Sweetwater DWe kit pricing
- Thread starter GCRoberts
- Start date
mikyok
Platinum Member
River19
Senior Member
Totally agree!
Wait for the PDP version
I wouldn't be too surprised if that is on the roadmap for DW. This is a classic product launch strategy with new tech. Launch it as a high end product with a high end price, it establishes exclusivity.......they most likely are NOT planning on selling a ton of volume on these. They may provide/incentivize some of their endorsors in the target demographic with a new kit for exposure and to let the creative people prove out what their platform can really do........then move to a phase where they launch a "mid market" more affordable option with the same core tech but with some reduced costs cutting measures like PDP type shells or hardware, maybe a reduced basic electronics package etc. Whatever it takes to hit a price target......and then aim to make margin on those products.
But what do I know........
GetAgrippa
Diamond Member
DW has the advantage with their proprietary copyrighted technology that produces THE most life like drum sounds of any ekit.
vxla
Silver Member
I think it's a great leap for technology, in general. I'm not sure buying a whole kit would be worth it but for those of us with DW kits, it would be great if DW was able to color match to our existing kits so we could have supplemental electronic drums. Of course lately getting any sort custom work from DW has been a waiting game, but it would be a great option.
I-P says:
I-P says:
Exactly this. Let the product mature for a few cycles and price will come down while reliability increases.
doggyd69b
Gold Member
I haven't opened my Roland digital snare to look at the internals, but I'm sure there are just multiple piezos broken down into zones (by the module) so when they sense pressure on certain group the module reacts accordingly hence the ability to "feel" when your hand is resting on the head so the rim click is accurate. I guess this is what that snare looks like inside:
doggyd69b
Gold Member
They are going to sell the cymbals (the electronic cymbals) and probably the module separate, _Edit- I just remembered they have no module so any modern laptop can be used...they also are going to just sell the drums (no hardware no cymbals), . So maybe you could just buy the internal electronics and "convert" your current kit.
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doggyd69b
Gold Member
For the most part, electronic kits are used because of noise concerns. If you play arenas that of course is not an issue, the only reason anyone playing arenas would need to use an electronic kit would be to have access to multiple samples... in that case a few pads would do and they certainly don't need to be wireless. who is going to be able to tell from the audience perspective? even if you are first row. Any self respecting drum tech would make custom cables so that they can be routed through and remain as invisible as possible. (That's what I would do). (If I was a drum tech).
Chris Whitten
Platinum Member
Yep, I think wireless is just going to add to the headaches on a large tour.
And yes, a mix of quiet stages and the demand for album accurate drum sounds are the main driver in electronic drums and drum samplers in the pro scene.
And yes, a mix of quiet stages and the demand for album accurate drum sounds are the main driver in electronic drums and drum samplers in the pro scene.
charliedrummer
Senior Member
I may be the exception but I do not hate the look of small electronic pads. As long as they are large enough to be functional, I'd rather play electronic pads than try to hide the fact that I'm playing an e-kit by burying everything in a traditional drum shell that serves no other purpose than aesthetics.
doggyd69b
Gold Member
I'm sure you can custom order it to NOT be wireless. (if you are a touring drummer for a national act).
doggyd69b
Gold Member
For me is easier to play the same part when the drums are the correct sizes vs the same part with 5 pads that are all the same size. it sounds the same, but I guess I do notice that the pad size doesn't change from one side to the other and that bothers me. as for cymbals, the only one that I would like to have a natural looking one is for a China, I know where my electronic China is located, but it would be much nicer to have one that actually looks like a China. Other than that , you are correct they serve no other purpose than aesthetics.
I can play for years on tiny pads and not use acoustic drums and then I can transition seamlessly to regular sized drums, that has never been an issue for me or the extra bounce that some claim you get from mesh pads... it is actually easier when I switch back to acoustics as the rebound is better because it is less on acoustics and not as spongy. (that is my experience other's will differ). I will explain where I'm coming from by discussing the rebound part. (again my experience). I tune my acoustic drums quite tight (and I use my mesh heads quite tight). The mesh heads allow the stick to sink a little bit deeper than the mylar heads which results in a slight delay on the stick rebound when compared to mylar. Others might use their mesh heads way too loose or way too tight and will definitely have issues with that difference. Rubber pads are a little stiffer than mylar heads but to me, the difference is negligible.
Not sure how Yamaha silicone pads compare, I remember them feeling like a board (very stiff) but I will be honest, I need to do further testing to give a fair opinion.
dboomer
Senior Member
I worked with Marcus on wireless when I was with Line6. There’s lots of experience with digital wireless there. I’m sure it’s dialed in and won’t have any more failures than broken cables or jacks (let alone multipin connectors). Remember this system is sending a tiny, tiny amount of data wirelessly.
Probably for only a few hundred thousand dollars extra. They would need to completely design a new interface.
Probably for only a few hundred thousand dollars extra. They would need to completely design a new interface.
doggyd69b
Gold Member
Not really Roland had that wired interface for years, I can see them building a module similar to the Alesis i/o to just send midi data and play their current samples. That is not farfetched at all.I worked with Marcus on wireless when I was with Line6. There’s lots of experience with digital wireless there. I’m sure it’s dialed in and won’t have any more failures than broken cables or jacks (let alone multipin connectors). Remember this system is sending a tiny, tiny amount of data wirelessly.
Probably for only a few hundred thousand dollars extra. They would need to completely design a new interface.
Chris Whitten
Platinum Member
There is no need to port anything. Roland has their wire connected modules, DW has their wireless e-kit. Buy the one that suits your needs best.
electrodrummer
Senior Member
Not just you
Totally different instrument - why make it look like something else from the last millennium. It's like your keyboard player lugging this to gigs 
And pads give so many playing options and ergonomic flexibility - why limit your playing technique to that of the last millennium as well...
Macarina
Silver Member
Justin @ 65 Drums points out the hiccups with this first edition product. That alone soured me on even considering these.
The hiccups risks of a major catastrophic result.
I am curious as to the type of customer DW is targeting or expecting.
I love my A2E kit I built from Mapex shells. I think I spent about 2K total with a used Roland TD-30.
And now that I move the kit a lot (where it was somewhat basement only), I am thinking of reducing the size.
The hiccups risks of a major catastrophic result.
I am curious as to the type of customer DW is targeting or expecting.
I love my A2E kit I built from Mapex shells. I think I spent about 2K total with a used Roland TD-30.
And now that I move the kit a lot (where it was somewhat basement only), I am thinking of reducing the size.
dboomer
Senior Member
If you mostly mean the hihat ”dropout”, it could have easily have been a loose battery. His opinions are subjective and not objective, so he is gussing. I have to seriously question his understanding on technical levels as he claimed the when he moved the computer outside he experienced latency. Wireless moves at the speed of light. So latency is constant with distance until you are hundreds of miles away and his perception is all in his head.
That said, yes there will be improvements in the firmware as time goes on.
vxla
Silver Member
Wireless does NOT move at the speed of light. It moves at a speed that is determined by the size of the wavelength and its frequency. That speed is calculated in a vacuum, then is further dependent on environmental issues, obstructions, etc.Wireless moves at the speed of light. So latency is constant with distance until you are hundreds of miles away and his perception is all in his head.