While I've been Reaper fanatic for some time now, I've only recently begun to dig into programming my own effects, purely out of necessity. I've decided to make the fruit of these efforts publicly available at no charge, under the Creative Commons license.

The library is still in its infant stages. It presently has but one humble effect, though as I gather ideas for more I will be adding them. The initial effect is one that is extremely useful to me personally (and I suspect other Zendrummers as well). It's a MIDI filter that will turn specific CC messages into MIDI note-on messages. For instance, this enables you to choke cymbals in various VSTs using the momentary switch on the back of the Zendrum.

Please feel free to download and use the library. If you find it useful, then please consider throwing me some loose change. A link to donate via PayPal is on the library page.

My Zendrum returned to me over the holidays, after trekking across the country for some upgrades.

This was absolutely the best decision I've made in some time as while I was pleased as punch with my Zendrum to begin with, its upgraded form has me absolutely giddy! Here's what all I had done to it:

1. Upgraded controller and firmware. There's been alot of hype around the new 4.0 Zendrum and its improved sensitivity, and while I was keeping my expectations low as to not be dissapointed, I needn't have worried -- the new board is 100% as awesome as claimed. The sensitivity is absolutely mind-blowing! Every little nuance of my playing is picked up, even 32nd notes at top speed.
2. New wireless capability. I can now ditch the cable completely and go wireless, without needing any external battery packs or antennae -- it's all built right in and powered off a single 9-volt.
3. Six extra triggers. The new board can handle a maximum of 30 triggers, so I of course had to max mine out :)
4. New CC control knob. In addition to the stock momentary switch on the back, I now also have a variable CC knob. I'll more than likely be using this as a volume knob, seeing as since now that I'm wireless, I'll probably be some distance from my rig.

There are some pictures of my upgraded axe in the slideshow.

Here's a sneak peek of my Zendrum customizations. It's currently under the knife back in Atlanta getting 6 triggers added, an upgraded controller and internal wireless capabilities. I'm also having a volume control and extra CC switch added to the back.

Can't wait to get it back!

Some additional photos from this month's Hard Rock gig.

Some photos from last weeks' Hard Rock gig.

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I've added some new tracks to the the audio page, this time from a pseudo-blues project I was involved with earlier this year.

These were all done with the Roland TD-20 and SPS-S.

One of the groups I play with recently headlined at the Last Day Saloon. The way this venue is setup, all acts need to arrive early for load-in. There is only one stage, so each group needs to setup their equipment off stage in such a way that the promoter and sound crew can progressively cycle the bands on and off.

Being the headliner and with two other opening acts, we naturally had to be there early so as to the be the first group to load-in. This then meant that we, along with our entourages, needed to sit through the two opening acts. This is something we would have done anyways. It's just the way things are done -- you always support the other bands you play with. You loudly applaud each song (even if you don't like the music). You ask all your fans that are coming to see you to also stick around and support the other acts. These things are just basic courtesy.

Unfortunately 'courtesy' was not part of the openers dialect. I'd never before seen such an unprofessional display. These guys just rolled in right before curtain time, took the stage, played their tunes and then split. Without a word.

I often hear people complaining about the fact that there no longer is a strong live music scene here in the North Bay. Heck I've even been guilty of bemoaning this myself. But how can we as musicians expect people to support and back us if we don't first do the same to each other? Common courtesy can really go a long way.

This Friday I'll be playing my first gig with Voodoo Saints, at The Viking in Novato.

While going through and getting all my equipment ready, it dawned on me that this will be my first gig on acoustic drums in at least a decade! It'll be interesting to see how well I can slip back into it. Not that playing gigs with acoustics is at all physically different than with electronics, but there definitely is a different mindset to it. Particularly since this is a small enough venue that I won't be being mic'd at all and will have to rely on the sheer volume of my kit. Lucky me that I hung onto my 'rock' kit all this time -- it'll have no problem cutting through the amps :)

All in all it should be an absolute blast! So if you're looking for some fun this Friday in the North Bay, drop on by The Viking and say "hi" -- we'd love to see ya! Shows starts at 9PM.

I threw together a quick template for jotting down mapping ideas for the Zendrum. I find it more useful to work out ideas on paper rather than by fiddling with trigger settings or sysex directly.

Use it in good health.