DigiTech SDRUM
What it is
The SDrum is a footswitch-operated pedal that generates drum parts for guitarists and bassists. The player scratches across muted strings to teach a kick and snare pattern, and the unit then adds hi-hat, cymbal, and tom or percussion parts. The manufacturer describes it as the world's first intelligent drum machine for guitarists and bassists, a claim this research could not independently verify. The pedal stores up to 36 songs, each with three switchable parts (verse, chorus, bridge), and offers five kits and three embellishment levels. Its controls cover groove and kit selection, hi-hats and rides, level, and tempo. Guitar World's reviewer noted that the drum sounds are processed with a Lexicon reverb that cannot be bypassed. The SDrum was sold as a companion to the Beat Buddy, which is a competing guitar-driven drum machine. A 2018 TalkBass owner thread compares the two. Owners in that thread differed on which was easier to program, and a competitor's marketing comparison in the same thread should be treated as marketing rather than independent testing.
Specifications
- Controls
- Groove/Kit, Hats/Rides, Level, and Tempo knobs
- Backlit buttons
- Tempo, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Song, Alt (Kit), Alt (Hats/Rides), Guitar Audition
- Pads
- Kick and Snare
- Footswitch
- Main footswitch; FS3X input is for an optional external switch, not included
- LEDs
- Learn and Play
- Guitar input
- Unbalanced 1/4 inch TS, 1 MΩ impedance, maximum input +8 dBu
- FS3X input
- 1/4 inch TRS, compatible with DigiTech FS3X
- Amp output
- Unbalanced 1/4 inch TS, 1 kΩ, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Mixer L/R outputs
- Balanced 1/4 inch TRS, 1 kΩ, maximum +19 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- JamSync output
- 1/8 inch TRS
- USB
- Mini-B, USB 2.0, used for product updates
- Audio
- 24-bit, 44.1 kHz; SNR 108 dB or better (A-weighted); THD+N 0.004% at 1 kHz
- Storage
- Up to 36 songs, 3 parts per song, up to 4 bars per part
- Kits
- 5 kits (E-Pop, Brush, Percussion, Power, Clean), 3 embellishment levels
- Power
- 9V DC; Guitar World lists 500 mA. Box includes a PS0913DC 9V adapter
How it's used
Musicians use the SDrum for practice, songwriting, and demos, and for solo or small-combo live performance. Owners report looping a kick and snare pattern and playing along with it, sometimes with a DAW such as Ableton. In live use, the footswitch moves between song parts. Guitar World says the sounds suit demo recording but cannot be isolated for elaborate studio production. The JamSync output is designed for JamSync-enabled DigiTech JamMan loopers.
Suggested usage
Calibrate to your instrument
The manufacturer says to hold the Guitar Audition button to calibrate the pedal to a guitar or bass.
Audition the drum output
Guitar Audition turns the drum output on or off while you strum, which helps when checking the pattern.
Use both outputs
Guitar World reports that when only the Amp Out is used, the pedal applies a special EQ to the drum signal for guitar-amp use. The reviewer recommends using the Amp Out for the guitar and the Mixer Outs for the drums.
Work through the manual
Guitar World says the pedal takes several passes through the manual before operation becomes second nature. TalkBass owners also point to the manual as the main learning resource.
Keep firmware current
Updates are applied through the USB port.
Plan around fixed limits
Owners and reviewers both note that the reverb is fixed and the song count is capped at 36.
What reviewers said
- Guitar World
The reviewer found it easy to build kick and snare parts from guitar strings and to control those patterns live. Praise went to the strummable pattern creation, editable automatic parts, 36 songs with three switchable sections, and good drum and percussion sounds. Criticisms were that operation and programming require studying the manual, and that the reverb cannot be bypassed. The reviewer judged the sounds suitable for solo artists, small combos, and demos.
- Sweetwater customer reviews
The page shows an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 57 customers. The research skimmed rather than read every review. One reviewer praised the sound quality and ease of use and said they use the pedal daily.
- TalkBass owner thread (2018)
Opinions in the thread were mixed. One owner found the SDrum simpler to program than the Beat Buddy and preferred its sturdier build. Another found the SDrum confusing in a store demo, though that user owned a Beat Buddy and preferred it.