Trystan Casey
The history of the electric drum kit is a long and fascinating one, with its roots dating back to the early 20th century. The modern drum kit, with its assortment of drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments from around the world, first emerged in the jazz scene of New Orleans. However, it wasn't until the late 1970s that the electronic drum kit became a popular musical instrument. The first programmable drum machine was developed in 1949, and over the following decades, various pioneers in the field of electronic music continued to innovate and create new electronic drum kits. The Pollard Syndrum, designed in 1976, was the first commercially available electronic drum kit, and the Simmons SDS-V, released in 1978, was the first fully electronic drum kit. The 1980s are often regarded as the golden age of electronic drumming, with companies like Roland and Yamaha dominating the market in the following decades. Today, electronic drum kits are an integral part of contemporary music creation, offering a wide range of sounds and features that enable drummers to produce original and cutting-edge rhythms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invention | The first electronic drum kit was created in 1971 by Graeme Edge, the drummer for the band The Moody Blues. However, some sources claim that the first commercially available electronic drum kit was the Pollard Syndrum, invented in 1976. |
| Inventors | Graeme Edge and Brian Groves (a professor from Sussex University) invented the first electronic drum kit. The Pollard Syndrum was invented by Joe Pollard and Mark Barton. |
| Early models | Early models of the electronic drum kit date back to the 1930s but were not widely used until the 1970s. |
| Popularity | The electronic drum kit gained popularity in the late 1970s with the release of the Roland TR-77, which offered a versatile range of sounds. |
| Advancements | Over time, electronic drum kits have undergone significant advancements, with improved sound quality, sensitivity, and affordability. The TD-10 V-Drums kit by Roland, released in 1997, used mathematical models and mesh pads for a more realistic sound and feel. |
| Impact | Electronic drum kits have changed the face of music, offering a wide range of sounds in a lightweight and easy-to-maintain form. They are now a crucial component of contemporary music creation and performance, allowing drummers to produce original and cutting-edge rhythms and beats. |
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What You'll Learn
- The first electronic drum kit was created in 1971
- The first commercially available electronic drum was the Pollard Syndrum
- The Simmons SDS-V was the first fully electronic drum kit
- The Roland TD-30KV V-Pro Series was a significant advancement in 2012
- Electronic drum kits are now an integral part of modern music
The first electronic drum kit was created in 1971
The electronic drum kit was created using rubber trigger pads with a silver backing. A magnet on a cord moved up and down to trigger an electronic signal, which was then processed through transistors. Edge recalled that "this was pre-chip days... so it had something like 500 transistors. The electronic drums inside looked something like spaghetti."
The 1970s saw the rise of electronic drums, with Moog also creating a tactile e-drum in the same decade. The popularity of electronic drum kits can be attributed to their lightweight, easy-to-maintain form, wide range of sounds, and affordability. The Roland TR-77, released in the late 1970s, featured a versatile range of sounds and was used by famous musicians such as David Bowie, Phil Collins, and Duran Duran.
The Pollard Syndrum, invented in 1976 by session drummer Joe Pollard and Mark Barton, a product designer for Tycobrahe Sound Company, was the first commercially available electronic drum. It consisted of a sound generator and drum pads. The Simmons SDS-V, released in 1978, was the first fully electronic drum kit to be commercially available. It featured five modules (bass, snare, and three toms) and signature hexagonal pads.
The history of electronic drums is marked by continuous innovation, challenging the norm, and creative problem-solving. The TD-10 V-Drums kit by Roland Corporation, released in 1997, further revolutionized electronic drums by utilizing mathematical models and mesh pads, enhancing the realistic sound and feel of the drums.
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The first commercially available electronic drum was the Pollard Syndrum
The history of the electronic drum kit is a fascinating one, marked by innovation, financial challenges, and creative problem-solving. The first commercially available electronic drum was the Pollard Syndrum, invented by session drummer Joe Pollard and synth/product designer Mark Barton in 1976.
Pollard, a drummer for LA's Wrecking Crew, had been working on an idea for a drum synthesizer since around 1970. He connected with Mark Barton, an electrical engineer at Tycho Brahe, who helped him build working prototypes. These prototypes were then demonstrated to prominent drummers like Jim Keltner and Hal Blaine, receiving positive feedback and purchase commitments.
The Syndrum consisted of a drum shell with a Kevlar head, a velocity-sensitive sensor, and the electronics housed in a separate box. The analog circuitry was specifically designed to create drum-like sounds. The most famous configuration was the Syndrum Quad, which featured four drum pads. The Syndrum allowed drummers to access 100% electronic sounds by striking a pad, and it quickly became popular in the rock and roll scene.
The Syndrum was a musical success, with endorsements from well-known drummers and appearances on hit songs like "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" by Linda Ronstadt and "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. However, it was a financial failure for the young company, with high production costs and delinquent payments from music stores. Despite this, the Syndrum played a pivotal role in the evolution of electronic drums, inspiring other companies to enter the market and driving innovation in the industry.
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The Simmons SDS-V was the first fully electronic drum kit
The history of the electronic drum kit dates back to the 1930s, when the modern acoustic drum kit first emerged, utilising foot pedals and drumsticks to trigger sounds. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that electronic drum kits started to gain popularity. The earliest electronic drum machines and prototypes appeared in 1967, but they were not widely used until the following decade.
In 1976, Joe Pollard, a session drummer, and Mark Barton, a product designer, invented the Pollard Syndrum, the first commercially available electronic drum. This consisted of a sound generator and drum pads. However, the title of the first fully electronic drum kit goes to the Simmons SDS-V, released in 1978.
The Simmons SDS-V revolutionised the world of drumming. It was the first electronic kit of its kind to be commercially available, featuring five modules (bass, snare, and three toms) and signature hexagonal pads. The hexagonal pad layout became synonymous with Simmons, setting their kits apart from the competition.
The Simmons SDS-V was a game-changer for drummers, offering a ton of sounds in a lightweight and easy-to-maintain form. It paved the way for future developments in electronic drums, with companies like Yamaha, Roland, and Alesis dominating sales in the 1990s and early 2000s. These companies introduced innovations such as mesh drum heads, dual-zone drum pads, and more realistic sounds, making electronic drums more accessible and popular than ever.
The impact of the Simmons SDS-V extended beyond the drumming world, influencing the music industry as a whole. The electronic drum kit's ability to interface with other electronic instruments and recording equipment through MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) transformed music production. Roland, a pioneer in electronic musical instruments, further advanced the technology with the release of the TR-909 Rhythm Composer in 1986, which left an indelible mark on electronic dance music.
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The Roland TD-30KV V-Pro Series was a significant advancement in 2012
The history of the electric drum kit is a long and fascinating one, with many advancements and innovations over the years. One significant leap forward in the world of electronic drums came in 2012 with the Roland TD-30KV V-Pro Series. This groundbreaking line of electronic drum kits built on Roland's industry-leading reputation in the field of electronic percussion.
The TD-30KV and its sibling, the TD-30K, were unveiled at the NAMM Show in January 2012 and represented a new pinnacle in drumming performance. At the heart of these kits was the TD-30 module, which utilised Roland's cutting-edge SuperNATURAL engine and Behaviour Modelling technology. This combination resulted in an instrument that could react and respond to the subtleties, nuances, and dynamics of a drummer's technique like never before.
The SuperNATURAL engine produced an extensive range of new sounds, with 1,100 instruments and 100 drum kits available onboard the TD-30. This wealth of options was fully user-programmable, empowering drummers to create their own customised settings and kits. The Behaviour Modelling technology, meanwhile, ensured that every nuance of a drummer's performance was accurately translated, from rim shots and rolls to flams and ghost notes on the snare, and even down to the most delicate nuances of cymbal play.
The TD-30KV and TD-30K kits also featured enhanced V-Hi-Hats and V-Pads, further improving the playability and expression of these electronic drums. The V-Hi-Hat, for example, took into account not just the shape of a traditional hi-hat but also the bounce of the stick and the movement caused by playing, resulting in a feel that closely resembled that of an acoustic hi-hat. The V-Pads, meanwhile, featured updated rim sensors for ultra-accurate dynamics detection and rim shot depth.
The Roland TD-30KV V-Pro Series, with its advanced sensing technology and SuperNATURAL sounds, represented a significant advancement in the world of electronic drums. It offered drummers an unprecedented level of playability, customisability, and expressiveness, solidifying Roland's position as a leader in the field of electronic percussion.
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Electronic drum kits are now an integral part of modern music
The history of the electric drum kit is a fascinating one. The earliest models were created in the 1930s, but they did not gain widespread popularity until the 1970s. The birth of electronic percussion is often traced back to 1967 when Dutch drummer Felix Visser modified an Acetone Rhythm box to trigger sound samples by hand. However, it was in the late 1970s that electronic drum kits began to take off, with the release of the Roland TR-77, which offered a versatile range of sounds and was used by the likes of David Bowie and Phil Collins. The Pollard Syndrum, designed by Joe Pollard and Mark Barton in 1976, was the first commercially available electronic drum kit.
The development of electronic drum kits has been driven by a desire to challenge the norms of traditional drumming and explore creative solutions through circuitry and mathematics. This evolution has coincided with the rapid advancement of digital technology, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern music landscape. Electronic drum kits have become increasingly accessible, with improved affordability and portability, allowing a broader range of performers to adopt them.
The impact of electronic drum kits on modern music is undeniable. They have revolutionized the way drummers play and expanded the possibilities for musical expression. Drummers can now produce original and cutting-edge rhythms and beats, drawing from a diverse range of sounds and features offered by electronic kits. The versatility of these kits enables their use across multiple genres, including hip-hop, electronic dance music, rock, and pop.
The integration of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology has been a game-changer for electronic drum kits. Drummers can now seamlessly interface with other electronic instruments and recording equipment, opening up new avenues for collaboration and creativity. The ability to accurately record and produce electronic drum tracks has elevated the role of electronic drums in modern music production.
Today, electronic drum kits are an integral part of the music industry. They have not only changed the way drummers perform but also expanded the sonic palette available to artists and producers. The evolution of electronic drum kits continues, with ongoing innovations in sound quality, sensitivity, and realism. As digital technology progresses, the role of electronic drums in music creation and performance will only become more prominent, further solidifying their place in the modern musical landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electronic drum kit was created in 1971 by Graeme Edge, the drummer for the band The Moody Blues, and Brian Groves, a professor from Sussex University. Their invention was first heard on the track "Procession" from the Moody Blues' 1971 album "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour".
Electric drum kits became popular in the late 1970s with the release of the Roland TR-77, which offered a versatile range of sounds.
The first commercially available electric drum kit was the Pollard Syndrum, designed by Joe Pollard and Mark Barton in 1976 for the Tycobrahe Sound Company.
