Aerodrum

[MadManDan]

Hi all

So I was banging some drums out on my controller keyboard and got worried of my poor neighbors. Even with headphones on it can be really loud.

As great it would be to have drum pads/brain it's just Not practical given the noise generated/space needed. I already asked around here about silent kick pedals and got great advice. My idea was to use a kick pedal in conjunction with my controller keyboard. Doesn't feel as satisfying, but a workable compromise.

But then I thought... What if I could just air drum it?

I found this: https://youtu.be/wgptHLBI0e4.

Anybody used this? I understand there is no bounce back like one would feel hitting pads. I'm ok with that. Pretty sure my neighbors would agree.

[MadManDan]

Y'know upon further inspection it looks a bit slow. Also how does one set the exact locations of said imaginary pads?

[ManFromGlass]

Check amazon for air drumsticks. There are a few offerings. There also was a cool setup that included a virtual kick drum trigger.
2 special sticks, kick drum trigger that attached to your shoe and your phone was all you needed. I thought it was a Kickstarter or Go Fund Me whatever they are called now campaign and it looked great. I can’t find it now as Kickstarter is awful for doing a search in.
With these you needed to tap on something with the sticks. Some surface you assign to snare, toms etc

[BJG145]

So I was banging some drums out on my controller keyboard and got worried of my poor neighbors. Even with headphones on it can be really loud.

iPad? Sensel morph? When it comes to rhythm parts, I can't imagine playing anything interesting in time without contact, or enjoying it. I don't really think you have to bash the hell out a keyboard either...?!

[Sam Spoons]

Why not just invest in some mesh pads, they are pretty much silent as long as you avoid rim shots and are much nicer to play?

[BJG145]

...or a BopPad...

[Drew Stephenson]

Why not just invest in some mesh pads, they are pretty much silent as long as you avoid rim shots and are much nicer to play?

It's generally the pedals that are the problem I find.
I've got an electric kit and, over the summer we we had all the windows open, the only time my other half heard anything from my studio was when I was 'playing' drums and it was the thump of my feet on the pedals.

[ManFromGlass]

How big are your feet?
I have a Roland kit and Boppad. The tippy tappy sound drives the missus crazy. Kind of defeats the entire reason for having them. But I’m tempted to set up a real kit and have a go just to give her some perspective. .. . . . . .
But then pillow over the face in the middle of the night holds little appeal for me!

Off the top of my head I would think a super quiet option could be an iDevice app of which there are a few and then possibly connected to the app called Velocity KB. It outputs different velocities depending how you hit the screen (with fingers not sticks!).

Last thought - maybe raise the velocity response on your keyboard so when playing drums the lightest touch will give you a slamming sound?

[Sam Spoons]

TBF the OP is worried about neighbours so the tapping of sticks on mesh is unlikely to get through, only the lower frequency sounds which I assume the kick pedal and maybe the keyboard are generating.

[BJG145]

He just needs to play more quietly!!

(Well, I'm only saying what everyone else is thinking.)

[Sam Spoons]

@MadManDan.. Does your controller keyboard have weighted keys? I doubt the noise generated by a synth style keyed would transmit next-door unless you are very heavy handed? Have you actually spoken to the neighbours and asked if they can hear you playing?