YouTube user HALmotohashi has created a series of video demos showcasing the capabilities of the Korg Wavedrum percussion synthesizer as not just a percussion instrument, but as a drum-controlled synthesizer.
The Korg Wavedrum puts some impressive synthesis capabilities into a sensitive controller.
The Wavedrum contains 36 DSP algorithms, allowing for a variety of of synthesis methods; analog, additive, non-linear, physical modeling, etc. The PCM sound engine – the other important part of Wavedrum’s sound creation system – contains 200 sampled sounds; 100 for the head, and 100 for the rim, with velocity-switching capabilities.
These videos highlight the variety of sound, and the sensitive control over sound, that the Wavedrum allows.
The second demo explores combines synthesized drums with more traditional percussive sounds.
via HALmotohashi, KorgUSA
Is that new?
Good question – there’s a classic Korg Wavedrum from the 90’s and then the new Korg Wavedrum WDX, which was introduced a couple of years ago.
I liked those demos, I watched both all the way through. The top video has two demos, and the second starting at around 1:04 I thought was very cool, the best of all.
I don’t know anything about percussion, but I’ve known some cool drummers and I think it’s going to be amazing listening to the music thoughtful drummers make with technology like the Tempest and the Korg Wavedrum (the Wavedrum, I think, only costs about $400, about 1/5 the Tempest).
In the old days, cool groups almost always included ONE drum solo on an album. Not everybody listened to those tracks but I always tried and sometimes they were very cool. With things like Tempests and Wavedrums, maybe percussion solos will come back, in one form or another and be really amazing.
Good answer!
I have a love-hate (thought mostly love) relationship with my Wavedrum. The device itself is loads of fun, but the lack of MIDI/USB for editing patches, or even just an intuitive interface, means that I rarely stray beyond the (admittedly brilliant and diverse) presets. Hopefully Korg can come out with a new version with MIDI and perhaps a clip on mic similar to the mini one, without too much added cost. I’d happily buy it again for that.
I want to see them push this idea into true physical modelling to incorporate a usb port ot hook up to an editor as they have done so well with the Microkorg XL…
Imagine if you could draw a simple object… say a barrel…. then specify how large this barrel is… if it is made of wood, plastic or metal, what the membrane is, is it skin, nylon, paper etc… then be able to toy with the size of the object.
a simple “3d modeller” like sketchup tied to the already present modelling mathematics would make this into a truly creative and fascinating device….I would LOVE to be able to model myself a large Vat or Silo container to bang on the side of ( virtually) at a gig……..this would be a million times more creative and useful then those bloody fixed tempo backing loops !!!
That’s incredible. I never knew much about these. My question is what am i hearing? Just the output through a line? Or was this miked? Or is it a mix of the line out with his hands/jazz brushes making contact on the surface miked?