Looking like a cross between a computer keyboard and a grid controller, Yamaha introduces its new finger drum pads, allowing players to create rhythms using just their fingers.
These brand new products, currently comprising of the FGDP-30 and FGDP-50, run from an internal rechargeable battery and feature an on board speaker and tone generator, plus a number of differently shaped drum pads plus controls for making selections, recording and so on.
The layout has been designed to be ergonomic, rather than simply following a standard square grid as found on many popular pad controllers. Beginners and experienced players alike can manipulate sounds during live performance thanks to the touch sensitive nature of the individual pads.
The 18 pads are arranged in an arched layout with left-right symmetry, and are optimised for a three-finger playing style using thumb, index and middle fingers. The pad hardness and sensitivity has been optimised for finger touch, allowing for a range of dynamics as well as catching notes played in rapid succession.
By pushing down on the pads, players can replicate cymbal choke (grabbing the cymbal to mute the sound) and control depth of effects to change drum sounds in real time. Players can also switch between the default snare drum sounds and open rimshot sounds by changing how hard they strike the pads.
The onboard sounds are taken and tweaked from Yamaha’s acoustic drum samples as found on the DTX electronic drums series, together with a wide range of newly created electro sounds. The FGDP-50 includes 1,500 Voices and 48 preset kits, and the FGDP-30 includes 1,212 Voices and 39 preset kits. You can also create custom kits by combining your favorite Voices, allowing you to enjoy performing with your own unique sound.
The inbuilt 2.5W speaker and USB recharging of the inbuilt battery make for a highly portable system, but connectivity is also catered for including USB to computer for audio, MIDI and DAW control.
The high-end FGDP-50 includes features that allow you to enjoy being even more creative when performing. Eight additional RGB pads not only allow you to use more sounds, but also add excitement to your performance with flashy RGB lights. There’s also a connection for a USB flash drive for importing sounds and recording performances.
Specifications
Here is the specification table for both models.
|
|
FGDP-50 |
FGDP-30 |
|
|
Size/Weight |
|||
|
Dimensions |
Width |
223 mm (8-3/4 in) |
223 mm (8-3/4 in) |
|
Height |
51 mm (2 in) |
49 mm (1-15/16 in) |
|
|
Depth |
223 mm (8-3/4 in) |
195 mm (7-11/16 in) |
|
|
Weight |
1.1 kg (2 lbs. 7oz) |
1.0 kg (2 lbs. 3 oz) |
|
|
Packing Box |
Width |
282 mm (11-1/16 in) |
282 mm (11-1/16 in) |
|
Height |
110 mm (4-11/32 in) |
108 mm (4-1/4 in) |
|
|
Depth |
272 mm (10-3/4 in) |
244 mm (9-5/8 in) |
|
|
Pad section |
|||
|
Drum Pads |
18 pads |
18 pads |
|
|
RGB square pads |
8 pads |
– |
|
|
Number of Trigger Settings |
Preset |
12 |
– |
|
User |
50 |
Preset overwrite |
|
|
After Touch |
Polyphonic, Channel |
Polyphonic, Channel |
|
|
Assignable Functions |
Yes |
– |
|
|
Control Interface |
|||
|
Display |
LCD with backlight |
– |
|
|
Voice Guide |
– |
English |
|
|
Tone generator |
|||
|
Tone Generator |
AWM2 |
AWM2 |
|
|
Maximum Polyphony |
64 notes |
64 notes |
|
|
Drum kits |
Preset: 48 Kits, User: 50 Kits |
Preset: 39 Kits, User: Preset overwrite |
|
|
Voices |
1,500 |
1,212 |
|
|
Kit Edit |
Yes |
Yes (only some parameter) |
|
|
Effects |
Reverb: 11, Chorus: 10, Variation: 23, Speaker EQ: 5 |
Reverb: 11, Chorus: 10, Variation: 23, Speaker EQ: 5 |
|
|
Audio Files |
|||
|
Import limit |
100 files |
– |
|
|
sample format |
WAV, AIFF (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, mono/stereo) |
– |
|
|
Maximum loadable sample time |
approx. 600 seconds (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, mono), approx. 300 seconds (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo), approx. 20 seconds per file |
– |
|
|
Click |
|||
|
Tempo |
30 to 300 BPM, Tap Tempo supported. |
30 to 300 BPM, Tap Tempo supported. |
|
|
Beat |
1 – 16 |
1 – 16 |
|
|
Others |
Patterns (1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, Clave) |
Patterns (1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, Clave) |
|
|
Session Creator |
|||
|
Number of Session Creators |
23 |
– |
|
|
Sections |
Intro, Main × 4, Ending |
– |
|
|
Parts |
Drum, Bass, Other × 4 |
– |
|
|
Recorder |
|||
|
Recording time |
USB flash drive |
approx. 80 minutes per file |
– |
|
Format |
WAV (44.1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo) |
– |
|
|
Functions |
|||
|
Voices |
Note Repeat |
Each Pad |
– |
|
Humanize |
Each Pad |
– |
|
|
Registration Memory |
Number of Buttons |
4 |
2 |
|
|
Preset: 5 Banks, User: 50 Banks |
Preset: 1 Bank, User: Preset overwrite |
|
|
Amplifiers and Speakers |
|||
|
Amplifiers |
2.5 W |
2.5 W |
|
|
Speakers |
4 cm × 1 |
4 cm × 1 |
|
|
Other |
|||
|
Connectors |
Headphones |
Headphones/Output (Stereo mini jack x 1) |
Headphones/Output (Stereo mini jack x 1) |
|
AUX IN |
AUX IN (stereo mini jack × 1) |
AUX IN (stereo mini jack × 1) |
|
|
USB |
USB TO DEVICE (Type A), USB TO HOST (Micro B) |
USB TO HOST (Micro B) |
|
|
Power Supply |
|||
|
Power Supply |
USB power adaptor 5 V/1.5 A or greater USB BC specification compatible products (Sold separately) |
USB power adaptor 5 V/1.5 A or greater USB BC specification compatible products (Sold separately) |
|
|
Internal Battery |
1,400 mAh, 4.5 Wh 3 hours |
1,400 mAh, 4.5 Wh 3 hours |
|
|
Power Consumption |
7 W |
4 W |
|
|
Accessories |
|||
|
Included Accessories |
Owner’s Manual, USB cable |
Owner’s Manual, USB cable |
|
Exact availability and pricing to be confirmed.
Images
Yamaha FGDP-30
Yamaha FGDP-50
