Polish startup Polyend has announced that the PERC – a MIDI-controlled system for playing acoustic percussion instruments – is now available for pre-order.
The PERC system can be combined with any set of drums to create a robotic virtual drummer, to augment a traditional drum kit or to create live acoustic drumming that explores territory that might be impossible for a human drummer.
Here’s the official intro video:
At Superbooth 16, we talked with Polyend founder Piotr Raczynski, who gave us a sneak preview of the new system:
PERC is built to endure the most physically demanding usage. Machined aluminum enclosure, wooden beater, unprecedented attention to every detail and world-class components have enabled us to produce a device that guarantees seamless and stable operation.
The PERC Kits include PERC Controller, PERC Balls, dedicated mounts and cables.
The PERC Controller is capable of operating up to three PERC Balls. To operate more, several controllers can be connected together.
PERC Controller IN/OUT:
- 1x MIDI DIN in
- 1x MIDI USB in
- 3x Drum Gate in
- 3x CV Velocity in
- 1x MIDI DIN thru
- 1x MIDI DIN out
- 3x PERC Ball outPERC Controller POWER:
- IEC AC power inlet for internal power supply
- Operates worldwide on voltages between 100 and 240 volts at 50 to 60 Hz; 280 watts maximum power consumption
Pricing and Availability
The Polyend PERC Kit retails for $799 (with one PERC Ball). Each additional Ball is $199. It is now available for pre-order and is expected to ship in September 2016.
expensive but really good ! almost looks like the drums are moving and not the hammers/heads. very very tempting ….
Ok, so I can’t help thinking this is pretty cool. Instantly thought how much fun this could be with just a snare and hats. So how important is the striking range for the little PERC balls (balls he he) as I’d like to be able to do both open and closed hats while it’s running…
I’d have thought the easiest way to work this with hi-hats would be to hit the bottom cymbal rather than the top, as it doensn’t move. Alternatively, I don’t know what the mounting’s like, but you could probably mount it on the centre of the hi-hat, so it lifts along with the upper cymbal.
check this out 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07EctdVlX0w
Piotr – I added this to the post.
that took some balls
sorry just had to say it