|
|
|
|
|
Photos too small? Click on photos, screenshots and diagrams in articles to open a Larger View gallery. January 2010
Other recent issues: | Roland RMP-5Digital percussion padPublished in PM January 2008  Printer-friendly versionReviews : Drums: Electronic The old adage 'practice makes perfect' is as relevant today as it was for any of the drummer greats of the past and most likely the future too! And with Roland's RMP-5 Rhythm Coach, you could be well on your way.  Poor timing, no inner sense of rhythm, dodgy technique and so on, are all factors that could not only stop a budding basher from getting those essential gigs, but also prematurely conclude a drumming career! Enter Roland with the RMP-5 — a highly portable electronic practice gizmo, which should go a long way in helping to fulfill your every practice need. RMP-5 At first glance, this bears a close resemblance to Roland's RMP-3, which has some commendable features, but lacks onboard samples. The new model maintains the familiar eight-inch mesh pad, but boasts over 40 PCM drum sounds and comes complete with a host of additional coaching\practice functions\routines, including 'Time Check'. The RMP-5 may be employed as a simple practice pad for the essential pre-gig warm-up or a full-on coaching session. An onboard PP3 battery can keep the unit running for up to four hours, though an external power supply may be connected if needed. Sited atop the RMP-5 is a large LED graphic segment, which (depending on which training functions are selected) shows a whole variety of information. For example, if performing the Time Check, the display shows a metronome pendulum ticking away, with the results of the very latest strike displayed as being in front of the beat, ahead or spot on. At the end of the exercise, a percentage of the accuracy of stick strikes is displayed. The user is able to hear the PCM sounds via headphones or other form of external amplification. Once headphones are inserted, the metronome clicks are muted from the internal speaker, enabling almost totally silent practice. The RMP-5 offers a mix facility, should you choose to provide your own external sound source (MP3 player, CD, etc) to practice along with. Measured development In go the headphones, and after only a few strikes of my sticks, I can't help being very impressed by the actual snare sounds and mesh pad response. The overall shape makes it a little awkward to work with when placed on my lap, so I think I would most likely go for the optional stand, and perhaps even add a bass and cymbal\hi-hat pad. After scrolling through all the various coaching facilities and having tried and tested every conceivable option, I keep going back to each one in turn, hoping to improve on both speed and accuracy. One of my favourite features has to be the Auto Up\Down option, where the selected tempo increases (according to user preference) after each bar or after every beat I have set it to, to raise the tempo by 1bpm after each bar, starting at 120bpm and finishing at 250bpm. Having attempted a single paradiddle for a few cycles, I managed up to a very flaky 190bpm and then it all fell apart. However, after about an hour, I was actually getting quicker, as this gently 'pushes' you to play faster while attempting to maintain accurate strokes. Not only is it great fun to perform all the various challenges on offer here, but the system also gives a measured development, which is vitally important to give that feel-good factor whenever there is progress (however small). Conclusion With very convincing PCM snare drum samples, a superb response from the tunable mesh pad and excellent coaching facilities, the RMP-5 proves itself to be an extremely valuable practice tool. As it is so quiet, it is possible to practice to your heart's content without getting complaints about those paradiddles, mama-daddas and other repetitive rudiments chuntering away. It's been an enjoyable experience playing this little device and I feel that I've genuinely benefited from using it. This makes practice fun, which, for many, will be something of a revelation. 0  Published in PM January 2008  | Roland RMP-5 Rhythm Coach £175 With great coaching facilities and realistic PCM sounds, the RMP-5 provides a fun way to improve rhythm while monitoring your progress. The overall shape is a little awkward, so it's worth considering the optional stand.
Tech Spec RMP-5 54 sounds. 24 rhythms. 22 patterns. 24 beats. Metronome: tempo 20300 (15 click sounds). Time Check: eight variations. Auto Up/Down: six variations. Quiet Count: six variations. Rhythmic Notes: three variations. Stroke Balance: two variations. Phones/output: one (stereo miniature phone type). Ext Trig In jack: (one dual). Mix In jack: one (miniature phone type). AC adaptor jack. DC 9V: Dry battery 6LR61/104A (alkaline), AC adaptor. Current draw: 80mA. Dimensions (WDH): 263 x 348 x 78 mm. Weight: 1.2kg. |
|
All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 2007-2010.
All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither SOS Publications Group nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Publishers.
Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates | SOS | Relative Media |
