2BOX

MMT: Top Eleven Things from 2011

by David D. on December 31, 2011

The year of Apple, artists, and unanswered questions

As we reflect on 2011 through the lens of MMT statistics, it’s not surprising to see that Apple dominated the year from multiple angles.  Apple’s iCloud service was the subject of this year’s most popular post, and 6 of the top 11 stories had ties to Apple services, apps, or devices.

With the introduction of Spotify in the US, and the integration of multiple music services into Facebook, 2011 was a breakout year for streaming music.  And even if you get your streams from MOG or Spotify instead of iCloud, chances are good there will be an Apple computer, tablet, phone, iPod, or other device in the mix.

Another topic high on the list is artist compensation.  Apple shows up here, too — whether they are being praised, thanked, blessed, or cursed.  Steve Jobs keeps popping up in our Music 2.0 series, where Pete Townshend expressed a desire to cut off his balls and Jon Bon Jovi personally blamed him for “killing the music business“.

In a few hours, 2011 will slip away — just like Steve Jobs, Napster and a disheartening number of artists.  Thanks Steve, thanks sleepy cat, and thanks to all of the musicians who left us their songs, compositions, and performances.

  1. I want my iCloud!: a step-by-step guide to iTunes in the Cloud
  2. Circle of Fifths Part II: The Inner Circle
  3. Mega Music Meta-Battle: MOG vs. Spotify Reviews
  4. Zoe Keating on Spotify, Apple and Independents (and lettuce)
  5. Best of NAMM, Part II: 2BOX DrumIt Five
  6. Handpan Roundup & Reviews: HAPI, HALO, Hank, and Hang
  7. 15 Must-Have iPad Music Apps for the Professional Musician
  8. How to Hang A Didgeridoo on The Wall
  9. 11 tips for getting the most from MOG and Spotify
  10. Practice > Scales and the Circle of Fifths
  11. Animoog: Editor’s Choice – Best Synthesizer App for the iPad

Thanks and Happy New Year to all our MMT readers, and special thanks to guest authors Zoe Keating and Chris Taylor for writing the #4 and #7 things on our list for 2011.

Zoe KeatingPhoto: Jeffrey Rusch

{ 0 comments }

2BOX DrumIt Five: Winter 2010 Update

by David D. on November 29, 2010

Now available in a country near you! (Maybe)

If you live in the US, it’s looking like it will take some work (or at least some driving) to get a 2BOX Electronic Drum System under the tree this Christmas.  Meanwhile, it’s a 2BOX in every pot for our neighbors to the north.  We have been tracking US availability ever since naming the 2BOX DrumIt Five as the Best New Product at the 2010 NAMM show.  The latest from Bengt:

  • Still no US distributor
  • They do have distribution in Canada
  • The MKII version adds some hardware and software improvements (details below)
  • Price is now 2,298 Euros

MMT got in touch with the Canadian distributor, who sent us to a couple retail outlets, and this is what we’ve learned so far:

  • AXE has kits in stock for $2,554 (Canadian), but does not ship outside of Canada
  • Steve’s Music does not show any 2BOX products on its site yet, and has not responded to questions about shipping to the US

The kit pictured on AXE is an older model, so if you’re interested, check with the store before making the drive to Edmonton.  The new MKII version is pictured below, along with details on the improvements.

IMPROVEMENTS:

Hardware:
• Improved rack stand offering better stability and a sturdier look
• Better Hihat stand (it was already introduced in Batch 3)
• Improved Pedal – an extra screw is added for secure fastening of the pedal plate
• New kick pad design reduces acoustic noise.
• Improved mounting of the floating rim. (5 holders instead of previous 3)
• Separate snare stand
• Drum kit is now shipped in 3 boxes. (Pedals and snare stand are packed in a separate box).

Electronics:
• The Unit is now shipped with 1.10 software.
• Drum kits are updated with the new features.

Software:
• Metronome
• Effect Unit (multi tap delay)
• Remix – improved mixing features
• Output assign – 8 outputs possible
• Changed Cymbal triggering for better separation between bell and bow.
• Un‐ dynamic trigger curves
• New envelope mode
• Undo/Redo function
• Quicker Kit load time

Now that it ships in 3 boxes, will they have to change the name?

{ 1 comment }

Update: All I Want for Christmas is a 2BOX DrumIt 5

by David D. on July 23, 2010

Ever since we named the 2BOX DrumIt 5 as the Best New Product at the 2010 NAMM Show, our original article has maintained the #1 spot as the most popular post on MMT.  Since about 68% of our traffic comes from the United States, we checked back with Bengt from 2BOX on US availability.  Put together your wish lists now: “We are still way behind with deliveries in EU…maybe end of the year.”

{ 0 comments }

Update: 2BOX DrumIt Five

by David D. on March 1, 2010

Heard back from Bengt at 2BOX and updated the original post with the following information:

1. Have you found a US distributor?

We have some leads we are working on but we are not in a rush as we need to ramp up production before entering the US market. At this time we are pretty back-ordered in Europe.

2. When will they be generally available in:

a. Europe – They are available now in limited quantities.
b. US — Nothing decided, see above.
c. Elsewhere? — During Spring time.

3. What will be the MSRP and expected street price in Euros and US Dollars for the DrumIt Five?

For US there is no price set yet. In Europe street price is €1990:-

4. What will be standard pad sizes for the DrumIt Five?

For now 10 and 12. Later we will add 8 and 14 inch.

5. Will there be any colors available other than orange?

For now – only orange.

{ 0 comments }

Best of NAMM, Part II: 2BOX DrumIt Five

by David D. on February 26, 2010

NAMM is the National Association of Music Merchants and producer of the music industry’s largest and world’s loudest trade show. This is the second article in a series that looks at the best people and products discovered at the 2010 NAMM show.

See Best of NAMM, Part 1: PRS Guitars.

Best New Product: 2BOX DrumIt Five

2BOX DrumIt Five from the Rear

2BOX DrumIt Five from the Back

I’ve always preferred acoustic kits, not just for the sound and feel, but because most electronic drum pads just seem too small to play comfortably.  The mesh heads on Roland’s vDrums have a great feel and response, but even their mid-range (read: $2,700) kits have smallish heads, a cheap-feeling high-hat control pedal, and no kick pedal.

The DrumIt Five Open Sound Drum System from 2BOX promises a fully equipped kit, with 5 pads from 8″ to 14″, two 14″ cymbals, a full hi-hat stand and kick pedal for around $2,500.

2BOX DrumIT Five from the Front

2BOX DrumIT Five from the Front

The DrumIt Five feels great and sounds great.  Features include a rim trigger that is independent of the head trigger, multi-zone cymbals, and 4 GB on-board flash memory.  The three-zone cymbals (cup, bow, and edge) can be played when choked, while most electronic cymbals simply stop sounding if hit after a choke.  And the aluminum pads can accept any type of regular drum head, mesh heads, or rubber heads.

There are 100 fully editable kits, and user sounds can be be created from any wav, aiff, or rex files.  Also included is PC and Mac compatible software for editing drum kits.  Let’s take a listen before the big disclaimer.


BIG DISCLAIMER: Pricing and other information was obtained from a conversation with a 2BOX rep, and is subject to change and currency fluctuations.  2BOX is a Swedish company, and at the time we spoke they had not lined up a US Distributor.  They still don’t list a US Distributor on their website, but rumors are the DrumIt 5 will be available in the US around April or May 2010.  MMT will provide updates as more information becomes available.  In the meantime, you can check out www.2box.se.

While (or whilst) the 2BOX display was tucked against a back wall, Roland had its own annex in the conference center.  As you might imagine, 2BOX has created quite a stir in the Roland camp, with over 1,300 postings on the DrumIt Five topic in the V-drums forum.  The DrumIt Five took a bit of a beating for being so orange, but writers who actually own or have heard the kit were generally very positive.  There are rumors of other colors becoming available, but so far only orange kits have been seen in the wild.  The forum was closed this week due to “Roland bashing”.

Gleaming under the showroom lights was the Roland TD-20SX V-Pro Electronic Drum Set, which is absolutely gorgeous.  The kit has larger, brushed-metal pads, dual-zone triggers, and silver cymbals.  It also has a price tag of $6,999, and that does not include a kick pedal or hi-hat stand.  So we believe there is definitely room in the market for an orange e-drum kit.Q


Update #2: Winter 2010 - Separate snare stand, stronger rack, still no US distributor.

UPDATE: 1 March, 2010 -  Heard back from Bengt at 2BOX, answers below.

1. Have you found a US distributor?

We have some leads we are working on but we are not in a rush as we need to ramp up production before entering the US market. At this time we are pretty backordered in Europe.

2. When will they be generally available in:

a. Europe – They are available now in limited quantities.
b. US — Nothing decided, see above.
c. Elsewhere? — During Spring time.

3. What will be the MSRP and expected street price in Euros and US Dollars for the DrumIt Five?

For US there is no price set yet. In Europe street price is € 1990:-

4. What will be standard pad sizes for the DrumIt Five?

For now 10 and 12. Later we will add 8 and 14 inch.

5. Will there be any colors available other than orange?

For now – only orange.

{ 5 comments }