Min 4:10
9 Likes
The 4x4 pads layout probably didnāt have any philosophy or ergonomic consideration other than the size of the pads, and look how far it got. This layout here looks very interesting.
3 Likes
What Iām liking:
Aftertouch and note repeat so can do volume swells.
Portability and stand-alone ease of use - no need to fire up a DAW to finger drum.
Can load samples and has midi out
Pad layout looks more forgiving than most 4x4s but always a chance it might be too odd/unfamiliar
What I donāt like:
The looks of it - kinda outdated and ugly looking imo
The missing X factor. I can get a used Machine MK3 for same price, which will have great drumming pads and a gazillion other features. A Mikro MK3 is even cheaper than than Yamaha and is also a great finger drumming device.
5 Likes
But no built in speaker!
Ah. You have revealed the X factor.
1 Like
It looks way more portable than a Maschine+ (Maschine MK3 and Mikro are not really portable since you still need a laptop).
About philosophy, they have it and it is rather documented:
Itās the first time I look at a launch of a Yamaha product. Do they always go this big? So many videos (their own + reviews) and so much documentation if you start clicking the links.
3 Likes
Being able to play/practice finger drum parts without being required to connect to a computer appeals to me. I like using a DAW and all, but I also like the idea of being able to sit on my couch with one of these and practice while watching TV.
I also like the pad layout.
6 Likes
The layout is basically an abstraction of an actual drum set. From bottom to top, kick - toms - snares - hats, and then cymbals and other percussion sounds on the sides.
(1:50)
6 Likes
Looking forward to Florian explaining how best to use these on Bad Gear.
10 Likes
At first look I thought the middle two rows need to be switched so the snare is just above the bass. After thinking about it, no. Hi-hats and ride need to be next to the bass because I normally play bass and hi-hat with the right hand, snare with the left. I now wonder if the user has the ability to move sounds around.
Seems like the pads are reassignable:
Effortlessly play from the āhome positionā or reassign voices to each of the pads according to your play style and creative vision
6 Likes
Pretty cool. I watched a walkthrough video. Is there a video showing the different sounds on board? The marketing info says 1,500 voices, I wonder if these are multisampled or one shots. It would be nice if it did a round robin to avoid the machine gun effect, but seems unlikely.
Still though, Iām glad these kinds of devices are being released and historically I love Yamaha, so will keep it in mind for sure.
- The manual lists something called āhumanizeā for each pad, so maybe there is a round robin.
(Also, the African drums I heard in a demo sounded really nice)
2 Likes
cool
Some nagged about MIDI 5-pin. Harkening to old yamaha drum machines. I had the RY30. Some also asked for next gen RM1X and RS7000. I think a dedicated drum machine is helpful in most cases but will it be the FGDP? Is there even a good reason to get the -30ā¦
well as a big fan of Front 242 and given that their pro drummer endorses the Yamaha finger drum machine to me makes it worth trying out! I love finger drumming!
3 Likes
And do you think he endorsed it free of charge? 
Tim Kroker (Front 242 guy) is introduced as a Yamaha rep in one of the above videos.
Iām ok with that.
1 Like
He has a long history of doing finger drumming videos/tutorials. Always found his stuff inspiring. I never realized he was the drummer of Front 242.
2 Likes
Being able to load up your own samples and loops and jam along to them seems pretty cool to me, and the fact itās pretty rugged. Ideal for jamming, travelling, impromptu performances. Iāve pre-ordered one, see how I get on with it.
Iām always finger drumming on my lap or the table, so may as well put that to good use, you can record your jams to a USB stick.
Being class compliant, Iām also hoping to run it through my ST and use the sounds and analog FX section from there.
6 Likes
IMO this is innovation and design working in pefect harmony.
Taking the concept of finger drumming and designing a UI which is exclusively made for that concept. Really cool imo!
Personally, i would for this machine to have proper midi and trigger outā¦ but trigger out for that many pads would cost ALOT. but maybe just 4 trigger outs would be enough, so that you can have a hybrid mix of internal samples, Eurorack triggers and midi triggers.
Cool concept, might purchase the white version for our familyĀ“s little jamming station.
6 Likes