Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 11:59:00 -0500 (EST) From: David Talento To: analogue Heaven Subject: The truth About the Drumstation... I've had a few private emails asking for more info on the Novation Drumstation "upgrades" and bugs that I've been researching. I think I have it sorted out now so here's the scoop. This is based on hands on testing, converstations with sales and tech service at Novation's rep in the US, sending a unit in and getting all the work done, and a few emails with other users. There are two versions of the drumstation and numerous versions of ROM. Features are *identical* on both versions the only difference according to the US rep is the outputs are 3db hotter on the V2, The V2 retail price is lower than the original V1, and the V2 has an orange stripe along the bottom to indicate it's a V2. Same sounds, knobs, midi, outputs , etc. The hotter outputs overall make the V2 slightly less noisy. Either way the V1 is a lot less noisy than the originals. Overall Vol on the V1 is slightly uneven (ie: Toms/congas are much quiter than the Bass/snares). I don't know if the V2 is any different. Documented bugs: ----------------- - On the 909 kit the high hats and bass drum will sometimes cut out when running in the same pattern. - 909 Toms sometimes cut out - Loud screeching (digital noise) when making a dense pattern with 7-8+ sounds. Resolutions: ------------ All of these bugs are easily repairable. The first two require the latest ROM (V1.3) you can check the ROM of your unit by holding down the "audition" button when plugging the unit in. If you have anything less than V1.3 you may experience sounds dropping, etc. Both versions of the Drumstation use the same ROM. The digital "overload" screech requires a new power adapter. The standard one is a two prong plug with a novation wall wort in the middle and then the cord to the rack itself. The "upgraded" one I got was a Mutec YA4 which is the standrd large bulky wall wort. (Odd that it clearly says for Yamaha keyboards but this *does* work fine). A word of caution, Some powersupplies (the novation BassStaion one for example) work but will cause a loud hum. Best to stay with the approved units. Cost: ----- Music Industries (the US rep) will repair your unit whether it's under warrenty or not. (All V1 Drum stations are pretty much out of warrenty by this time but if you buy it from a store it may be covered) Cost is $50 for the Rom upgrade and $22 for the Powersupply. You will need to send your unit in via an authorized dealer (I used my local music store) and they'll give them an RA numbar and all that. repairs must be preapproved so don't just amil it off. Turn around is 48 hours and they mean it! I sent my unit in last friday and had it in my hands wed afternoon including all the travel. *Excellent* service IMO. Is it a 909 or 808? ------------------- The Drumstation's features have been discussed ad nauseum here before but here's one more OPINION (no flames please!) It's a digitally modeled 909 and 808 with some samples. Midi capable with realtime tweak features and decent midi spec, presets, etc. I have used a 909 and own an 808 and quite frankly this does an *excellent* job of duplicating the *sounds*. it offers extra features such as tuning of the 808 Bass Drum and a few of the percussion sounds (cowbell, 909 clap I believe) are samples and can also be tuned (something you can't do on X0X). Probably the most interesting application of this is tuning the open and closed hats. Putting a 909 and 808 hat set tuned in various ways in a single pattern is a very cool feature. Editing is pretty starightforward. There is a dedicated button for the 909 and 808 kits (along with an LED indicating which you are working on.) Since the knobs are shared by both kits this sometimes gets confusing when making a custom hybrid kit but a simple button push for 808 or 909 will straighten things out. logically sounds that don't appear on both kits (808 congas, 909 Ride cymbal) automatically switch your edit to the appropriate kit. One quibble I have is the 909 decay doesn't seem to do a hell of a lot. If you distort it you can tell the differnece but dry it's a minor change. It's been a while since I've used a 909 and I'm so used to an 808 Boooooom that this may be just the reality of a 909 kick. Personally I would have liked to see a 909 with an extended kick decay even if it's not "authentic" and then you could tweak it to the actual or exaggerated sound you want. Just a minor point really and probably not a big deal for someone looking for the original X0X. It obviously does not have any sequencing ability so it really is not a substitute on that level. In addition the front pannel is kind of crowded. Toms (L,M,H), hats (Cl,Op), and some percussion (Rim,Clap,Cow), etc. share one set of volume and tuning knobs (with decay as appropriate). You switch between them with a tiny toggle that lets you know you're editing the open or closed hat for example. I guess this makes sense as it's only one rack space and there are limited knobs but the originals obviously are a *lot* more spaced out and comfortable. Prices: ------- Used prices seem to be $350-450 for the V1. New V2 units sell for $600 I believe. YMMV. Keep in mind if you get an all original V1 unit "new in the box" it may still cost up to $75 for upgrades to get it running properly at which time you may have paid close to the price of a V2 new. Best to check with the seller first. If they don't know what you're tlaking about then you take your chances. It's not clear if the new V2s are coming with the new PS and rom 1.3 or not. Again, best to check to make sure and keep a good relationship with your local music store in case you need the upgrades as it will have to go through them (and may even be done free as a result). Conclusions: ------------ If you're using a sample set and want to go further with a more authentic sound or use a kit with a mix of multiple 808 and 909 sounds, this is the box that can do it. It goes a bit further in sonic capabilites but is not as flexible as other current alternatives (jomox, etc.). This is a X0X emulator with some new features. If you don't need a 909/808 then it won't do much else for you. If you do need a 909 with more midi then it makes a hell of a lot of sense to me to try this out before spending $1000 for a used 909. Likewise a midi'd 808 is about the price of a 909 these days and in a way you're getting access to both for less than the price of one in sounds. I'm keeping my 808 for the time being but I'm going to start to use this a little more here and there to see what i can mangle out of it. If you want an 808/909 for it's sequencing, layout, multiple outs, coler, etc you dont need this. If you want the sounds only in a module form, then this is the far better bargain IMO. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HELP WANTED PRODUCTIONS - Http://www.voicenet.com/~legion "Bringing you the best in Organic Electronic music since we started..." Home of the Unusual Instrument and Recording Gallery with pictures and info of Tube recorders, Omnichords, weird guitars, Casios, and more.