Jan 6, 2021, 08:00 AM
by
Rhythm Scene Staff
CYMPADS
Leading Drummers Endorse Cympad’s Undertones
More and more of today’s top drummers—from touring pop/R&B and rock players to youtubers and educators—are using Cympad’s Undertones. Designed to enhance their drum sound while offering them extra protection from unwanted movement, the new line of accessories features specially designed, cellular-foam suspension discs for floor tom legs and bass drum spurs along with a matching pad for acoustic and electronic bass drum and hi-hat pedals.
As Chris Johnson (Camila Cabello) explains, “Undertones make it easy for me to get that big studio drum sound in clubs and on the road.”
“I absolutely love them! I use them all the time,” adds Longineu “LP” Parsons (New Years Day).
Says Jim Mola (The Collective), “The Undertones don’t add anything to my sound, they just don’t subtract anything from my sound. That keeps me in control.”
“I use the bass drum pads for my electronic bass drum and pedal,” Jessica Goodwin (Wind River Revival) reports. “The Undertones help keep them in place and reduce the vibration even under heavy playing.”
“Acoustic/electronic, studio/live, videos, shows and festivals, I love my Cympad cymbal washers and accessories,” says Zebensui Rodriguez (@zebendrums). “I don't do anything without them. They are essential for all my sound!”
Available at drum shops everywhere, Cympad Undertones come in four convenient pre-packs. To learn more, visit cympad.com.
DRUM WORKSHOP
Color Options for DW MFG Pedals
Drum Workshop Inc. (DW) manufacturing introduced DW MFG ColorBoards. This is the latest addition to DW’s flagship line of single and double pedals, as well as a Machine Direct Drive Hi-Hat. The optimal performance bass drum pedals are available in Machined Direct Drive (MDD) and Machined Chain Drive (MCD). These pedals now feature footboards and matching Contour Heel Plates in three color options.
Truly state of the “art,” the aircraft-grade aluminum, perforated footboard, and matching Contour Heel Plate, manufactured and anodized in California, are now available in Cobalt, Graphite, and the original Gun Metal finishes. Inspired by motor racing, they will compliment any setup or simply make a bold statement behind the kit.
These precisely-machined pedals employ the latest technology, the highest quality materials, and the tightest tolerances in their ground-up design and development. The pedals allow players to make any necessary adjustment to customize the feel and playability, giving them silent, smooth, fluid action, and effortless, solid operation.
The pedals feature many patented features, including VERT Vertical Sliding Tension Adjustment, TBT Threaded Bearing Technology, Tri-Pivot Toe Clamp, 110 Control Weight/Impact Adjustable Beater, Interlocking Delta Hinge, Optimized Fulcrum Geometry Linkage, and AB All-Bearing Universal Joint on double pedal linkage. A DW MFG carrying case comes standard.
Check out the new DW MFG ColorBoards along with the MDD, MCD, and MDD Hi-Hat pedals at dwdrums.com/hardware/dwmfg.
Dave Grohl Icon Snare Drum
Drum Workshop Inc. recently announced the addition of a Dave Grohl Icon snare drum. The limited-edition drum recognizes his celebrated drumming career, as well as his longstanding connection with the Sound City recording studio in Los Angeles, and his Studio 606, where the Sound City console now resides. Grohl’s love of Sound City began when he recorded at the storied studio with Nirvana on their release Nevermind. More recently, Grohl produced, directed, and narrated the award-winning documentary of the same name.
The wood inlay artwork adorning the Dave Grohl Icon snare includes Grohl’s stylized silhouette, his forearm feather tattoos, and a fitting tribute to both aforementioned recording studios. Precisely laser-cut from 1/36-inch veneers of Black Pear and Sycamore woods, the images are painstakingly hand-inlayed into a background of teal-dyed Exotic Birdseye Maple. The drum is only hand-sprayed with a clear gloss to topcoat; no paint has been used to depict the graphics on the outer veneer. Nickel-plated drum hardware complements the unique, eye-catching color scheme.
Crafted at the DW Custom Shop in California from 11 plies of North American Hard Rock Maple with VLT grain orientation technology, the drum is fitted with True-Hoops, True-Pitch 50 Tuning, True-Tone Snare Wires, MAG throw-off with 3P butt plate, and DW Heads by Remo. A Deluxe DW carrying case, certificate of authenticity, and Sound City hat are also included.
Only 250 of the Dave Grohl Icon snare drums will be produced; each one will be numbered and signed by John Good. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each snare will be donated to the charity nominated by Grohl: National Independent Venue Association.
For more information, visit dwdrums.com.
DUST PALACE
Boutique Drum Sample Library
Dust Palace launched its first, full, boutique drum-sample library: Spring, Echo, Distort (DP001). Created by drummer and musical director Joe Clegg, the professional collection of creative and unusual sounds has been designed with live performance in mind.
Clegg, founder of Dust Palace, is known for his work as a live drummer with Ellie Goulding, and musical director with Ellie, Mumford & Sons, Clean Bandit, and others. He has extensive experience in developing worldwide arena live shows for internationally acclaimed artists through his company, Artclub Live. This has enabled him to develop a unique approach to the use of technology, software, and sample automation in the live environment. Clegg invited professional touring drummers Adam Marcello (Katy Perry), Andrew Marshall (Billie Eilish), and Gunnar Olsen (Bruce Springsteen) to help create additional royalty-free drum loops and presets.
Spring, Echo, Distort (DP001) features three classic drum machines, sampled through six analogue effect units to produce more than 1,200 samples. It also includes 180 artist loops plus Live 10 presets. This sample library offers inspirational, original, and unusual sounds for beatmakers and producers of all musical genres. Made for studio production and live performance, Spring, Echo, Distort uses a wide range of analogue spring reverb, tape echo, and distortion, guaranteed to add a new dimension to any track. Each effect component has been captured at four stages of input gain, through a collection of analogue units coming back into Ableton thorough Neve 1073 pre-amps. The sample pack and loops are compatible with all DAWs, with Presets exclusively for Ableton Live 10 Intro, Standard, and Suite.
Also available free from Dust Palace is KIK/SNR (DP000). It contains 52 one-shot samples recorded with vintage 1960s kick and a 1970s snare processed through 12 of their favorite analogue effects units.
Look out for further sample packs coming soon. DP002-808 and DP003-CR78 use Roland’s 808 and CR78 electronic drum machines sampled through spring reverb, tape echo, and distortion to offer 384 one-shots, 60 loops, and Ableton Live 10 presets of pristine, contemporary drum sounds. Also in progress is DP004-ELKA, which features an Elka Drumstar 80, a hidden gem from the 1980s.
Dust Palace drum sample libraries are fueled by a love of manipulated drums and created by real drummers using real instruments and analogue effects for drummers and producers.
To purchase and find out more, visit dust-palace.com.
GRETSCH
Limited Edition Classic Renown 57 Drum Kit
Gretsch Drums introduced, for one year only, the Renown 57 – Silver Oyster Pearl—a new breed in the drum series.
In January, 2011, Gretsch Drums went against the grain and conventional design when the company introduced the special edition Renown 57 drum set. The unique look, thanks to its classic car colors and the chevron logo, immediately became a hit. Despite not being manufactured for some years, Gretsch still receives regular order requests for these much loved, limited-edition kits.
Only available in 2021, this versatile Renown kit features the 7-ply maple shell, 30-degree bearing edges, 302 double-flange hoops, silver-sealer interiors, and Low Profile GTS system. The new Renown 57 has silver oyster inlay hoops and traditional 14-inch depth bass drums with no mounts, the most frequent request made by Gretsch enthusiasts.
Continuing the tradition of “That Great Gretsch Sound,” the Limited Edition Renown 57 has an open, harmonic tone that supplies the flexibility needed to meet the demands of the hardest working drummers.
For more information, visit gretschdrums.com.
LATIN PERCUSSION
Tommy Lee “Rock Star” Cowbell
Latin Percussion (LP) has launched the Tommy Lee Graphic Collect-A-Bell, which he will use on the 2021 Mötley Crüe stadium tour.
The new Tommy Lee Graphic Collect-A-Bell is based on LP’s classic Ridge Rider design, revered for its legendary tone and time-tested performance. Made in the USA from high-grade steel, the 8-inch-long bell features LP’s patented high-impact Ridge Rider playing surface, which helps dampen overtones and reinforces the mouth of the bell, making it perfect for the heaviest hitters. Delivering maximum volume, attack and projection, the Rock Star bell is the right choice for any fist-in-the-air rock anthem.
The cowbell is finished in a durable, white coating with exclusive Tommy Lee “Rock Star Tattoo Graphic.” The finish is applied utilizing a special process that embeds the graphics directly into the metal surface, ensuring it will look and sound great for years. A patented, hand-welded Vise-Clamp Mount fits 3/8- to 1/2-inch diameter rods, and includes a heavy-duty memory lock to hold the bell securely in place.
To find out more about the new Tommy Lee Graphic Collect-A-Bell (LP009TL) and other Latin Percussion products, visit lpmusic.com.
TRX CYMBALS
Limited-Edition, Sky-Blue, CRX AIR Low-Volume Cymbal Sets
A Limited Edition, four-piece set of CRX’s popular AIR Series low-volume cymbals with a custom, Sky-Blue finish has just been introduced by the TRX Cymbal Company. The set, which is recommended for practice rooms, teaching studios, and low-volume playing situations, includes 14-inch hi-hats, 20-inch ride, 18-inch crash-ride, and 16-inch crash, plus a cymbal bag.
To learn more, visit trxcymbals.com.