Clavia Digital Musical Instruments Unveils All-New ddrum4 Electronic Percussion System (970227)

An all-new, much more affordable ddrum4 Electronic Percussion System was unveiled at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim. The new system includes a totally new percussion unit with 10 trigger inputs and 6 fully assignable outputs. More than 500 sounds are included in it's internal Flashram memory. Ddrum4 owners will be able to download additional free sounds from an extensive library on Clavia's web site. The ddrum4 unit can also receive sounds in the MIDI Sample Dump format.

Clavia are also introducing completely redesigned trigger pads - the "Cast Precision Series". The rugged, cast aluminum pads utilize real drum heads and they will be available in two models: "Cast Acoustic" and "Cast Precision". The "Cast Acoustic" pads are undampened allowing for the actual sound of the head to be heard. The "Cast Precision" pads are fully dampened allowing for silent playing.

Cast Precision Pads (like their ddrum3 Precision Pad counterparts) have the ability to read where and how the pad is being struck (Position) and when the drummer is pressing down on the pad to mute or change the pitch of a sound (Pressure). The new kick pad is a complete departure from previous ddrum kick pads. It uses a 12" pad with a head. The Cast Precision kick pad allows for a drummer to play "bounce on and off." In other words, leaving the beater against the head will mute it.

Also featured in the Armadillo Booth were prototypes of ddrum cymbals and hi hats. The cymbal surface is made of metal, providing a "real feel." The ddrum cymbals will also read position which allows you to "map" different samples from the center to the edge. The cymbals will also be "chokeable." The new hi hats will mount on the drummer's hi hat stand and perform all typical hi hat functions. The new cymbals are expected to ship sometime in the Spring of 1997.

The new ddrum4 Percussion System makes the quality, performance and feel of a ddrum, available at a price that many drummers will be able to afford.

Clavia Digital Musical Instruments AB is a leading manufacturer of professional digital drums and synthesizers. Users of their products include great musicians and bands such as Pure, Jean-Michel Jarre, Peter Gabriel, Yes, Nine inch nails, Jonathan Moffet, Jim Keltner, Kenny Aronoff, Joe Franco, Megadeth, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis and the News, Man-O-War, Pantera, Sepultura, Roxette, dr Alban, Ace of Base, Iron Maiden, UB 40, Soul II Soul, Janet Jackson, Inner Circle, Nitzer Ebb and many many more.