Electronic Drum Sound Modules

What is an electronic drum sound module?

An electronic drum module is an electronic or digital device in an electronic drum kit, which serves as the central processing unit and sound module. The drum module creates or produces the sounds of the drum kit or other sounds that the drummer has selected. By itself, a drum module cannot play or sound like an actual drum hit. It only produces drum sounds when a drummer strikes the electronic drum pads or acoustic drum kits that have electronic "triggers" (or sensors) attached. When the electronic drum pads or trigger-equipped instruments are hit, this sends a signal to the drum module, which generates the corresponding electronic drum sound (or other sound). Even when the drum pads and/or triggers are connected to a drum module, the drum module itself emits no audible sound. Like other electronic instruments, such as synthesizers, the drum module only sends out an electronic signal. The performer can hear this signal by connecting headphones to the drum module (i.e., for individual practice) or by connecting the drum module to an amplifier and speaker or PA system for audible practice or live performance. The output signal of the drum module can also be patched into a sound console for concerts or sound recording. The nomenclature varies (see below). For example, electronic drum modules are referred to as "percussion sound modules" in the case of Roland, or sometimes simply modules. A common everyday term for this device is drum brain.

Electronic drum modules come with most complete electronic drum kits (which include a drum module and a set of drum pads). Electronic drum modules can also be purchased as standalone units. In this case, the performer must also purchase drum pads and/or triggers that can be connected to regular acoustic drums. An electronic drum module is a special electronic device that accepts input from the drummer via external triggers that are struck with regular drumsticks. With an electronic drum kit, the drummer hits the trigger devices, whereas a synthesizer player would strike the keys on the synthesizer. The triggers can be electrodes or cymbal-shaped devices or piezo-electric pickups that resemble a guitar pickup. When the triggers are struck or activated by the vibration from a drum or another instrument, the electronic drum module interprets the signal and outputs the specific voice assigned to that trigger. The sound (or "voice") can be a sample or synthetic reproduction of a wide range of drums, cymbals, percussion, or other musical instruments or even vocal sounds. It is conceptually similar to modern MIDI-keyboard -digital workstations or synthesizers, particularly in that any available sound within a given module can be assigned to any trigger connected to the module.

Most electronic drum modules come with a number of pre-programmed "kits" or "bundles" - collections of drum set voices assigned to specific triggers that mimic a traditional drum set (e.g., including drum and cymbal sounds). Many modules allow the drummer to save their own collections of sounds as additional sets and enable the player to recall them as desired. In fact, a single set of triggers can perform the same function as multiple traditional drum sets or collections of various percussion instruments. Some modules may be able to save kits with labels such as: "rock kit", "jazz kit", and "hip-hop kit". Others simply assign a number to each saved kit. Modules can allow varying degrees of control over individual sounds, such as the relative volume for each trigger input or adding electronic effects, e.g., reverb or other effects.

Most manufacturers also include more eclectic sounds in their modules, e.g., sounds from well-known drum machines plus a wide range of well-known percussion instruments, industrial music sounds, hand-claps, and general percussion instruments or even vocal sounds. Manufacturers of electronic drum modules like Roland often have built unusual playable sounds into the sound banks of their electronic drum modules to showcase the technology's capabilities. Electronic drum modules also provide advanced features such as the ability to use digital samplers. When used in conjunction with an electronic or digital sampler, the sounds that can be played with a drum module are virtually limitless. A drum module could be used to create any form of musical or natural sounds, from a piano or a violin to ocean waves or other sound effects.