The Alesis USB Pro Drum Kit is the world’s first electronic drum kit
designed specifically to take direct advantage of the power of the
computer for sound generation. The drum set combines the popular Alesis
Trigger|iO trigger-to-MIDI interface with high-end drum pads and SURGE
Cymbals, giving players a kit with incredibly realistic feel and
virtually limitless sonic possibilities. A dual-zone snare pad, three
dual-zone tom pads and a kick pad each feature an eight-inch mylar,
tension-adjustable drumhead and a 2.3mm triple-flanged counterhoop
perfectly mirroring the feel of acoustic drums. SURGE Cymbals are made
of brass cymbal alloy and feature built-in triggers. Because they are
true, lathed cymbals rather than rubber pads, SURGE Cymbals offer the
most natural cymbal feel available on any electronic drumset. A 12-inch
Hi-Hat, a 13-inch Crash with choke capability and a 16-inch dual-zone
Ride with choke capability are included.
Sound-generation software BFD Lite is included from FXpansion, placing
the sonic flexibility of multiple drum-sound sets with adjustable
articulation, velocity layers and microphone positions at drummers’
fingertips. USB Pro Drum Kit is compatible with computers running
Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.
In a further development, Alesis has created a special configuration
file, which optimizes its SR18 for use as an inexpensive, high-quality
drum-sound module for use with the USB Pro Drum Kit. Drummers need only
an inexpensive MIDI cable and a custom configuration file, available
for free download from www.alesis.com. Using SR18 as a sound source enables drummers to take advantage of a host of special features.
“We heard such great response from drummers on the sounds in the SR18
that we felt it would be great to find a way to make it work as a drum
module,” said Alesis Product Manager Jim Norman. “As it turns out, not
only does the combination work flawlessly once tweaked with the custom
configuration file, it also gives drummers special functionality, such
as being able to playing a cowbell sound on the rim of the rack tom.”
USB Pro Drum Kit is now shipping to musical instrument and pro audio retailers.