It's been a while! Someone let the GAS out!!

[SuperPuss]

Well it has been ages since I posted here and there's LOTS to tell. For now though, I'll start by mentioning that someone has let the GAS out from my kit and I am downsizing. Yep, actually DOWNsizing!!
Seriously, I have rebuilt my kit and removed what I really didn't need. It has been a fun project but realistically, most of it was just for the sake of making a huge kit and I really don't need it all.
I'm redesigning some of my recording studio and need the money to buy a new recording interface (looking at an RME Fireface UFX). So I guess the GAS is still here but just being shifted from one place to another.
As a result of all this, I will probably be selling a bunch of DIY A-E conversions and my TD12 module. I'll be keeping the TD20X and the TMC6.
I'll post up some pics in the for sale section if anyone is interested.

Oh, and I am attempting to change my avatar to an animated one. This one.....

What is the official method of obtaining an animated avatar these days?

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Hey Danni! Good to see you back. Talk to Alan about the avatar. I "down sized" my kit too. In fact I totally redesigned it...several times since it's debut in digitalDrummer Mag. Even went to the 2Box and Gen16 platforms instead of Roland. Very cool tech. Still getting all the bits a pieces together for the "final" incarnation. Yes...GAS is still alive and burning. Thanks for all the inspiration. I've had a lot of fun creating all my monsters because of you and a few others here.

[hemiboy]

Dan off topic a little. Aren't you restoring a clear acrylic kit,. Or knowing how you roll a little bit, maybe you are building one from scratch? Can you buy virgin shells from a drum maker and then drill your own holes for your lugs and mounting hardware? I realized a few weeks ago that the clear 70's vistalites kit that went on E bay for $495 was a steal

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Your telling me it was a steal. I almost choked when I heard. To answer your question...yes....I bought RCI virgins(hmmm....that sounds a bit sketchy) and have been building from scratch. That said...I did buy a complete Crush 22" kick ,new, because it was cheaper than buying a "virgin" shell of the same size. I'll post pics when everything is complete.

[SuperPuss]

How are you finding the 2Box compared to the Roland Daniel? I'm pretty happy still with my expanded TD20. For practice, I mainly use the module sounds with either my custom kits or the Vex kits and for recording, I'm still really happy with SD2 and the C&V expansion.
I'm actually enjoying my downsized kit more than the full sized monster. It is refreshing being able to see all around me as I play!!! lol

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

How are you finding the 2Box compared to the Roland Daniel? I'm pretty happy still with my expanded TD20. For practice, I mainly use the module sounds with either my custom kits or the Vex kits and for recording, I'm still really happy with SD2 and the C&V expansion.
I'm actually enjoying my downsized kit more than the full sized monster. It is refreshing being able to see all around me as I play!!! lol

My personal journey into e-drumming was started when I was drawn in by the VST samples. You may remember my hardware nightmares with trying to set up a playable VST system back in 2009 when I first joined the forum. So Roland became my plug and play solution. Even then the module sounds were not equal to the rich tones of the VSTs to my ears but I was happy to be playing instead of stressing. After I got my TD-20/TDW-20...Vex upped my pleasure immensely and I was well satisified with my gear. All the while though I always said that if someone came up with VST quality sounds with module reliability I would gladly give up my quest and my Roland gear......then came 2Box. With all the hype of the TD-30 I decided to get one of those too. I played the TD-30 and 2Box side-by-side for a year DIYing for both...and even purchasing the PD128S and the VH13 to give the TD-30 a fair shake and test it's potential. The TD-30 is nice...but very fussy and needs intense dialing in to get it maximized for it optimal potential. No big surprise though as even the TDW-20 modules (and most other modules)need to have time spent with them for the best playing experience. Anyway...after a year....the 2Box won out hands down because of initial cost....sound quality...and it's simplified DIYing applications....even with cymbals....not to mention it's versatility with 3rd party pad compatibility .

The module has really nice samples from the factory and a 4gig memory card. However JmanWord had a 32gig card extender mod that you would probly want in order to load the multiple larger kits that can be produced from the popular VSTs. Installation take less than 30 minutes and is very simple. The HH controller is integrated into the HH pad and does not feel as nice as Roland rubber pads to me. However once again Jman has a HH controller box mod that will attach to your stand and you can use whatever pad you like for the hats...or you can DIY your own from the 2Box pad.

For you, since you already have a well functioning VST system to practice with using the TD20 and a TMI...you may not want to switch over. However..if you want to use all your nice custom VST kits that you record with live without having haul and setup all the computer gear...the 2Box is definitely the way to go. I doubt I will ever need another module...even if it stays exactly like it is....because I know that VST offerings are getting better all the time and all have to do is build them to suit my needs...convert and load them into the module and play my heart out. However I believe that 2Box will continue to grow develop new additions to this line in the years to come. It's been a very good year or so for e-drummers.

[ThePod]

Daniel can you comment on the lack of positional sensing on the 2box and whether it's been an issue for you compared to the TD-30

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

With all the deep layers that the vsts produce....i dont even notice its gone which seems to be the concensus on this from most who have gone to the 2Box.

[ThePod]

Thanks, I suspect it's the same with all VSTs then, not just using 2box?

[mbejackson]

Downsizing is the best thing I've done for my drumming in years.
Having lots of drums is cool but most of mine are now in a pile in the corner. I've always had 8 to 13 piece kits.
Really interesting how my technique changed, and improved exponetially, when I stripped the kit down to the basics and got back to Playing the Drums instead of playing around, literally. LOL.

[SuperPuss]

Sounds like the 2Box is serving you well Daniel. Given that I am almost exclusively working on studio projects these days and not gigging, my TD20/TDW20 and TMC6 with SD2 seems like no real disadvantage to the 2Box for me. For practice, I am still more than happy to use module kits I've created and some of Alan's VEX kits.

Here's a photo of my newly downsized kit (complete with the obligatory inclusion of my cat, Neo). The three PD8 pads on the left are modded to have velocity sensitive rim triggering too. In other words, they are now true dual piezo, two zone pads and even respond to rimshots.

[JmanWord]

Good to see ya back Danni! I guess downsizing is relative ..... , to you, me or Daniel this kit would qualify as downsized ..... to most other relatively normal or sane e-drummers ..... not so much