There’s always something exciting about new gear in the music world, especially when it comes to innovative tools for drummers. Today, we are entering into the Drumbeam, a unique product from afk-Audio. We got the chance to test the new MIDI device and its companion app and want to share some first impressions and features. While still in the beta stage, it shows fantastic potential.
Getting to Know the Drumbeam
The Drumbeam is a MIDI drum controller designed to send MIDI notes to your digital audio workstation (DAW) or other devices. It’s built with velocity sensitivity and MIDI CC options, making it perfect for expressive playing. AFK Audio is a small startup from Dresden, and the Drumbeam is their first product, so there’s a lot of passion behind it.
Technicalities
Power & Connections
Connecting the Drumbeam is straightforward. You’ll find a USB-C port on the bottom for power and MIDI connectivity. You can power it via USB-C while sending MIDI signals through the same cable. Having bright, color-responsive LED stripes on front and back adds a fantastic visual element, which also uses quite alot of power. So keep that in mind when using a USB hub and such.
Long USB cables can create issues as well, but the Drumbeam offers a small jack TRS MIDI IN and OUT socket as well. The five-pin MIDI connection allows for a reliable solution over greater distances. Finding yourself in larger set ups, maybe adding the Drumbeam to a full drumkit, makes using longer cables easier.
MIDI Options and Limitations
With MIDI in and out options, the Drumbeam allows for future upgrades. While the current capabilities are limited, AFK Audio has hinted at exciting developments. These updates can enhance functionality later, which is a promising aspect for those of us who love evolving gear.
If you’re a drummer, you’ll find that many drum pads on the market already support five-pin MIDI. This compatibility makes the Drumbeam a versatile addition to your gear. Maybe using it alongside devices like the SPD-SX or SPD-SX Pro.
Build Quality and Size of the Drumbeam
The Drumbeam has a slim and lightweight design making it pretty attractive for touring musicians. Additionally it’s pretty sturdy built with a silicone surface on top, providing a nice playing feel. The hightlight quite literally being the LED panels on front and back, which give a response to hits by lighting up every time. A standard cymbal drum stand mount on the bottom allows for a versatile setup.
The web app for editing presets on the DrumBeam
At the moment the best thing about the Drumbeam-App is that it’s not an app. But merly a webpage that can be accessed through the Drumbeam’s own WIFI. While the functions of the web app seem already promising, the design is still pretty BETA, but nevertheless get pretty in-depth for those who like to customize to the max. Of course the LED-appearance is the first eyecatcher to make your own, but also things like velocity response and more can be adjusted to your needs.
Why use the Drumbeam?
During our review which is also a full hour videopodcast [LINK wenn online!] (make sure to check that out!), we found three major strengths for using the drumbeam.
- The drum beam adds a great visual component to playing sounds via a MIDI controller. Making it so much more understandable for an audience. Meaning, when playing live, the audience can immediatly connect the visual input of perfoming on stage to the audio coming from the speakers. Colourful flashy lights just add to a good show.
- The size and mounting options are just perfect for a simple and quick set up. Easily integrated in a already exsisting set the lightweight yet sturdy beam, makes a travel companion and no-brainer for touring musicians.
- Community based updates: As a small company just starting out, afk-Audio has the clear vision to make the Drumbeam once it hits the markets as close, to the community using it, as possible. This allows for community driven development and is a great competion to larger companies restricting product releases. With already almost daily updates for the beta-versions, one can only look forward to the release and the following firmware support.
Stay up to date on the Drumbeam release!
afk-Audio has opted for a crowdfunding campaign to launch the Drumbeam later in 2024. The crowdfunding has not started just yet and the best way to stay up date for the time being is by subscribing to the AbletonDrummer-Newsletter!
Final Thoughts on the Drumbeam
All in all, the Drumbeam from afk-Audio is an interesting device. It offers many features helpful for drummers and anyone who plays live music, while looking to expand their setup. Between its versatility, thoughtful design and community-driven launch, it really stands out in the crowded market of MIDI controllers.
Be sure to check out their crowdfunding campaign and to subscribe to our newsletter to find out more in the following months!
