Comments on: Zendrum Hand Percussion Hardware + BFD Jazz & Funk Samples in Video http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/ The latest gear, software, and techniques for electronic music production and performance Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:58:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Create Digital Music » Let Your Fingers Do the Drumming: New, Compact Zendrum ZAP http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-385791 Create Digital Music » Let Your Fingers Do the Drumming: New, Compact Zendrum ZAP Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:49:09 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-385791 [...] (aka Patrick Petro) loved the Zendrum, the cult-hit, ultra-sensitive, boutique drum controller. But he wanted something compact with a specific configuration. He writes: Check out the new [...] [...] (aka Patrick Petro) loved the Zendrum, the cult-hit, ultra-sensitive, boutique drum controller. But he wanted something compact with a specific configuration. He writes: Check out the new [...]

]]> By: HAPPY HOLIDAYS! - Here’s something for you all http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-363800 HAPPY HOLIDAYS! - Here’s something for you all Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:30:10 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-363800 [...] With the rise in high-fidelity sampling and badass controllers…things are getting quite interesting [...] [...] With the rise in high-fidelity sampling and badass controllers…things are getting quite interesting [...]

]]> By: Zendrum on order... http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-319623 Zendrum on order... Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:36:19 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-319623 No one has really mentioned the other half of the Zendrum video which is BFD ... the zendrum may be responsive but that means nothing if the sample library has only 3 velocity layers! You need both awesome controller and library to sound good. BFD (rather, it's expansion packs) is currently the most articulate drum library around .. and things are likely to get even better quickly ... It is true sampled acoustic drums still lack expression - especially in rides/ hihats .. but it is ALSO true that most music using drum kits these days (except jazz) under-utilizes the full expressiveness of drums anyway, not to mention modern production trends squashing what little expressiveness remains right out of the mix. IOW in the vast majority of cases the poor drummer might as well be using a sampled kit! Sad but true! .. at least with BFD you get top quality drums, mics pres etc and all utterly tweakable after the fact. I am all for real drum kits - i love them - but I also love BFD .. just like I love listening to a live orchestra with a passion but I also love VSL .. the music world IS big enough for them all. I also agree the expressiveness of the zendrum with specially created new 'sounds' is an awesome idea.... this is what i intend to use it for along with BFD et all ... mine is being made as we speak..... :) No one has really mentioned the other half of the Zendrum video which is BFD … the zendrum may be responsive but that means nothing if the sample library has only 3 velocity layers! You need both awesome controller and library to sound good. BFD (rather, it’s expansion packs) is currently the most articulate drum library around .. and things are likely to get even better quickly …

It is true sampled acoustic drums still lack expression - especially in rides/ hihats .. but it is ALSO true that most music using drum kits these days (except jazz) under-utilizes the full expressiveness of drums anyway, not to mention modern production trends squashing what little expressiveness remains right out of the mix.

IOW in the vast majority of cases the poor drummer might as well be using a sampled kit!

Sad but true!

.. at least with BFD you get top quality drums, mics pres etc and all utterly tweakable after the fact.

I am all for real drum kits - i love them - but I also love BFD .. just like I love listening to a live orchestra with a passion but I also love VSL .. the music world IS big enough for them all.

I also agree the expressiveness of the zendrum with specially created new ’sounds’ is an awesome idea…. this is what i intend to use it for along with BFD et all … mine is being made as we speak….. :)

]]> By: david jary http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-285613 david jary Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:41:01 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-285613 I think most people miss the real great thing about this controller its an original expressive , ergonomic device that triggers sounds! Its not another keyboard trying to be a guitar, or round skin shape like the roland. Its original, has a natural and comfortable 'feel' to it, and demands its own 'way' of playing. After saying that..No I dont want to see it on stage..or if I do .. I dont want to hear drum sounds comming from it! Design some 'new' sounds for this new instrument..and I will love it! I think most people miss the real great thing about this controller its an original expressive , ergonomic device that triggers sounds! Its not another keyboard trying to be a guitar, or round skin shape like the roland. Its original, has a natural and comfortable ‘feel’ to it, and demands its own ‘way’ of playing. After saying that..No I dont want to see it on stage..or if I do .. I dont want to hear drum sounds comming from it! Design some ‘new’ sounds for this new instrument..and I will love it!

]]> By: Moray Robertson http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-153995 Moray Robertson Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:11:06 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-153995 John, go easy on the bass drum/tom triplets, its one of the hackneyed tricks that jazz drummers do too much of, effective once or twice, but any more and the surprise effect is lost. Also, we do need to bear in mind that playing like that on a real kit would be one heck of a lot harder, and be a lot more interesting to watch. The Zendrum is fine for the studio - and for composers - but live.....boring - leaving them that can't masquerading as them that can! John, go easy on the bass drum/tom triplets, its one of the hackneyed tricks that jazz drummers do too much of, effective once or twice, but any more and the surprise effect is lost. Also, we do need to bear in mind that playing like that on a real kit would be one heck of a lot harder, and be a lot more interesting to watch. The Zendrum is fine for the studio - and for composers - but live…..boring - leaving them that can’t masquerading as them that can!

]]> By: Create Digital Music » Product Demos: RET NS2 Electronic Drum Kits, Universal Audio DCS and Upcoming Monitor Master http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-41303 Create Digital Music » Product Demos: RET NS2 Electronic Drum Kits, Universal Audio DCS and Upcoming Monitor Master Fri, 20 Oct 2006 02:17:02 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-41303 [...] Some readers lamented that the Zendrum MIDI controller was a compact unit with pads rather than arrayed like a traditional drum kit. True, that’s part of the point — supreme portability — but if you like your MIDI triggers in a conventional configuration and still want something expressive and unique, you should have a look at the NS2 electronic drum kits from RET. Zendrummer John Emrich must also love the NS2, because he does the demo performance of the NS2, as well — with even more convincing, realistic effect. (Disclaimer, since this evidently upset people last time: using a sampled acoustic kit as the drum sound for the trigger says a lot about the controller, because it reveals how sensitive and consistent the controller is, much as our ears can easily hear how good a MIDI keyboard is by listening to a sampled grand. These are the sounds we know well. Some of you just don’t like drum kits, so you guys I can’t really help.) [...] [...] Some readers lamented that the Zendrum MIDI controller was a compact unit with pads rather than arrayed like a traditional drum kit. True, that’s part of the point — supreme portability — but if you like your MIDI triggers in a conventional configuration and still want something expressive and unique, you should have a look at the NS2 electronic drum kits from RET. Zendrummer John Emrich must also love the NS2, because he does the demo performance of the NS2, as well — with even more convincing, realistic effect. (Disclaimer, since this evidently upset people last time: using a sampled acoustic kit as the drum sound for the trigger says a lot about the controller, because it reveals how sensitive and consistent the controller is, much as our ears can easily hear how good a MIDI keyboard is by listening to a sampled grand. These are the sounds we know well. Some of you just don’t like drum kits, so you guys I can’t really help.) [...]

]]> By: Peter Kirn http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-37031 Peter Kirn Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:42:37 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-37031 True, but Roland has introduced alternative MIDI-only keyboards, sans audio interface and/or speakers, as has M-Audio. It's definitely doable. I'd more easily spring for it with a couple hundred dollars difference, or even $100 less for features I don't need. In the meantime, though, there's always eBay. :) True, but Roland has introduced alternative MIDI-only keyboards, sans audio interface and/or speakers, as has M-Audio. It’s definitely doable. I’d more easily spring for it with a couple hundred dollars difference, or even $100 less for features I don’t need.

In the meantime, though, there’s always eBay. :)

]]> By: velocipede http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36964 velocipede Thu, 05 Oct 2006 07:42:33 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36964 FYI, the samples on the new Handsonic are new. If they eliminated all the audio, though, how much could they lower the price? My guess is that a MIDI-only Handsonic would still list at US$400-500. Would there be enough market at this price? FYI, the samples on the new Handsonic are new. If they eliminated all the audio, though, how much could they lower the price? My guess is that a MIDI-only Handsonic would still list at US$400-500. Would there be enough market at this price?

]]> By: W. Brent Latta http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36849 W. Brent Latta Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:19:29 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36849 I wasn't trying to single anyone out, but it is my opinion that people can and should use their MIDI controllers to control whatever they want. If they want to trigger drum samples with a freakin' MIDI accordian it is OK by me. The more diversity the better! And yes - the Handsonic is a VERY cool gadget, hindered only by the fact that it ships with a bunch of crap many of us don't need or want: namely, overused Roland samples, audio in/out, etc. A MIDI-only Handsonic would be awesome! I wasn’t trying to single anyone out, but it is my opinion that people can and should use their MIDI controllers to control whatever they want. If they want to trigger drum samples with a freakin’ MIDI accordian it is OK by me. The more diversity the better!

And yes - the Handsonic is a VERY cool gadget, hindered only by the fact that it ships with a bunch of crap many of us don’t need or want: namely, overused Roland samples, audio in/out, etc. A MIDI-only Handsonic would be awesome!

]]> By: links for 2006-10-04 | blog.forret.com http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36745 links for 2006-10-04 | blog.forret.com Wed, 04 Oct 2006 07:51:52 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/#comment-36745 [...] http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/ Drummer John Emrich loves the Zendrum, the unique, handcrafted MIDI drum controller featured on CDM previously. Here’s what he has to say about it: “Without a doubt, this is the most dynamic MIDI unit available for percussionists. You’re not going (tags: midi drums handheld remote control electronic music) These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...] [...] http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/02/zendrum-hand-percussion-hardware-bfd-jazz-funk-samples-in-video/ Drummer John Emrich loves the Zendrum, the unique, handcrafted MIDI drum controller featured on CDM previously. Here’s what he has to say about it: “Without a doubt, this is the most dynamic MIDI unit available for percussionists. You’re not going (tags: midi drums handheld remote control electronic music) These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

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