Saturday, November 21, 2009

SonicState Reviews the WavedrumX!

Yesterday Sonicstate released their fantastic WavedrumX review!


Wavedrum.net is very grateful to Sonicstate for their mention of Wavedrum.net in their review. The Sonicstate review is the most comprehensive examination of the WavedrumX to date!


Some of my impressions of the WavedrumX:





-sensitivity is equal or superior to the original Wavedrum


-the variety of sound creation options has increased


-the sounds are new, fresh and exciting!


-weight is lighter, making the drum more portable


-rim is integrated





some drawbacks from the original, mostly relating to editing:


-there is no MIDI, USB or any way to save patches


-there is no possibility for attaching an editor/librarian


-editing takes place with a LED readout- very cramped.





My thoughts are that the new Wavedrum is a much lower cost instrument integrating the performance elements of the original, and adding new sound capabilities, at the expense of the deep editing capacity of the original.


I would be very interested in learning whether hacks will be able to interface the WDX with software in the future.



I am including some pictures of my personal Wavedrum, some of which appear in the latest Sonicstate review.



I look forward to the creation of the Wavedrum forum, coming soon.


IMG_5910

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Letter from Motohashi-San

I received the following links from Motohashi-San today. Thank you Motohashi-San! It is so nice to hear from you today.

He sent the following links to wavedrum.net in regards to his creation, the WavedrumX. Please enjoy!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_tuKYIWRrA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j49-a95Yjus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZkmDPDY70k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80BKmQZn_FA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg7W3ArMnp8


When asked to compare the original and new Wavedrums, Motohashi-San wrote that:

"New one is better !
The sound variation has been wider,
It is possible to perform more easily,
It is possible to use it by more various scenes.
But, original one is more Mad !"

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Wavedrum Demos

These videos give an idea of 6 of the patches.

Patch 87: Cold Wind and 33: Metal Dumbek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg7W3ArMnp8

Patch 98: Forest Drum and 35: Tabla Drone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_tuKYIWRrA

Patch 73: The Thinking Man, and 48: Pressure Wah Drum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80BKmQZn_FA


YouTube - WAVEDRUM (WD-X) demo E



Saturday, September 12, 2009

Korg - Product Details

The WavedrumX is now available to be seen on the Korg Website:


Korg - Product Details: ""



wavedrumcontrols2_633882736785500000


WD_stand_L_633880249622810000
WD_stand_s_633880249550430000
WD_rear_633880249458150000
Wavedrum 2
Wavedrum 1

Friday, September 11, 2009

Korg WaveDrum X, - Online Music Store | Sounds Live

Reader Félix Boisvert found this link for the Wavedrum X in the UK. It is listing at a price of 399 pounds sterling.
wavewdx

Korg WaveDrum X, - Online Music Store | Sounds Live: ""



Korg WaveDrum X
Korg WD-X, Electronic Percussion Instrument

Pre Order off 1st Uk Shipment


Availability: Due Dec 2009

Our Price: £399.00

(Delivery on this item from £6.00)


Korg WaveDrum X description
Korg WD-X, Electronic Percussion Instrument

Korg Wave Drum – the return of a legend!

Korg WaveDrum X Features:

WAVEDRUM - Percussion synthesizer for unprecedented sound and performance.
Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer providing new/unparalleled expressiveness through innovative synthesis technology.
Versatile and flexible performance from a hybrid sound generation system combining DSP based synthesis algorithms and PCM playback engine.
Unprecedented expression by creating unique sounds using the pressure sensor and piezoelectric pickup and translating subtle nuances of how the head and rim are played.
Individual playing styles will produce different sounds depending upon how the head and rim are played, how pressure is applied pressure to the head, etc.
100 preset programs covering a wide range of sounds from standard percussion sounds to new and unique sounds.
100 user programs for storing your own sounds.
Live mode can store up to 12 (4 programs x 3 banks) favourite sounds for instant recall during Live Performance.
Compact and light weight design allows for easy transport and set up.
100 loop phrases covering various genres and tempos allow Wavedrum users to jam along.
AUX input allows monitoring of another WAVEDRUM, CD/MP3 player or any other audio source.
The original WAVEDRUM percussion synthesizer released in 1994 is one of KORG’s legendary musical instruments famous for its innovative design, performance possibilities and unique sounds.

Now the affordable next generation WAVEDRUM is here – sonically richer, more sensitive, more powerful and expressive enough to create its own musical legend.

With its wide dynamic range equivalent to that of an acoustic instrument, the WAVEDRUM responds perfectly to the performer’s action, from subtly nuanced touching and stroking to aggressive hitting. It has a wide variety of instruments ranging from standard acoustic percussion instruments to new and unique percussion sounds. Instruments that normally require special techniques to play, such as tabla, conga, etc., can be played easily. In addition Wavedrum establishes its own way of playing giving you unparalleled expression full of originality and depth. And with its compact and light weight design, the WAVEDRUM fits all performance situations from casual playing through to full on recording or performance.

Totally unique sounds and new ways to play will take you to a world of unprecedented sounds.
The WAVEDRUM helps inquiring creative performers who seek new expressiveness and sounds. Besides ordinary percussion sounds, the WAVEDRUM contains totally new and unique sounds that are not available in real world and offers new ways of playing for new musical expression. Changing the pitch randomly with each hit, or play melodic phrases by setting a musical scale and applying pressure to the head, a performance characteristic unique to the WAVEDRUM. You can get new previously impossible sound variations such as controlling the pitch or tone of the release part of a sound by pressing the head after playing it by hand or mallet. You can sustain sounds just by pressing the head. So, for example, the WAVEDRUM can produce sitar and tanpura sounds at the same time. - You can produce tanpura sounds only by hitting the head, and add sitar sounds by applying pressure and then hitting the head. Applying further pressure can change the pitch of the sitar continuously within the selected scale. Thus, you can express yourself by playing new sounds with new ways of playing available only with the WAVEDRUM.

Attains previously unimaginable expressiveness through innovative synthesis technology.
A percussion instrument that produces dynamic sounds by strokes of the hand is a very naturally “physical” instrument. The WAVEDRUM, although an electronic musical instrument, sticks to this physical concept. The head and rim pickups are directly used as a sound source to be processed by the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) algorithms and trigger the PCM sound engine. Together with the pressure sensor under the head, the WAVEDRUM responds to subtle motions of fingers and hands such as hitting, rubbing, scratching etc. as well as to traditional hand playing techniques such as open shot, slap shot, heel and toe, mute, etc. Of course, the WAVEDRUM also responds to different playing materials such as sticks, mallets, brushes, etc., as well as the playing position of the head to play with the expression and dynamic range that are almost equivalent to that of acoustic drums and percussion. The rim has two types of notches, small and large, and these can be used to get a tremolo type effect by scratching with sticks, etc. Combine the rim sounds with head sounds for an even richer, more original performance.

36 DSP technology algorithms and 200 PCM instruments.
The WAVEDRUM contains 36 software based algorithms that use DSP technology to realize a variety of synthesis methods such as analog, additive, non-linear, physical modeling, etc. Working with these algorithms, you can create various instrument sounds, natural sounds, etc. in addition to WAVEDRUM’s own unique sounds. The PCM sound engine, the other important part of Wavedrum’s sound creating system, contains 200 PCM sounds - 100 for the head and 100 for the rim. Combining the PCM sounds with the algorithms delivers a natural response which is not possible with ordinary PCM only sound systems.

The Wavedrum uses Single Size Algorithms and Double Size Algorithms.
Single Size Algorithms allow you to freely assign a different algorithm and PCM instrument to the head and the rim giving you a broad array of sounds. Double Size Algorithms allow you to control the PCM sound source (the PCM instrument) not only by velocity (striking force) as on a traditional PCM sound module, but also by the tone of your strike on the head. Since the force and tone of your strike affect the sound, you’ll be able to perform with a feeling close to that of an acoustic instrument.

Contains ordinary percussion/drum sounds, and rare ethnic percussion instruments from around the world.
Ethnic percussion instruments, although seemingly simple in structure and performance are capable of expressing the emotions of a culture. The WAVEDRUM contains various percussion sounds from many eras and cultures. Besides ordinary drum sounds such as snares, tom toms, etc., the Wavedrum includes popular percussion instruments such as cajons, congas, tables, etc., metal percussions such as cowbells, triangles, and also rare ethnic percussion sounds. With the WAVEDRUM, you can instantly play the udo, a clay pod percussion, the jegog, bamboo marimba from the island of Bali, a talking drum from Africa, gongs, and other instruments that requires special techniques to play well. There are other plucked instruments such as sitar, koto, berimbau as well. For every sound, the WAVEDRUM delivers its own new expression in addition to correctly imitating the original sounds.

100 preset programs covering a variety of playing and musical genres.
The WAVEDRUM contains 100 preset programs ranging from ordinary emulative drum and percussion sounds to a world of and new and unique sounds depending upon the way you play.

Store 100 of your own sounds (100 user programs)
There are a range of parameters available for editing sounds (based on the preset programs) to suit your own music or style of playing. In addition to making changes to pitch, decay time, loudness, reverb, delay, and curve (intensity) of the pressure sensor, etc., you can completely alter the sound by, for example, changing the head from skin to metal. The combination of algorithm and PCM sounds can also be changed to create totally new sounds from scratch. These new programs (up to 100) can be stored in the user area. The WAVEDRUM also has a Live Mode which can store up to 12 favourite programs (from preset or user programs) for selecting programs instantaneously during stage performance.

Jam along function for added fun.
You can enjoy the WAVEDRUM just by playing the sounds alone, or you can use the jam function of the WAVEDRUM to experience the fun of a jam session. The WAVEDRUM contains 100 loop phrases from various musical genres and tempos. Also, there is an AUX input so you can mix the Wavedrum with an external audio source such another Wavedrum, a CD/MP3 player or other audio source.

Compact and light weight design for easier transportation and set up
Since the WAVEDRUM is both light and compact transport and setup is easy, suitable to a variety of situations. You can sit the Wavedrum on your lap, on an ordinary snare drum stand or you can play it standing up using the optional high stand (Percussion Stand ST-WD). The headphones output means you don’t have to worry about neighbours in the evening unlike most acoustic percussion instruments
* Options: Replacement Head HD-WD, Percussion Stand ST-WD

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

New site from Japan with Wavedrum X specs

If you scroll down on this page, you can see the audio specs for the new Wavedrum The page also contains a series of links to various Japanese sites concerning the instrument. Enjoy!

http://pc11.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/dtm/1252078522/

Monday, September 7, 2009

Another KORG WAVEDRUM WD-X video from Japan

YouTube - KORG WAVEDRUM WD-X:



This is a much longer video, I will post a translation on the downloads section shortly.

Interest in WavedrumX is heating up

The interest in the new Wavedrum is really heating up online! Check out the 'offsite links' section in the website and scroll down to the bottom. There is some speculation as to the new Wavedrum price and it seems that it will be much less expensive than the original. During the interview in Tokyo, Motohashi-San mentioned that the reason for the high cost of the original Wavedrum was the price of the custom designed case that they outsourced to a premium shop in Tokyo. This time, the case is much more streamlined, less massive (in terms of weight and size) and the rim is lighter and integrated with the drum. This brings down the cost considerably. Part of the reason for the WD-1's scarcity now, is that it sold at such a premium when originally made (and prices have gone through the roof now on the used market as well). If the estimates are correct and the new version of the WD will be selling at the less than $800 price point, I predict that they will be a huge hit for the Motohashi-Mori design team. First edition Wavedrums will remain collector's items and the sound will be different..I recommend keeping your WD-1 if you already own one, of course, and getting a WD-X as a companion!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Wavedrum Blog

The release of WavedrumX, WD-Mk2, is a major event. Wavedrum.net's goal is to serve as a source for Wavedrum information and techniques for players and producers. I look forward to adding user audio, video and patches in addition to further translations and sounds. I welcome content from Wavedrummers around the world. Photos of live performances, patches, tips and tricks, and photos of your Wavedrum rig are more than welcome.
And so it begins!