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Electric: Piano...Guitar...violin......Hand Drum?


Tusker

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I am going to post this question on the drum site as well.....

 

Just thinking out aloud. The electrification process has enabled many instruments to get a whole new personality...... guitar, piano, violin, etc.

 

It seems to be useful to electrify instruments which have good potential for tonal control and nuance, but may be limited by poor dynamic or tonal range.

 

Seems to me that hand drums (tablas, bongos, djun dhuns, etc.) would be good candidates. The technical requirement appears to be a a resonating surface that is capable of exciting a magnetic field.

 

With the greater popularity of break beats (jungle etc.) and world influences, I would think that complex, higher pitched percussion parts would be well received in pop music.

 

Just wondering if anyone has any insight or knowledge of attempts in this area.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Jerry

 

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www.tuskerfort.com

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Here I believe we must break down 'electrification' into different categories. There is they type which functions as a mic replacement (a pickup), and the type which allows interface to 'electronic' music equipment (MIDI etc). In practical terms these both have become the same item - a contact transducer or 'trigger'.

 

What you are talking about has been tried, with limited success. I'm sure people will continue to attempt it.

 

Originally posted by Tusker:

It seems to be useful to electrify instruments which have good potential for tonal control and nuance, but may be limited by poor dynamic or tonal range.

Seems to me that hand drums (tablas, bongos, djun dhuns, etc.) would be good candidates. The technical requirement appears to be a a resonating surface that is capable of exciting a magnetic field.

Just wondering if anyone has any insight or knowledge of attempts in this area.

Jerry

I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist.

 

This ain't no track meet; this is football.

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Keyboard magazine had an article about an electric hand drum that Korg had prototyped, but apparently never went into production (I may be wrong). They had one of Santana's percussionists take it for a spin, apparently six hours later he was still flailing on it while the Keyboard staff sat there bug-eyed. Don't know what ever happened to it...

Botch

"Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will

www.puddlestone.net

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Botch... thanks I remember seeing something on a Korg too. I'll dig around.

 

Yes, my specific question is whether there is a hand drum out there that has been 'electrified'. (i.e. likely using electro-magnetic methods similar to an electric guitar.) Also where can I find out more, if so.

 

I am NOT referring to midi or electronic devices like the HPD15, the Zendrum or the Drumitar used by the Flecktones.

 

Thanks. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Jerry

 

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www.tuskerfort.com

 

This message has been edited by Tusker on 08-07-2001 at 11:49 AM

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Originally posted by botch@netutah.net:

Keyboard magazine had an article about an electric hand drum that Korg had prototyped, but apparently never went into production (I may be wrong). They had one of Santana's percussionists take it for a spin, apparently six hours later he was still flailing on it while the Keyboard staff sat there bug-eyed. Don't know what ever happened to it...

 

I think it was called a Wavedrum and that it was in production, but possibly a bit too pricey to build a following. Roland has something similar out now called the Handsonic. Looks hip with a multi-zone pad and ribbon controller.

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