OT: DrumKAT expertise needed

[heinz]

pad triggers are always a tradeoff, but the nice thing about the Kat stuff is that there's minimal to no crosstalk between pads which is always the rub with multi-pad strapped-to-a-frame rigs. They are controllers (no sounds).

price seems good if everything works, pedals, etc.. You can still buy Kat stuff new from alternate mode

https://www.alternatemode.com/drumkat.shtml

a DK10 is $500.

I found a link to drumkat 3.5 manual here -> link

[Mike O]

Probably the best controller there is if you have to go midi. It has many options. SOME of these include user defined velocity curves (set how hard you want to hit to get a sound or sounds; on the same pad), a hi-hat mode that allows you to use one of their pedals (not the ones with the unit) to move from open to closed and in between, multiple midi in and out, rudimentary sequencing (hit on pad, at a certain velocity and the unit will trigger a short stored sequence) and the ability to attach external triggers on real drums. In this last case the DK serves to control what midi message is sent to the sound generator when the acoustic drum is stuck.

I have seen live drummers on LOTS of pro shows do lots of little tricks with these when it was not practical to have more people or instuments on stage.

You probably noticed there are NO knobs. Everything is "programmed" by hitting a pad. For some people it can be frustrating.

I don't know if they still do so, but Alternative Mode upgraded mine over the years from the original to 2.0, then 3.5, then Turbo. I don't remember how much each upgrade cost, but one of them included new pads. I do remember that only one drummer friend I had found much use for the new features of the upgrades.

There is no external power supply, but there is a funky power cord.

If they get the cord the manual referenced above has a "getting started" section that you could use to test it with. Don't be put off by the writing. Just go slow and follow directions carefully. In an hour or so you'll know whether it is for you or not. This probably depends on how comfortable you are with midi.

Note that you will need to connect to a drum module of some sort. The Drumkat stores "kits" as set up by the user. Within each of these kits each pad can send to several different midi notes (depending on velocity) or just one midi note.

Why do I mention that? Because if you are not familiar with midi and don't go far enough in the manual you may not get a "hit" to make a sound initially.

You might try posting in some of the drum forums around the net for real info. That's about all I got.

[woodworm]

Originally posted by heinz
pad triggers are always a tradeoff, but the nice thing about the Kat stuff is that there's minimal to no crosstalk between pads which is always the rub with multi-pad strapped-to-a-frame rigs. They are controllers (no sounds).

price seems good if everything works, pedals, etc.. You can still buy Kat stuff new from alternate mode

https://www.alternatemode.com/drumkat.shtml

a DK10 is $500.

I found a link to drumkat 3.5 manual here -> link

Thanks a lot for the prompt reply heinz. In the meantime I found all the user manuals in pdf form on the alternatemode website. I foresee a lot of ink spillage and little sleep tonight.

Your input re: crosstalk is very useful too. Didn't think of that.

[woodworm]

Originally posted by Mike O
...That's about all I got.

Well well well. In the time it takes to reply to heinz... timewarp ... another post! Fantastic. And that's a lot.

I have started browsing through the manuals. Although I hate little LCD displays (brings back bad Zeta-3 memories), the manual seems well made and easy to follow.

What I got from it so far is that the unit I saw is most probably a DrumKAT as opposed to a DK10 or DrumKAT EZ.

Now, I haven't found the way in the manual to define which version of software it is running. Any clues?

And Mike O, a big and warm thanks to you for your time and effort.

[toolskid]

the fat kat kick pedals are also useful alongside your acoustic kit! Slot in really good.

[woodworm]

Again, a big thank you to all those that helped.

So..... I bought it. It is a DrumKAT with 3.0 software, comes with a triple pedal and the power cord (yes, they dug it out). Although a bit dirty on the pads, no scratches nor dents and works all fine from what I could tell in the shop (hooked-up to some cheap Alesis module).

The real bummer is that I don't have the manual, and only V2.0 and 3.5 are downloadable from Alternate Mode website.

Price I paid: $265.00 with a used local HH pedal and a pair of drumsticks thrown in. Not bad I guess when you consider that musical instruments are subject to 50%-60% import duties in this country.

Will play it later this w-e and let you know how goes...

[cajonezzz]

Hey wood,
Ive done extensive programming for live touring guys with the Drumkat.

You SCORED. It is the best midi controller on the market.

The 3.0 software is solid, 3.5 has a few more features, increased Motif memory and some other cool stuff, power user stuff.

It's a great acoustc trigger box as well.

I've seen a fair amount of these on ebay and other places... I think it's kinda over some folks heads, they don't need all the power of the DrumKat.

Does yours have the CV input on the side? Breath control?
It's an amazing box. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
Craig

[toolskid]

great price!