Electronics

[Drumdoc69]

Hey Guys....I got bored reading all the negative bickering going back & forth in some of the other threads so I thought I would take this opportunity to switch to a lighter topic.

Just wondered if any of you guys use electronics live. I got a set of V Drums a while back & they're great for studio applications but I really hated using them live. I've seen a few bar bands using them live & the "out front" sound was tremendous, however, I'm not a big fan of the way they feel. And obviously, nothing can replace the sound of a set of Recording Customs.

It seems that most on this forum are more into the jazz side (where pads simply will not work as far as I'm concerned)

Surely there are some of you that have dabbled with them before, right?
Any thoughts?

[Randy walker]

back in the 80's early 90's i triggered samples, both from the shells and from pads. I don't anymore, so needless to say i have a few pieces of gear that just are sitting for nostalgia, like a Simmons SD7, Yamaha DTS 70 trigger to midi module, a spacemuffins O.O and an Alesis D4.

[XNavyDrummer]

We've talked about electronic kits on other threads (do a search on this hostboard). I have a set of the V-Pro's. Great for practice through a speaker and great for teaching.

But as far as rehearsing and playing out with these things, that infamous 3 to 4 millisecond delay between when the stick hits the drum pad and when the sound is delivered from the module, just drives me mildly insane.

At first I liked using them for recording, but nothing beats a great sounding set of acoustics.

On the other hand, the recordings from Peter C on his electronics (not a V-kit) sounded killer.

[Drumdoc69]

Peter C? You'll have to school me, Andy. I'd love to check it out.

[XNavyDrummer]

Peter C is a member of this hostboard. He's posted several of his clips using his e-drums. Just do a search on this board. Hopefully many of the links will still be good.

[Pedro G]

I use an Roland Octapad (SPD 20) on my left side for percussion and electronic Fx, and it's great, but the only times that I've been forced to play live with 100% electronics I was VERY uncomfortable. I also used some hybrids with acoustic cymbals or SD but I felt totally unbalanced.

Maybe if I try the new Rolands with in ears my opinion could change.

. [img]cool.gif[/img]

[JohnnyHendrix]

Hey, Drumdoc69
When I use electronics.. I use a Boss SP505 to trigger different specific samples. Its great because it has a bunch of FX that you can manipulate live or studio.
Also, I use a Roland TD8 for some drum loop stuff and also some cool musical stuff you can write into the machine via Midi and a little side keyboard.
I'd like to do the Ableton Live w/ stylus and other loop stuff, But just dont have the $$$$ mula to start up a whole new setup. ( with that said.. if any of you want to give away some stuff, I'm open to the idea [img]wink.gif[/img] )

Johnny

[Drumdoc69]

I did use 3 of the pads w/ the TD10 to do some percussion w/ the left hand along w/ the acoustic kit. That was actually really cool. It's just more stuff to set up though. I guess I'm into setting up in 10 minutes. I got the Octapad SPD8 back in the late 80's but I wasn't using it once I got the Vdrums. I let the trumpet player borrow it to do some percussion. Mabey I should get that back from him & do it myself [img]wink.gif[/img]

I guess the snare is the main issue when it comes to using a complete electronic kit.

[JohnnyHendrix]

I know what you mean about a bunch of stuff to lug around, but sometimes.... its necessary to sound the best [img]wink.gif[/img]
Yea the snare thing is the truth, but I also feel its hard to find good crash and ride sounds. Unless you are going for electronic triphop/jungle/techno style stuff.
anyways.. my thought.
Peace

[mwm]

As has been said, we have discussed this --

I want to point out that there are many many reasons to choose accoustics over electronics for performance -- but latency shouldn't be one. If you are experiencing enough latency that it affects your playing (and Andy V is right that will drive you crazy), you are not setting up your system correctly. Remember that the electronic drums are no different from your keyboard player's electronic keyboard.

Make sure you play around with the set up through your board, and better yet, get someone who knows how to do it to do it for you. [img]smile.gif[/img]