Korg has announced official specs on the new Korg Wavedrum percussion synthesizer.

The original Korg Wavedrum was introduced to the music world back in 1994. Now Korg has announced its next-generation Wavedrum Digital Percussion Synthesizer.

Wavedrum can be used as a stand-alone percussion instrument, or integrated into an existing drum kit or percussion rig. Unlike digital trigger-based systems, WAVEDRUM uses a real drum head as the playing surface, providing an authentic and familiar feel. This allows the performer to employ sticks, brushes, mallets and/or traditional hand-drum techniques (mute, slap, bend, etc.) to play with comfort and confidence.

The Korg Wavedrum Digital Percussion Synthesizer will be available in January 2010. Pricing is TBA.

Details below.

Synthesis:

DSP + PCM Combination

DSP Algorithms:

36 Total

PCM Instruments:

200 Total; 100 Head, 100 Rim

Programs:

200 Total; 100 Preset, 100 User

Loop Phrases:

100 Total; Various genres and tempos

Effects:

Reverb, Delay

Panel Controls:

Volume, Bank/Mode/Page select,
Program/Parameter select, Value control, Write

Input/Output jacks:

Output: L, R ¼” unbalanced
Phones: Stereo mini phone jack
AUX IN: Stereo mini phone jack

Display:

3-character 7-segment LED

Sampling frequency:

48 kHz

A/D, D/A conversion:

24 bit

Power supply:

DC9V 1.7A

Dimensions:

W x D x H: 13.74″ x 13.54″ x 2.95″

Weight:

4.41 lbs.

Included items:

AC Adapter, Tuning key, Allen wrench

Options:

Replacement Head HD-WD
Percussion Stand ST-WD

* Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.

Description:

There are actually two playing surfaces on WAVEDRUM: the head and the rim. Under the head is an audio transducer, similar to a microphone. This transducer drives WAVEDRUM’s DSP and PCM sound engines, providing a far more expressive and natural playing experience than trigger-based systems that rely on PCM playback alone. The rim is outfitted with different-sized raised patterns on the left and right sides. In addition to using the rim as a traditional playing surface, rubbing a stick or mallet over these raised patterns can create interesting percussion effects, similar to an afro-cuban güiro, for example.

By combining 36 advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) synthesis algorithms with 200 PCM samples (100 for the head; 100 for the rim), WAVEDRUM provides a wide palette of sounds, ranging from traditional drum and percussion instruments to complex synthetic tones and sound effects. In addition to the ability to create new and unusual sounds, WAVEDRUM also re-creates a vast array of percussion instruments from around the planet, from familiar cajons, congas, and tablas to the rare and exotic. These include the udo, a clay pod percussion instrument; the jegog, a bamboo gamelan marimba from the island of Bali; a talking drum from Africa; gongs, and many others. WAVEDRUM can even reproduce stringed instruments such as the sitar, koto, and berimbau. This allows a single WAVEDRUM to replace what would have been a room full of instruments, sure to be a welcome addition to crowded stages, theatre/show pits, project studios and classrooms.

100 preset programs and 100 user programs are stored in memory, with 12 favorites available for instant access. Reverb and Delay effects add depth and character to the sound.