droolicious : Drums

PDP's New Rock Band Pedal Has Us Seeing, Playing Double

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:00:00 GMT

It's too bad Guitar Hero got the sweeter end of the Metallica licensing deal -- this newly released Rock Band Double Bass Pedal from PDP (which, of course, also works with Rock Band 2) would've been the perfect companion for a little "One" at the next family game night.

Either way, you and the kids can still unleash your inner Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo or whatever other double-kick wonder you care to namecheck: Just plug a second pedal (not included) into the double-bass adapter, and you're ready to start blasting.

$24.99 from Best Buy, and it's fully compatible with PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.

CES 2009: Roland HD-1 V-Drums Lite with Drum Tutor Software

Chris Ford — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Got a budding drummer in the house but you'd rather not hear them hitting the skins into all hours of the night? The Roland "HD-1 V-Drums LIte"is an all integrated electronic drum kit, designed for the drummer who is learning how to play. With three virtual cymbals (crash, ride and hi-hats) and five drums (three toms, snare and kick drum) the set has pretty much everything a drummer who is learning how to play could need. Combine it with Roland's Drum Tutor software (the DT-HD-1) and you've pretty much got drum lessons in a box.

The drum set is, however, all-integrated which means it isn't expandable or good for using as an full-blown virtual drum set. But for the beginner it seems pretty perfect.

The HD-1 has been out for about a year and retails for around $799. The tutor software (DT-HD-1) is brand new and will set you back an extra $99.

Check it out at Roland.com

Ion Drum Rocker Goes From Rock Band 2 to Real-World Drum Lessons

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:30:00 GMT

If your family takes its Rock Band 2 seriously, it's time to invest in some serious hardware. The Ion Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set (available now for Xbox 360, with a PS2 and PS3 version on the way) features customizable, reinforced hardware that can take whatever abuse you and your miniature Keith Moons can unleash on it.

Granted, it's a little expensive -- nearly twice as much as a complete Rock Band 2 bundle, in fact -- but if your kids are interested in learning drums somewhere other than in a video game, the Ion can actually save you money in that area (real kits, after all, don't come cheap): Just swap out the Xbox 360 controller for an Alesis drum-brain module, and you've got a real electronic drum kit.

$299.99 from Amazon.

Little Drummer Boy (or Girl): Drum Kit for the Kiddies

SunnyChanel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:53:00 GMT

Of course, I would prefer that my little one was drawn to a more subdued and tranquil musical instrument, like the recorder, acoustic guitar or pan flute. But the girl’s got rhythm and has a tendency to bang on objects as hard as humanly possible. Doing her interpretation of the Animal from the Muppet Show is much more up her alley than attempting to perform a sedate rendition of Ode to Joy on her Fisher-Price plastic piano. Enter this practical and aesthetically pleasing child’s drum kit, perfect for the little noisemakers in your life ($58.00). This kit may not save your eardrums, but it may save all your pots and pans.