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Roland’s Octapad SPD-30 Is in Stores

And it will only set you back $799 (MSRP). Those eight bones get you eight trigger pads, 50 built-in kits and hundreds of cutting-edge drum and percussion sounds, 30 types of multi-effects, and a bunch of external trigger inputs. The SPD-30 also has a Phrase Loop recording feature that allows a player to loop recorded sounds in real time and then overdub additional parts or sounds.

But no one really cares about that stuff. Here’s how cool it looks with a full Roland kit.

Evans Player Profile Campaign on Tour

Evans is hitting the road to showcase its Player Profile drumhead selection system, which greatly simplifies the Evans product line—and drumheads in general—into four basic categories: Sensitive, Versatile, Controlled, and Durable. Each profile is based on specific musical applications and contains a bunch of products designed to deliver optimal performance attributes (attack, sustain, tone, and durability) for that genre, helping players to narrow down the choice of drumheads to those that will best suit their playing style.

At Evans’ Player Profile events, Evans staff members and a guest artist will be on hand to help players find their ideal sound. There will be a 30- to 45-minute session on tuning and high-performance gear tips by an on-site Evans Product Specialist, as well as a one-hour clinic by top Evans artist Tommy Igoe.

Evans will also hold an on-site raffle for over $1,000 in product, including custom-made Inked by Evans graphic front bass drum heads.

Here are the current dates:

May 5, 2010 – GC Studios, Woodland Hills, CA

May 6, 2010 – Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA

July 14, 2010 – Drums2Go, Orlando, FL

July 15, 2010 – All Pro Percussion, Tampa, FL

July 19, 2010 – Ken Stanton Music, Atlanta, GA

July 20, 2010 – Bailey Brothers, Birmingham, AL

July 21, 2010 – Fork’s Drum Closet, Nashville, TN

July 22, 2010 – Memphis Drum Shop, Memphis, TN

Also check the Evans Player Profile page for more upcoming tour dates and information.

Protection Racket Launches AAA Drum Cases

Even if you got a bunch of beat-up, craptastic gear like we do, you’re still going to want a decent set of cases to protect what’s left of your gigging kit. To help us out, Protection Racket has conveniently launched its AAA (Access All Area—All Accidents Averted) line of drum cases. The line is built on Triple A-Plex™, a poly-carbonate frame that offers exceptional resistance to impact. Rocket Foam™ is utilized inside each AAA case to provide protection against knocks and trauma during transit. The inner walls have PR’s Propile™ technical fleece lining, keeping your drums snug, safe, and warm, and the outer of the cases is finished in Protection Racket’s tried and tested 600 denier polyester Racketex™, which is 100% waterproof and extra durable. Finishing touches include new polyester/plastic/neoprene ergonomic handles for extra comfort and longevity, and the heavy-duty spiral chain zips are double stitched-in and totally water and rot proof. Incredibly light, these cases still weigh much less than the average 2-piece hard case and are so strong you can stand on them. Or have sex. Or whatever.

Signed Drumhead From Neil Peart on eBay

Peart has donated a signed 14″ Drum Workshop drumhead to help raise some cash for Robert “Bobby” Corrales, a Southern California deputy sheriff who is battling leukemia. The eBay auction is open until March 2, and the top bid at the time of this posting is $511.

Time to smash open those piggy banks, thumpers.

[via BW&BK]

Dixon’s Double Pedal for Lefties

[Press Release]

Dixon is proud to offer left-handed players a new heavy-duty double bass drum pedal for 2009. Dixon’s sturdy 911DB-L bass drum pedal includes a dual-surface beater, easy-access bass drum clamp, and a double chain cam drive system. Other noteworthy features include a beater angle adjustment and an aluminum center u-joint housing with two adjustment points. Stabilizer platforms on the main and slave side pedals include built in spurs. The pedal retails for $349.99.

Yamaha Drums Introduces More Hardware

[Press Release]

Yamaha Drums introduces a rugged, functional, and flexible lineup of hardware at Winter NAMM 2009, including the 800 series, the 900 series, and the 1200 series.

New additions to the 800 hardware series include cymbal stands (CS-850 and CS-865), a snare stand (SS-850) and a hi-hat stand (HS-850). Cymbal stands incorporate several design changes, including a toothless cymbal tilter for minute angle adjustment, a new boom tilter with a hinged clamp for a more secure hold, and plastic caps placed in the vertical tubes to prevent rattling. Pure zinc castings at all stress points provide added strength.

“The new toothless tilter has been road-tested by many of our artists and they have been raving about it,” says Dave Jewell, marketing manager for Yamaha Drums, “and I think it will also be a big hit with consumers. Even a small detail, like caps on the vertical tubes, illustrates our commitment to making the very best hardware on the market.”

The HS-850 hi-hat stand (pictured below) features an improved spring tension adjustment that makes it easy for drummers to find their preferred settings when changing hi-hat cymbals. The sturdy clutch stays closed, even for heavy hitters.

The 900 series has been streamlined to a single cymbal stand model. The CS-965 retains the 900-series tripod base and incorporates the new toothless cymbal tilter and boom tilter clamp. The CSBW extra-long accessory boom is fitted with Yamaha’s toothless tilter and a heavy counter weight to keep them stable and sturdy even during the biggest cymbal crashes.

“The CS-965 streamlines our 900 series and gives extreme drummers a versatile stand to meet their needs,” says Jim Haler, product manager for Yamaha Drums. “This stand is perfect for hard-hitters or those who place their cymbals high off the ground.”

The SS-950 snare stand features a ball-and-socket adjuster that lets players position the drum at the perfect angle for their style—a great feature for drummers who appreciate the ability to fine tune their kit’s setup. The basket height can also be adjusted to accommodate deeper snare drums. Built-in spikes in the feet ensure stability.

New hi-hat stands include the HS-1200, a straight-pull, three-leg stand; the HS-1200D, a two-legged version of the 1200 model; and the toggle-link drive HS-1200T. The spring tension also features a numbered scale for easy reference, and all models ship with two upper pull rods of different lengths. The new locking clutch keeps cymbals solidly in place. “The 1200 series stands let every drummer pick the feel he or she wants,” says Jewell.

Yamaha Hi-Hat Stand 800 Series

Yamaha Hi-Hat Stand 800 Series