2Box Drumit Three Module & Trigit Acoustic Triggers

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WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM NOVEMBER 2018 |
PRICES
2Box Drumit Three
Module: £695;
Trigit trigger set: £89.99
FEATURES
44,1 kHz sample rate
with 24-bit digital to
analog converters;
4GB memory;
Line in;
MIDI in/out;
4 outputs;
Signature kits;
Universal trigger
interface;
Extra trigger functions;
USB (data only);
Backing track
functionality;
15 universal trigger
inputs;
More samples available
from 2Box website;
Cymbal choking
support;
Three-zone support for
snare and cymbals
CONTACT
Hand in Hand
Distribution
01752 696633
www.handinhand.
uk.net
www.2box-drums.com
Essential spec
Hands On
After initially wiring in the module with our
Roland e-kit, we excitedly dive into exploring
the kit presets, only to fi nd that some work is
required in order to set up our pads correctly.
Where modules like the ATV aD5 have setup
wizards with a list of kit or pad models to
choose from, the DI3 requires the trigger type
to be selected for each individual pad.
Following this, there is still some additional
tweaking to be done before it starts to feel
completely natural.
With the admin out of the way, we get
down to the business of checking out the
inbuilt kits. Overall, the samples are of a high
quality, although in isolation some are a little
noisy (we even fi nd a ride sample where we
hear what sounds like a rickety cymbal
stand). The kits play very naturally and have
great dynamic response, particularly in the
snare and ride cymbals. Ghost notes move
seamlessly into accented notes and rimshots
while ride patterns are translated well, even
with our basic dual-zone pad.
The toms have a natural quality to them
and are far from over-produced, although
some are tuned rather high and sometimes
don’t feel quite right for the respective kits.
With the help of the drag-and-drop Drumit
Editor software, we manage to put together a
couple of kits using our own samples, which
brings playability to the next level.
The sheer amount of customisation
possible means that the DI3 comes into its
own as a hybrid tool. Pads can be
programmed to play backing tracks and
loops, control the metronome (start/stop or
tap tempo) and advance through kit patches.
In addition, there are mute group capabilities
and the vast routing options allow you to
choose an output destination for each
individual element. Imported tracks can even
send the left and right channels individually
for split click and track. Using the 2Box Trigit
triggers, we are able to experiment with
bringing this functionality to the acoustic kit
and it makes for hours of fun. Using only
minimal triggers to layer up the kick and
snare also offers pleasing results in terms of
dynamic response and works wonders in
beefi ng out the sound of our acoustic kit.
General navigation of the module takes
some getting used to and it’s defi nitely one
where you’ll want to keep the manual close
at hand.
VERDICT: Despite a slightly
complicated user interface, the
Drumit Three module is a seriously
powerful machine, which comes in
at an affordable price. It also
works particularly well as a hybrid
drumming solution.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
UNIVERSAL TRIGGERS
The module supports triggers made
by Roland, Yamaha and Alesis, as
well as 2Box’s own Trigit triggers
PERFECT MATCH
The Trigit Acoustic
Triggers make a worthy
companion to the Drumit
Three module
MEMORY
The module has 4GB
of inbuilt memory with
no external expansion
MULTI-ZONE
The module offers support for
three-zone snares and cymbals
and dual-zone toms
OPEN SOUND ARCHITECTURE
Velocity layered user samples can
be added using the supplied
editing software
RHY287.gear_2Box.indd 95 03/10/2018 17:06