ATV aD5 drum module
Discontinued, this product can no longer be ordered.
Product no: 9000-0026-2894 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.
General
With the aD5, ATV has created an excellent module for serious drummers, with five great-sounding kits. Each part of those kits was sampled with great care, so that it almost sounds as if you're playing an acoustic drum kit. The module is compatible with triggers from virtually all of the popular brands, and it features two separate trigger inputs and a multi trigger input (with a compatible cable). Are you looking for a drum module to upgrade your current kit with, and better acoustic drum sounds? Then this is the module you need.
ATV aD5 drum module
Some modules offer over 500 samples, ranging from drum kits to piano samples and tuned percussion instruments. However, ATV knows that 95% of those samples are rarely used, and felt they were a waste of effort and storage space. That's why ATV chose to do away with all those bells and whistles, and just focus on producing a stellar module with 5 built-in drum kits, which you can adjust to suit your preferences.
You can also load new samples using the USB input. Where most modules have about 30 samples for each piece of the kit, the aD5 has 100 of them, and you'll hear that immediately! Rarely has an e-kit come closer to sounding like a true acoustic drum kit. You'll be hard-pressed to hear the difference, as even tiny, almost inaudible noises like the creaking of a pedal are included. If you're looking for a realistic sound, then this it the perfect module for you.
A universal pedal
As mentioned before, the module is compatible with pads and triggers by all the common, popular brands. That means it's a great way to upgrade your current electronic drum kit. Using the USB cable, you can hook the module up to your computer and use it for recording, or even upload new samples and firmware. So it works as both (MIDI) input and output. Furthermore, the aD5 features an SD card slot. You can use this to create a backup of any data stored on the aD5, or to load up some sound data.
This input supports SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB. Beyond that, there's also an ATV Link input. At the moment, this has no real functionality, but ATV has one eye on the future! They plan to release a firmware upgrade before long, allowing you to use the ATV Link to connect the module to other devices. Finally, the aD5 drum module is powered by an included DC 12V power supply unit, it's 197 x 144 x 73 mm in size and it comes with an adapter that allows you to attach it to virtually any stand.
Specifications
Product features
| Number of trigger inputs | 4 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Audio over USB | 1-channel |
| Sound source | samples |
| Headphone output | yes |
| Includes cable | yes |
| Built-in sampler | no |
| Supports USB media | yes |
| USB port | yes |
Weight and dimensions including packaging
| Weight (incl. packaging) | 2,3 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (incl. packaging) | 26,5 x 22,0 x 20,5 cm |
Wrote the following about ATV aD5 drum module
The module arrived quickly and well packed. A nice touch from Bax was that they included a Euro to UK power plug adapter at no extra cost. In the event, this wasnt needed, but I was impressed by their customer care.
Its early days yet to judge the module. Theres a lot to like. Im using it with an A to E conversion of a DW kit, with Roland RT triggers and Remo Silentstroke and Roland Mesh heads. As expected, the cymbal sounds are excellent, as are dynamics, far better than the TD11 and 30 Ive used in the past. Even with rim triggers, its possible to get a full range from very soft taps to a full tom growl and pitch bend.
Kit numbers are limited, but theres a couple I really like, and I havent yet tried the expanded sound samples available from ATVs SoundcStore. The impression I have at this stage is that the ATV module has more dynamic range and realism than other modules Ive used. The sounds are a bit raw, not processed, and I can see why others have said its just like playing an acoustic kit.
Im a bit less impressed by the hi hat response I get with my Roland Vh-11. I struggle to get a fully closed sound with a couple of the kits, despite a few hours messing with the settings. This my partly be down to my technique, so the jury is still out.
Its also a shame theres no self record function available, as its a great learning tool I used a lot with zRoland modules. I also miss the Roland backing track playback function - using a separate MP3 player is more cumbersome.
The only thing I positively dislike in the ad5 is the power cable which is both short and very thin. I cant see it standing up well in a live situation.
Overall 4( or more) stars for Bax and 4 stars for the module. I may give a more considered review in a couple of weeks time with more hands on experience.
Reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews into English
Wrote the following about ATV aD5 drum module
Wrote the following about ATV aD5 drum module
Terug naar de AD5. De module heeft slechts 5 drumkits aan boord. Het blijkt dat daarmee nog niet 20% van het geheugen is gevuld. Dat biedt dus mogelijkheden voor uitbreiding. De klanken van deze module zijn zeer goed. Alle drums, en vooral de bekkens, klinken erg natuurgetrouw. De bekkens zelfs een beetje te realistisch, want het lijkt alsof je met je oren vlak boven het brons hangt, terwijl je bij een echt drumstel de bekkens natuurlijk altijd op een afstand hoort.
Het dynamisch bereik van de module is goed; en veel ruimer dan bijvoorbeeld die van de concurrent. Het is daarom jammer dat het aantal samples per dynamiek-laag beperkt is. Met andere woorden, vanaf een zekere aanslagsterkte hoor je telkens hetzelfde geluid. Alleen iets harder. Ook zijn er binnen 1 klank geen samples opgenomen voor positievariatie. En dan kom ik weer terug bij het feit dat de module nog niet voor een vijfde met geluiden is gevuld. Liever had ik gezien dat er 5 drumkits inzaten met meer samples per instrument. Begin 2017 komt overigens de bibliotheek met nieuwe geluiden online. De eerste voorbeelden ervan klinken veelbelovend. Wel gaat het gerucht dat je 5 dollar per sample moet betalen wat deze module met een paar extra klanken dan weer duur maakt.
Alle kritiek moet ook in het licht worden bezien van het feit dat je aan de klanken helemaal niets kunt veranderen. Zelfs niet stemmen. En dat is toch wel een beperking van formaat. Ook vreemd voor een professionele drummodule is de aanwezigheid van slechts twee outputs. Live spelen of een goede opname maken met de Ad5 wordt daarmee bijna ondoenlijk. Laat ik afsluiten met de goede bouwkwaliteit en de idiot proof menustructuur van het apparaat, de al dan niet handige cable-snake. En we eindigen met: blij dat er wat beweging is in e-drum land. Maar mixed feelings.
| Description | Type | Language | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nederlandstalige handleiding | Manual | Dutch | |
| Engelstalige handleiding | Manual | English | |
| Spaanstalige handleiding | Manual | Spanish | |
| Duitstalige handleiding | Manual | German | |
| Franstalige handleiding | Manual | French |
No Frills with the aD5 Drum Module by ATV!
Wednesday 20 April 2016Japanese company ATV created a rather special drum module. The aD5 module is universal and will work with pads from all of the most popular e-drum brands. If you're looking for a module without any unnecessary bells and whistles, but excellent acoustic drum sounds, then you should definitely try the aD5.
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