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PHOTO: MATT FOSTER
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Rammstein’s Christophe Schneider is using V-Drums for live concert pre-productions.
e - d r u m s r u l e i n € u ro p e Judging from the growing adoption in live e-drumming performance, some might think the ‘e’ stands for Europe. Michael Schack looks at how e-drums are shaping the music scene on his home continent. ACOUSTIC DRUMMERS FROM the live Metal and Pop scene have been triggering e-drum modules for years. But with the increasing popularity of electronic music and DJ acts in clubs, on summer festival stages and even in big indoor arena music events, live ‘played’ (as opposed to triggered) electronic beats are definitely the “go” at present. The worldwide multi-genre electronic music culture has managed to encompass both the underground and mainstream. The common element in all the genres is “the beat”. It’s the bottom line that makes people move, and there’s already a clear need from serious DJs and electronic musicians to perform those beats live. Their fingers can do the job for a while, but in the end, nothing beats a live pad-hitting e-beat drummer. 40
Of course, one of the big advantages of electronic music concerts is that the performing artists can genuinely reproduce the sound of their mixes, and kick the PA to the max. Every electronic sub-genre depends on the impact of a specific kick sound, the feel of it, the presence or even lack of a backbeat, the precise frequencies of the hi-hat and clap sounds, and the ducking “compressor” groove feel where kick and bass alternate in pushing subwoofer speakers to their limit. This is not really something acoustic drums can do. It’s all about style “credibility” and sheer sound tweaking, as it should be. Another benefit is the ultimate dream for any frontof-house PA sound engineer - a silent stage. Of course, e-drums have already been there for more www.digitaldrummermag.com