The new Korg Wavedrum mini looks totally sweet! Not only does it perform a lot of the functions you’d expect to find in a small package beat maker/sampler/percussion synthesizer – it has this cool “sensor clip” you can attach to almost anything to turn it into a drumming surface!

I don’t know about you, but I already manage to turn almost any surface into a drum. (You could actually clip the sensor to your steering wheel and output to your car stereo through the headphone jack – probably not the safest idea in the world but way more satisfying!)

The fact is that I often find that playing on various hard surfaces a more expressive and responsive way of creating patterns and expressing myself musically. It blows my mind that I could now add tonality and samples to this. Cool!

From the Korg Wavedrum Mini product page

With drum and percussion sounds from around the world, revolutionary synth sounds, plus unique original sounds, the Wavedrum Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer has been embraced by percussionists, drummers, and music lovers around the world.

The all-new Wavedrum Mini carries on this sound concept in a compact and portable format – complete with a built-in speaker and battery power for play anywhere convenience. In addition to its dynamic pad surface, the Wavedrum Mini also includes a newly-developed sensor clip which can be attached to a table, cup, or any object, allowing it to be played as a percussion instrument. Using the sensor clip and the pad allows two sounds to be played at once, doubling the Wavedrum Mini’s performance potential. Choose from 100 great sounds; add in one of the 10 exciting effects; play along to one of the 100 internal rhythm patterns, or record with unlimited overdubs using the built-in Looper. The possibilities are endless. The Wavedrum Mini will appeal to musicians who value a truly original performance, or to any beginner simply looking to enjoy playing a musical instrument. Read more here…

I can see this not only being used by hobbyists at home and by pros in the studio, but in live performances as a way to bring movement and alternative surfaces/instruments to life.

But as a compulsive tapper, any-surface-is-my-drum guy, I would have a ton of fun with this.

Where to buy

Right now the Wavedrum Mini doesn’t to appear to be on the shelves. Here’s a link to Guitar Center’s Wavedrum Standard. Maybe just watch this product listing for updates about the mini.

I took my two year old son into Guitar Center the other day. He’s already obsessed with drums and guitars an it’s pretty much his favorite outing at this point! While we were in there the drum tech told me about the new Pearl e-Pro live kit that made it debut at NAMM where it subsequently won a “best in show award”.

Now, I’m not totally adverse to electronic kits as they’ve come  A LONG WAY since the crappy octo-pads of the 80′s; I’ve played quite a bit on the V-Drums in both live and studio situations and had a great time. But I’ve never jonesed for an electronic kit either. That all changed for me when I laid my eyes on this kit!

You’ve got to check out the YouTube video at the end of this post. (But read my review first!)

Gene Okamoto from Pearl is the congenial fellow who introduces us to the e-Pro Live drumset in the Pearl video. Say “Hi” to Gene!

Dennis Chambers, one of my personal favorites, is the first pro they show using the kit. I think this is especially appropriate because Dennis isn’t characterized as a straight-forward rock drummer. He really mixes it up with a lot of syncopation and polyrhythmic style playing. I like this because that’s where I’ve had some frustrations with electronic kits before – they just can’t keep up with highly involved playing and rhythms. Say “Hi” to Dennis!

Why the e-Pro Live drums are going to be my next kit purchase.

Reason number one: They look like real drums.

Let me first say, I don’t think I’m a vain musician. I mean, I’m a pretty good drummer and have no problems getting gigs when I’m looking for them but I’m not a monster player like our friend Dennis up there. But I’ve never really thought to myself, “I need a DW Bubinga veneer with gold plated hardware and the full retinue of DW’s top-of-the-line stuff or I won’t play it!” I like that stuff but I don’t require it. I personally believe you can make a CB 700 kit sound good and work in most situations.

But I’ve never, ever liked playing on drums that look like they’ve been assembled from left over Space Shuttle parts. I like to play drums that at least make an attempt to look like drums!

The e-Pro Live kit is made up of real shells that are typical depth and width. It looks EXACTLY like a freakin’ kit! Nice.

REAL SIZES

The kit has 10″, 12″, and 14″ inch rack toms; a 20″ bass drum; and a 14″ snare drum. Just how I like ‘em.

REAL SHELLS

These are not some composite crap or plastic equivalent, we’re talking real wood shells. These are the same type of shells that you’d find in any acoustic drum kit. In the promo video they don’t really focus on the construction of the shells but I’m almost positive that you’d find these shells in another production Pearl kit. Why wouldn’t they use shells from an existing product?

This is one of the features of the e-Pro Live kit that has me sold. As I’ll point out later in my review, you can simply switch out the e-Pro Live electronic trigger heads if you have a gig that requires an acoustic setup. Of course, if you also have an acoustic kit you wouldn’t need to do this but it’s a really cool option if you don’t. Keep in mind that switching out the heads on five drums isn’t done quickly but if you had the right tools you could probably make pretty quick work of it.

REAL FINISH

Artisan II in quilted maple fade or Jet Black are the color options for the kit. I’d definitely choose the quilted maple fade over the black but I might go for a less flashy wood finish if it was available.

Playing on drums that look like drums is important to me. On the one hand it’s absurd to say, “Hey, look at these real drums I’m playing! They’re REAL drums because you can tell by the way they look.”, because when you’re playing on them in full electronic mode, they’re not real drums. (Strictly speaking.) You’d only be fooling dummies. On the other hand drumming isn’t purely about the technology but also about the culture. Drums look and feel a certain way. It’s critical to me to feel like I’m playing something other than dead plastic even if  they are producing pure electronic output. So I’m on board with mostly fake aspect of making them look like real drums. And, like I pointed out earlier, they can produce as an acoustic set simply by switching out the heads.

REAL CYMBALS

Here’s another super sweet feature of the e-Pro Live setup – real cymbals. Well, o.k., they’re not real cymbals unless they make very loud, shimmery noises, but they apparently feel and respond like real cymbals.

The e-Pro Live cymbals are made with real brass and should have the type of stick response indicative of any brass cymbal. However, logic says that they are going to have a pretty heavy and slightly clunky feel to them as they’ve got some electronics along for the ride underneath and must have some sort of sound deadening involved.

REAL HARDWARE

Not to make too fine of point here, but the e-Pro Live kit looks just like an every day acoustic because it has a standard hardware setup as well. The tom holders, lugs, stands, and rack are all what you’d expect to see on any kit. Plus Pearl hardware is super tight. I always buy Pearl or DW stuff.

As far as the rack goes, it’s a modified ICON rack that you can more drums and cymbals to if you wanted to expand your kit.

Final Thoughts

Me likey. Me want. How about you? Anyone gigging on one of these yet?

Correct snare drum tuning is one of those things that can make a big difference at your next gig. Nobody likes to hear a snare drum that sounds like you’re hitting a wet piece of meat. And it doesn’t provide the musical support needed to the rest of the band that depend on a strong back beat to keep things moving.

I found a good video tutorial by Matt Payne. He’s a professional drummer out of Franklin, TN who has played with some big names such as Hall and Oates, All Star United, Paul Colemen, and others. He’s also an expert drum technician. I like his approach to tuning the snare. It’s less “scientific” than some tuning methods but it relies more on the “feel” of the sound. I prefer this approach. Check it out by clicking on the video.

via Artist House Music

I love new technology as much as the next guy but some tried and true technology is just tough to beat. (No pun intended.) This is definitely true for kick drum pedals.

I started thinking about what pedal I’d want in my arsenal when I saw the release of the new Pearl Eliminator Demon Drive Pedal. To be sure the Pearl pedal rocks! With it’s fancy “ninja” skateboard bearings and direct link coupler it’s quite the piece of engineering.

But I have a hard time wanting to move away from my beloved DW 5000 series pedal. It’s just so dependable, and quite frankly, gives me the warm fuzzies. When I sit behind a kit and I see the DW 5000 I’m assured that there are going to be no surprises while I’m gigging.

Point in fact: I did a gig the other night and was initially impressed with the PDP hardware on the kit. The hi-hat stand was responsive and solid. However, towards the end of the set the heel plate of the PDP hi-hat stand unthreaded itself from the foot plate and the pedal just went all cattywhompus. Not good.

Derek Bloom, Dave Grohl, and Neil Peart all use this pedal. I kind of see it as the gold standard without the new product price.

The list price on the DW 5000TD3 is $299 but you can pick it up at Guitar Center for $179.99 with a handy carrying case and free shipping. That’s about as cheap as it gets!

If you’ve never given this pedal a chance, go into your local music store and try it out. It’s just a classic, adjustable. reliable, affordable, and dynamic product.

DW 5000TD3 Turbo Chain-Drive Single Pedal Features

Turbo strap drive system
Includes double-chain and sprocket for conversion to chain drive
Aluminum hex shafts
Pedal plates and linkages
Stackable heel plate
Dual/side adjusting hoop clamp
101 2-way beater
Built-in spurs

See this product at Guitar Center right now.

I meandered in to my local Guitar Center in Lynnwood, Washington the other day to buy a new set of Hot Rods and saw a couple of gorgeous DW kits on sale. I snapped a couple of photos for you with my crappy iPhone camera.

DW 5 piece Red Gum kit

I love the look of this kit. This picture doesn’t do it justice (See DW’s photo at top of post for better representation) but the Gum wood is a nice compromise to the tried and true honey maple finish. The vertically arranged grain is distinctive but not overly flashy.

The hardware is the DW brushed chrome finish. It also resembles an anodized aluminum finish. I really like this finish because if you’re OCD about not having smudges and fingerprints on your chrome hardware you won’t be constantly twitching until you get out your polishing rag. Plus the matte finish off sets the Gum wood veneer nicely.

At $3,634 it’s not cheap but the list price is around $9,000. However you’d probably pick it up at most retailers for $5,000 or so. The drum section sales guy told me that this is priced about $200 above their cost. If I had the cash I probably would have purchased this kit.

DW 4 piece Tabacco Stain kit

Another beautiful DW kit although a little more classic looking. I actually think this is an exceptional deal.

The Tabacco stain gives the kit a classic look and feel that’s going to be at home in almost every venue. These drums are going to sound punchy and bright. I’m a big fan of the classic look. It’s fun to see a glitter kit being played well in a brightly lit venue but it’s not for me.

So if you’ve just got to get your hands on either one of these kits head on over to the Lynnwood, Wa Guitar Center and pick ‘em up. Or get in touch with me. Maybe I can help some how.

Pork Pie Copper Snare drum

I was in Phoenix for a business trip this week and I had some time to kill so I went to the nearest guitar center to see what they had in the drum section. The first thing I saw was a beautiful patinated copper Pork Pie Snare drum. The camera on my iPhone doesn’t really do it justice but take a look at this gorgeous snare drum.

PDP drums out perform the Little Squealer Pork Pie set?

For some time I’ve been a big fan of Pork Pie drums in general and the Little Squealer kit in particular. I’m not the kind of guy who likes the super flashy finishes that Pork Pie typically applies to their kits – although they do it so expertly it’s scary – and I also don’t like the price that an American made Pork Pie fetches. However, the Little Squealer kit has that flat black stain over the maple shell that’s understated and classy all at the same time. It kind of reminds me of the wheel blacking that tuners are doing these days. Kind of mod yet kind of black tie.

I was discussing the Little Squealer with the dude working the floor at this particular Guitar Center and he said that although he likes Pork Pie drums in general he’d take the PDP line of drums over the imported Little Squealer kit any day. When asked why he said it’s because the maple used on the Little Squealer is an imported softer version of maple than what is used in the PDP kit. Apparently the PDP uses American maple rather than Taiwanese which is softer?

I think PDP makes a nice looking and sharp sounding kit. Even though this is the second time I’ve been recommended a PDP kit I have a hard time getting over the fact that it’s a second tier DW product. I’d just rather have a DW set. Other than liking the DW brand and what it connotates I don’t have a really good reason for that.

Todd Sucherman rocks the party (Who likes to rock the party?….)

I’m pretty sure that Todd Sucherman would love to session for The Flight of the Conchords but he doesn’t as far as I know. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t “rock the party”. I got an enthusiastic recommendation for this instructional DVD called “Todd Sucheman – Methods and Mechanics”.

Todd is a very gifted artist who is adept at almost any drumming style. He’s also a very good communicator and this dvd will not leave you gasping for air trying to keep up with his instruction. I’m going to check it out and I’ll report back later with a review. Anyone else seen this?

Drum Magazine is giving away one of three sweet prizes. All you have to do is follow this link to enter. No purchase necessary but you may decide to subscribe to Drum Magazine because it’s an awesome drum publication.

Go here: Drum Magazine Roland Giveaway Contest (top link)
Do this: Enter by July 1st, 2009
And you can: Enter as many times as you want online.
And you should: Send me a gift if you win. Just for telling you about it!

Here’s what they’re going to be giving away on July 15, 2009.

1st Prize

TD-9SX V-Tour Series V-Drums

2nd Prize

TD-4S V-Compact Series V-Drums

3rd Prize

HPD-10 Handsonic

I’d take any one of these Roland setups. And that’s the reason I entered the contest. (I’m sure I’m going to win!)

Enter the contest

I‘ve never played on a Ddrum kit but I’ve heard great things about them. I know they create a super solid kit and don’t skimp on the hardware. As a matter of fact they’ve kinda gotten a bit of reputation for being a little too flashy. I believe they’ve stopped just short of putting spinning hubcaps on the front of their bass drums!

Regardless, the Limited Edition Dios Elite Ash Burl kit is gorgeous and reportedly plays like a dream to boot.

What’s nice about this kit is that it looks like a super top end kit but doesn’t come with the associated price tag. It’s manufactured in Taiwan and is actually a mid-line drumset. But I doubt if anyone would be able to tell. The shells are constructed from 100% North American maple with a burl ash outer ply. I especially like the satin finish hoops, cleats, and tom legs. I mean, I love the shine and luxury of chrome but, dang it, I get almost OCD about keeping chrome smudge free. So this would be a nice break for me.

How does it sound?

Reportedly the toms have great depth and would be perfectly suited for rock music or any “big sound” application. Punchy and responsive would be good words used to describe the tone of the drums.

Overall you’ve got yourself a sick looking set of drums at a very palatable price range. Although this is not going to be someone’s first kit it is attainable for the serious hobbyist and working drummer.

Deets

• 100-percent North American maple
• Burl ash outer ply
• Satin chrome die-cast hoops and tube lugs
• $3,747 retail price
• 22″ x 20″bass drum, 10″ x 8″, 12″ x 9″ toms; 14″ x 13″ and 16″ x 13″ floor toms