I think it's a sham and more trouble than it's worth for practical marching applications, but the thought is nice.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=964

Oh, I don't know about it being a sham, per se, but it does bring up a lot of questions about the practicality. I definitely agree with you on that.

The first thing I wonder about is true mobility as it pertains to speaker placement, performer placement and hear-back or monitor. You'd have to think that even if this thing has a built in headphone jack (and it appears that it does), then what are you supposed to do in terms of your listening environment?

Also, you'd have to guess that these will be embraced by indoor (they are advertising something with WGI) or will be integrated in a small way into an overall percussion package. I can't imagine a battery just disappearing from the field because of these, but I guess it could eventually come to that.

I don't know. I'm intrigued. There's gotta be a way to incorporate them without it being a gimmick -- although we will probably see that, too. I've often thought I could put a Roland Handsonic to good use in the pit if I could get my hands on one!

Pretty neat stuff. As far as usefulness on field/floor, I am not sure how much this will do. It seems like it has some OK potential, but also seems as though it may end up being more trouble than anything.

Nevertheless I am anxious and eager to see what the debut at WGI is going to be like, and how it gets incorporated in the next few years.

yeah...a lot of the more ";monetary inclined"; indoor percussion groups implement some sort of electronic trigger in their show/music...be it malletKAT, or one of the variety of midi triggers out there.  I think it opens up some interesting possibilities for that sort of implementation with the marching members of those ensembles.

It doesn't seem to be anything really revolutionary though.  It looks like one of their V-drums with the Rhythm Coach technology mounted on the side.  And the product # (RMP-12) is in line with the two Rhythm Coach models (RMP-3 & RMP-5). 

Anyway, we'll see what happens...

You know what would be neat? Have an indoor show with your entire battery line wirelessly marching these. You could have instruments that change on the fly. Members continually moving between and changing within sections. Have a 2 person snare lick, add two more for a tenor lick, then add another and play a sweet bass run. It could make for a really dynamic and interesting show, not to mention mentally challenging for the players. Think of the bass licks you could play! :D

I wonder if the technology can meet the demands of a world-class drumline.  Those three guys playing the demo throw a lot of dirt around... is it because of latency issues, or they just couldn't find three dudes that can play hugga-dugga-brrrrrr?

erath nailed it though- it could be a listening nightmare.  Imagine playing where your feet and hands don't line up with your ears.  Even if you have some kind of monitor, how would a full line hear each other?  How would 7 snares listen in to the center?  How could a judge be sure all drums have their volume turned up?  I see this as a gimmick portion of shows and not a drum replacement.

Put a loudspeaker on each one, then it might start to make sense.

The phasing was one of the first problems I though about with this thing. Jesse hit my thought exactly. Until you were able to get a speaker on each drum, it would be kind of hard to know who is playing and who is not.

WOW!  I wonder what the price point will be?  $1000?

Blast, Disney, and broadway style shows will eat this thing up for sure.  Love to have on in my practice room!  Replace my RMV5!

Street performances could clean up with a few of these. 

At WGI this year Center Grove HS used these (or something similar). They played them with their hands and used them to generate purely effect type sounds. One of the players played a simple castanet type voice with a simple rhythm and was in time with the ensemble which must have been wireless through a monitor.  I checked them out at the booth in the vendor area and everyone was using headphones to try them out.

[quote author=CMachado link=topic=2403.msg12987#msg12987 date=1209493655]
At WGI this year Center Grove HS used these (or something similar). They played them with their hands and used them to generate purely effect type sounds. One of the players played a simple castanet type voice with a simple rhythm and was in time with the ensemble which must have been wireless through a monitor.  I checked them out at the booth in the vendor area and everyone was using headphones to try them out.
[/quote]

I wouldn't write it off.  The listening situation from player to player is a concern.  Will the players need to use a ear monitor?  Even the video demo was pretty dirty.  I see some creative moments using the pads but can't see a realistic usage for a complete show.  Can't wait to see how it is used or if it is used.

Gabriel