Allan Leibowitz

Brisbane

Editor at DigitalDrummer

Editor at Large at Forkliftaction

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Articles

Strata line extended

1 week ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Alesis has expanded its Strata e-drum range with the launch of a new kit, the Strata Club kit. The new kit delivers on the increasing need for pro-quality sound in compact spaces with a plug-and-play experience that mirrors an acoustic set – all at an affordable price, according to Alesis. The Strata Club is a seven-piece kit based on the mid-range Core module, which sports a 7″ touchscreen and the BFD3 sound engine.
R-Drums adds ‘chainable’ trigger

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

To meet the growing demand for multi-sensor trigger systems, Germany’s R-Drums has launched its Chain Trigger internal side-mounted drum trigger. The Chain Trigger is a dual-zone trigger for mounting on the inside of the drum shell. It is attached to the shell using a lug, so no drilling is required. What is unique about the new system is that multiple Chain Triggers can be installed in a single drum and connected to each other using the built-in male/female cables.
BFD 3.5 released

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

BFD has released an update of its drum VST, just dropping BFD 3.5.The new version introduces an enhanced engine and “best-in-class features designed to push realism and sonic customisation even further”. There’s a redesigned workflow, a range of new kits, mix-ready presets and advanced modelling technology for tom resonance and cymbal swells.
Trump tariffs will hurt e-drummers

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

US consumers face increased prices for e-drums, especially entry-level instruments, as President Donald Trump’s recent tariff moves take effect. Chinese imports were already taxed, and the new measures bring the impost to 20% of the value of the imported items. Experts like the US National Retail Federation point out that tariffs are a tax on imported goods and are paid for by the importer.
More MIDI - digitalDrummer

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

digitalDrummer explores a new compact MIDI hub. CME, which revolutionised wireless MIDI with its compact, easy-to-use WIDI products, has stepped up the game with a couple of new router-type devices. digitalDrummer got to test the “host” version – the H4MIDI WC. What’s in the boxLike its WIDI siblings, the H4MIDI WC is a compact, fuss-free box.
Selecting a pad controller

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Musicians have more choice than ever among the plethora of finger drumming pad controllers. Producer and educator Robert Mathijs offers this advice. For me, pad sensitivity and responsiveness is everything. I hardly use any of the knobs or sliders or whatever else comes with the controller. I go for the pads and see if they respond well. I test in two ways:Playing a beat on the pads gives an immediate “gut feeling” response on how the controller responds to different dynamics.
How I use electronic drums: Paul Hanna

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Electronics saved the day for musical theatre drummer Paul Hanna. I’ve Been Playing electronic drums since 1984. At NEC, Pat Hollenbeck brought in NYC drummer Ron Tierno to demonstrate the then-new LinnDrum. I was so impressed by the demonstration that for my senior recital in 1987, I used a Sequential Circuits drum machine connected via MIDI to a Yamaha Drum Machine to perform the drum set parts of Vic Firth’s Sonata for Timpani, Roto-Toms and Drumset.
V3 Sound launches DRUMITY

1 month ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Austrian sound expander maker V3 Sound has added a new MIDI-audio device for e-drums, DRUMITY. The company describes its new unit as “a very powerful drum sound expander with 12,000 samples and 1,000 instruments neatly packed into its iconic V3 triangular housing”. The device aims to expand the capabilities of any MIDI drum kit, enhance live performance, and enrich home studio productions with high-quality and exotic sounds. The hardware has 256-voice polyphony and a 4 GB internal flash memory.
VAD716 shows versatility

2 months ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Twelve Foot Ninja drummer Shane ‘Russ’ Russell performed as part of Roland Australia’s launch program for the flagship VAD716 kit. Afterwards, he repeated a performance of his medley of 19 iconic tracks for local magazine Australian Musician. In his video intro, Russell explains that the eight-and-a-half-minute medley includes all his favourite songs growing up. “I started playing drums at 13 years old and a lot of these songs were around then,” he says.
E-drum superstars on show

2 months ago | digitaldrummermag.com | Allan Leibowitz

Three digitalDrummer Hall of Famers, three E-drummers of the Year, and the godfather of electronic percussion in Germany. Those luminaries are among the artists in the debut digitalDrummer E-drum Labs at the first Europe Drum Show which will open its doors at Neue Messe Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance in Germany on March 29th.