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Description
The Korg Wave Drum stands as a unique fusion of acoustic and electronic percussion, offering musicians an instrument that responds with the sensitivity and nuance of traditional percussion. Whether you’re tapping with fingers, striking with sticks, or rolling with mallets, this dynamic percussion synthesizer captures every subtle motion, bringing your performance to life with remarkable expressiveness.
At its core, the Wave Drum features a dual-engine sound system that combines DSP synthesis and PCM samples, enabling a vast exploration of sonic landscapes. With over 200 instruments onboard, musicians can traverse through traditional rock percussion or dive into an array of world percussion sounds, from congas to sitars. Additionally, the Wave Drum’s pressure-sensitive pads provide an authentic playing experience, making it a versatile tool for both studio sessions and live performances.
Customize your sound with 100 preset programs and up to 100 user programs, tailoring each performance to suit your unique style. The inclusion of 100 loop phrases opens a world of jam-along possibilities, perfect for practice or live improvisation. With its compact design, the Wave Drum easily integrates into any setup, whether you’re a solo performer, part of a band, or a DJ looking to add a percussive twist.
Key Features:
- Dual-engine sound system combining DSP synthesis and PCM samples
- Over 200 instruments, including rock and world percussion sounds
- Pressure-sensitive pads for expressive playing
- 100 preset programs and 100 customizable user programs
- 100 loop phrases for practice and performance
- Compact and portable for easy integration into any setup
Product specs
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | WD-X Wavedrum |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 2009 - 2020 |
| Categories | Percussion Pad Controllers |
FAQs
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What is the Korg Wavedrum's primary function?
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The Korg Wavedrum is an electronic percussion instrument that combines acoustic drum sounds with digital synthesis, allowing for a wide range of expressive and dynamic performances.
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Does the Korg Wavedrum require external amplification?
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Yes, the Korg Wavedrum requires external amplification as it does not have built-in speakers. It outputs sound through its audio output, which can be connected to an amplifier or PA system.
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Can the Korg Wavedrum be used for live performances?
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Absolutely, the Korg Wavedrum is designed for live performances, offering a responsive playing surface and a variety of sounds suitable for various musical genres.
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What kind of sounds can I expect from the Korg Wavedrum?
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The Korg Wavedrum offers a diverse range of sounds, from traditional percussion to experimental digital tones, thanks to its combination of acoustic and digital synthesis capabilities.
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Is the Korg Wavedrum suitable for beginners?
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While the Korg Wavedrum offers advanced features that may appeal to experienced musicians, its intuitive interface makes it accessible for beginners interested in exploring electronic percussion.
Videos
Korg
Korg Wavedrum - Official Product Introduction
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Wave Drum.
Use cases and applications
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Players find the Wavedrum's dynamic range optimal for finger drumming, but it requires high gain settings for practical use.
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Owners describe the Wavedrum as capable of providing an evolving sound experience, with potential to orchestrate varied soundscapes from a single algorithm.
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Users find the Wavedrum ideal for creating organic drum loops and responsive to pressure, allowing for unique modulation effects.
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Value and pricing
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The original WD1 model is considered a collectible, with prices reaching around $3000, while the Global Edition offers more sounds for around $500.
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Prices for the Wavedrum vary significantly, with the original models appearing as low as $300 and the Global version reaching $600 on resale markets.
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Features and functionality
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The Wavedrum uses a standard 10" drumhead, but it's muffled to minimize natural sound, focusing on electronic sound synthesis.
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The Wavedrum's design is partly acoustic, incorporating mics and pickups to convert acoustic input into electronic sounds, creating an evolving sonic experience.
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The Wavedrum's rim is the actual metal side, not the edge of the skin, which affects how it should be played.
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The newer Wavedrum models incorporate internal gain adjustments and likely use compression to manage signal clipping during loud play.
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The WD-X version has a notable noise floor issue and low output, particularly challenging for hand-playing.
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Comparisons
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The Global Edition reportedly has a superior signal-to-noise ratio over the WD-X, enhancing the experience for hand-playing without excessive noise.
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The WD1 from 1994 is praised for its ease of use compared to newer models, which are noted for their challenging programming interface.
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Users compare the Wavedrum to Roland HPD models, noting the Wavedrum's superior expressiveness and reactiveness.
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User experience
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The Wavedrum is appreciated for its sonic depth and versatility in live performances, despite its interface challenges leading to underutilization by some owners.
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Some musicians create custom preset tables to streamline programming, compensating for the Wavedrum's complicated interface.
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The interface is challenging, with a steep learning curve, but presets are well-thought-out despite the 3-digit screen limitation.
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Build quality
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Some owners find the Wavedrum's output volume low, requiring additional amplification for adequate sound levels during use.
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4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
107
From another planet
I own this and it is a trip! You can do some much with any sound as far as what happens when and after you hit it...it is crazy. I used to have this in my kit and used it as a second snare for weird effects, but ended up hitting it too hard and it started triggering on its own so I took it in and had it reconditioned. It is a bit delicate, but is crazy with the options. The manual has all kinds of calculations and models you can implement.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the Mandala Drum interview on YouTube, Danny Carey of Tool is seen using a Korg Wave Drum positioned on his left.
A black Korg Wave Drum with black Remo head can be spotted in Sampha's home, on the left above the DX7 synth, at 0:47
In this picture from their 2015 Shadowland tour, we can see former main composer Chuck (aka Hardy Fox) using one.
In a video by Modern Drummer Official titled "Carl Palmer - ELP - 2022 Tour Kit Rundown," Carl Palmer is shown using a Korg Wavedrum Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer as part of his drum kit at the 6:36 mark.
He uses it for electronic and acoustic percussions and sound effects while playing his acoustic set.
In this photo, taken at the Milky Chance' Spotify Session, Dausch is using Korg Wave Drum.
In this video, Dausch can also be seen playing this instrument, at 5:23 minute mark.
Terry Bozzio’s website confirms that a Korg Wavedrum is used as part of his kit.
"Beneath the Mask: Personalmente, me gusta mucho esta canción. ¡Me encanta! Recuerdo que la melodía surgió como si estuviera guiada por algo. Lo curioso de este tema es que utiliza Wave Drum de Korg para la percusión. Utilizo mucho Wave Drum en general en Persona 5, pero según mi interpretación: ¿no ha dado muy buen resultado a nivel rítmico en este caso? (Nota de RPG Spain: Wave Drum es un sintetizador de sonidos de percusión, Korg es la marca)."
English translation:
"Beneath the Mask: Personally, I really like this song. I love it! I remember the melody came out as if it was guided by something. The funny thing about this song is that it uses Korg's Wave Drum for percussion. I use Wave Drum a lot on general in Persona 5, but according to my interpretation: it has not worked very well on a rhythmic level in this case? (Note from RPG Spain: Wave Drum is a synthesizer of percussion sounds, Korg is the brand). "
In the YouTube video titled "Asaf Avidan - In a Box II - Her Lies," Asaf Avidan can be seen using the Korg Wave Drum.
"I used nine V drum pads, five DrumTec pads and a Korg wave drum. The V pads went into a Roland TD10, and the Drum Tec pads went into my D Drum 3 brain. The signals from the V kick and V snare pads were ‘Y’ to access both brains from the same pad. An additional pad sat under the hi-hat area, to my left, and was ‘Y’ to the kick pad, allowing me to play the same kick sample with my hand."
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Wave Drum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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