Comments on: We Don't Need No Stinking Drummer!

We Don't Need No Stinking Drummer!

KevinSkomsvold — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:00:43 -0800

Must have reliable gear, play in the pocket and have good chops. Humans need not apply.

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:31:35 -0800

Link is down at the moment. Also, Neil Peart rules!

By: scottfree

scottfree — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:31:39 -0800

"AHHHH!!! Too many people attacking my puny cable modem!!! Please try again later." Guess I will try later.

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:34:30 -0800

Darn. Sorry guys. I could toss it up on my site since I was able to snag it. Looks like no other mirrors exist. That is, if nobody has an objection?

By: bluedaniel

bluedaniel — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:49:22 -0800

Fire it up!

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:49:52 -0800

Knock yourself out.

By: painquale

painquale — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:50:36 -0800

Cog, the robot at at the MIT Media Lab, used to be able to play the drums before he was "put to sleep." He wasn't really all that good.

By: scottfree

scottfree — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:52:17 -0800

I am a drummer, and ever since drum machines became more sophisticated in the 80s, there has been talk of making drummers obsolete. They have their place, but nothing substitutes seeing live the likes of Buddy Rich (especially, since he is dead), Peart, Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band) and other highly talented drummers. Drum machines actually go way back (Beware: cheesy living room organ music.) "The first drum machines were built in the 19th century. They were real drums that were struck by automated metal arms with a beater attached."

By: bluedaniel

bluedaniel — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:56:50 -0800

Our Father, who Art Blakey, please forgive them, for they do not understand the repercussions of what they post.

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:58:58 -0800

Here you go fellas. Mirrored here.

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 23:03:55 -0800

By: scottfree

scottfree — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 23:15:17 -0800

Blakey was a master, and I am so bummed that I did not see him before he died. I did get the chance to see Tony Williams a few months before he died. All the drummers in the audience were sitting at the table next to his kit in awe.

By: scottfree

scottfree — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 23:22:20 -0800

And all those dead drummers I referenced did not choke on theirs (or someone elses) vomit.

By: aerify

aerify — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:32:34 -0800

I'll start listening when that machine can play like Dave Weckl.

By: sophist

sophist — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 02:13:59 -0800

I think the monkey / robot featured in this video is far superior. Regarding our earlier conversation, the work is directed by chris cunningham. p.s. you gotta click the 4th link down that says "watch monkey drummer" choice of wmp/real . couldnt figure out how to directly link that.

By: PantsOfSCIENCE

PantsOfSCIENCE — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 05:27:15 -0800

I dunno, I kind of like my drumbots belligerent. Besides, drummers will stick around if only to be the butt of old jokes.

By: grefo

grefo — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 05:41:47 -0800

It needs more cowbell.

By: Witty

Witty — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 06:04:54 -0800

scottfree - I wouldn't sweat becoming obsolete. Until they can come up with a "robot" drummer (or whatever) that can duplicate real authentic phrasing, dynamics and the ability to sit just behind the beat occassionally, you can rest easy. Plus, robots are no fun to watch.

By: squirrel

squirrel — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:03:19 -0800

By: fungible

fungible — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:19:55 -0800

Everything is explained when that supergeek steps in front of the camera halfway through.

By: kamus

kamus — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 08:34:08 -0800

If I didn't know it was a robot, I'd have difficulty in distinguishing it from 1000's of other moderately talented, yet heavy handed garage band drummers. You want incredible drumming that sounds like it could only have been played by a machine? Check out Billy Cobham. Especially his work with Mahavishnu Orchestra especially on this album. Now that's incredible.

By: kindall

kindall — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 08:38:41 -0800

I'll start listening when that machine can play like Dave Weckl. I think Yamaha already did that -- they used to offer plug-in cartridges for one of their drum machines (RY-30 IIRC) that included a number of signature sounds and patterns recorded by various drummers, including Weckl.

By: Berend

Berend — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:04:42 -0800

Just an addendum, the orginal "6 Oclock" was done by Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theatre fame?). I've not heard this piece originally so I cannot attest to the accuracy with which the robotic drums play it. It's not too accurate. The timing is wrong & it sounds very mechanical. But I guess it's not bad for a machine. It is indeed a Dream Theater song.

By: buriednexttoyou

buriednexttoyou — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:41:00 -0800

Drummer Dan Hickey of They Might Be Giants VS Robot Drummer "Cog" of MIT

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:53:55 -0800

What Berend said. I'd like to hear it improvise, but I fear that solo might sound like something off Weird Al's "Polka Your Eyes Out." I'd like to hear it paired with a speech synthesizer, a la MC Hawking: "Melody. walks. through the door. and memory. flies out the. window." I know all about the honor of Cog, Mary Jane.

By: zoogleplex

zoogleplex — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:09:34 -0800

Cog, another son of Mohg? Yes, his honor was restored by Gowron. /hypernerd