General info on tools of the drumming trade.
Nearly every week I get emails with questions regarding the ultra-portable Roland Octapad SPD-30 setup that I use. So, I have put together the following instructions to show you how I have mounted the SPD-30 with hi-hat and cymbal pads to help you form ideas for your own setups.
Anyone who is interesting in innovative ways to create grooves and beats will be interested in a new product on the market called The Slapstik®. The Slapstik® is essentially a drumstick taken to the next level… with a completely original design for a drumstick tip.
While on tour in the UK a few months ago, I decided to get some dual driver in-ear earphones. I have used dual driver in-ears before, and they really make a difference in the low end, with a driver for the mids and highs, and a driver for the low end in each ear.
In the pursuit of finding a near-indestructable, non-skipping piece of gear that could be used for playing backing tracks in a live show, I have used MiniDisc, iPod, and 8-track digital recorders to get the job done. Each one of them have their pros and cons. But, I have had troubles with all of them at some point, usually in the middle of a show.
One of the drawbacks of using in-ear monitors is that you lose the feel, vibration, and air displacement of 15” wedges pointed at your body. So, when you hit the kick drum, you hear it, but don’t feel the thump. This can effect your playing a bit, especially if you like to dig into the kick drum and feel it through your body.
Enter the Aura Bass Shaker…
