Gear

Zildjian discounts ALCHEM-E

Zildjian has slashed $1,000 off the price of its mid-range ALECHEM-E Gold kit and $500 off the base Bronze EX kit, which are now priced at $3,999 and $2,999, respectively. The price reduction comes in the wake of a major software update that consists of new firmware and new sound samples. Enhancements include a note chase feature for trigger tweaking, auto-save for trigger settings and a new mask time setting. Zildjian claims to have improved the response for hi-hat open/close and foot chick as well as bow triggering on the cymbals. There are also general improvements to navigation and screen transitions and various bug fixes. The update also delivers new factory content in the form of five new kits (Bright […]

DIY

New DIY sound source released

E-drummers have a new sound source option, with Italian drummer Paolo Simonazzi releasing the plans and a component list for a new USB sound expander – and the software needed to run it – all for free. DrumPi began its journey in 2011 when Simonazzi, a software engineer, began toying with the idea of using the smartphone as a sound engine for an electronic drum module. Hampered by latency, in 2015, he changed his approach and started coding prototypes on a Raspberry Pi 3. After sitting dormant for a while, the project was revived, with new software developed to transform the audio engine into a full-featured DAW, including a 64-channel mixer, effects, MIDI support, multi-layered samples, multi-velocity samples, a transients […]

Gear, Performance, Review

Beyerdynamic DT 71 review

Much of the activity in the in-ear monitor market has been at the budget end, but established German audio specialist beyerdynamic is not ignoring the growing musician market. The company used the last NAMM Show to debut a new line of in-ear monitors, one of them specifically designed for drummers. The DT 71 IE  is designed to “deliver powerful bass and clear treble, enhancing low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones”, according to the launch publicity. digitalDrummer tested the earbuds with a range of modules and VSTs on a MacBook Air via a PreSonus Studio26c interface. What’s in the box The stylish black packaging contains: a pair of in-ear monitors a pair of Comply […]

Uncategorized

Rubber meets wireless: Roland’s DrumLink System expands DWe potential

Allan Leibowitz tests Roland’s new wireless cymbal pack. ROLAND CONTINUES TO reap the benefits of its DW acquisition, bringing more DWe innovations into its mainstream line-up. The latest evolution is the DrumLink wireless system, which incorporates DW’s wireless triggering technology into Roland’s broader e-drum ecosystem. We first saw DWe tech in action with Roland’s latest digital snare drums, introducing a virtual throw-off for the first time. Now, that same wireless tech is front and centre in Roland’s new WT-10 Wireless Trigger Adapter and DH-10 DrumLink Hub — the latter being a rebadged version of the DWe hub, used to receive signals from wireless drums and cymbals. Wireless expansion begins Roland’s first official foray into wireless expansion comes in the form […]

Samples

Producer launches free MIDI mapping app

Akhil C S, a software developer and music producer, has launched a free online tool designed to solve a common and often frustrating problem faced by electronic drummers and producers: remapping MIDI drum files between different virtual drum instruments. The web app, OnlineMidiRemap.com, allows users to easily convert MIDI drum parts created in one drum library to match the mapping of another — a process that typically requires tedious manual editing or the use of expensive commercial software. “There are many drum libraries out there, and each one uses its own custom MIDI mapping,” Akhil explains. “It can be really time-consuming to manually translate between them.” The MIDI mapping maze For e-drummers and music producers who use virtual instruments (VSTs) […]

DIY, Gear

Top maintenance tips for drum pads and e-cymbals

Electronic drum kits are built to withstand hours of playing — but like any instrument, they require regular maintenance to keep them performing at their best. Whether you’re gigging regularly or drumming at home, here are some crucial tasks every e-drummer should include in their maintenance routine. Check (and replace) worn foam cones The foam cones or columns under the mesh head on pads are key to translating your playing dynamics into MIDI signals. Over time, these cones can compress, harden or disintegrate, resulting in uneven triggering or dead zones. What to do: Open the pad casing (check your model’s teardown guide first). Inspect the cone for visible damage, wear or compression. Replace with OEM or quality aftermarket cones, if […]

DIY, Gear

New software revives ddrum4

A virtual collaboration is helping bring a 25-year-old drum module into the 21st century. Three software tinkerers, collectively calling themselves Team ddrum4ui, recently unveiled an app that breathes new life into the iconic ddrum4 drum module by enabling editing of factory sound files and adding new audio samples to the brain and with some other features. Before examining the advances, it’s worth looking back at the history of the drum brain which is still sought after today. Brief history of the ddrum4 The ddrum4 hit the market in the late 1990s, when it was released by Swedish synth innovator Clavia, best known for the Nord keyboards. ddrum first emerged in the ‘80s with one of the early acoustic drum triggers. […]

Samples

BFD 3.5 reviewed

BFD recently released an update of its drum VST, dropping BFD 3.5. Allan Leibowitz checked out the new, expanded version. FXpansion’s BFD 3 was launched back in 2013, so it certainly has been a long time between drinks and much has changed in the VST space in the past dozen years. When BFD 3 was launched, internet bandwidth was still limited, so some of us actually got the 41 GB package on a USB stick. Now, the update, which weighs in at over 55 GB, is only available via download, using the inMusic Software Center as the delivery mechanism. What’s in the box The virtual box contains a full version of BFD 3.5 which will overwrite parts of the original […]

Gear, Uncategorized

My Monster Kit

Dave Plumb from Manchester in the UK shows off his kit. Dave’s kit:  Roland VAD 503 Roland TD-27 module ddrum DDTi interface Yamaha DTX Multi 12  DTXplorer module Additional drums: Three PD-85 toms; 8”, 12”, 14” A2E toms Additional cymbals: Lemon and Roland  Dave’s story: I started playing the drums at 13 years old when I discovered prog rock. The bands I listened to and which influenced me were Rush, Genesis and The Doors.  I was gigging in clubs and pubs around Manchester every weekend from the age of 14 in the early ’80s with lots of different bands. I used to gig with a Pearl acoustic drum kit. In my 50s, I turned to electronic drums, starting with a […]

Gear, Uncategorized

DWe offered with V-Cymbals

If there’s been one criticism of DWe Drums, it’s been the acoustic noise of the metal cymbals. Now, DW is addressing this by offering the kits paired with Roland’s V-Cymbal pads. At the heart of the new offering is Roland’s DrumLink system which brings wireless trigger support to Roland analogue cymbals, drum pads and triggers. When paired with the DWe DrumLink Wireless Hub, the WT-10 Wireless Trigger Adapter converts a wired pad to wireless, streamlining connectivity for DWe kit owners to integrate Roland pads within their kit. The trigger adapters accept two trigger inputs, allowing users to connect either a dual-zone cymbal or pad or two different single-zone pads. The new cymbal packs feature three- or four-piece options with CY-16R-T […]