This Group and Manufacturers
2003-09-09 by liberatusvirus
Still no word from Colin Schofield at Koby. If any of our UK parties would like to follow up on my note to him, please feel free. Notwithstanding Drew's kind offer to let us manhandle his kit, it would be wonderful if the group could establish contact with Colin and perhaps have him become a contributor. As OGD has said, access to genuine tech support, as well as product information, from those completely in the know would be immensely valuable. At the risk of information overload, I'd also like to contact a few other companies: Sherpa, Layon, possibly even Drum Tech. Layon makes drum triggers that, as their name implies, lay on top of the heads of acoustic drums beneath the rims. They also make a switch-type hi hat that might work well with those who own the Alesis DM5/4 and e- cymbals that ostensibly work with any electronics. I've never run across anyone who has actually owned their products, but they seem to be well worth a look--that is, if they are still available. Drum Tech has a more illustrious history, though they have been overshadowed these days by more aggressive marketers. I've never tried their flat rubber pads, but their Kick Pad and Pole Pad are terrific. Their manufacturing facility is in my state, I think; it would be great if they knew about this group and felt that they were in our scope. Since none of these products mandate a particular module (though Sherpa and Koby kits can ship with an Alesis), we can predicate both reviews and information on compatibility with Yamaha electronics. However, I state cleary in my letters of introduction to all companies that even though the group was formed under the rubric of the entry-level kit, its interests have evolved to include almost anything under the sun that involves e-drums, MIDI, DIY, recording, etc. Over time, we could build up a large database of information, possibly housing it, with Vern's consent, at DTXpressions.