Ian Chang - drummer with trip hop/post-rocker Son Lux - stopped by Reverb headquarters recently to demonstrate Sensory Percussion, an exciting new breed of electronic drum tool from Sunhouse that works in tandem with your drums and natural playing techniques to give you a staggering variety of effects and sounds.
Unlike standalone drum pads or replacement mesh heads, it doesn’t require a module. The sensor attaches to an existing drum in seconds without requiring any extra hardware. Plug the unit into an audio interface connected to a Mac or PC running Sun House’s proprietary software, and you’re ready to go.
Unlike traditional dual-zone drum triggers, the user can “train” the unit to the drum it’s attached to. This allows it to sense when you’re hitting different parts of the drum (center, edge, rim, shell, etc.), or using a different sticking technique (single, buzz, stick shot, or rim shot), meaning multiple samples can be assigned to the same drum.
These different samples can then be blended as you move from one zone to another, creating an organic sound that’s just as nuanced as any purely acoustic drum. Zones can also be set up to trigger effects, filters or loops.
With just one Sensory Percussion trigger you can give your kit a whole new character. The fact that it’s sensitive to the player’s dynamics and technique help it serve up a much more natural playing experience than rubber or mesh pads.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, the software accommodates up to four units, meaning you can completely cover a standard drum kit, unlocking even more sonic possibilities. The units can interact with each other, triggering effects, sensitivity, volume and pitch adjustment.
Check out Sensory Percussion from Sunhouse on Reverb and convert your kit into the ultimate drummer-friendly acoustic/electric hybrid.
Sunhouse Sensory Percussion