Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera, nama saya Acap dari Malaysia dan hari ini saya akan bagi review tentang Roland VAD506 V-Drums Acoustic Design. Apa yang saya review dalam blog ini datang dari pengalaman saya bekerja sebagai V-Drums Specialist dan juga pengguna Roland. Jadi teruskan baca kalau nak tahu dengan lebih lanjut.

Rupa Bentuk

Gambar menunjukkan bagaimana rupa VAD506. Selalunya orang akan terkejut bila tengok VAD506 sebab rupa macam drum akustik, tapi sebenarnya dia masih dikira sebagai drum elektronik. Mengikut apa yang saya dengar dari pihak Roland, ramai pengguna yang nak digital drum pad yang lebih besar. Jadi Roland akhirnya mengeluarkan produk VAD506 sebagai solusi kepada mereka yang nak rupa akustik drum tapi masih boleh digunakan untuk silent practice.

V-Drums Module TD-27

VAD506 menggunakan module yang sama dengan TD-27KV iaitu TD-27. Module TD-27 ini diletakkan di antara TD-50 dan TD-17. TD-27 adalah module yang sangat fleksibel, mempunyai 728 built-in tone dan juga pelbagai fungsi lain seperti Bluetooth, Sample Import dan lain-lain.

Apa yang saya suka dengan TD-27 ini adalah fungsi ambience yang baru iaitu Pure Acoustic Ambience dari Roland, di mana ada beberapa preset di dalamnya sama ada Warm, Bright, Dry dan sebagainya supaya kita boleh sesuaikan bunyi drum mengikut lagu yang kita main. Contoh bunyi boleh dengar di video bawah ini:

Pads, Spesifikasi dan Feel

Seperti yang anda nampak dalam gambar, pads yang digunakan dalam set ini mempunyai rupa bentuk macam akustik. TD-27 boleh berfungsi dengan pad Roland yang lain dan juga dengan pad digital seperti PD-140DS dan CY-18DR. Selain dari itu, mereka juga memperkenalkan beberapa pad yang baru iaitu:

• Tom 1: PDA100-MS* 10-inci
• Tom 2: PDA120-MS* 12-inci
• Tom 3: PDA140F-MS* 14-inci floor tom
• Crash 1: CY-14C-T* 14-inci
• Crash 2: CY-16R-T* 16-inci. Ada extra output dijadikan 3-zone cymbal
• Kick: KD200-MS* 20-inci

Cymbal pad yang baru ini 40% lebih nipis dari pada cymbal pad yang lain daripada Roland. Warna drum set ini dinamakan “Midnight Sparkle”. Hardware juga disekalikan dalam set ini dan nama produk itu adalah DCS-10, Drum Combination Stand, di mana ada tom holder dan boom stand, manakala DBS-10, Drum Boom Stand, iaitu boom stand sahaja. Hi-hat stand, drum pedal dan throne dijual berasingan.

Siapa yang akan menggunakan VAD506?

• Orang yang nak rupa drum akustik, tapi masih boleh silent practice
• Gereja yang tak suka drum yang bising dan masih boleh digunakan untuk persembahan secara langsung
• Home Studio: Boleh cari bunyi drum yang kita suka, ambience, EQ, USB recording, sound layering, EFX (Reverb, Distortion, Modulation), dan segala macam lagi
• Pemuzik yang serius

Konklusi

Walaupun harga untuk VAD506 memerlukan kita untuk menjual sepasang buah pinggang dah buah hati, namun jika kita mampu, belilah yang terbaik untuk minat kita sendiri. Kalau tidak mampu, cari yang paling mampu milik. Roland mempunyai banyak drum untuk semua peringkat.

Hey guys, my name is Acap Roseknight, drummer from Malaysia, also the Drum Specialist from RAP Distribution. When the TD-27KV arrive to the office last month, the first thing that I did was the bring 1 unit up into the showroom and unbox it. Ever since that I’ve been non-stop learning about the products, watching reviews online and lots of exploring into the module.

Without further ado, let’s go straight into it. **DISCLAIMER** I’m only reviewing TD-27KV, other variations like VAD506 and VAD503 won’t be in this post. Stay tuned when it arrives to RAP Distribution office.

What is TD-27KV?

The TD series refers to the V-Drums created by Roland. TD-27 is placed in between the current flagship model TD-50 and the affordable version of it TD-17. TD-27 replaces the other mid-range model called TD-25. The sound in the TD-27 modules comes from TD-50, TD-17 and TM-6 Pro. This new line of drum uses a sound engine called “Prismatic Sound Modelling”.

Before diving deeper into what’s new, let’s talk about what function that is maintained first.

• Bluetooth Function: You can connect the module with your smartphone to jam with your favourite music.
• Layer Function: Layer your favourite sound with another sound. Let’s say you wanted a snare with a clap, or hi-hats with tambourine. And you can still edit each of the parameters individually.
• Sample Import: Didn’t find the sound that fits your music? Download samples from online or create your own sample and transfer the sound into the module via SD card.
• Digital Snare and Ride: The 14″ snare (PD-140DS) and 18″ ride (CY-18DR) are taken from the flagship model TD-50 and both pads are compatible with the new TD-27 module. These pads are bigger and has great functionality, you don’t need to press any buttons to activate the “X-stick” and the ride can be dampened by just putting your hands on top of it, albeit to choking the cymbals.
• KD-10: The pad that was released 2 years ago. Compatible with double pedals. Has sturdy and wider stand to emulate a kick drum spurs.
• PDX-100: 10″ pads for the toms the exact same model as the previous flagship’s TD-30K specs.
• Cymbal Pads: CY-12C and CY-13R, similar to the ones you get for TD-17KVX.

Now, the juicy new things that came with the module.

• TD-27: Of course the module itself. Made in Malaysia.
• MDS-STD2: Made to replace the MDS-STD. Has a better cymbal boom stand. Also made in Malaysia.

Let’s dive deeper into the TD-27. So what’s new?

TD-27 has the sounds from TD-50, TD-17 and TM-6 Pro modules. V-Edit is still there, you can change the muffling, the size, the tuning, the type of drumheads, snare wire tightness. Levels for each pad can be controlled up to taste. Something that I like about this module is it’s ability to digitally change the thickness of the cymbals and the ability to change to depth of each toms, snare and kick drum.

They have a new interface for their “ambience” setting, which they called Pure Acoustice Ambience Technology. What’s new with this technology is, you can choose between a “room ambience” where you can simulate from small studio to big hall. Another option is the “reverb” setting, where you can customize your own bespoke reverb.

Their MFX has interesting new features too. Now you can have up to 3 effects at the same time, but here’s the catch, you can activate everything, but only one effect can be assigned to each pads. You can now have different effects assigned to different part of the drums. For example, Flangers to the cymbals, Distortion to the snare and kick and Ring Modulator to the toms. This is just one example out of millions of combination. I’ll let your creativity runs wild.

Other Functions

We have the 3 Coach Mode:

1. Time Check – You can assign it to track any pad. E.g. bass and snare. As you play, they will tell you your accuracy and after that, the module will show you your score at the end.
2. Silent Count – Helps you to build your internal metronome. E.g. 4 bars with click, and 4 bars without click of the same tempo. The module will show your score at the end.
3. Warm Ups – 5, 10, 10 minutes of warm ups. Set your preferred tempo, click “Start”, the module will automatically change the subdivisions every bar (quarter, 8th, 8th note triplet, 16th, etc).

TD-27 module gives you 55 presets and 45 user kit that fits all kinds of genres. Total samples that is included inside the module is 728 samples. The V-Edit has a new interface where you can see the signal chain, starting from the instrument, pad volume, EQ, MFX, Overheads and many many more. For cymbals you can virtually changed their “thickness” and you can change the depth of the shell for the toms, snare and bass drum from 1-inch to 30-inches. Other than that, sizzle type, type of heads, beater type are included in the V-Edit. Tuning and Muffling is also there. If you want to check out the kit, do come to RAP Distribution office and I’m more than willing to share with you guys.

Conclusion

TD-27KV is priced around my TD-30K. Retail price is RM15990. With all the new functions and sounds, I was contemplating whether I should sell my TD-30K to get this brand new drum. The 14″ digital snare and 18″ digital ride is definitely a big plus. The new V-Edit interface gives you more flexibility for those that want to dive deeper into kit customization. Overall, its a great drum to play with. Really love my tone that I’ve created so far.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

I’ll be touring with this drum kit, ROLAND V-DRUMS TD-27KV starting from next week. It’s free entry, and I’ll be talking more than just the V-Drums. Performance experience, different techniques, maybe some chops, chicken chops, lamb chops. Feel free to ask any drum-related questions during the tour.

See you guys at the places below.

Hey guys, since RAP has announced the new V-Drums Championship, I thought I should write about it on my blog.

What is VDC?

VDC refers to V-Drums Championship and this upcoming VDC is the 4th one. VDC was organized to push drummers into the spotlight where they will be playing solo with their backing tracks. Usually drummers are buried by other band members so this time, we make the drummers as the frontliners. Some trivia, I joined VDC back in 2014 with some of my other friends

At the time, they were using TD-15KV, I think. The rules were simple, you have 10 minutes in total to set up and play your song, then they will be judged from there. In case you’re curious whether I make it to the finals or not, I don’t. (lol) Anyway, let’s talk about the competition

How to join the competition?

You may download the form at RAP Distribution Facebook page. Links are as below:

https://www.facebook.com/RAPDistribution/

Fill in the forms, and send to us before 30th of April 2020.

Who can join?

VDC has 2 categories

1. Junior : Ages 12 and below (As of January 2020)
2. Open : All Ages

When? Where?

Preliminary will happen at our dealer’s place near you from May to June. We will update more about this on our Facebook Page.

Finals will be happening on 25th July 2020 in Kuala Lumpur.

Why should I join?

We’re giving you the spotlight and if the judges liked your performance, you might win lots of Roland products as well as other things. The prizes are on the submission form so do read the forms for more info.

Also at the same time, you’ll get to mingle with other drummers that joined the competition. You’ll be exposed to new things, new people and new music. You can meet with like-minded people and expand your horizon. Who knows you might find a rare gem in the industry? Also, I’ll be there too, if you have any drum related questions, I may be able to help.

What to play?

You can play any songs, any genre that you like. Preferably drumless version in MP3 of WAV format. Just make sure it’s not too long (e.g: A Nightmare to Remember – Dream Theater). A decent 5 minutes song should be fine. You have a total of 10 minutes to perform, including set-up.

You are not allowed to online streaming from your phone or using the Bluetooth function even though the drums have bluetooth. Why? Because there will be NO re-take or re-play if your song is lagging or the bluetooth connection is cut off. You may play from your phone IF AND ONLY IF, you use 3.5mm jack cable to connect into the module and you have turned your phone into “AIRPLANE MODE”, so that nobody calls your phone while you were playing.

Or another alternative, get another device like your portable music player to play your backing tracks. You may also use the backing tracks provided by RAP Distribution. Again, their FB page has every details.

Get ready for the most important details!

How to WIN?

You be judged based on these factors:

1. Technique – You don’t have to apply all 40 rudiments in the drum book. This is a performance. Use the techniques sparingly. Just make sure you play it clean no matter how intricate the songs that you’re playing.
2. Style – You can play any genre. Metal, Rock, Funk, Jazz, Fusion, EDM, Trance, Techno, Disco and many, many more. You can create your own mash-up too as long as it falls below the time limit.
3. Stage Presence – The way you bring yourself onto the stage. Your charisma, your stick flips, your attire, your appearance. Feel free to headbang, or dance along to your own playing. In other words, SHOWMANSHIP.
4. CREATIVITY – How do you make your drumming interesting? Let your imagination runs wild. ROLAND V-DRUMS has a lot of features. Use it to satisfy your curiosity. What if you recorded your own voice to play along with the backing track? Roland has other products too like SPD-SX, SPD-30, SPD::ONE that you may utilize. Since the V-DRUMS has lots of presets, why not use some of it? I let you decide what you wanna do.
5. Flow of performance – This refers to overall performance. Was there any mistakes, mis-triggering, stick fell from your hand, other malfunction etc etc? We’re looking at how you handle yourself on stage with all the problem-solving that may happen on stage. Make sure you prepare everything and have everything ready when you need to use it.

Do not miss this opportunity guys. I think this is a great chance for you to showcase what you’ve got. And whatever that you plan to do, rehearse your parts well and see you at the competition.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

I’ll be touring with the new TD-27KV starting from middle of March till April. I’m really excited to share with you guys what I discovered with this new module. See you guys there, and I’ll be talking about the competition as well.

Hi korang, nama aku Acap Roseknight, drummer dari Selangor, Malaysia. Kalau yang dah follow aku di media sosial, korang akan selalu tengok aku rekod drum pakai Roland TD-17KVX. Dalam blog ini, aku akan kongsi macam mana aku bikin video itu. Kena pakai mic kah? Preamp?

Dan aku disini, cuma nak bagitahu, aku lebih pandai untuk rekod drum digital, bukan drum akustik. Kalau nak tahu macam mana nak rekod drum akustik, sila cari orang lain.

Apa yang aku pakai:

• Roland TD-17KVX atau drum digital lain
• Roland GO:Mixer
• Smartphone yang boleh pakai dengan GO:Mixer (aku pakau Samsung S6)
• Earphone sebagai monitor
• 2 1/4″ kabel untuk rekod secara stereo
• Aux kabel untuk sambungkan phone ke GO:Mixer

Tambahan:

• Laptop x1
• Video Software x 1

Apa itu GO:Mixer?

GO:Mixer adalah mixer kecil yang menggunakan bateri dari smartphone sama ada Android atau iOS. Dia ada banyak input dan boleh buat “livestream”. Jika anda memerlukan maklumat lanjut, sila layari laman sesawang ini, https://www.roland.com/global/products/gomixer/

Pengalaman Aku dengan GO:Mixer

Sejak aku “intern” di Roland, aku tak pernah berhenti mempelajari produk mereka. Setiap produk yang direka oleh Roland/Boss adalah untuk memenuhi kehendak pengguna mereka. Sebagai contoh, kita perlukan “distortion”, mereka melahirkan DS-1 Distortion Pedal. Kita memerlukan drum kit yang senyap, mereka ada V-Drums. Kita mahu bunyi drum akustik yang lebih sedap, mereka pun menambahbaik modul drum mereka. Kita mahukan bunyi drum yang boleh diubahsuai, mereka mengeluarkan TD-50. Korang perlukan mixer, mereka mengeluarkan V-Mixer yang mempunyai 48 channel. Keyboard? Di situlah Fantom menyerlah. Untuk DJ pula, mereka ada AIRA kepada yang suka synth dan alatan DJ.

GO:Mixer sentiasa disitu, menunggu aku memakainya. Tapi aku pemalas. Aku masuk showroom, benda pertama yang aku nampak adalah TD-17KVX masa itu. Aku belajar untuk untuk program tone aku sendiri dan juga fungsi lain untuk klinik drum aku. Sehinggalah aku buat klinik drum aku di Tawau. “Aku takda content drum, apa aku nak tunjuk kat SocMed?”. Kebanyakan drummer post gambar concert, sesi rakaman, gambar dengan artis, gambar CD mereka sendiri dan lain-lain. Aku mana ada semua itu.

Dulu masa aku rekod dengan TD-30K aku, aku rekod pakai USB cable dan Audacity di laptop aku. Bayangkanlah latency yang ada masa itu. Kadang2 bunyi macam aku tak pandai main (ke aku memang tak pandai main?), Satu lagi cara nak rekod, kena pakai mixer/interface dan beberapa kabel. Tapi tulah, mixer bukannya murah (dan aku tak pandai pakai). Dan masa tu lah kawan aku cakap, “Bro, cubalah GO:Mixer”.

Cara Setup

• Roland TD-17 (master out L dan R) -> GO:Mixer
• GO:Mixer (Monitor Out) -> Earphone
• Camera: Samsung S6 Edge, dan juga untuk on GO:Mixer
• AUX kabel untuk mainkan lagu dari YOUTUBE
• Di bawah adalah video sebagai contoh:

Konklusi

Harap blog ini dapat memberi manfaat kepada yang hendak rekod drum cover sendiri. Follow aku dekat media sosial untuk tengok video aku yang lain. Aku memang nak kongsi dengan korang semua pengetahuan aku jadi aku harap korang kongsilah post aku ni. Terima kasih. Jumpa di post yang seterusnya.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKnightNewAgeMusician/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acap.roseknight

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Ra7rZA9xrzozCUsTuoH1g

Twitter: https://twitter.com/14th_Perception

There’s lots of ways that you can record your drum covers and post it on the social media. My method is how to record using your digital drums. If you’re looking on how record acoustic drums, I’m definitely NOT the right person.

Without delaying any longer, let’s start.

What did I used:

• Roland TD-17KVX x 1 or any other digital drums
• Roland GO:Mixer x 1
• Smartphone that is compatible to the GO:Mixer (I used Samsung S6) x1
• Earphone for monitoring x 1
• 1/4″ cable x 2 (do record in stereo for better experience)
• AUX cable x 1 (to connect your music player to GO:Mixer)

OPTIONAL:

• Computer/Laptop x 1
• Video Editor Software x 1

What is GO:Mixer?

It’s a portable mixer, that is powered by your phone (Android or iOS), that has multiple input and the capability to livestream. More info right here: https://www.roland.com/global/products/gomixer/

My Experience with GO:Mixer

Ever since I started interning (and then working) with Roland, I never stop exploring their products. Every Roland/Boss product was developed to cater to the markets need. For example, you wanted a very aggressive guitar sound, they have the legendary DS-1 Distortion pedal. You wanted a very silent drum, they created V-Drums. You wanted digital kit with acoustic drum sounds, they improved the module. You wanted drum sample that can be fully customized, they came out with TD-50. You need a mixer, they have V-Mixer. Keyboard? Here’s Fantom series, one-man band workstation. Roland even have their AIRA series for those that loves synths and DJ stuff.

Anyway, GO:Mixer was there. Being the lazy ass me, I put those aside and went straight into TD-17KVX, learning to programme my tones, tweaking, setting up the drums to my size (I know I’m quite big-sized myself). Until I got my first clinic in Tawau, then it hits me. “I don’t have anything to show to the world”. So I started researching what other drummers are doing. They posted their concert photos, videos, recording sessions, pictures with artists, pictures of their CDs with other merch. I don’t have all that.

Back when I got my TD-30K, I had to record using the USB cable into my laptop with Audacity. You can imagine the latency when you’re converting analog signals to digital signals, making the recorded drums sloppy (I know I played it right because I have metronome on!). Another way to record is: find a mixer, and a few cables since TD-30 module has individual out, and hook it to the mixer and into the laptop. That way I can get better drum quality with almost zero latency. But mixer ain’t cheap and I was pretty dumb at the time (drummers, what do you expect?). And then, there’s the GO:Mixer just chilling there waiting for me to use it.

My setup

• Roland TD-17 (master out L and R) -> GO:MIXER
• GO:Mixer (Monitor out) -> Your earphone
• Camera: Samsung S6, also to power up the GO:Mixer
• AUX cable to connect to my other phone to play song from Youtube
• Below is the result:

Conclusion

Hope these will help you guys record your drum covers. Be sure to check out my other social media to see more of my drum covers and drum tutorials. Thanks for watching. See you guys in the next post.

https://www.facebook.com/RoseKnightNewAgeMusician/

https://www.instagram.com/acap.roseknight

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Ra7rZA9xrzozCUsTuoH1g

Hey korang, nama aku Acap Roseknight, drummer dari Selangor. Aku nak share sikit macam mana aku improve aku punya muzikaliti.

Kepada yang dah baca cerita aku, aku datang dari keluarga yang bukan seni. Semua keluarga aku dengar muzik pun gitu-gitu saja. Jadi macam mana kita nak praktis?

1. ANALISA MUZIK KEGEMARAN SENDIRI – Lagu macam mana yang kita selalu dengar? Kenapa kita dengar lagu-lagu ini dan letak dalam setlist kita? Adakah sebab melodi? Gubahan? Lirik? Dari negara mana? Tuliskan 5 band/kumpulan kegemaran anda di atas kertas. Sebagai contoh: 5 kumpulan kegemaran aku adalah: AKB48, Babymetal, Galneryus, Granrodeo, One Ok Rock.
2. CARI BAND/KUMPULAN YANG BUNYI SAMA DENGAN BAND YANG KITA DENGAR – Bagaimana bunyi band mereka? Sama? Lain? Fanbase? Bagaimana mereka promosi band mereka? Tengoklah interviu mereka. Ikut mereka di media sosial: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube. Menggunakan 5 band yang aku dah senaraikan: JKT48, Trivium, Nightwish, Paramore, Fall Out Boy. (Stail kena serupa, tapi tak semestinya sama).
3. CARI PENGARUH KUMPULAN TERSEBUT – Sekarang, namakan 3 artis lain yang telah mempengaruhi band ini. Produser untuk AKB adalah produser yang sama dengan kumpulan “Onyanko Club”. Trivium semestinya mendengar lagu Metallica. Nightwish pula dipengaruhi oleh band metal dari Finland. Paramore ada bunyi ala-ala punk masa mereka mula bermain. Fall Out Boy mungkin adik-beradik dengan BackStreet Boys. Kalau korang buat begini, makin banyak band yang korang kenal.
4. CUBA GENRE YANG BERLAINAN – Dah muak dengan metal? Cuba dengar jazz. Dah muak dengan lagu jiwang? Cuba dengar lagu funky. Muak dengar Blues? Dengar lah Dubstep. Aku faham kita ni liat sikit nak dengar genre baru tapi itulah yang akan memberi manfaat kepada kita dalam jangka masa yang panjang. Dah muak dengar lagu baru, cuba cari lagu zaman klasikal. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy? Tchaikovsky siap tulis skor untuk meriam lagi dalam lagu dia. Kalau nak yang avant-garde sikit, boleh cuba John Cage.
5. BELI CD DI KEDAI 2ND HAND – Tak semestinya kena beli dari kedai original. Kadangkala koleksi orang lain pun ada yang menarik. Setiap kali aku pergi ke Jepun, bagasi aku penuh dengan CD jer. Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Jeff Ritenour, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Stevie Wonder dan banyak lagi. Kalau nak yang lagi progresif, boleh cuba Hiromi Uehara, pemain piano dari Jepun yang belajar dari Berklee. Dia pelajar Chick Corea. Chick Corea ni pun satu legend juga. Alang-alang, cuba dengar Herbie Hancock, seorang lagi jazz legend.
6. SUDAH TAK SUKAKAN LAGU MODEN? – Ada jer lagu tradisional. Lagu Melayu kita, Ghazal, Zapin, Inang, Canggung, Asli, Joget, Keroncong, Gamelan, Caklempong dan banyak lagi. Kalau nak dengar dari Amerika Selatan pun ada jer, Samba, Salsa, Chacha, Mambo, Bossa Nova. Sarawak dengan “Sape” mereka, dan “Kulintangan” dari Sabah.
7. BELAJAR SEJARAH – Buku sejarah muzik ada menyebut nama-nama yang aku tak senaraikan. Produser, pemuzik, komposer, penggubah dan segala macam lagi. Seronok sebenarnya membaca ini. Kalau kita suka satu-satu genre itu, apa salahnya kita belajar sejarah mereka? Kalau tak ada duit sekalipun, Wikipedia kan ada. Dah dapat beberapa nama, tulis nama kat Youtube dan mulakan pencarian anda.
8. JAMMING DENGAN KAWAN-KAWAN – Aku pernah sebut ini di post yang sebelumnya. Jamming dengan kawan-kawan ini boleh rapatkan hubungan silaturrahim. Pilihlah beberapa lagu daripada artis yang korang kenal. Mesti ada 1-2 lagu yang diorang kenal. Kalau korang betul-betul ikut tips ini, satu persatu, korang punya “music library” mesti banyak punya. Ada satu kumpulan ini nama dia FTP (Feel Tu Penting), aku ingat lagi masa jumpa Otam dan Endee. Diorang ni main lebih kepada “feel” dan mainlah korang sampai puas. Boleh check diorang di Instagram.

KONKLUSI

Aku seronok belajar muzik sebegini. Sekarang dah kerja, aku tak dapat nak pergi ke konsert sangat dan aku seronok kongsi pengalaman. Kalau betul korang nak pilih main muzik ini, buatlah yang terbaik. Memang tiada benda yang senang pun. Keluarga aku pun mula-mula tak setuju dengan benda ini. Balik kampung pula selalu dibandingkan dengan sepupu semua. Harap apa yang aku tulis ini dapat memberi faedah kepada anda yang membaca.

Ikutilah perkembangan aku di sosial media:

https://www.instagram.com/acap.roseknight

https://www.facebook.com/RoseKnightNewAgeMusician/

Aku pernah dengar satu lawak di Internet yang mengatakan pemuzik tiada masa lapang sebab sibuk practice kat dalam studio. Korang percaya ke fakta tu? Kalau kita sibuk practice pun, kat luar sana ramai yang lagi power daripada kita. Kalau tak power pun, “cable” diorang confirm power. Aku bukan kata practice itu tak penting dan jangan practice langsung. Tapi kalau korang dah habis show, dah habis kerja, pergilah enjoy. Sekali-sekala pergi jalan-jalan apa salahnya kan?

Berikut adalah aktiviti yang aku buat masa waktu lapang:

1. Belajar bahasa lain: Belajarlah bahasa yang boleh kita pakai harian. Bahasa Inggeris kah, Jerman, Perancis, Jepun. Kalau belajar alat klasikal, Selalunya belajar bahasa Sepanyol atau Itali boleh menolong kita. Banyak terma muzik ditulis dalam bahasa ini dan kalau kita meneruskan pengajian di Eropah, kita boleh bertutur bahasa mereka. Aku boleh cakap bahasa Jepun. Ada satu hari itu, cikgu Jepun aku organize opera klasikal dan berkolaborasi dengan satu akademi dari Jepun. Dia tahu aku boleh bertutur bahasa Jepun, jadi dia suruh aku layan diorang. Aku yang dah lama tak cakap jepun, memang gagap pulak depan diorang. Dahlah perempuan Jepun ni cantik belaka. #eh
2. Belajar untuk berfesyen: “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. Tapi manusia ni suka judge orang. Kalau korang kena bagi presentation, takkanlah pakai kemeja-T dengan seluar pendek betul tak? Pakai lah smart sikit. Tapi pemuzik ini, pakai suit dan tali leher ini, tak selesa juga nak main. Nak dress up ini pun tak perlu mahal-mahal pun, banyak Youtuber dan website yang berbincang tentang fesyen ini. Pilih mana yang sesuai, yang tak kena dengan kita, tolak tepi dulu. Yang penting kita selesa dengan diri sendiri.
3. Belajar untuk mengajar: Sebelum aku buat klinik drum, aku tak pernah terfikir, “Apa aku nak cakap depan semua orang ini?”. Naik jer stage, terus nak main. Bila dapat mic, terus gugup. Tapi aku bersyukur, aku makin selesa untuk berucap depan orang ramai. Aku bila dah nervous, aku akan cakap laju-laju. So, aku dah perasan benda ini, jadi aku akan cakap perlahan sedikit. Chill, lepak, santai, kita ada 1 jam slot kita dan benda nak tunjuk pun tak banyak. Main banyak-banyak lagu pun tak best gak, kau ingat ini konsert ke? Carilah style anda.
4. Belajar alat muzik lain: Ini akan menolong siapa yang nak lebih memahami member pemuzik yang lain. Kalau nak jadi penggubah, kenalah tahu berapa octave violin boleh main, saxophone pakai clef mana? Treble? Bass clef? Bass clarinet mana boleh capai note tinggi-tinggi ni, semput diorang nak tiup.
5. Belajar untuk program MIDI: MIDI ini macam skor muzik untuk komputer. Kita tuliskan untuk dia, dia mainkan untuk kita. Tak payah bayar orang program untuk kita, tak perlu tunggu beberapa bulan untuk tunggu pemuzik itu belajar lagu kita. Cuba kalau kita hantam jer program MIDI tu, mana tahu tiba-tiba dapat pattern yang cool yang kita boleh praktis kat drum? Disitulah drummer macam Omar Hakim dan Questlove dapat teknik mereka.
6. Pergi Melancong: Tak perlu pergi jauh-jauh pun. Sudah memadai kalau pergi ke negeri lain. Tengok macam mana budak-budak scene perform. Kalau nak moden sikit, boleh pergi ke bar yang ada band. Tengoklah masuk kampung kat Kelantan ke, Terengganu ke. Kalau orang Kuala Lumpur, pergi ke Perak pun best juga. Nikmati keindahan flora dan fauna di luar bandar.
7. Pergi tengok konsert: Mestilah, perlu ke aku tulis ni? Tapi nampaknya ramai pemuzik yang hanya belajar muzik, tapi tak pergi ke konsert kawan-kawan mereka. Kalau selalu pergi ke konsert rock/metal, pergi ke konsert jazz, atau singer-songwriter. Jamming session pun dah makin banyak sekarang ini. Boleh gunakan platform ini untuk kenal dengan pemuzik yang lain.
8. Pergi ke festival Muzik: Festival Muzik banyak orang pergi, kebanyakannya bukan pemuzik. Jadi disitu kita boleh tahu, lagu jenis apa yang orang biasa dengar. Kalau tak mahu fikir muzik, tak apa, boleh saja enjoy persekitaran.
9. Belajar tentang mic/preamp: Setiap mic dan preamp mempunyai kualiti bunyi dan tekstur yang berbeza. Mic apa yang sesuai untuk bass drum? Kalau anda tidak dapat menjawab, mungkin sudah sampai masanya untuk belajar. Glenn Fricker dari Spectre Music Group ada konten yang bagus di Youtube.
10. Belajar untuk mempromosi diri sendiri sebagai pemuzik: Aku mengaku, aku pun tak pandai sangat dalam bab ini. Tapi kalau media sosial kita penuh dengan gambar dan konten yang tiada kaitan dengan muzik, macam mana orang nak tau kita pemuzik, betul tak? Kalau itu akaun “private”, itu aku faham lah kalau nak share gambar gi dating, tengok wayang, tapi rajin-rajin juga post video persembahan live, konsert, rekording dan sebagainya.

KONKLUSI

Aku harap tips yang aku kongsi ini dapat memberi manfaat kepada anda. Tak ikut bulat-bulat pun tak apa. Buatlah apa yang patut. Kalau korang betul nak perbaiki kelemahan anda, silalah ikut tips ini ikut kemampuan sendiri.

Follow aku di media sosial yang lain:

https://www.instagram.com/acap.roseknight/

https://www.facebook.com/RoseKnightNewAgeMusician/

Yeah, I heard of that joke that musicians has no time to spend on other things. But do you really believe that? I mean, there’s always an Asian that can do better than you anyway. So why bother? DISCLAIMER: I’m not saying you should neglect your practice whatsoever. Or cancel gigs or rehearsals just to do what you wanna do. HOWEVER, if you have spare time, and you’ve been practicing your ass off, once the concert is over, go on and take a break.

Here’s what I do on my free time:

1. Learn a new language: Learn something that is useful for you. If you’re a classical player, learning Spanish or Italian or German or French might be a big bonus to you especially classical songs are written in these languages. But hey, learning any language is an advantage. I bought lots of Japanese language books. Really happy with my progress and I manage to speak with my Japanese friends smoothly. Can’t imagine how many Japanese meetups that I’ve attended. And my teacher even entrusted me to handle a group of Japanese students for a collaboration Opera few years ago.
2. Learn to dress well: Not saying dress expensive. A good piece of clothing isn’t supposed to be expensive but find something that fits you. If you’re going to be presenting something to people, you yourself need to be presentable. Dressing in suits won’t be a bad idea, but playing drums with suits aren’t the most comfortable attire. Just dress well is enough.
3. Learn to present your drum techniques: This is something that I’m still learning myself. With the recent drum clinics that I get, most of the times I found myself talking to myself, and I’m having a hard time making them understand my explanation. I get nervous very quickly especially when I’m anxious. Performing side isn’t a problem though. I should learn to talk slower so that I have more time to think my next word.
4. Explore other instruments: Might help understanding the limits of your bandmates/concertmates. If you’re going to become arranger, you should know how many octaves can the violin play, or what clef is used by alto sax. You can’t possibly ask the bass clarinet to play very high notes that are only accessible to soprano saxophonist.
5. Learn to programme MIDI: Yes, this is controversial to drummers. Yes, I know MIDI sounded like shit and so lifeless but MIDI helps you to hear the sound of the songs you’ve arranged. Drum machine helps you to create beats for Trap or EDM music. Its true that some really does sound lifeless, has no dynamic and too clean. But you as the drummer will gain the upper hand as you know more about rhythms than other player and with your knowledge, you might discover beats/patterns that sounded cool that you haven’t explored yet. Drummers like Omar Hakim and Questlove is a good example.
6. Go travel: No need to go to expensive place. Sometimes just go to other states in your country is fun too. You never know what kind of culture that they have. With culture, there’s always a local music that they like to listen. Maybe go attend a concert at their place.
7. Go to concerts: This is a no-brainer. Musicians perform in concerts, but how often do you attend the concert as the audience? Why not try to attend jazz concert if you usually attend rock concert? Have you attended your local singer-songwriter gathering? Other options would be bars or pubs that has jamming session, you can expand your networking there too.
8. Go to music festivals: Musicians from other scenes gather here. And you’ll get to see what music does the local enjoy. Do I need to say more?
9. Learn about mics: Different mics has detects different frequencies resulting in various textures. Do you know what mic works the best for you bass drum? If no, then it’s probably the best time to learn. Glenn Fricker has an excellent content regarding this. Check Spectre Music Group on Youtube.
10. Learn to promote yourself as a musician: I admit that I don’t know much on promotion, BUT if your social media is filled with non-music stuff, how do you expect people to know you play music? Its fine if you said that its your “private” account. If thats the case, create another account to promote your music. The contents could be you playing your instrument, sharing a snippet of your live performance, recording session, concert photos etc etc

CONCLUSION

Hope these tips will help your music career. Its okay if you don’t follow any of the tips. You do you. BUT if you’re keen to improving yourself, do take the tips, one at a time and at your own pace. Take care guys, see you in the next post. Roseknight OUT!