Electronic Drums & Virtual Percussion Technology

[juddrizzo]

Seems awesome. Can you still turn it down, so the band-members can talk to each other and not use ear-plugs. ... or is it still LOUD? (Like an acoustic set)

[goose315]

Hello Mike I have a question about the VPT drums. On most edrums you have a sound module. For the VPT there is a module but it looks like you are running it through the computer. So does that mean you have to have a computer to use this set???

[zippy46733]

da dat dat dat da dat do lmao. you suck

[neverknow234]

I wanna punch you in the face. Put on a new shirt and hat while you try and play the drums.

[BadAssDrummer001]

I have a gigantic tama kit as well, and swear by them...but im not just a drummer, im a musician, so i fully endorse and embrace the millions of possiblities electronic percussion software provides the actuall song writer, not just caveman bang bang drummer

[balooshy1]

How much it cost? i have Bfd 2 and Real drum kit.

[camo03]

Hey mikey! I think that VPT is a brilliant instrument (useful for those who has annoying neighbours). Just a curiosity question. How do those brass cymbals soung accousticaly? I suppose you can't use them on a accoustic drum kit.

[MikeyVPT]

VPT is definitely brilliant!

The Smartrigger cymbals sound more quiet than most other e-cymbals I've used.

You COULD use them with your acoustic kit, but you'd have to trigger software or a module with them.

-mikey

[BR177]

How do you isolate the acoustic noise from the digital signal ? Isn't that a problem when performing in a small club for instance ?

[MikeyVPT]

To be honest, I haven't had a problem with the stick sound from my kit. I've played in some tight spots, but our sound engineer is always able to push our sound well above the stick sound. Also, if you have your PA anywhere in front of the kit, the drum sound overpowers my stick sound.

I've also played in a few churches that have switched to VPT and just keep their old acoustic shields, so there's absolutely no bleed.

But, no problems with that as the RET Drums are quite silent.

-mikey

[djavo4life]

lol this is a bulshit...if it looks like real, souds like real, feel like real...why dont you use a REAL DRUMS smartass...hahahah!!!! lol

[MikeyVPT]

Hahaha... you really have NO IDEA!

How many drum sets do you have with your acoustic drum set? One, right? You might have a few extra snares, cymbals, and you can change the heads, right?

I have about 74 FULL acoustic kits inside of my software! I don't want to sound childish, but... I WIN!

AUTOBOTS, ROLL OUT!

-mikey

[djavo4life]

I only and only use Tama drums...so I DONT NEED MORE THEN ONE DRUM SET!!! so long...

[MikeyVPT]

Really? You just want ONE drum set?! Naaahhh... not for me!

Do me a favor, visit: VirtualPercussionOutlet(.com) and just check out the possibilities of Virtual Percussion. You'll love it.

-mikey

[ransisua]

one more thing, if you want to be looked real, you have to use hi-hat stands. if noob people see it, "wad the hell, how can it be separated (pedal & hi-hat cymbals). lol

Anyway, why do you recommend FD-8?

[MikeyVPT]

You CAN use a traditional hi-hat stand, but I don't like hitting my hats at a different angle every time. I prefer hitting it the same every time so I can feel and know which sample sets I'm using. Does that make sense?

-mikey

[ransisua]

I know Mikey, I'm just saying that hi-hat pedal doesn't really make it look real. lol. But who cares, right?

Is FD-8 the best hi-hat pedal for Alesis Trigger I/O?

Thx

[MikeyVPT]

Everyone has a preference. You can use whatever you want! That's why this system is so great, because you can customize it to your own needs.

The FD-8 works great for me!

-mikey

[cowboylover65]

Pretty much anything, socks/shoes or boots. Boots usually out of the house.

[cowboylover65]

what footwear do you wear when playing?

[MikeyVPT]

Hanes... socks. I would like to get some nice Puma's someday. They can be thin and have enough sole to let me feel the pedals and still feel natural.

What do you use?

-mikey

[jimlbw]

NIKE Air Presto, are awesome for drumming. they are lycra spandex looking tennis shoe that almost feels like a sock with soul. :-)

[jimlbw]

hi Mikey, nice presentation. i was wondering,,, how critical is the tuning of the actual mylar heads for the triggers? if it's off a bit from moving or tamp, will it affect what comes out in the software or triggers? Also what other kinds of banks or voices come with the soft? ie. like chimes,gong, wood block etc. more cowbell!!!! LOL, thanks james p

[MikeyVPT]

Thanks James!

The tuning of the drum heads has nearly no importance. It's all about personal feel. You can use ANY drum head you want. I have my kit tuned more like an acoustic kit, where the toms, floor tom, and kick are tuned looser and looser, respectively.

You can use clear heads, ebony heads, mesh, etc. The mesh works great also, and doesn't feel like a bouncy Roland due to the VPT triggering device which gives it substance.

As for sounds... you name it, you got it. Zippers!

[MountainMan247]

are the symbols silent? like i know you can turn down the volume on some electric sets. but idk bout this.

[MikeyVPT]

The cymbals are brass-alloy, but they're actually very silent. They're dampened from the underside, so all you hear physically is a light ticking.

-mikey

[enkenonsense]

hey mike!!nice drumming bro.

so can you explain how the software is working (liekEZDrummer) and how you get it onto your module??

[MikeyVPT]

Thanks man!

The software loads onto your computer, then you plug your drums into the Trigger Io, and that goes into your computer to trigger the software!

It's pretty straight forward, but RET packages everything and pre-loads it for you in their VPT packages. It's the next step, bro!

Thanks for the message!

-mikey

[enkenonsense]

ok cool man thx!!

[captainobvious9999]

Mike, can you post a follow up video with a mic close to the kit to get an idea of he noise level of the kit? I'm curious to hear how loud your heads are going to be when compared to a typical mesh, and also the cymbals...

[MikeyVPT]

I've done that in some of my other videos, but I probably will do a more professional video for my website. Sorry I missed this comment!

-mikey

[kriton9]

I want an electronic set for College next year so I can take them in my dorm with me. Although, I'll need them to be quiet too, where I could just plug some head phones in and play alone and not cause alot of noise. Would these be like the rubber padded drums when aren't turned on? or would they still make real drum noises even if they were turned off? post back PLEASE!

[MikeyVPT]

I had an ekit during college, and the most trouble I got was the vibration on the floor. The 3rd floor isn't the best for us drummers ;-)

The RET drums are MORE quiet than my practice pad! The cymbals, too. They've got a laminate on the underside that cuts out any acoustic value. The "loudest" parts are the rims, but you can get silencers for those.

I hope this helps! Thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any more questions!

-mikey

[seat17]

Hey there, nice drumming! I got a quick question...ok, so my electric drums module has a midi-out and i just bought BFD2. Can i use the module to trigger BFD2via a usb midi cable? Thank you in advance!

[MikeyVPT]

Thanks for the comment! My drumming is 'okay' at best here ;-)

What kind of module are you using? No matter which one, you should be able to trigger BFD2. It's all midi in the end. As long as it is selected as your midi device, and as long as it's midi-mapped to the module, you should be good to go!

Are you using this with e-drums too?

-mikey

[tridk]

im a bit confused on this whats the difference between this and an acoustic set on mics etc. also can u tune these?? haha sorry many questions but is it possible to change heads from evan mylars to i dont know maybe remo ambassadors and will it really make a difference if i were to?

[MikeyVPT]

The major difference is that I don't need to buy really expensive mics, take the time to place those mics in the best way possible, pay to have a pro sound proof drum room... I just turn on my laptop!

If you use either BFD1 or 2 or Superior 2.0, or many other Drum Software Samplers, you CAN tune the drums, or move the position of the overheads, or room mics or take more top snare mic, or move the kick mic out of the kick..

You can use any head you choose. It would make very little difference.

[Dr4Mm3R4EveR]

Awesome drums! U r a really good drummer too! Can you explain me the differences between this drums kit and the Roland TD-20 V-drum? I cant understand what is better. Thx!

[MikeyVPT]

Thanks Dr4Mm3R4EverR!!!

The difference between this kit and the TD-20 and the RET Fusion Pro is that the RET kit doesn't use mesh or rubber pads. They use Evans Mylar heads! It feels good!

RET also uses Software... sounds much better and more sophisticated than a module sound (although you CAN get a decent sound out of a module, software is just.. better!)

I hope this answers your questions!

-mikey

[RoninTXBR549]

I'd rather watch Buddie Rich on a REAL kit anyday...

[MikeyVPT]

You and me BOTH, buddy ;-)

It's funny, many people would make the argument of "what IS real?". But, I know what you're trying to say. Acoustic drums are awesome.

RET kits have more advantages. I guess it comes down to what you need to do... recording, playing live... it's just eeeaaaaasssyyy!

-mikey

[dorianbrentfoyil]

Hey man,

thank's alot for contacting me with the information. How could I get ahold of some of these drums, they are great!

[RaisinBrainz]

This is SICK!!! Awesome camera work, awesome playing, awesome sounds, dude! This gig with VPT stuff is insane! Sweet fill at 3:30, also. Fast hands... I'd like to see you let loose on a kit, for real.

-Alex

[deviouspc]

Thanks for the answer and sorry to bother but I'm new to th electronic percussion world, I'm trying to change from acoustic to electric but how can you have a 15 piece kit with the 10 inputs that have the trigger I/O.

Again thanks very much.

[MikeyVPT]

Now you're thinking like an e-drummer ;-)

Sure, you have 10 inputs... but they're all DUAL TRIGGERED!!! So, my snare head can have one sound, my snare rim can have another sound. Or my tom can sound like a tom, and my tom rim can sound like a crash cymbal!

It's all done with one dual trigger input!

RET has thought of everything!

Does that make sense?

[deviouspc]

Thanks man really helpful, I was confused about that, the only thing left now is to find out if my eeepc can run the bfd lite that comes with the I/O.

[MikeyVPT]

BFD lite! I like BFD, but BFD lite is BARE bones. I don't think you'll enjoy working with it as much as BFD1.5 or even 2.0. Before working for RET, I got my copy of BFD from them, and that's what they told me... they were completely right.

1 gig of ram is plenty, 2 is preferable.

[MikeyVPT]

Hey, thanks a lot! I'm sure it's possible to use two Trigger I/O's. Here, I can have about a 15 piece kit.

All I would need is two instances of EZD, two I/O's... that would make it a THIRTY piece kit!!!

Mmm... huge kits...

[deviouspc]

Nice video, awesome sound. Could you tell me is it possible to use two trigger i/o modules so you can have more trigger inputs to use with a pc. I mean how big a drum set can be?