Author Topic: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg  (Read 9177 times)

Online Hellfire

Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« on: May 02, 2018, 01:07:22 PM »


New Pearl edrum kit (and module). I'm surprise nobody posted about this yet. So here it is.  8)

https://www.pearlemerge.com
« Last Edit: June 26, 2018, 10:16:34 AM by Hellfire »

Offline DannyM

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2018, 01:21:09 PM »
I really dig this ! Any idea what kind of $$$ they are asking for it ?

Offline Iggford

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2018, 02:11:33 PM »
Wow, that's an impressive looking kit.  I'm already eyeballing those cymbals, though. :)

I wonder if they'll ever be available separately?  It's probably way to early to tell, and that's if they would even work well with other modules.  That red accent would look good with the Strike kit. :)


--
Shawn

Offline ChrisK

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2018, 02:19:52 PM »
http://pearldrum.com/products/kits/electronics/emerge/#configurations

The things, I don't like are the red color\silver plate, on cymbal, the module red color\panel design, all black would increased the look completely.

It use the wavdrum korg technologies, if it's similar, sound change from the surface head, sound change with physical mallet\ wood stick \brush, pressure on head, hand drumming on pad: conga\bongo as example etc..

But it is not on the same league of mimic totally different.

Offline VandalX

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2018, 04:31:57 PM »
All these drum manufacturers just seem to throw things at the wall and see what sticks (or what people will buy), without taking the time to develop a (nearly) perfect system. DW owns KAT, and came up with the partnership with Gewa. Looks nice. Expensive. Pearl has the Mimic and those pad conversions. Alesis...well, Alesis just renames stuff and dresses up modules to look different and runs lousy internals on their pads. Roland has stayed true to their core product line, but I'm not sure if they are considered "innovators" in the space. I guess they don't need to come up with any groundbreaking tech if they're top dog. The sad thing is that the technology exists in all areas of e-drum and electronic processing to actually build a fantastic system. Instead, we're faced with cobbling together trigger interfaces, modules, VSTs, pad technologies and other miscellany to make our kits a close approximation of an acoustic kit.

While I "love" my Alesis DM10 MKII Pro as it got me back into drumming, the quest for consistency and playability is sometimes consuming. With all the new offerings from the big manufacturers taking divergent paths, it's hard to get a handle on what's progress and what's just a rebadged, regurgitated parts bin that aims to do everything while accomplishing very little in terms of progress.

I hope I'm wrong about this Pearl. I'm glad that companies are investing in moving forward their product lines, but are they actually creating breakthrough tech?

Oh well, time to go fix another broken trigger.
Alesis DM 10 MKII Pro (with Tama Iron Cobra double). Pearl Export acoustic. Fostex VF160EX Digital multitrack (16). Fostex monitors. Roland TR-626 drum machine. Roland Juno 106 Poly synth. Aria Knight Warrior. Peavy Fury. Digitech GNX3000. Digitech RP360. Tascam Porta 05 four track. MacBook Air.

Offline ChrisK

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2018, 05:06:58 PM »
It's a bit expensive. The module are not in pro range in my opinion and another class from mimic.

From Drum-tec website:
e/merge E/traditional: 3999Euro
e/merge E/hybrid: 4199Euro https://www.drum-tec.fr/batteries-elec./pearl
« Last Edit: May 02, 2018, 05:23:30 PM by ChrisK »

Offline rhysT

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2018, 03:25:29 AM »
Wow, that's an impressive looking kit.  I'm already eyeballing those cymbals, though. :)

I wonder if they'll ever be available separately?  It's probably way to early to tell, and that's if they would even work well with other modules.  That red accent would look good with the Strike kit. :)

I'd like to at least try the WTT snare pad with an Alesis kit which could be possible if the 25 pin trigger input connector uses just 2 or 3 wires per trigger pad or cymbal.

Also fwiw, Korg usually provide an editor with their gear.

Offline Rmiller

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2018, 07:10:43 AM »
Looks like pintec shells .

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2018, 08:25:53 AM »
I think it should be pointed out that the WTT system only seems to be 100% implemented on the snare pad only. If you read the Pearl's website, it only talks about the snare pad implementation. I'm pointing this out because I'm seeing other places on the net talking about how great it would be to have a whole kit of "wave drums" and I don't think that is the case with the e/merge kit. Only the snare pad has the full on WTT system built in it. Notice the other pads do not have the little WTT badge on them.

My statement is not meant to dismiss this kit. I just don't like it when people read into something that isn't there.

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2018, 08:29:37 AM »
I'd like to at least try the WTT snare pad with an Alesis kit which could be possible if the 25 pin trigger input connector uses just 2 or 3 wires per trigger pad or cymbal.

What good would that do? Unless you believe that this new Pearl pad feel so much better than anything before it. The magic happens with the combo of the pad and the module. Chance are the pad is not just a simple passive device (like standard edrum pads). I would bet there is some processing happening inside the pad itself. Similar to the Roland digital pads.

Offline rhysT

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2018, 09:32:04 AM »
Yeah should have done more research of Wave Trigger Technology kinda like in the WaveDrum Global Edition: http://www.korg.com/au/news/2014/051503/
« Last Edit: May 04, 2018, 09:01:14 AM by rhysT »

Offline ChrisK

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2018, 09:22:31 PM »
I'd like to at least try the WTT snare pad with an Alesis kit which could be possible if the 25 pin trigger input connector uses just 2 or 3 wires per trigger pad or cymbal.

What good would that do? Unless you believe that this new Pearl pad feel so much better than anything before it. The magic happens with the combo of the pad and the module. Chance are the pad is not just a simple passive device (like standard edrum pads). I would bet there is some processing happening inside the pad itself. Similar to the Roland digital pads.

it's been reported, emerge module and triggers not compatible with others brand.. so people would need to buy the entire kits, unless the triggers could works as normal piezo\switch for others modules..
« Last Edit: May 03, 2018, 09:24:02 PM by ChrisK »

Offline Chaser

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2018, 01:23:30 AM »
Another partnership? Seems to be the trend these days.
Looks like 2018 is going to be the year of E-Drums.
ATV also has new kits and Roland is announcing New V-Drum Kits May 8.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2018, 02:00:13 AM by Chaser »

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2018, 08:32:15 AM »
Another partnership? Seems to be the trend these days.

And if I was to guess, it's because none of these drum company have their own engineering department that can handle designing electronic drums. Remember the Pearl Epro live is just rebranded Alesis stuff. So, Pearl is doing the same thing as they did in 2010.

Looks like 2018 is going to be the year of E-Drums.
ATV also has new kits and Roland is announcing New V-Drum Kits May 8.

And all eyes will be on Roland's announcement.

The reason this is all happening so quickly is because of a few things: The release of the Simmons SD2000, Alesis Strike, Pearl Mimic from last year and the main Roland patent expiration for the mesh/cone detection system.

Each one of these products demonstrated things that were not common place in the industry up to the point they were released.

Simmons SD2000: A very affordable edrum kit with the cone/mesh standard (first for non Roland edrums in the USA) and the first color screen module. It also signaled the return of Simmons (i.e. Dave Simmons) to the industry.

Alesis Strike: A large affordable kit with much greater memory capacity than anything before it (short lived once Mimic is released), 8 individual outputs and one of the first color screen modules. Features to Price being the biggest break through for this kit.

Pearl Mimic:  A VST in module form which has the advantage of having the largest memory capacity of any module to date and a large touch screen interface to boot.

These were all huge in the edrum industry which had sat unchanged for almost five plus years. Not only that, I believe the number of edrum kits sold have increased in the last five years while the sale of acoustic drums have decreased in the same time frame. I don't remember where I saw those numbers, but it did catch my eye when I saw it.

The flood gates are now open in the edrum industry and many will come rushing in to fill the void that Roland built with their patent walls. Innovation in a freed up market will go quickly. Just look at the first three offering of this new market above to see what I'm talking about. It went from first color screen to VST/touch screen in a box within about six months. Some things will work, others will not. This is going to be one heck of a ride.

Offline AlanK

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2018, 09:03:41 AM »
Hellfire, just wanted to say thanks (and to others) who continually post these extremely informative tidbits about the industry, new equipment and so on.. I don't have time to stay in the know and up to date on what technology is out there and so on but your posts really help.. and to all the other members who contribute, this forum is awesome!  ::)
DM10X with Addictive Drums 2, Pro X hi-hat, 4 crashes, foam cone conversion w Roland mesh heads, Laurin Drums snare and kick, Mapex P710W double kick pedal, Mapex 2 legged hi-hat, Behringer 8 channel USB mixer, Tascam 144MK AI, Samson Expedition Escape powered speakers

Offline Rmiller

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #15 on: May 04, 2018, 05:21:28 PM »
Just wanted to add to HF’s list. 2box drumit3 module finally made it to the US recently (and a little late seeing everything going on). Even though it is similar to the the drumit5 in many ways it is also very different. It has open sound architecture and universal pad support and at a much lower price point than much of the competition. Still not as robust as the Mimic (and price) but it is a stand alone VST player in a box and very flexible, especially with Jman’s SD card mod. One thing that still amazes me is how good the DM10 still is given its age. Alesis did a great job with that one. I hope the Strike will stand up to it in longevity and get continued support and upgrades that Alesis failed to give to the DM10.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2018, 05:33:19 PM by Rmiller »

Offline Chaser

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #16 on: May 04, 2018, 07:58:39 PM »
Another partnership? Seems to be the trend these days.

And if I was to guess, it's because none of these drum company have their own engineering department that can handle designing electronic drums. Remember the Pearl Epro live is just rebranded Alesis stuff. So, Pearl is doing the same thing as they did in 2010.

Looks like 2018 is going to be the year of E-Drums.
ATV also has new kits and Roland is announcing New V-Drum Kits May 8.

And all eyes will be on Roland's announcement.

The flood gates are now open in the edrum industry and many will come rushing in to fill the void that Roland built with their patent walls. Innovation in a freed up market will go quickly. Just look at the first three offering of this new market above to see what I'm talking about. It went from first color screen to VST/touch screen in a box within about six months. Some things will work, others will not. This is going to be one heck of a ride.
I think by partnering up products hit the market faster.It will be interesting to see all the "competition".
Competition is always a good thing.Maybe we'll see a price war of some sort.I just hope there will be support in place for the new products.The used market place might get flooded with lot's of quality gear for great prices.

BTW.. spoiler alert...just one.. don't look if you don't want to know..

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2018, 11:28:46 PM »
I think by partnering up products hit the market faster.It will be interesting to see all the "competition".
Competition is always a good thing.Maybe we'll see a price war of some sort.I just hope there will be support in place for the new products.The used market place might get flooded with lot's of quality gear for great prices.

BTW.. spoiler alert...just one.. don't look if you don't want to know..

Wow! I don't think this is even posted on Vdrums yet (wasn't this leaked a few months back?). Honestly I don't think many Roland fans will be happy if this is the big May 8th announcement.

If you guys want to see, you need to be logged in to see Chaser's image.  ;)

Offline Chaser

Re: Pearl e/merge powered by Korg
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2018, 11:57:45 PM »
I think by partnering up products hit the market faster.It will be interesting to see all the "competition".
Competition is always a good thing.Maybe we'll see a price war of some sort.I just hope there will be support in place for the new products.The used market place might get flooded with lot's of quality gear for great prices.

BTW.. spoiler alert...just one.. don't look if you don't want to know..

Wow! I don't think this is even posted on Vdrums yet (wasn't this leaked a few months back?). Honestly I don't think many Roland fans will be happy if this is the big May 8th announcement.

If you guys want to see, you need to be logged in to see Chaser's image.  ;)

Notice I didn't post the model name as the All-seeing Overlord Gooogle will place into it's almighty search engine.
It's a magic name as Video's and retailers web pages seemingly vanish as the Evil Empires(Billy Blast quote) bots are scouring the Inter-web to find mention of it.

My advice to anyone doing product unveils (coming from one who has been in Retail his whole life).
If you want to go to all the extremes to keep product releases a secret and an "Event'..make sure when you place full page ads in Major National/International publications with thousands of subscribers... that their release date is after the "Event"
I am not mentioning which publication(s)....the advertising dept can figure it out.That's why they get paid the big bucks.. to coordinate/provide the Artwork/layout months in advance.
....and I want to keep my subscription(s)..lol

EDIT:
Feel free to remove the image anytime if it causes any grief.. ;)

I don't believe that will be the only kit though...there appears to be a big Bass/Kick in the teaser.
The RSVP I received
#TotallyDrums is an invite-only gathering of your favorite high-profile drum and percussion artists, drum media, Roland V-Drums product specialists and engineers who will come together to debut several exciting new V-Drums instruments.

I'll stop there as I am inadvertently derailing this thread...
« Last Edit: May 06, 2018, 09:17:56 PM by Chaser »

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #19 on: June 26, 2018, 10:20:48 AM »
More recent video of the new Pearl kit in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1WRBpHnSrk

I really like the look of the kit.

Offline Chaser

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #20 on: May 22, 2019, 02:37:32 PM »
A year later and retailers are now starting to take pre-orders expected shipment of 7/29/2019..
e/MERGE e/Traditional $3,999.00   MSRP: $6,665.00
e/MERGE e/Hybrid      $4,199.00   MSRP: $6,999.00...

SWEETWATER
GUITAR CENTER

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #21 on: May 22, 2019, 02:46:32 PM »
A year later and retailers are now starting to take pre-orders expected shipment of 7/29/2019..
e/MERGE e/Traditional $3,999.00   MSRP: $6,665.00
e/MERGE e/Hybrid      $4,199.00   MSRP: $6,999.00...

SWEETWATER
GUITAR CENTER

If I had the money, I would most likely buy a set.

I think this is the way edrum companies are going to work now. Tell everyone about your new kit a year plus out. I still find it interesting that Pearl never decided to make a Mimic specific Kit.

Offline Chaser

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #22 on: May 22, 2019, 05:42:02 PM »
I still find it interesting that Pearl never decided to make a Mimic specific Kit.

From my understanding Pearl wanted the Mimic to be compatible with all the pre-existing Piezo/Switch type kits/hardware and capture that market.,whereas the e/MERGE is to be  Pearls's top of the line E-Kit ..all it's own and the "Parallel Processing" module isn't compatible with anything else nor is any of the drums/cymbals.
The sensors in the head/cymbal respond to the strike and response of the head/cymbal while the Wave Triggering sensors activate the sound sample. Both information sources are then blended in the module with near zero latency.
I have been waiting to see a manual/specs as the module is using 4 cores for one set of sensors and 2 cores for the other set of sensors,but that's about all the information I have gathered.
Maybe it will be something like the "GEWA" Kit which supposedly will work with other hardware,but not to the full capability.

Online Hellfire

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #23 on: May 22, 2019, 06:08:15 PM »
From my understanding Pearl wanted the Mimic to be compatible with all the pre-existing Piezo/Switch type kits/hardware and capture that market.,whereas the e/MERGE is to be  Pearls's top of the line E-Kit ..all it's own and the "Parallel Processing" module isn't compatible with anything else nor is any of the drums/cymbals.

That was my understanding as well. The problem with that idea is, Pearl will never convert those that use the Mimic to Pearl triggers. People using the Mimic have no reason to switch since Pearl makes no Mimic specific hardware. Those Roland user sure as heck are not going to convert to e/MERGE. I don't know, maybe when e/MERGE grows a little (meaning a much higher performance module) then maybe high end players will go the Pearl route. Only time will tell.

Offline ChrisK

Re: Pearl e/MERGE Kit powered by Korg
« Reply #24 on: May 22, 2019, 09:02:02 PM »
I still find it interesting that Pearl never decided to make a Mimic specific Kit.

From my understanding Pearl wanted the Mimic to be compatible with all the pre-existing Piezo/Switch type kits/hardware and capture that market.,whereas the e/MERGE is to be  Pearls's top of the line E-Kit ..all it's own and the "Parallel Processing" module isn't compatible with anything else nor is any of the drums/cymbals.
The sensors in the head/cymbal respond to the strike and response of the head/cymbal while the Wave Triggering sensors activate the sound sample. Both information sources are then blended in the module with near zero latency.
I have been waiting to see a manual/specs as the module is using 4 cores for one set of sensors and 2 cores for the other set of sensors,but that's about all the information I have gathered.
Maybe it will be something like the "GEWA" Kit which supposedly will work with other hardware,but not to the full capability.

The emerge korg wav tech is only on the snare for touch hand, and use 2 triggers inputs to allow side stick. (korg wavdrum have the upper sensor on the head) The module is no way better then MIMIC.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2019, 10:46:51 PM by ChrisK »