Korg Wavedrum - anyone have one?

[iDesignSound]

I have a strange urge to buy myself a Wavedrum - does anyone own one? What do you think of it? How do you rate the sounds and effects? How about the editing side of things? Would love to hear some opinions

I've looked at the Wavedrum Mini too as its more mobile (battery operated and speaker), but it seems like an expensive toy to me. The main thing that puts me off is that velocity is used to trigger different sounds in a kit rather than to increase the velocity of the hit. Seems odd to me (unless the kit contained the same sound at several velocities but I don't think that's the case). If anyone has this and is enjoying it then I'd be interested to know what you think.

I've been using Impaktor on the iPad and I love it, hence looking at the Wavedrum. The thing with Impaktor is that you can't use it live whatsoever as it uses the microphone input to trigger sounds (so the ambient sound in a room/club/pub will also trigger the sound). Great for studio use though.

Cheers

Alex

[martygras]

I have the Wavedrum Oriental and love it, but I am an actual drummer playing both kit and hand drums so it's a natural extension for me.

The biggest gripes I hear from users are:
1. No midi.
2. No USB.
3. Output level is very low. (needs a good preamp.)
4. Stereo only. No mono out like most every other device available.
5. No facility for exporting or back-up of patches.
6. Editing is clunky. (limited to only a few buttons and 1 data knob)
7. 3 LED Display shows cryptic menu parameters that you must memorize or constantly refer to the manual.
8. loops are provided to play along with that cannot be changed. (tempo)

It's a Japanese product, so documentation uses non-standard terms for most parameters which makes it so you have to adjust each parameter just to know what it really does.

Things that I feel are what makes it worth having:
1. Extremely responsive to hand dynamics/pressure/brushes. (responds to subtle hits and pounding with ease)
2. Editing can go very deep for precise response and reaction.
3. Unique sound generation. piezo's used for triggering and actual audio mixed into the sound adds a lot of realism. The Wavedrum sounds like no other drum synth available.
4. Portable. Can be run form a battery pack. (I took it camping)
5. Plenty of preset slots for custom patches.
6. Plenty of PCM waveforms and algorithms to choose from for sound design. (200+)
7. 1/8" stereo aux in jack.
8. Can be mounted to any snare stand.

I really like the interaction between the head and rim. very natural.
It's so dynamic that it always requires compression in order to fit in a mix.

I bought mine from Sweetwater and have been very happy.

[tubagirlftw]

I have the Wavedrum Oriental and love it, but I am an actual drummer playing both kit and hand drums so it's a natural extension for me.

I've been thinking of getting either a Wavedrum or the Handsonic 15, because of the latter having MIDI. Have you tried out the latter, and if so, what's the playability like compared to the Wavedrum? My background is with playing Dumbek and Tar, so I'd rather get something with an actual drum head on it, but the lack of MIDI is a large minus for what I'm what I'd like to do with it; I'd like to use it both as an instrument and as a controller.

[deastman]

I have a Wavedrum. I really can't add anything to what Martygras wrote, other than I agree completely. I also really enjoy Impaktor. You really can't compare the Wavedrum and Handsonics... One is physical modeling based on mic input, and the other is a MIDI controller.

[martygras]

Dang, I'm going to have to get Impaktor and give it a go. I did read someone uses it live with a piezo attached.

I use the Handsonic HPD-15 as my main drum kit. Including a KD-9 bd pad and HH controller. I just play it like a tabla. It's the perfect compliment to my Wavedrum.

[Agathodaimon]

Its a fantastic thing, always wanted it, but i put some brains.
So collected abit more moneys and got Roland drum kit much better !!

[leggie]

Amazing instrument !

If it had MIDI or USB it could/would be a controller imho. If you like setting up instruments then the 'quirky' editor forces you to focus on the sound not how many patches you can flip through in a second, personally I find that useful.

Love mine so much just got a second hand Oriental to go with it

You really have to play one to see how it works.

And you get to learn GROK Hieroglyphs' for when you Ascend

[paradiddle]

Got a wavedrum oriental myself. It's an extremely expressive piece of gear. Lots of editing possibilites and playing styles. Using that with a looper is a deadly combo. It's currently my favorite piece of gear.

[Agathodaimon]

Amazing instrument !

If it had MIDI or USB it could/would be a controller imho. If you like setting up instruments then the 'quirky' editor forces you to focus on the sound not how many patches you can flip through in a second, personally I find that useful.

Love mine so much just got a second hand Oriental to go with it

You really have to play one to see how it works.

And you get to learn GROK Hieroglyphs' for when you Ascend

EPIC!!

[adydub]

Wow - that wave drum clip is great. That level of subtlety and dynamics is something very rarely attainable with electronic instruments. Helped out by some excellent feel from the payer who's clearly edited the stock settings to make it bend to his will. Demonstrates that note on/off and 127 velocity levels is a seriously limiting control set compared to the level of nuance and expression available.

[foosnark]

I have one. I have yet to actually use it in a recording, but it's fun to play. Very expressive.

Oddly, the main thing about it is the physical sound from hitting the head or the rim is loud enough to detract from hearing the output unless you really crank it, and as was mentioned, you'll want compression. I prefer playing it with headphones.

I play frame drums and was in a taiko group for a couple of years. I like playing with shime-daiko bachi, or with brushes -- either normal brushes or Vater Monster brushes

[iDesignSound]

Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered the WaveDrum Mini. I do want a WaveDrum eventually but thought I'd see if I was any good (and have some fun at the same time) before slashing out

[martygras]

Yes, by all means "crank it"!

Tip:
I tried some of the snare sounds using brushes and it responds absolutely amazing, but it left grey marks on the head so I bought some nylon brushes and they work just as well without leaving marks.

Another caveat:
The head is not under a lot of tension so using it to simulate a marching snare drum is not really going to give you the rebound you would expect. You can use sticks, but it can be like playing a pillow.

This is one thing that I think they should remove from the advertisements regarding using sticks because as you increase the head tension beyond the recommended amount, you start to lose some of the sensitivity.

[Whiskymac]

If you like impactor - check this out - take the headphone out of the wavedrum to your iPad microphone connection (you need an adapter). then the iPad headphone to your looper/speaker etc. Now by varying the output level in impacter and the volume of the wavedrum you can blend the two. The skin of the wavedrum is the microphone for impacter, so you can have a composite of, say, wavedrum sitar with pressure, and impacter Ganges drum on hit etc - the possibilities are endless - enjoy!

[Lotuzia]

I have a Wavedrum. I really can't add anything to what Martygras wrote, other than I agree completely. I also really enjoy Impaktor. You really can't compare the Wavedrum and Handsonics... One is physical modeling based on mic input, and the other is a MIDI controller.

Same here. I think you obviously have to be interested in playing percussions live to get one. (I find handsonics much less pleasurable and sensual to play, but they offers some other possibilities.)

Its a fantastic instrument, very responsive and dynamic, and a lot of pleasure to play. First version are pretty expensive on 2nd hand market, but the current ones are well worth the price imho.