action ideas! I’m deep into remote recording and production, making video content for people, building a website...
The Iso Files: Tim Powles (The Church)
Where you are in isolation: Inner-west Sydney, Australia – within walking distance to the river, in my own home - and above my own studio.
What projects you are working on: At the onset of the iso stage, I was working on multiple projects, all I had played on at some point, so some more playing, a lot of engineering and production. That had all started at the...
The Iso Files: Shane Russell (Twelve Foot Ninja)
Where you are in isolation: At home in Berwick, Melbourne, Australia.
What projects you are working on: A couple of mini projects with my band, Twelve Foot Ninja. I recently tracked drums at home for a cover song we just released by Huey Lewis and the News. The song was Stuck with you, inspired by being stuck at home through this period. I've also been re-working...
A tale of three multipads
digitalDrummer has reported on the Kickstarter campaign by Argentinian e-drum company dbdrums for its first multipad product, the nPad.
The campaign exceeded its €6,000 goal, with 33 backers pledging €8,658 to help bring the project to life. Most paid around €240 ($270) for the nine-pad instrument with an expected delivery date of June.
At the time...
KAT’s new module
Alternate Mode has launched a new module to replace the Kurzweil-supplied gigKAT sound engine. The gigKAT is primarily aimed at the company’s tuned percussion instruments like the malletKAT, but is also compatible with drumKAT and jamKAT trigger units.
The gigKAT 2 is a compact, lightweight module designed for direct connectivity, featuring USB or MIDI inputs...
The Iso Files: Steven Wolf (David Bowie, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Beyoncé)
digitaldDrummer speaks to Steven Wolf (David Bowie, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Beyoncé) about music in isolation.
Where you are in isolation: I was in isolation, alone, in NYC earlier, and then flew to Los Angeles, and have been isolating with my girlfriend out here.
What projects you are working on: I’ve been working on an ongoing project for a well-known...
The Iso Files: John Mahon (Elton John Band)
digitaldDrummer speaks to John Mahon (Elton John band) about isolation ...
Where you are in isolation: I am in Los Angeles, just north of the city, Woodland Hills area. LA looks like it did when I moved here in 1983. Very little traffic on the freeways, which is a fantastic change from the normal stand-still and crawl. It’s weird not being able to go to dinner,...
Rack off
William Donohue was drawn to the acoustic-like look of his Alesis Strike Pro kit, but not the rack.
I had always played traditional acoustic kits. I have played seven-piece double-bass configurations, but found that I was at my most comfortable with a five-piece set with one tom up and two on the floor.
As my life progressed, my career moved me to...
Whitten adds depth and colour
Former Paul McCartney and Dire Straits touring drummer Chris Whitten has released a pack of 30 all-new, original kits for Roland’s TM-6 Pro trigger module.
Whitten was one of the original contributors to the stock sounds. Along with Michael Schack and Kaz Rodriguez, Whitten recorded a number of one-shot samples which are preloaded in the TM-6 sound bank.
Steinberg offers drum creator
German audio software company Steinberg has released a new drum-creation tool, Backbone.
The virtual instrument plug-in is compatible with VST, AU and AAX and includes tools to design drum sounds from the ground up. Users start off by layering up to eight samples and move on to modify individual tonal or noise elements or resynthesize individual layers.
RIP Jerry Jman Langenfeld
Jerry ‘Jman’ Langenfeld passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 16.
Jman was known to electronic drummers worldwide both for his online advice and contributions to forums and Facebook groups and as the owner of Stealthdrums.com, a supplier of cymbal and drum triggers.
I have known Jman for more than a dozen years, first through the vdrums forum,...
Combo bag benefits e-drummers
The days when a drummer could get by with a few sticks and a spare cymbal felt are long gone. In this electronic age, it’s not unusual to have to include a laptop or a tablet as a minimum requirement for your gigs.
So, it was about time the humble stick bag got dragged into the 21st century – and that’s what GruvGear has done with its new QUIVR Tour bag.
GEWA G9 hits stores
GEWA Drums’ first e-drum offering, the Drum Workstation G9, has arrived in stores in Europe.
The drum kit was first shown at Musikmesse Frankfurt in 2018.
The kits will initially only be available from select retailers in Germany and France including Thomann, Drumladen and La Baguetterie.
Three configurations are on offer – a six-piece...
inMusic buys BFD
inMusic, the owner of Alesis and other music technology brands including Akai Professional, Alto Professional, Denon, M-Audio and Marantz Professional, has acquired BFD from London-based tech company, FXpansion.
FXpansion, which changed hands in 2016 when it was acquired by ROLI, is best-known for its BFD drum software instrument.
BFD and its entire...
No e-drums shortage - yet
US e-drum suppliers seem to have avoided the shortages seen in other industries in the wake of China’s slow-down.
A large proportion of e-drum products sold in the US are manufactured in China, including Guitar Center’s Simmons line, ddrum-branded gear and the KAT line.
When digitalDrummer spoke to David Cywinski, sales manager - drums & percussion...
Schack’s isolation tips
digitalDrummer Hall of Famer Michael Schack has been self-isolating to avoid COVID-19. Usually an extremely busy gigging drummer, he now finds himself with plenty of time on his hands and he used Facebook to share his “Corona Lockdown” strategy.
I keep my downtime for the afternoon, preferably outside on my terrace in the sun. As spring is in the air, I’m actually...
New KAT kit
KAT Percussion has introduced a new electronic drum kit, the KT-200.
Stepping away from its long-standing design look of grey cymbals, white pads and a chrome rack, KAT Percussion has turned to a stealthy black and charcoal combination for this new kit.
The kit is the first KAT set with a mesh snare; in this case, an 11” drum. There are three 9” rubber...
E-drummer vies for honours
A 57-year-old e-drummer is among the entrants in the new Drumset 40+ category of the Hit Like a Girl Contest.
Vanessa Smith from Longwood, Florida,uses a Roland TD-9 kit for her entry, playing the Electro-Pop playalong from the Drumeo site “because it is such a positive and uplifting track and perfect for the electronic kit”.
Smith started playing...
On track for drumlessness
Need to remove the drum track? We try two more software solutions which claim to do just that.
One of the most common uses of e-drums is play-alongs with popular music, a process that requires drumless tracks. For the uninitiated, drumless tracks are songs either recorded without drums, or, more commonly, with the drums removed.
There are a number...
Cracking the NFUZD code
There are some good deals around on NFUZD pads after the e-drum range was put on ice a few years back. But how do you connect them to a ‘regular’ module?
For those unfamiliar with NFUZD, it was meant to be the “next big thing” in electronic percussion when it was launched in 2015. Produced by KHS Musical Instrument Company, the manufacturer of Mapex and other...
Some debut for VAD!
Roland’s new VAD506 acoustic-style kit got enormous global exposure just a fortnight after its launch, when it formed part of Brian Frasier-Moore’s drum set-up for the Halftime Show during the Super Bowl.
The Halftime Show was watched by 103 million viewers on Fox in the US alone and also broadcast to an audience of millions around the world.
According...
Sal D’Amato: How I Use E-drums
Whether it’s playing live or for recordings, Sal D’Amato finds uses for electronic drums.I have been drumming in the San Francisco Bay Area since arriving from New York City in 1972. I have played in a variety of bands whose genres ran the gamut of rock, pop, blues, jazz, Latin, fusion, gospel, R&B, dixieland, college stage big band and percussion ensemble.
I...
Roland electrifies Taiko
They did it with the cajon, now Roland has turned to a traditional Japanese percussion instrument, launching the TAIKO-1 Electronic Taiko Percussion, a portable electronic taiko drum with a versatile range of Japanese percussion sounds.
As a Japanese company, Roland has always maintained a strong desire to contribute to its country’s historic taiko culture by...
Are triggers cheating?
Drummer and educator Aaron Edgar defends the use of triggers.We all know that person who won’t hesitate to proudly announce that “triggers are cheating”, and beneath someone like themselves who plays “real” drums. Maybe you’ve encountered this person side-stage at a show, glaring at the drummer with crossed arms, becoming increasingly disgruntled by each passing note:...
Toontrack releases new EZX expansion
Toontrack has released the Kicks & Snares EZX, a new expansion for EZdrummer 2 and Superior Drummer 3 featuring a large selection of kicks, snare and mix-ready presets.
Kicks & Snares EZX includes 74 multi-sampled and never-before-released instruments recorded in eight different top studios in Australia and the UK.
Kicks & Snares EZX comes with close...
Big news from Roland’s NAMM preview
The world’s biggest e-drum maker has not launched new products at NAMM for some time, but this year, Roland has come out with both barrels blazing at Anaheim, with two highly anticipated launches.
The first was a new mid-level module to replace the TD-25. The new TD-27 module combines the ease of use of highly successful TD-17 with technologies and sounds derived...
New Schack pack
Roland artist, producer and drum DJ Michael Schack has released a sample pack for the Roland TD-17.
The 17 Michael Schack TD-17 Artist Kits allows TD-17 owners to recreate Schack’s #PushYourDrumming and TD-17 live performances with exclusive live and studio performance kits that can be adapted to many different music genres.
Unlike previous Roland...
USB vs MIDI
With modern modules, there’s a temptation to simply use the included USB hub to link to your computer. But Mario DeCiutiis warns that’s not always the best approach.
When folks decide to use their computer for sounds when using a MIDI controller, the first impulse is to just use a USB to MIDI cable to connect the controller to their computer. Some controllers...
How VSTs work
We see lots of questions about VSTs and it’s clear there’s quite a bit of confusion about this technology.
So, here is a quick guide to VSTs – or Virtual Studio Technology.
The formal definition of a VST is an audio plug-in software interface that integrates a software synthesizer and effects in digital audio workstations.
Still confused?
Using e-drums live
No matter what kit you’re using, a few basic rules will ensure you sound good live, as Allan Leibowitz reports.
Sound restrictions, quick changeovers, the need for special sounds – a number of factors are driving the increased use of electronic drums on stages around the world.
Whether you’re playing a club in Hackensack, New Jersey or a stadium in...
Sticking it to ‘em
Back in 2011, I was trying to get hold of Carbostick, the maker of carbon fibre drumsticks, for the first digitalDrummer round-up of sticks for e-drummers.
Coincidentally, Dutch drummer Wouter Menken was also trying to contact them to buy some of their sticks and their custom Carbo-Rods.
While I couldn’t reach the company, Menken eventually tracked...
Alesis boosts Strike kit
Alesis has released a new Special Edition version of its Strike Pro kit.
One of the key enhancements is the inclusion of a 20-inch kick drum.
The new Strike Pro Special Edition includes what Alesis describes as “all-new latest-generation mesh heads” on its dual-zone snare and toms. “Their response is faster, more natural and easier-playing than ever...
How I use e-drums
Australian percussionist Maarten Stenakur relies on electronics for variety and sound control.
I am a drummer and music producer from Victoria, Australia. My interest in drumming started back in 1986 when I heard the Genesis track Domino. It features Phil Collins blazing around a Simmons drum kit. From then on, I studied drums and tuned percussion with Sydney-based...
Yamaha EAD10 gets an update
Yamaha is offering a free firmware update for the EAD10 electronic acoustic drum module, adding new creative functionality and customisable settings for drum recording, rehearsal and teaching applications.
One of the major enhancements is a TalkBack function, especially useful for YouTube content creators. The new setting raises the gain on the microphone while...
Strike Multipad gets an update
The Alesis Strike MultiPad, reviewed in the November 2019 digitalDrummer, has just received a feature update.
The v1.2 update is the second update since its introduction at NAMM in January 2019.
The update includes the ability to save and arrange custom Setlists of any Preset or User Kits.
Kit navigation and loading times have also been...
New Simmons flagship
Is this what the Simmons SD2000 should have been?
Simmons has just released a new “top-tier performance kit for the advanced drummer”, the SD1200 mesh head electronic drum kit.
The new kit has everything that went into the relaunched flagship, the SD2000 – except the quirky hexagonal-form pads and cymbals.
Combined with more “conventional...
E-drums show off in Manchester
Electronic percussion was well represented at the UK Drum Show which ran at the Manchester Centre exhibition complex in late September, as Allan Leibowitz reports.
Pearl used the show to officially launch its new e-drum chapter with the e/MERGE kit going on sale in the UK. As we reported from NAMM in January, the new system was developed with Korg and consists...
Simmons shakes it up
When I heard that Simmons was launching a 2000 w drum amp, I presumed that we were about to see a new chapter in e-drum amplification. The Guitar Center-owned brand had already drawn a line in the sand with its DA200S, which remains a stand-out product. So, I expected something extra-special with the DA2012B.
What I got was enough raw power to shake the walls.
MOre to DO
It’s rare to see the launch of a brand new drum VST these days, so we were keen to get our hands on the MODO DRUM offering from IK Multimedia (best known to drummers for its iRig interfaces).
What’s in the box
MODO DRUM is a 7.5 GB software download which contains a stand-alone player and a collection of drum ‘samples’.
Unlike other drum...
Soundbrenner attracts $1 million
Soundbrenner has reached $1 million in pre-orders for its second product, Soundbrenner Core, surpassing its Indiegogo goal by over 1,000%.
The Soundbrenner Core is the company’s second ‘music wearable’ and follows the Soundbrenner Pulse, which we reviewed in June 2017. That model has notched up sales of 70,000 units.
The Core, a wearable metronome,...
SPD in the bag
The Roland SPD range is probably the most ubiquitous trigger pad on the market, used by electronic and acoustic drummers alike, and regularly seen at gigs around the world.
To date the options for packing these devices have been limited to the Roland CB-HPD gig bag or repurposed solutions like the hardware of camera cases. The only custom case we could find...
So much bang for your buck
There’s been a lot of hype about low-cost Chinese in-ear brand KZ, so digitalDrummer checked out the ZS10-PRO model.
The KZ ZS10-PRO in-ears are attracting a lot of interest from audiophiles and musicians alike, prompted mostly by the bang-for-buck promise – five drivers on each side for less than $40.
At that price point, the in-ears virtually sell...
How we use e-drums
Hailing from Perth, Australia, Feels – comprising Elise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor – started as a duo in 2016. Blending unique percussion elements with lush electronic sounds, the duo creates a sound like no other.
Feels’ debut single Prior Engagement received international praise from Red Bull, Spotify (‘Fresh Finds’) and Apple Music (‘Best of The Week’)....
Simmons adds grunt to amp range
The battle for e-drum monitor supremacy has just hotted up with Simmons releasing a 2,000 w powerhouse.
Simmons claims all that Class-D bi-amped power provides enough volume, headroom and projection to cut through any performance situation.
Besides its huge output, the DA2012B boasts a range of features not usually found in electronic drum amplifiers,...
FSR pads get second zone
Alternate Mode’s FSR trigger range has had an update, resulting in more versatility and easier connections.
Alternate Mode (AM) and Aquarian Drum Heads have had lots of support for their FSR head offerings, the inHead and the onHead. The former is a mylar head with a trigger printed into it; the latter is a synthetic NuBounce trigger pad that sits on top of...
Yamaha adds monitor system
Yamaha has launched the MS45DR electronic drum monitor system, consisting of two compact satellite speakers and a subwoofer.
Touted for home practice and rehearsals, the MS45DR’s lightweight left and right satellite speakers mount to any 1.5” rack frame of electronic drum kits, while the subwoofer is placed on the ground to emphasise the low-end bass tones....
New showroom pushes the boundaries
German e-drum supplier drum-tec has raised the stakes with its upgraded facility outside Hannover in Germany, believed to be the biggest dedicated e-drum showroom in the world.
The new facility is located in Fischbeck, near the historic town of Hamelin, not far from the previous complex in Auetal-Rehren.
Customers entering the showroom are immediately...
More TD-17 options
What is it about the TD-17 that has brought out a bunch of custom sound offerings?
The latest customer producer of TD-17 kits is edrumkits.com, a French collaboration currently selling 12 rock kit samples for the module.
On its website, the developer explains his motivation to improve on the stock kits. Once that was achieved, there was a decision...
Top female talent recognised
Raylinne Garcia from the USA and Aletta Dina from the UK have been named winners in the Technology category of the 2019 Hit Like A Girl drumming contest in the under and over 18 categories respectively.
In the under 18 contest, second place went to Ellie Johnson (USA), with fellow American Abbie Schneider third.
Among the over 18s, Canada’s Sophea...
Jonathan Barber: How I use e-drums
New York City-based Jonathan Barber, voted up-and-coming drummer of 2018, uses electronics to open doors musically.
Right now, I am starting to perform more with my band, Vision Ahead. I released my debut album independently last year. After releasing the album entitled Vision Ahead, we have been performing at festivals and travelling to music venues around...
Book highlights e-drum capabilities
In this day of Facebook groups, YouTube videos and free online magazines, it is surprising to see a new hard copy book about electronic percussion, but that is exactly what Sebastian Beresford has created.
Bid, as he is known, has just self-published The Art of eDrumming, a 164-page paperback book about electronic drums, starting with a brief history and working...
Simmons amps get Bluetooth
Simmons has updated its DA50 and DA200S drum combo amplifiers with the addition of Bluetooth connectivity.
The new DA50B and DA200SB allow for wireless streaming of tracks from a paired device.
Bluetooth is the only change to the successful amps, with other specifications unchanged.
The DA50B has 50 watts of power, driving a 10” woofer...
Another mallet offering
Digital mallet instruments used to be a rarity, but as Norman Weinberg reports, there is now another option.
I’VE BEEN AT this for a pretty long while. My very first product review was the Yamaha D8 electronic drum kit back in 1989. During these 30 years, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen an electronic percussion product that has caused quite as much buzz in...
A true multi-pad
Is it a drum pad, a keyboard or a video controller? As Allan Leibowitz reports, the Sensel Morph is all of those – and more.
INCREASINGLY, DRUMMERS ARE using things other than “drums” to make music, and electronics have further freed percussionists to explore different media.
There’s a new solution tapping into this divergence, the Sensel Morph.
Andy Selway: How I Use E-drums
I’ve been a member of electronic/metal/industrial band KMFDM for about 16 years. Strangely enough, for such a heavily electronic-influenced band, I have been beating the living daylights out of an acoustic kit at our live shows that entire time - apart from two weeks at the start of a tour in 2011. After several years of almost deafening the band members, myself, multiple...
Giving the TD-17 added appeal
The options for after-market sound enhancements have increased with drum-tec selling stand-alone sound packs for Roland modules. digitalDrummer checked out some options for the TD-17.
WHEN THE ROLAND TD-17 was launched, our review noted that it was unusual in that it sounded great out of the box. That’s in contrast to many previous offerings that shipped with...
Add Bluetooth to your module
When Roland launched its TD-17 module, one ofthe notable innovations was the inclusion of Bluetooth. This means you can play backing tracks wirelessly from your iPhone. That’s even more relevant for those whose phones don’t have a headphone jack – or those who simply have enough cables and wires on their rig.
So far, the TD-17 and Medeli’s YoDrum are the only...
ATV launches new EXS line
ATV has launched a new entry-level drum range, powered by a new module, the xD3.
Based on the aD5, the xD3 sound module features real samples, a set-up wizard, a metronome tool and song function for practice and performance. The module has five preset drum kits and ships with 20 songs.
It features quick record and has a practice function.
Muzzio makes NAMM debut
With around 2,000 exhibitors and 2 million square feet of exhibition area, digitalDrummer can be excused for missing a new entrant at this year’s NAMM show.
US drum maker Muzzio Drums made its show debut with a range of products including three full kits and a selection of drum pads and cymbals.
Owner John Muzzio says the turn-out at the stand was...
New meets old
The growth of hybrid drumming (the parallel use of electronic and acoustic elements) means that acoustic drummers continue to search for quick, cheap and easy ways of adding electronic triggering capability to their kits.
One of the landmark products in the hybrid wave was the Roland TM-2 ‘trigger module’, a four-input (dual stereo) miniature drum brain with...
More cowbell
According to popular drumming thinking, you can never have enough cowbell. To help achieve that, Ryan Cheney shares his e-cowbell build.
Converting an acoustic cowbell to electric is one of the easier A-to-E conversions you can do. Even if you don't already own a cowbell, one can be had at little cost, especially since its acoustic sound quality is not important....
Slate’s evolution
It’s been five years since the release of Steven Slate Drums 4 – and in that time, we have seen huge leaps forward among its competitors. So there has been a lot of pent-up expectation about SSD5, heightened by early word of its “release soon” dating back to 2015.
Well, it’s finally here and the big question is “was it worth the wait”? Allan Leibowitz checked...
New Alesis multi-pad launched
It looks like the venerable SPD-X/Octapad lines finally have real competition (besides the ageing Yamaha DTX M12), with the Alesis Strike MultiPad electronic drum pad already on store shelves.
The new multi-trigger unit, launched without the usual e-drum hype, boasts a class-leading 32 GB onboard hard drive, a full-colour screen and custom RGB lights.
A heads-up for set lists
Gigging drummers have a lot on their plate – set lists, song notes or even sheet music. And unlike other musicians who can hide notes at their feet on the floor, the options to date have been limited to pages on a music stand or, for the more tech-savvy, a tablet device attached to a cymbal stand.
Niche drum technology company Helensson, the team behind the...
Ravish Momin: How I use E-drums
Ravish Momin is an Indian-born drummer, percussionist, electronic music producer and educator who has worked with musicians ranging from Shakira to Maurice McIntyre.
I had simultaneously led a hybrid world/jazz/electronic band called Tarana which toured internationally for 14 years, and we performed at festivals across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia....
SSD5 released
Steven Slate Drums has released SSD5, featuring a dozen new kits as well as enhanced versions of the kits from the previous SSD4 packs.
The new Deluxe 2 drum library has more than 50 new instruments including 10 new kicks, 10 new snares and a few percussion instruments. All the drums are unique and have two stereo room layers each.
All the kits use...
Aerodrums adds 3D app
Virtual drumming programme Aerodrums has launched a virtual reality add-on to its unique air drumming percussion instrument. The 3D/VR feature is a free app that complements the Aerodrums experience by augmenting it with 3D visuals that can be viewed on screen or through virtual reality headsets.
The companion app shows the drummer a responsive 3D rendering...
Simmons adds mini-monitor
Simmons has introduced the new DA25 Electronic Drum Amplifier. This portable 25 watt amp joins the DA50 and DA200S in Simmons' line of electronic drum amplifiers.
The DA25's amplifier drives an 8” woofer and a 2” tweeter to deliver plenty of clean, undistorted sound across the 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range.
It features a two-band EQ with a low band...
Roland boosts TD-1
Roland will add a new entry-level kit, the TD-1DMK.
Where the current TD-1 kit is a compact kit with rubber pads, the TD-1DMK is built around a full-size rack and includes all mesh pads – a PDX-8 dual-zone snare and three PDX-6A single-zone toms. The kit also uses CY-5 cymbals for the ride, hi-hat and crash
The module has 15 preset kits and 15 built-in...
Trigger happy
Hybrid is more than hype, and Allan Leibowitz compares some easy to use, affordable options.
Stand-alone triggers, already loaded with samples, are a new growth area, popularised by Roland’s RT-MicS.
These instruments are part of the hybrid move, with acoustic and electronic elements blended to create specific sounds.
Our interest was first...
ddt hits the spot
A recent offering from Germany’s ddt ups the ante in the e-snare stakes and Allan Leibowitz tried it out with some current modules.The snare is probably the most important drum and it makes sense that e-drum manufacturers pay particular attention to this instrument in their product lines.
With this in mind, we recently tested the 14” MS-140 E Snare from German...
Tool almost removes drums
Drumless tracks are much sought-after by all drummers, especially e-drummers who are able to drum along to them and create that perfect mix in the module. And tools which can remove drums from mixed audio files are the Holy Grail.
DrumExtract from YellowNoise Audio sounds promising, going by the name alone. The VST plugin, which works with Cubase, Ableton Live,...
How I Use E-drums
Ryan Halsey uses electronics to recreate recorded sounds in live performances.I started drumming at the age of 14 and spent most of the early years of drumming playing along to my favourite albums. The Roland TD-3 e-kit was with me through those early years: it took a beating and never had an issue! I soon realised there are only so many things you can play with single...
Porter & Davies launches ‘budget’ shaker
Porter & Davies has launched a new version of its tactile monitoring system. The BC-X is a scaled-back version of their highly sought-after BC2 and BC Gigster.
The new smaller model comes with simplified professional standard features and a reduced price.
Four years in the making, the BC-X has the same quality build, identical response time and many...
August 2018 Edition contents list
6 E-drum Vikings
Allan Leibowitz visited Stockholm to catch up with some e-drum innovators.
10 A few surprises at NAMM
In what some are seeing as an indication of the increasing market penetration of electronic drums, especially at the entry level, there were a couple of new offerings at the Nashville show.
14 As Yo like it
Yamaha updates entry-level kits
Yamaha has revealed its new DTX402 series electronic drum kits – an update from the DTX400 series.
Both kits are powered by the new DTX402 module, which comes with 287 drum and percussion sounds, 128 keyboard sounds, 10 customisable drum kits and nine reverb types.
The module also includes 10 unique built-in training exercises, along with a record...
Alesis updates Nitro
Alesis has used the Summer NAMM show to launch a new Nitro Mesh kit. The Nitro is an eight-piece kit (five drums, three cymbals) with mesh heads on all drums.
It is billed as a kit for “any beginner-to-intermediate drummer looking for a realistic, responsive playing experience in a compact set that’s easy to transport and set up”.
This kit has an...
Pearl adds KMI products
Pearl Corporation is strengthening relations with Keith McMillen Instruments (KMI), developer of the malletSTATION launched earlier this year.
Pearl has signed a distribution deal with KMI “to grow the availability and awareness of KMI products while expanding KMI’s reach into new markets”.
This new distribution connection between Pearl and KMI will...
Just add triggers
E-drummers tend to look at everything out there as a potential trigger device, and a couple of readers approached me a while back saying they had discovered “the next big thing”. Their interest was aroused when accessory-maker RTOM Corporation launched its Black Hole slip-on mesh head solution.
How it works
The Black Hole pads are heavy-duty mesh...
PMC takes to the road
The Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) will take drumming promotion to the streets again this US summer, calling on retailers to get behind the Vans Warped Tour.
The initiative is aimed at promoting the excitement and benefits of drums and drumming to the thousands of attendees that gather at each tour city. It includes a ‘first free drum lessons’ offer which...
Roland adds TD-17 series
Roland has launched the TD-17 series, a mid-range offering boasting a new module, snare pad, kick trigger and hi-hat set-up.
There are three new kits powered by the TD-17 module - TD-17KVX, TD-17KV, and TD-17K-L.
The module uses technology from the flagship TD-50, loaded with sounds from Roland’s recent round of sampling recordings. There are 50 ready-to-play...
Pearl/Korg line announced
Pearl will debut a new electronic drum collaboration with Korg at the Summer NAMM Show in June.
The e/MERGE line is an all-new offering, built around the e/MERGE MDL1 module, featuring “a full library of high definition, natural, organic and minimally processed acoustic Pearl drums”.
The drum pads are said to use the same technology deployed in the...
Review: BFD Crush expansion pack
American drum maker Crush has no modesty when it comes to describing its mid-range Sublime AXM Series as “truly a work of playable art”.
The kit has got good reviews thanks to its hybrid construction, pairing the “precise attack of ash ... with the warmth of maple”.
No, we haven’t taken leave of our senses and started testing acoustic drums, we found...
Ben Ellingworth: How I use e-drums
Australian award-winning drummer Ben Ellingworth adds colour with electronics.
I have just wrapped up a tour around Australia with UK legends Pop Will Eat Itself. I’ve been a big fan of these guys forever and they were a big inspiration for the style I’ve always enjoyed playing, especially on the electronic side of drumming.
I’m also the full-time...
E-drums reach kids in need
digitalDrummer has previously reported on the use of e-drums to combat bullying, but in Mexico, the instruments are helping a broad range of vulnerable kids.
Carlos Adalid is combining his love of music with his commitment to his community in Mexico City.
An amateur drummer for almost 30 years, Adalid has also been an active charity worker, supporting...
Adapter optimises CYs for 2box
A new adapter allows Roland cymbals to be used with a 2box module, and digitalDrummer put it to the test.
Last year, Zourman Drums solved one of the burning 2box issues by releasing an adapter which freed owners from the need to use the proprietary hi-hat system. Now, the Swedish inventor has taken the next step, applying his approach to the two-into-one-doesn’t-go...
Taking MIDI to the next level
A new generation of instruments is changing the nature of MIDI and opening the doors to more expressiveness.
Three years ago, a group of music industry pioneers met in southern California to brainstorm how to connect a new type of electronic instrument.
Among them were Roland Lamb and Roger Linn, inventors of the ROLI Seaboard and the Linnstrument...
Powering the box
In recent years, the cajon has been transformed from an acoustic box to an electronic instrument. So how can you bring your cajon into the electronic age?
The last couple of years has seen some off-the-shelf e-cajons hit the market. But what if you already have a cajon lying around – or have access to a cheap one that you’d like to use as a trigger device?
BFD adds Crush pack
Fxpansion has released a Crush expansion pack for BFD3, BFD2 and BFD Eco that captures a an AXM drum kit. Tuned and processed to sound “loud and proud out of the box”, this kit is perfect for all progressive and technical rock and metal genres. It comes with a full complement of Meinl Byzance cymbals, which also includes a range of stacked cymbals.
The kick...
Roland adds monitors
Roland has introduced the PM-100 and PM-200 Personal Monitors, two new amplification systems designed for use with V-Drums electronic percussion products. These compact all-in-one monitors are specially optimised for e-drums.
The PM-100 features 80 W of power, a custom 10” speaker and a tweeter, while the PM-200 features 180 W of power, a custom 12“ speaker,...
Mixing with the best
Monitoring e-drums is sometimes a challenge, particularly when you’re performing live. Roger Whitsett shares his tried and tested solution.
I started playing drums in 1974 and since then, I have played with and opened for national, regional and local acts. I began using electronic drums in 1988, starting with a Simmons SDS5. Then, I purchased an Alesis HR-16...
Analogue solutions to e-challenges
Electronic drummers tend to look for hi-tech solutions where sometimes a simple mechanical device is the best answer. This month, Allan Leibowitz looks at two practical products for e-drummers.
JLH-DC001 Hi Hat Drop Clutch
Double kick players often need to lock their hi-hat in the closed position to free up a foot. Sure, it is possible to recalibrate...
2box starts production
Sweden’s 2box has announced the start of production of the long-awaited DrumIt Three module.
The e-drum maker used its Facebook page to announce the development.
“We would like to apologise for postponing the launch of DrumIt Three several times. But in a last minute decision, we decided to add some more cool features. Thanks to all of you for your...
Meshing about
digitalDrummer has probably tested more meshheads than anyone else and Allan Leibowitz takes a moment to reflect on what he’s learned in the process.
I’ve been testing mesh heads for more than adecade, but first began comprehensive head-to-head testing for the second edition of digitalDrummer in early 2010.
Since then, I have had more than 30 different...
It looks like a drum, but …
Born out of a Kickstarter, the BopPad is now a reality. Allan Leibowitz checked it out.
I first saw the BopPad at NAMM a couple of years ago. Then there was a Kickstarter campaign which reached its goal in three days and went on to exceed a stretch goal of $100,000.
Backers are already bashing away at the 28 cm (10”) pads, and digitalDrummer was among...
Yamaha launches hybrid solution
Yamaha has launched the EAD10 acoustic/electronic drum module which transforms acoustic drum kits into a powerful digital/electronic hybrid with sampled sounds and studio-quality digital effects.
The Yamaha EAD10 consists of an EAD Sensor and an EAD Module. The sensor is attached to the bass drum hoop and records the entire drum kit from this position. The bass...
Tyler Zarzeka: How I Use E-drums
Touring with Noah Cyrus, Tyler Zarzeka uses electronics to blend recorded sounds with his acoustic drums.
I've spent the last 10 years learning and embracing two sides of the music industry, performance and music production. I’ve had the chance to work with some of the biggest artists and bands in the world such as Usher, Demi Lovato, Hanson, and performed with...
SPD-SX gets a makeover 1
Roland has released an enhanced version of the popular SPD-SX Sampling Pad. The SPD-SX Special Edition offers all the functionality of the standard SPD-SX with greatly expanded onboard storage capacity, boosted to 16 GB.
The memory boost means users can store up to 50 hours of mono samples onboard.
The new distinctively coloured version also ships...
10 things to love about SD3
This month’s release of Superior Drummer 3 may be a bit overdue, but was certainly worth the wait. Here are some of the features which make this VST offering a new benchmark.
1. Fully integrated solution
SD3 is a standalone software product, and no longer requires a host such as the Solo product required to run SD2. One click, and you’re behind the...
What do you look for in e-drums?
digitalDrummer and Gibraltar hardware recently conducted a survey into the use of e-drums and here are some of the key findings:
Volume control is one of the main benefits of e-drums, ranked important or very important by 83% of respondents.
The ability to modify sounds (tuning and FX) is a core requirement for 84% of e-drummers.
It seems that acoustic...
E-drummers feature in photo book
E-drummers are among the musicians featured in From The Riser: A Drummer’s Perspective II, a coffee-table book by photographer and drummer David Phillips.
The self-published book celebrates its first anniversary this month and follows in the footsteps of his first book, A Drummers Perspective, published in 2010 and reviewed in digitalDrummer.
The...
Wireless triggers reach funding goal
A new wireless, app-based trigger system has reached its Kickstarter goal in just 25 hours.
Specdrums are app-connected rings that detect colours and translate them into sounds.
“Growing up as a drummer, I would tap on everything whenever I was away from my drum set,” says Specdrums founder Steven Dourmashkin. “I was determined to create the most...
Superior Drummer 3 is coming
Toontrack has announced that Superior Drummer 3 will be released worldwide on September 12, 2017.
Building on the legacy of its predecessor, Superior Drummer 3 was redesigned from the ground up to introduce a completely new and improved workflow, integrated drum audio to MIDI conversion, 35 mixer effects, scalable interface, detachable windows and a comprehensive...
Mackie Thumps get makeover
Mackie’s Thump Series Powered Loudspeakers, commonly used by e-drummers, have undergone an upgrade and range extension.
The new 13000W Thump Series delivers more power and reliability than ever, plus a host of convenient features like built-in mixers, speaker modes and much more.
Mackie has added two new Thump Boosted models: the 12" Thump12BST and...
How I Use E-drums (Jeremy Furstenfeld )
Blue October drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld uses electronic percussion to expand his playing palette.
I have been the drummer for the multi-platinum Blue October since its beginning. Currently, I am in the studio with Blue October creating our ninth studio album. I am also the drummer and co-founder, co-producer and engineer of a side-project band called Harvard...
FXpansion adds BFD pack
FXpansion has released a new expansion pack for BFD3, BFD Vintage Recording Techniques.
The sample pack uses a variety of vintage microphone techniques to capture a beautiful Ludwig Classic Maple drum kit. The result is a selection of familiar, authentic vintage sounds suitable for rock, pop, blues and more.
BFD’s engineers used world renowned drum...
2box is a survivor
When the 2box kit was launched, some questioned its build quality and the ruggedness of the system. So, five years after purchasing a kit, Jan van Vugt reports on its current state of health.
I BOUGHT MY 2box kit five years ago (April 30, 2012) at a time of much ridicule and contempt on some forums.
In the summer of 2012, I installed an extension...
The ‘original’ Simmons returns
The battle for control of the Simmons name is over, with Dave Simmons, founder of the original Simmons drum brand, now working with Guitar Center, the giant US retailer which had claimed the name after the original registration lapsed.
The partnership promises to restore the Simmons legacy and move away from the lower-end offerings which Guitar Center had been...
mimic Pro shipping begins
Pearl’s new mimic Pro drum module has begun shipping, with units dispatched to retailers in North America.
A company statement says due to overwhelming interest, the first shipment of mimic Pro is completely sold out. It is understood that all preorders placed with dealers on or before June 1st should receive a unit from the first shipment.
The next...
Feel the beat – literally
While many modules have built-in metronomes, these aren’t always easy to use. Nor is a click track necessarily the best approach for all drummers.
Enter Soundbrenner, a wearable smart device that uses vibrations instead of the traditional clicks and sounds.
The device, a successful graduate of the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, made its debut at...
Roland rocks the boats
Roland Corporation U.S. will be supporting Carnival Cruise Line’sonboard entertainment across its 25-ship fleet.
Roland will provide Carnival’s bands and technical teams withmusical equipment, training and technical support.
Carnival takes its onboard entertainment seriously and recentlyopened Carnival Studios, a state-of-the-art rehearsal space...
Debuts down under
The debut Sydney Drum and Percussion Show, supported by digitalDrummer, was well-timed for product debuts, offering Roland its first opportunity to show off its four new e-drum products launched the day before.
Vdrums general manager of product design Hiroyuki Nishi and product designer Ryo Takasaki were on hand to see the launch of the new SPD::ONE line.
Alesis updates DM10 kit
Six years after its launch, Alesis has again updated its DM10 line, with a new DM10 MKII Pro Kit.
Alesis is dubbing the kit “a premium 10-piece electronic drum set with our exclusive Alesis dual-zone mesh drum heads”.
The kit features six drum pads (10/10/12/12” toms, 12” snare with stand, and 8" bass drum), four cymbals (12” hi-hat, two 14” crashes...
Akai adds MPC expansion pack
Akai has released a new MPC Expansion pack from legendary producer Tim Kelley.
Tim Kelley Presents Vol. 1 contains over 1.9 GB of radio-ready drum hits, melodic riffs, chords, stems and clips.
The pack has 16 MPC drum/clip kits, nine MPC multi kits, 11 sequences, 1,103 samples and 1,103 melodic loops.
Tim Kelley is one half of the famous...
Roland adds percussion pads
Roland has released a new product line for the hybrid market. The SPD::ONE series consists of four single-zone percussion pads that can be played with drumsticks, hands or feet.
The four models in the SPD::ONE series run on batteries or AC power.
The SPD::ONE ELECTRO is equipped with a variety of electronic percussion sounds, including snare and handclaps...
How I use e-drums
Tom Wheeler is a Bristol, UK-based drummer/producer currently working with Dr Meaker, Paragon and Laurent John. He explains how e-drums have helped unleash his creativity.
Since I started playing drums, I always had a passion for dance and electronic music. I would always listen to artists like The Prodigy, Daft Punk, Prince, Massive Attack, to name a few.
Alesis Strike starts shipping
Alesis has started filling back-orders and placing kits in retail stores as it ramps up manufacture of its Strike Pro electronic drum kit, as Allan Leibowitz reports.
“We’ve been shipping in the States since March,” says Alesis drums head Tim Root. “And everything we have shipped has been sold, so dealers are reordering. We’ve got way more orders than (we can...
Not drumless, but still useful
The quest for drumless tracks led digitalDrummer to a software solution with lots of promise.
SOMETIMES, YOU SET out to find something and you discover something entirely different. That’s what happened when I saw an online promo for ReFrame, a software application that can be used to isolate instruments in recorded music.
My first thought was this...
Use your USB
It wasn’t easy to get early modules to communicate with computers, but as Henry Yates explains, USB has changed all of that.
Let’s face it: your basement ain’t no Abbey Road. Chances are it’s a damp subterranean cave, bedecked with posters of John Bonham, beer bottles and broken sticks. But if you’re drumming on an electronic drum kit – complete with cutting-edge...