Rayzcane
22nd August 2006, 11.50 am
I recently located a Yamaha DD55, which is a 7-pad, general midi, digital drum system.
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D2260%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.html
It has a true stereo output, either through built-in speakers or via the headphone jack. It has quite a few "drum kits" to choose from. You can actually play this thing, with sticks, just like a real drumset. One great feature is that is can also be operated on six C-cell batteries. This makes it great for busking, camping, etc. It weighs less than 10 pounds and fits on a standard snare stand.
Although it retails for $239 USD, it can be located on eBay, brand new, in the box for about $109, plus shipping.
What does a drum machine have to do with tapping? Well, for one thing for those who are "timing challenged" (like me), it makes a great metronome. It comes with 100 built in "songs". You can play along with these songs in various styles. It has jazz, rock, fusion, blues, country, etc styles. Most all of the songs also have a backing track of guitar, bass, piano, and other instruments. You can push a button to eliminate or mute the backing track. This leaves you with pure drums accompaniment.
I made a joke in another thread where a fellow was tapping a bass and playing keyboard at the same time. I said that he could still play a bass drum and a high hat with his feet and also blow a kazoo or harmonica at the same time. :-) Well, with this device, that joke has become a reality. For those who like to tap their foot or feet, the DD55 comes standard with two foot switches. In the normal configuration the right foot operates a bass drum sound and the left foot operates a high-hat cymbal!!! So, even for someone who does not care a hoot about the rest of the features, having a bass drum and high-hat for accompaniment may be of interest to many. Using just these two footswitches, and your touchstyle instrument, you could emulate a 3-piece jazz combo. How does that sound?
One last feature that appealed to me is the Hand Percussion button. Pressing this brings up a drum set of bongos, congas, etc.
Of course, you can also set this up for blocks, cowbells, and other drum sounds that appeal to you.
On the downside, although it has midi in and out capability, you can only store one of your own songs.
Here is a link to a short demo video of this amazing device:
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Multimedia/KeyboardsDMI/AudioVideo/dd55.mov
The only thing worse than listening to a beginner practice electric guitar is listening to a beginning drummer. So, if your kid wants a set of drums, get him the DD55. Outfit him/her with a pair of headphones and let them pound away while you enjoy reading or tv in privacy.
Bottom Line: I found mine (used) on craiglist for a VERY cheap price. In my opinion, this is a super-duper device. This "drummer" never shows up drunk or late for a gig, and he does not get a share of your tips or fees....... Netflix has quite a few videos on How to Play Drums. I have a few on the way.
Ray Langley
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D2260%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.html
It has a true stereo output, either through built-in speakers or via the headphone jack. It has quite a few "drum kits" to choose from. You can actually play this thing, with sticks, just like a real drumset. One great feature is that is can also be operated on six C-cell batteries. This makes it great for busking, camping, etc. It weighs less than 10 pounds and fits on a standard snare stand.
Although it retails for $239 USD, it can be located on eBay, brand new, in the box for about $109, plus shipping.
What does a drum machine have to do with tapping? Well, for one thing for those who are "timing challenged" (like me), it makes a great metronome. It comes with 100 built in "songs". You can play along with these songs in various styles. It has jazz, rock, fusion, blues, country, etc styles. Most all of the songs also have a backing track of guitar, bass, piano, and other instruments. You can push a button to eliminate or mute the backing track. This leaves you with pure drums accompaniment.
I made a joke in another thread where a fellow was tapping a bass and playing keyboard at the same time. I said that he could still play a bass drum and a high hat with his feet and also blow a kazoo or harmonica at the same time. :-) Well, with this device, that joke has become a reality. For those who like to tap their foot or feet, the DD55 comes standard with two foot switches. In the normal configuration the right foot operates a bass drum sound and the left foot operates a high-hat cymbal!!! So, even for someone who does not care a hoot about the rest of the features, having a bass drum and high-hat for accompaniment may be of interest to many. Using just these two footswitches, and your touchstyle instrument, you could emulate a 3-piece jazz combo. How does that sound?
One last feature that appealed to me is the Hand Percussion button. Pressing this brings up a drum set of bongos, congas, etc.
Of course, you can also set this up for blocks, cowbells, and other drum sounds that appeal to you.
On the downside, although it has midi in and out capability, you can only store one of your own songs.
Here is a link to a short demo video of this amazing device:
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Multimedia/KeyboardsDMI/AudioVideo/dd55.mov
The only thing worse than listening to a beginner practice electric guitar is listening to a beginning drummer. So, if your kid wants a set of drums, get him the DD55. Outfit him/her with a pair of headphones and let them pound away while you enjoy reading or tv in privacy.
Bottom Line: I found mine (used) on craiglist for a VERY cheap price. In my opinion, this is a super-duper device. This "drummer" never shows up drunk or late for a gig, and he does not get a share of your tips or fees....... Netflix has quite a few videos on How to Play Drums. I have a few on the way.
Ray Langley