Electronic drum module
Encyclopedia
An electronic drum module is the device in an electronic drum kit
that serves as the central processing unit
and sound module
. The nomenclature varies (see below). For example, electronic drum modules are called "percussion sound modules" in the case of Roland Corporation
, or sometimes simply modules. A common colloquial term for this device is drum brain. (see below).
Electronic drum modules are included with most electronic drum kits. An electronic drum module is a special-purpose electronic device which accepts input from the drummer
, via external triggers that are hit with regular drum stick
s. When the triggers are struck, the electronic drum module interprets the signal, and generates corresponding digital reproductions of a wide variety of drum sounds. It is similar in concept to modern musical keyboard workstations, or synthesizer
s. With an electronic drum kit, the player hits triggering devices, (as a synthesizer player would strike the keys of the synthesizer keyboard). The electronic drum module instantly interprets electronic signals from the triggers and translates them into audible drum sounds. Most electronic drum modules emulate a wide variety of acoustic drum kit variations, with labels such as: "rock
kit", "jazz
kit", and "hip-hop kit". Most manufacturers also include more eclectic sounds in their modules, such as sounds from well-known drum machine
s, plus a large variety of ethnic, industrial, and general percussion instruments. Manufacturers of electronic drum modules such as Roland Corporation
have often built unusual playable sounds into the sound banks of their electronic drum modules, to showcase the capabilities of the technology. Electronic drum modules also provide advanced features such as the ability to drive digital samplers
. When used in conjunction with a sampler, the sounds that can be played are practically unlimited.
, which is an earlier innovation. Similar to electronic drum modules, drum machines reproduce drum sounds and programmable sequences of drum patterns. However, they are essentially limited to this purpose. "Drum machines" were introduced in the 1980s as an accompaniment device, essentially, an "artificial drummer". In contrast, an electronic drum module is designed to be an integral part of an electronic drum kit—an interactively playable device, played (usually live) by an actual drummer as part of his or her electronic drum kit.
is a device that merely contains its own unique variety of sounds. The electronic drum module referred to in this article may be considered to contain a sound module; however the distinction of an electronic drum module is that it contains the logic circuits to serve specifically as a conversion device: its first goal is to "read" drum play, its second task is to convert that "play" into audible sounds. It may be considered a combination of two components: an analog to digital converter, which converts the drum play (analog) into digital signals, with the latter task alone being the domain of a true "sound module".
Electronic drum
An electronic drum is an electronic synthesizer which mimics an acoustic drum kit.The electronic drum usually consists of a set of pads mounted on a stand in a disposition similar to an acoustic drum kit. The pads are discs with a rubber or cloth-like coating. Each pad has a sensor which generates...
that serves as the central processing unit
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
and sound module
Sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a keyboard, for example. Sound modules have to be "played" using an externally connected device...
. The nomenclature varies (see below). For example, electronic drum modules are called "percussion sound modules" in the case of Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
, or sometimes simply modules. A common colloquial term for this device is drum brain. (see below).
Electronic drum modules are included with most electronic drum kits. An electronic drum module is a special-purpose electronic device which accepts input from the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, via external triggers that are hit with regular drum stick
Drum stick
A percussion mallet is an object used to beat drums and other percussion instruments. Some specialized mallets are called beaters, drumsticks.Note: See Rute .-Drum sticks:...
s. When the triggers are struck, the electronic drum module interprets the signal, and generates corresponding digital reproductions of a wide variety of drum sounds. It is similar in concept to modern musical keyboard workstations, or synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s. With an electronic drum kit, the player hits triggering devices, (as a synthesizer player would strike the keys of the synthesizer keyboard). The electronic drum module instantly interprets electronic signals from the triggers and translates them into audible drum sounds. Most electronic drum modules emulate a wide variety of acoustic drum kit variations, with labels such as: "rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
kit", "jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
kit", and "hip-hop kit". Most manufacturers also include more eclectic sounds in their modules, such as sounds from well-known drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
s, plus a large variety of ethnic, industrial, and general percussion instruments. Manufacturers of electronic drum modules such as Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
have often built unusual playable sounds into the sound banks of their electronic drum modules, to showcase the capabilities of the technology. Electronic drum modules also provide advanced features such as the ability to drive digital samplers
Sampler (musical instrument)
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
. When used in conjunction with a sampler, the sounds that can be played are practically unlimited.
"Drum Brain"
While manufacturers such as Roland use "Percussion Sound Module", such a term only describes a subset of the device's functions. "Drum brain" is a term used by drummers, equipment sellers, and other industry professionals to be more descriptive. The term "drum brain" is used to denote the fact that its primary function is to act as the central logic device within an electronic drum kit.Electronic drum modules vs. "drum machines"
Furthermore, an electronic drum module is not to be confused with a drum machineDrum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, which is an earlier innovation. Similar to electronic drum modules, drum machines reproduce drum sounds and programmable sequences of drum patterns. However, they are essentially limited to this purpose. "Drum machines" were introduced in the 1980s as an accompaniment device, essentially, an "artificial drummer". In contrast, an electronic drum module is designed to be an integral part of an electronic drum kit—an interactively playable device, played (usually live) by an actual drummer as part of his or her electronic drum kit.
Electronic drum modules vs "sound modules"
Technically speaking, an electronic drum module typically contains its own "sound module". Although Roland refers to their electronic drum modules as "percussion sound modules", the term sound module is misleading in this context. In its purest sense, a sound moduleSound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a keyboard, for example. Sound modules have to be "played" using an externally connected device...
is a device that merely contains its own unique variety of sounds. The electronic drum module referred to in this article may be considered to contain a sound module; however the distinction of an electronic drum module is that it contains the logic circuits to serve specifically as a conversion device: its first goal is to "read" drum play, its second task is to convert that "play" into audible sounds. It may be considered a combination of two components: an analog to digital converter, which converts the drum play (analog) into digital signals, with the latter task alone being the domain of a true "sound module".