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Post by jedi13009 on Feb 23, 2013 21:55:59 GMT -5
Hello guys and girls, My 1st E-drum was the Simmons SDS 8 and I've played on many others E-drums and the best feel (touch and sound) is DDrum. Excepted latest very expensive instruments, nothing compares to DD.. but I never owned one till now  and I absolutely need a "light weight/big sound" kit to work. So I plan to buy my 1st DDRum :-[but I know nearly nothing about the differences between the models (AT, 2s, 3s 4s), the differents types of pads and stands,cymbals, hi-hats, sampling (or not), etc  That's the same thing for the prices (and as I'm not rich...) I've tried to find infos on the net but nearly nothing... but it made me discovered the community I aim to be fully in  So, if you can help me (links, advices, etc) it would be great ! Thanks in advance |
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Post by kyrrinstoch on Feb 26, 2013 12:07:34 GMT -5
Welcome! Here's some info off the top of my head that could help (and maybe some others may add to this...): Modules - ddrum4/ddrum4 SE - these modules were the last of the ddrum modules released from Clavia (makers of the Nord keyboards). They were also the only ddrum modules to support the ddrum cymbal and hihat pads. All of the inputs were able to track position and velocity of the playing while some were also able to track pressure (for choking, muting and/or pitch bends), but not all of the sounds in the libraries take advantage of this. Sounds were loaded via a PC based software and MIDI interface.
- ddrum3 - tracked velocity and position of the playing, and differed from the ddrum4 in that the operator had much greater control over the sound programming (velocity/position, etc) than with the ddrum 4. Sounds are transferred and stored via PCMCIA card and/or SCSI interface.
Pads - ddrum4 Cast Precision pads - Originally available with conventional drum heads and an aluminum frame with red-backing plate, they changed over to an all-aluminum design a few years later (these are the most common). These pads support the full range of velocity, position and pressure tracking, based on the input of the module being used.
- ddrum4 SE pads - An open-backed pad that uses mesh heads, these pads use a rim based trigger and cannot accurately track any positional information from your playing (not sure about pressure, as I've never worked with them).
- ddrum4 Cast Cymbal pads - These are the cymbal and hihat pads designed for the ddrum4/SE models. The cymbal pads are simply a set of steel plates with a rubber playing surface that can track velocity, position and pressure (allows you to play bell, bow and edge ride cymbal sounds as well as choke it...). The hihat pad uses a real hihat stand and has a specialized clutch that controls the open/close sounds.
- ddrum2/3 pads - These pads are usually either black or white plastic shelled pads and are internally pretty much the same as the Cast Precision pads. As such, they will work just as well with any Clavia made ddrum module. The kick pad is an "L" shaped tower, as compared to the 12" diameter pad from the ddrum4/SE and not as conducive to using a double pedal with.
As for compatibility with other manufacturer's pads, most pads/triggers will work, but will often not be able to track anything more than Velocity with any amount of accuracy. That being said, there are some adaptors available to use a Roland style hihat setup with a ddrum4. Again, not as smooth or sensitive as the ddrum hihat pad, but it does work if you have no alternatives. |
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Post by jedi13009 on Feb 26, 2013 20:29:35 GMT -5
Thx a lot Kyrrinstoch for these helpfull informations.
It seem to be easier here to find 4 than 3 (maybe less sales of this model at his time ?)
Is there a "big" difference between the general quality of sound between 3 and 4 ? I mean about dynamic, quality of the samples, expression, control ?
What's the interface to connect 3 to a computer ? Is SCSI compatible with actual PCs ?
Is it "easy" to find PCMCIA cards in good shape, I guess it's no more available as new (very old format) ?
About the Mesh pads (if I've understood) they have the rim function (goooood !) but not the position function (which seems so important for the "life" of the sound) ?
If yes (or not however), does it mean that the brain wouldn't transmit via MIDI OUT the usual 8 MIDI notes by pad (without rim which have 8 too, following what I've read on a thread here) ?
And what about the "feel" of the sound with these mesh pads if position doesn't work ?
SE being the latest model I cannot imagine one "plus" in one way (rim function for the toms) and one "less" (it seems to be) for the "non position"... sure I missed something.
Thanks for your help !
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Post by kyrrinstoch on Feb 28, 2013 14:46:05 GMT -5
I can't speak to the sound quality, interface or availability for the cards of the ddrum3, as I've never had the opportunity to use on. I can tell you that they were the model released prior to the ddrum4 and due to their age will be a much rarer find.
As for the pads, except for the dual-output snare pads, they are all a "single zone" pad and do not have a rim sensor.
Most of the drum sounds in the library for the ddrum4 do not take advantage of the positional sensing capability of the module. This is simply due to the amount of space available in the module - the more samples in a loaded sound, the more memory it takes up. Most of the positional sounds are either snare drum or cymbal sounds, but even their number is limited.
As for sending of the 8 midi notes when using the mesh pads, I couldn't say as I'm still using the 1st generation Cast Precision pads (Red Backed). As for their playing feel - they have the typical "Mesh head bounce" found in most mesh headed pads which I don't care for at all.
The difference between the ddrum4 and the ddrum4 SE is simply the factory firmware versions and the sounds pre-loaded from the factory. Other than that, there is no functional difference between them.
As for the pads, the SE mesh pads were released to compete with the Roland/Alesis, etc kits that were on the market that used the nearly silent mesh-headed pads. Clavia sacrificed the little used positional capability of the Cast Precision pads in favor of the silent pads.
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Post by jedi13009 on Mar 1, 2013 9:43:55 GMT -5
Thx a lot for these additive info
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Post by jedi13009 on Mar 1, 2013 10:07:54 GMT -5
Re !
So I have to consider that "mesh" pads are more silent (nice for practice in a flat) and don't have the position function but it's not a problem because just a few sounds are programmed to work with it.
What kind of pads are offering this "plus" (position detection) ? Only some pads from latest ddrum kits (from 3 or 4 ?) or is there others companies pads (Roland, Box 2, etc.) that can do this ?
About the "rims", I guess that pads inputs on the brain are "mono" inputs. If yes, it means that if someone has latest pads (Roland TD, etc.) witch have an "active" rim, he has to connect the stereo jack out from the pad to a double single mono in to connect into 2 triggers inputs on the brain (right).
So, as a 4 brain has 10 triggers inputs entries, you have to make a choice if you already have cymbals and HH pads... or to connect more pads on another module then play the ddrum brain via MIDI...
If someone can tell me the approx. weight of a whole kit, or some pads, it would help me because much more used ddrum for sale in US than in Europe (at least for the last decade).
I could buy an US kit and pay the shipment, but I really have no idea of how much can it be...
Thx to all of you
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Post by kyrrinstoch on Mar 7, 2013 15:40:44 GMT -5
Might be easier if I answer this way... Re ! What kind of pads are offering this "plus" (position detection) ? Only some pads from latest ddrum kits (from 3 or 4 ?) or is there others companies pads (Roland, Box 2, etc.) that can do this ? The only ones I know for 100% certain are the ddrum 3 and ddrum 4 Cast Precision pads, as they use a center mounted sensor. The ddrum SE mesh pads use a rim mounted sensor (like an acoustic trigger). You'd have to examine any other brand's pads to determine exactly where the sensor is located and try to adjust the input to adapt to that pad (doesn't always work well - some Alesis mesh pads used an off-center sensor, which only worked with non-positional sounds) Yes, this is a correct assumption. Or, you could simply setup a second module (like Sam does) to be able to use more inputs. My setup wieghs considerably more, as my pads, cables and snare stand all pack into an ATA-style locking case that I have (case alone weighs about 50 lbs...), with the rack, hihat, throne and stick bag going in a hardware bag and the module going in a separate padded locking case the size of a briefcase. Overall, my rig probably weighs in around 125lbs or more (just guessing - I've never thought to weigh it before). Shipping that internationally would probably be better if it were shipped as freight instead of a package. It would cost less, but take a lot longer. |
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Post by jedi13009 on Mar 23, 2013 13:40:44 GMT -5
Thx again for sharing your knowledge ! ;-)
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and I absolutely need a "light weight/big sound" kit to work. 
