Comments on: Let Your Fingers Do the Drumming: New, Compact Zendrum ZAP http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/ The latest gear, software, and techniques for electronic music production and performance Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:41:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: hypno|sapien http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-469850 hypno|sapien Wed, 14 May 2008 13:25:30 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-469850 @Ray: You are correct. I have the same sound on multiple pads. There's definitely not room on the small pads for more than one finger at a time. I haven't experienced any difficulty tracking fast patterns, though. What were you using as a sound source? @Ray: You are correct. I have the same sound on multiple pads. There’s definitely not room on the small pads for more than one finger at a time. I haven’t experienced any difficulty tracking fast patterns, though. What were you using as a sound source?

]]> By: mikey http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-447032 mikey Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:32:11 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-447032 so ray , did you find the right one yet? i m dying for one where the pads are really similar to palying on a desk. i play on desks using my fingers , and nails for variations/higher pitched sounds , and my feet too are invloved...im a lot better playing on desks with my fingers and nails than on larger sized pads or even on reg. drums. i thought of putting triggers of some sort under and on the sides of desks but that prob. wouldnt work. i guess pad kontrol would be best so ray , did you find the right one yet? i m dying for one where the pads are really similar to palying on a desk. i play on desks using my fingers , and nails for variations/higher pitched sounds , and my feet too are invloved…im a lot better playing on desks with my fingers and nails than on larger sized pads or even on reg. drums. i thought of putting triggers of some sort under and on the sides of desks but that prob. wouldnt work. i guess pad kontrol would be best

]]> By: Ray http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-414323 Ray Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:28:59 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-414323 I had a Zendrum, the lap top model. Sent it back for a refund. It would not track fast patterns or rudiments. You have to use two triggers for flams, etc. The triggers' sensitivity is only just so good. I notice in the video the guy appears to be using multiple pads for the same sounds, which is the only way to play fast patterns. On trigger will not do it. I was very disappointed, especially for the cost. I should have kept my trapkat. Although, I'm searching the web now, for DIY finger set ups. I made one, but had problems with 45 wires running out into three modules. I need a midi set up. Plus I had some cross talk/false triggering problems. I had a Zendrum, the lap top model. Sent it back for a refund. It would not track fast patterns or rudiments. You have to use two triggers for flams, etc. The triggers’ sensitivity is only just so good. I notice in the video the guy appears to be using multiple pads for the same sounds, which is the only way to play fast patterns. On trigger will not do it. I was very disappointed, especially for the cost. I should have kept my trapkat. Although, I’m searching the web now, for DIY finger set ups. I made one, but had problems with 45 wires running out into three modules. I need a midi set up. Plus I had some cross talk/false triggering problems.

]]> By: hypno|sapien http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-387218 hypno|sapien Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:10:39 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-387218 Had a Handsonic. Great if you want an electronic replacement to traditional hand drums. I still didn't think the pads were that sensitive. And the plastic vibrated and rattled when I played it. I just couldn't love it... Had a Handsonic. Great if you want an electronic replacement to traditional hand drums. I still didn’t think the pads were that sensitive. And the plastic vibrated and rattled when I played it. I just couldn’t love it…

]]> By: Artur Nowak http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-387105 Artur Nowak Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:44:17 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-387105 Just get Roland Handsonic, it's not only a controller with sensitive pads 9meant to play with your fingers, same as Zap), but it has pretty good world sounds and regular percussion sounds, and it's much, much cheaper. Just get Roland Handsonic, it’s not only a controller with sensitive pads 9meant to play with your fingers, same as Zap), but it has pretty good world sounds and regular percussion sounds, and it’s much, much cheaper.

]]> By: te2rx http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-386604 te2rx Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:25:03 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-386604 $1000 is only $300 off a regular Zendrum, so it's not the most significant of discounts. At that price I'd rather pay the extra $300 for a layout that's more ergonomic than a flat hexagon grid of pads. $1000 is only $300 off a regular Zendrum, so it’s not the most significant of discounts. At that price I’d rather pay the extra $300 for a layout that’s more ergonomic than a flat hexagon grid of pads.

]]> By: hypno|sapien http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-386461 hypno|sapien Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:09:57 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-386461 Yes, I've heard that the padKontrol is much more sensitive than the TF. That's probably the only one of the mass-marketed midi percussion controllers I haven't tried. Couldn't get beyond all the flashing lights. But then, I have a monome...nothing but flashing lights. Hmm... Yes, I’ve heard that the padKontrol is much more sensitive than the TF. That’s probably the only one of the mass-marketed midi percussion controllers I haven’t tried. Couldn’t get beyond all the flashing lights. But then, I have a monome…nothing but flashing lights. Hmm…

]]> By: Peter Kirn http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-386456 Peter Kirn Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:05:33 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-386456 Well, in fairness, the Trigger Figger's velocity response is terrible. It's a nice controller, but not if you actually need its velocity sensitivity. In the drum pad area, I'd suggest the padKONTROL, which handles much better. The ZenDrum is still way ahead of any of the cheap pad controllers, but on a budget the Korg is what I'd get. (Actually, it IS what I've got. I've relegated my Trigger Finger to video triggering, which doesn't need velocity sensitivity.) Well, in fairness, the Trigger Figger’s velocity response is terrible. It’s a nice controller, but not if you actually need its velocity sensitivity. In the drum pad area, I’d suggest the padKONTROL, which handles much better. The ZenDrum is still way ahead of any of the cheap pad controllers, but on a budget the Korg is what I’d get. (Actually, it IS what I’ve got. I’ve relegated my Trigger Finger to video triggering, which doesn’t need velocity sensitivity.)

]]> By: hypno|sapien http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-386380 hypno|sapien Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:46:59 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-386380 PK's right. I can basically drop a sheet of paper on this thing and make it trigger. I too had a trigger finger, and the amount of force needed to get the pad to produce a velocity level of 40 with the highest sensitivity setting would register 127 on the ZAP. The lightest hit I could ever get from the TF was around 30. Less than that and it wouldn't even register. The ZAP allows complete range from at least 3 or 4 up through 127. @richo: I'll be sure to get a more groove-based video up soon, so check back on youtube. I just get bored easily with repetition... PK’s right. I can basically drop a sheet of paper on this thing and make it trigger. I too had a trigger finger, and the amount of force needed to get the pad to produce a velocity level of 40 with the highest sensitivity setting would register 127 on the ZAP. The lightest hit I could ever get from the TF was around 30. Less than that and it wouldn’t even register. The ZAP allows complete range from at least 3 or 4 up through 127.

@richo: I’ll be sure to get a more groove-based video up soon, so check back on youtube. I just get bored easily with repetition…

]]> By: richo http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/comment-page-1/#comment-385960 richo Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:34:38 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/01/31/let-your-fingers-do-the-drumming-new-compact-zendrum-zap/#comment-385960 Wow, I always wondered what a wanky drum solo would sound like on those devices..... Too bad he never actually settled into a groove to give people a feel of what it might *actually* sound like. Wow, I always wondered what a wanky drum solo would sound like on those devices…..

Too bad he never actually settled into a groove to give people a feel of what it might *actually* sound like.

]]>