09.05.17
BeBop Sensors and Keith McMillen Instruments (KMI) said they’ve created the world’s most responsive smart drum pad.
The BopPad employs the world’s largest smart fabric sensor “to create a uniquely expressive and accurate electronic drum pad for drummers, percussionists and producers,” according to a press release from BeBop.
“BeBop needed a way to test its Generation 8 Smart Sensor Fabric in a large format and satisfying the needs of percussionists while surviving the repetitive hits seemed like a great product idea,” said CEO Keith McMillen.
The BopPad interprets any style of percussion playing, providing accurate hit detection, velocity, continuous radius and pressure at a speed of 2.4 milliseconds, with four independently programmable zones that output MIDI notes – velocity, pitch bend, pressure and location – the press release states.
“You can only play a drum a few ways, but BopPad allows you to take that skill set and play drums in a way you’ve never played before,” said Alex Swain, drummer and producer for Deltron 3030.
According to the press release, the BopPad has a wide, dynamic range, sensing styles and pressure of drumming, from “delicate finger strokes to full-on aggressive mallet assaults.”
The tuned elastomer surface covers a 10” circle of BeBop Sensors’ Smart Sensor fabric, which the company said “[gives] drummers a traditional feel combined with a whole new dimension of expressiveness for more dynamic drumming in performances and recordings.”
“KMI is known for our ultra-expressive synthesizer controllers,” said KMI President Evan Adams. “Many artists complain that electronic music is mechanical and lifeless, but that is due to the interface between the musician and computer. If the synth controller can only turn a sound off and on, it will never sound natural.
The BopPad costs $199, according to BeBop.
KMI created a Kickstarter campaign for the product and said the goal was met within three days.
See video:
Photos courtesy BeBop/Thomas PR
The BopPad employs the world’s largest smart fabric sensor “to create a uniquely expressive and accurate electronic drum pad for drummers, percussionists and producers,” according to a press release from BeBop.
“BeBop needed a way to test its Generation 8 Smart Sensor Fabric in a large format and satisfying the needs of percussionists while surviving the repetitive hits seemed like a great product idea,” said CEO Keith McMillen.
The BopPad interprets any style of percussion playing, providing accurate hit detection, velocity, continuous radius and pressure at a speed of 2.4 milliseconds, with four independently programmable zones that output MIDI notes – velocity, pitch bend, pressure and location – the press release states.
“You can only play a drum a few ways, but BopPad allows you to take that skill set and play drums in a way you’ve never played before,” said Alex Swain, drummer and producer for Deltron 3030.
According to the press release, the BopPad has a wide, dynamic range, sensing styles and pressure of drumming, from “delicate finger strokes to full-on aggressive mallet assaults.”
The tuned elastomer surface covers a 10” circle of BeBop Sensors’ Smart Sensor fabric, which the company said “[gives] drummers a traditional feel combined with a whole new dimension of expressiveness for more dynamic drumming in performances and recordings.”
“KMI is known for our ultra-expressive synthesizer controllers,” said KMI President Evan Adams. “Many artists complain that electronic music is mechanical and lifeless, but that is due to the interface between the musician and computer. If the synth controller can only turn a sound off and on, it will never sound natural.
The BopPad costs $199, according to BeBop.
KMI created a Kickstarter campaign for the product and said the goal was met within three days.
See video:
Photos courtesy BeBop/Thomas PR