Yamaha presents new DTX400 series

Yamaha Music Europe has announced the all-new DTX400 series. The three models in this new range, built with the beginner in mind, include the DTX400K with its silent bass drum pedal design, the DTX430K introducing a real bass drum pedal and pad, and the DTX450K which also includes a three-zone snare pad.

Yamaha says its new series brings the feature-packed DTX drumming experience to entry level audiences at a breakthrough price for a Yamaha electronic kit.

The design concept of Yamaha's new DTX400 series was to create an electronic drum system that retained Yamaha's DTX technology and features at its heart, is now available to beginners starting at less than $500.

In addition to a full feature set including natural response drum pads and advanced sound technology (as found in the Pro DTX models and Yamaha's MOTIF synths), the new DTX400K boasts a wide range of onboard learning options and training exercises. A USB connection enables the player to control VSTi drum sound libraries and record directly to computer software. It's also possible to import new songs via Yamaha's Music Soft Downloader. New apps will also be launched in 2013, designed to work alongside the DTX400 series to present an exciting interactive learning experience. The sounds within the new DTX400 module include stereo recordings of real drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments that respond to playing dynamics. There are classic sounds from the history of drumming, including some of Yamaha's own acoustic drums. You can also create your own 'bespoke' drum kits from the library of over 165 drums sounds, including 23 snare drums, 21 kick drums and 42 other percussion instruments. DTX400K will be released in September 2012, with the DTX430K and DTX450K due to arrive at the beginning of 2013.

Nice choice for beginners ;)

London Drum Show confirms new artists

The London Drum Show 2012, set to take place at the Olympia Conference Centre on October 13 and 14, has confirmed new artists, including main stage performances by Virgil Donati, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Derek Roddy plus a masterclass by Andy Treacey and Sudha Kheterpal.

Virgil Donati
Kicking things off on Saturday 13th October is technical virtuo Virgil Donati. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Virgil Donati is known amongst professional drummers as a technical virtuoso, having developed incredible power and flexibility (whilst playing traditional grip), mastered polyrhythyms, odd-time playing and intricate phrasing, attained blinding quickness and powerful, metronomic precision - all with a rare attention to showmanship and visual playing.

Virgil has played with Planet X, Steve Vai and Mick Jagger among others.

Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
Grammy Award winner Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez will also take to the Main Stage on the Saturday of the show.

Horacio has played with jazz legends like McCoy Tyner and Michel Camilo, rock stars like Carlos Santana and Steve Winwood. "El Negro" is a member of the faculties of Drummer's Collective and the New School in New York, regularly conducting clinics and workshops at the Berklee School of Music.

Derek Roddy
On Sunday, October 14, Derek Roddy will take the Main Stage. He is one of the biggest exponents of the blast beat, propelling the style of drumming to the forefront of modern playing in ways no other extreme drummer has done before him.

Derek has drummed with Nile, Malevolent Creation, Serpents Rise, Divine Empire, and Today Is The Day among others. He is author of two books/dvd's: 'The Evolution of Blast Beats' and 'Blast Beats Evolved'.

Andy Treacey & Sudha Kheterpal
The final masterclass, on the Sunday, will feature Andy Treacey and Sudha Kheterpal from electronic dance band Faithless.

Andy has played in a huge variety of bands over the last few years as a full member and session player. He played and recorded with a huge list of artists including Groove Armada, MJ Cole, Galliano, The Tom Robinson Band and The Lightning Seeds.

Sudha Kheterpal has been in Faithless for the last 15 years, enjoying huge global success. Alongside her underground status, she has performed live at legendary clubs like Cream and The Hacienda and has featured as percussionist on records and tours with mainstream artists including Dido, The Spice Girls and Talvin Singh.

For more info please visit londondrumshow.com.

Vater Percussion announces new artists

Renown drumstick manufacturer Vater has announced new additions to its artist roster. Among the new members of the Vater artists family are Arejay Hale (Halestorm) Jose Pasillas (Incubus), Marco Giovino (independent, Robert Plant's Band of Joy), and Patty Schemel (The Cold And Lovely, Hole).

Other new Vater endorsers include Sean Winchester (Everclear, Bow Wow Wow), David Prowse (Japandroids), Rich Eisner (Ayla Brown), Mike Rizzi (Sonia Leigh), Jared Piccone (3OH!3), Tyler Soucy (A Great Big Pile of Leaves), Rachel Fuhrer (Ume), and Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots).

In related news: Vater has also uploaded a couple of new artist feature videos, including one featuring Keith Zebroski (Vater artist since 2006) in Boston, while on tour with Miranda Lambert:

Another artist video features Branden Steineckert of Rancid:

Rae Amitay is Mares of Thrace's new drummer

Calgar's heavy duo Mares of Thrace, fronted by baritone guitarist/vocalist Thérèse Lanz, has announced a new drummer.

Due to getting into the educational program of her dreams and its subsequent conflicts with touring, original drummer Stefani MacKichan has decided to step down.

Mares of Thrace's new drummer is Rae Amitay, a former student of Berklee School of Music. She spends her time playing drums for various projects, singing, and writing about metal. Says Rae:

"I am ridiculously happy to announce that I'm the new drummer for Mares of Thrace. Thank you, Thérèse Lanz for buying me my first deck of Magic cards and welcoming me into the band. Stefani MacKichan, you're an amazing drummer and overall badass. Best of luck with absolutely everything."

Watch a video of Rae playing a metal drumming medley:

Joost Luub invents barrel organ drum machine

In most European city streets you can easily walk into a barrel organ with someone shaking a penny tray, but always out of rhythm.

Amsterdam-based art student Joost Luub, also known as drummer with Wooden Constructions, got so bothered, he decided to make ​​a new kind of barrel organ: one that exclusively plays drums.

As part of his graduation thesis at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Joost decided to combine the system of classical organ with his passion for drumming.

With the help of a professional builder, he managed to build a working 'barrel organ drum machine'.

Joost hopes music festivals such as Lowlands will pick up his invention and give his drum organ a spot on the festival grounds.

If you want to know how it works and sounds, click here for a short item by Dutch news organization NOS including a video (in Dutch, no subtitles).

Sounds good, looks better :P

Keep drumming ;)

Vater welcomes José Pasillas to its artist family

Vater Percussion welcomes José Pasillas, drummer of the multi-platinum Incubus, to its family of endorsing artists.

José, who used to play Pro-Mark sticks, is now using the Vater 7A in wood tip.
The drummer is currently on tour in Europe with Incubus before he and his band return to the United States for a summer tour with Linkin Park.

The sticks I use at the moment. Nice ones ;)

Pro-Mark and Vater are clearly two of the greatest brands! Nice choice José.

Rich Redmond Clinics

Date: July 5, 2012

Location: Regina, Saskatchewan

Venue/Info:  Cedar Logde 

Date: July 11, 2012

Location: Mississauga, Ontario

Venue/Info: Metalworks Institute

Date: August 19, 2012

Location: Chicago, IL

Venue/Info: Vic’s Drum Shop

Date: September 28, 2012

Location: San Mateo, CA

Venue/Info: Hillsdale High School

More information @ www.richredmond.com