multidrum

Multidrum is a term used in percussion and music technology to describe a system or setup designed to produce multiple drum sounds or kits from a single interface. It can refer to hardware configurations that combine several trigger pads or modules, or to software instruments that map many drum voices to a unified control surface.

Typical multidrum configurations include an array of trigger pads or piezo sensors connected to one or more drum modules or a digital audio workstation via MIDI or dedicated audio protocols. Each pad or trigger can be assigned a different drum sound, with multiple outputs and the ability to layer sounds, adjust velocity, tuning, and effects.

In performance, multidrums enable complex, fast-paced rhythms, cross-rhythms, and percussive textures by allowing players to access a wide palette of sounds without switching devices. They are common in electronic music, contemporary pop, jazz fusion, and world music contexts, and can be used with acoustic drums via triggers for amplified live setups.

Variations include standalone hardware multidrum units, drum-trigger-enabled electronic drum kits, and software multidrum instruments within digital audio workstations. The term is not standardized and implementations vary by manufacturer and user needs. Integration often emphasizes low-latency triggering, robust MIDI or USB connectivity, support for velocity and aftertouch, and flexible routing for live mixing and recording.

See also: drum machine, drum pad, MIDI, trigger, percussion.