How I use electronic drums: Paul Hannah

Electronics saved the day for musical theatre drummer Paul Hannah. I’ve Been Playing electronic drums since 1984. At NEC, Pat Hollenbeck brought in NYC drummer Ron Tierno to demonstrate the then-new LinnDrum. I was so impressed by the demonstration that for my senior recital in 1987, I used a Sequential Circuits drum machine connected via MIDI to a Yamaha Drum Machine to perform the drum set parts of Vic Firth’s Sonata for Timpani, Roto-Toms and Drumset. I used the SC machine as it had dynamics! I could step-program the rhythms AND dynamics and trigger the better-quality Yamaha sounds. It was a huge pain, but it worked a treat! On my first tour after college, I had a Yamaha DX-7 and […]

Roland updates TD-17/TD-27 software

The software enhancements included in Roland’s updated TD-17 and TD-27 kits are now available as updates for existing Version 1 owners. The updates bring trigger compatibility with Roland’s newest pads and cymbals as well as new sounds – and more sound-shaping tools and expanded ambience options. The TD-27 module gets 10 additional preset kits and newly enhanced versions of the three most popular kits from the original release. New pre-loaded samples are also available for combining with preset kits or your own custom set-ups. Layering features have been expanded, while parallel compression options iand transient shaping enhancements provide even greater sound control. The module interface has also been improved for even faster sound selection and drum customisation. The Version 2 […]